[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 98 (Monday, May 22, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27054-27056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12442]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-13-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Series Airplanes 
Equipped With BFGoodrich Off-Wing Ramp/Slide Evacuation Systems

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 767 series 
airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the off-wing 
ramp/slide evacuation systems. This proposal is prompted by reports of 
punctured tubes on certain BFGoodrich off-wing ramp/slide evacuation 
systems installed on these airplanes. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent such tube punctures, which could 
delay or impede the evacuation of passengers during an emergency.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 17, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No 95-NM-13-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207; and BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation 
Systems, Sustaining Engineering, Dept. 7916, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. 
This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Gfrerer, Aerospace Engineer, 
ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712; telephone (310) 627-5338; fax (310) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 95-NM-13-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 95-NM-13-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of punctured tubes on BFGoodrich off-
wing ramp/slide evacuation systems, having part numbers (P/N) 101630, 
101655, and 101656, installed on certain Boeing Model 767 series 
airplanes. There have been several incidents in [[Page 27055]] which 
the ramp/slides have been damaged or punctured during inflation of the 
ramp/slide. Investigation revealed that the tubes were punctured when 
the ramp/slides became trapped in the spoiler gap or were caught on the 
inboard edge of the flap during inflation. Puncture of the tubes on an 
off-wing ramp/slide evacuation system, if not corrected, could cause 
portions of the slide to deflate and, thus, delay or impede the 
evacuation of passengers during an emergency.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-
0218, dated December 15, 1994, which describes procedures for 
modication of the off-wing ramp/slide evacuation systems. This 
modification involves replacement of nuts on the bearings on the 
packboards with new nuts.
    The FAA has also reviewed and approved BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 
101630/655/656-25-269, dated October 28, 1994, which describes 
procedures for modication of the off-wing ramp/slide evacuation 
systems. This modification involves replacement of velcro retainers 
with improved retainers, installation of a cover panel on the bottom of 
the inflatable, and installation of a chafe panel between the upper and 
lower tubes near the transfer tube.
    Accomplishment of the modifications described in these two service 
bulletins will improve the resistance to a tube puncture when the ramp/
slide impinges on the spoiler gap and inboard flap edge during 
inflation.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require modication of the off-wing ramp/slide 
evacuation systems. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the service bulletins described previously.
    Operators should note that the applicability of this proposed rule 
affects Boeing Model 767 series airplanes that are equipped with 
certain BFGoodrich evacuation systems. The FAA's general policy is 
that, when an unsafe condition results from the installation of an 
appliance or other item that is installed in only one particular make 
and model of aircraft, the AD is issued so that it is applicable to the 
aircraft, rather than the item. The reason for this is simple: Making 
the AD applicable to the airplane model on which the item is installed 
ensures that operators of those airplanes will be notified directly of 
the unsafe condition and the action required to correct it. While it is 
assumed that an operator will know the models of airplanes that it 
operates, there is a potential that the operator will not know or be 
aware of specific items that are installed on its airplanes. It is for 
this reason that this proposed AD would be applicable to Model 767's 
rather than to the BFGoodrich evacuation system. Additionally, calling 
out the airplane model as the subject of the AD prevents ``unknowing 
non-compliance'' on the part of the operator.
    The FAA recognizes that there are situations when an unsafe 
condition exists in an item that is installed in many different 
aircraft. In those cases, the FAA considers it impractical to issue 
AD's against each aircraft; in fact, many times, the exact models and 
numbers of aircraft on which the item is installed may not be known. 
Therefore, in those situations, the AD is issued so that it is 
applicable to the item; furthermore, those AD's usually indicate that 
the item is known to be installed on, but not limited to, various 
aircraft models.
    As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general, 
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes 
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that 
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA 
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision 
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered 
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance 
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval 
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with 
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has 
been included in this notice to clarify this long-standing requirement.
    There are approximately 992 BFGoodrich off-wing ramp/slide 
evacuation systems installed on 496 Model 767 series airplanes (2 
evacuation systems per airplane) of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 376 BFGoodrich off-wing ramp/
slide evacuation systems installed on 188 Model 767 series airplanes of 
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 9 work hours per evacuation system to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $200 per evacuation system. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $278,240, or $740 per evacuation 
system.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under 
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as 
follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Boeing: Docket 95-NM-13-AD.

    Applicability: Model 767 series airplanes, equipped with 
BFGoodrich off-wing ramp/slide evacuation systems having part number 
(P/N) 101630, 101655, or 101656; certificated in any category.


[[Page 27056]]

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent tube puncture of the ramp/slide evacuation system, 
which could delay or impede the evacuation of passengers during an 
emergency, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the off-wing ramp/slide evacuation systems in accordance with Boeing 
Service Bulletin 767-25-0218, dated December 15, 1994, and 
BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 101630/655/656-25-269, dated October 28, 
1994.
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 16, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-12442 Filed 5-19-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U