[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 20, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48630-48631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22716]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-35-AD; Amendment 39-9370; AD 95-19-08]
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727-100 and -200 Series
Airplanes Equipped With an Engine Nose Cowl for Engine Numbers 1 and 3,
Installed in Accordance With Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
SA4363NM
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 727-100 and -200 series airplanes,
that requires replacing the attaching nutplates on certain engine nose
cowls with washers and self-locking nuts. This amendment is prompted by
reports indicating that nose cowls separated (or nearly separated) from
the engines of certain airplanes following failure of the engine fan
blade and subsequent vibration of the engine, which caused loosening of
the attach bolts on the nose cowl of the engine. The actions specified
by this AD are intended to prevent the attach bolts from becoming
loose, which could result in subsequent separation of the nose cowl
from the engine.
DATES: Effective October 20, 1995. -
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 20, 1995.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from VALSAN Partnership Ltd., Aviation Products Management,
Product Support Office, 39450 Third Street East, suite 121, Palmdale,
California 93550. 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 Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter Sippel, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2774; fax (206) 227-1181.
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 727-100 and -
200 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 3,
1995 (60 FR 21774). That action proposed to require replacing the
attaching nutplates on certain engine nose cowls with washers and
selflocking nuts.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
One commenter supports the proposed rule.
One commenter requests that the subject title of the proposed rule
be revised to indicate that the specific nose cowls affected are those
for the No. 1 and No. 3 engines. The FAA concurs. The FAA has revised
the final rule as requested by the commenter, and has added this
information to the applicability of the AD.
The same commenter requests that paragraph (b) of the proposed rule
be revised to specify that the part numbers listed for the nose cowl
are VALSAN part numbers. The FAA concurs and has revised the final rule
accordingly.
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
There are approximately 22 Model 727-100 and -200 series airplanes
of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that
19 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The cost
for required parts will be negligible. Based on these figures, the
total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$6,840, or $360 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:
95-19-08 Boeing: Amendment 39-9370. Docket 95-NM-35-AD.
Applicability: Model 727-100 and -200 series airplanes equipped
with an engine nose cowl for engine numbers 1 and 3, installed in
accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA4363NM,
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
[[Page 48631]]
owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (c) 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 the attach bolts on the nose cowl of the engine from
becoming loose, and subsequent separation of the nose cowl from the
engine, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the attaching nutplates of the No. 1 and No. 3 engine nose
cowls with washers and self-locking nuts in accordance with VALSAN
B727-RE Service Bulletin 71-006, Revision 1, dated March 3, 1995.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
a nose cowl having VALSAN part number 259-0002-501 or 259-0002-503
on any airplane.
(c) 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, Seattle 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, Seattle ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
(d) 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.
(e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with VALSAN
B727-RE Service Bulletin 71-006, Revision 1, dated March 3, 1995,
which contains the following effective pages:
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Page
No. Revision level shown on page Date shown on page
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1-... 1-.............................. March 3, 1995.
2-9-. Original........................ February 3, 1995.
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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 VALSAN Partnership Ltd.,
Aviation Products Management, Product Support Office, 39450 Third
Street East, suite 121, Palmdale, California 93550. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on October 20, 1995.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 7, 1995.
D. L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-22716 Filed 9-19-95; 8:45 am]
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