[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 174 (Friday, September 8, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46761-46763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20856]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-13-AD; Amendment 39-9351; AD 95-18-03]


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

DATES: Effective October 10, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the 

[[Page 46762]]
regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
October 10, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207; and BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation 
Systems, Sustaining Engineering, Department 7916, Phoenix, Arizona 
85040. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 767 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 22, 1995 (60 FR 
27054). That action proposed to require modication of the off-wing 
ramp/slide evacuation systems.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    There are approximately 992 Model 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 will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately 9 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $200 per evacuation system. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $278,240, or $740 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) Is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

95-18-03  Boeing: Amendment 39-9351. 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.

    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) of this AD 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 
sections 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.
    (d) The modification shall be done 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. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director 
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane 
Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, Transport 

[[Page 46763]]
Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; 
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 10, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 17, 1995.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-20856 Filed 9-7-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U