[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 5, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62192-62194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29480]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-247-AD; Amendment 39-9449; AD 95-01-06 R1]


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-200 and -300 Series 
Airplanes Equipped With Cargo Doors Installed in Accordance With 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2969SO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment revises an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-200 and -300 series 
airplanes, that currently requires inspections to detect cracking in 
the radii on the support angles on the lower jamb (latch lug fittings) 
of the main deck cargo door, and replacement of cracked parts. That 
amendment was prompted by reports of premature fatigue cracking on the 
support angles on the lower jamb of the main deck cargo door. The 
actions specified in that AD are intended to prevent in-flight 
separation of the main deck cargo door from the airplane due to fatigue 
cracking on the support angles on the lower door jamb. This amendment 
requires a change in the cognizant aircraft certification office for 
requesting approvals of alternative methods of compliance with the 
provisions of this AD.

DATES: Effective December 20, 1995.

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations was approved previously by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of January 24, 1995 (60 FR 2323, January 9, 1995).
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before February 5, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-247-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Pemco Aeroplex, Inc., P.O. Box 2287, Birmingham, Alabama 35201-2287. 
This information may be examined at the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Campus Building, 
1701 Columbia Avenue, Suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia; or 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Curtis Jackson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ACE-120A; FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Atlanta 
Aircraft Certification Office, Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
Suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748; telephone (404) 305-
7358; fax (404) 305-7348; or Della Swartz, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe 
Branch, 

[[Page 62193]]
ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (206) 227-2785; fax (206) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 29, 1994, the FAA issued AD 95-
01-06, amendment 39-9117 (60 FR 2323, January 9, 1995), applicable to 
certain Boeing Model 737-200 and -300 series airplanes, to require 
repetitive visual inspections to detect cracking in the radii on the 
support angles on the lower jamb of the main deck cargo door, and 
replacement of cracked parts with new parts. For those operators 
requesting approval of alternative methods of compliance (AMOC) with 
the requirements of that AD, that AD requires that those requests be 
submitted to the Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO).
    That AD was prompted by reports of premature fatigue cracking on 
the support angles on the lower jamb of the main deck cargo door. The 
actions required by that AD are intended to prevent in-flight 
separation of the main deck cargo door from the airplane due to fatigue 
cracking on the support angles on the lower door jamb.
    Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has reviewed the requirement 
for operators requesting approval of an AMOC to submit those requests 
to the Seattle ACO. The FAA considered the physical proximity of the 
supplemental type certificate (STC) holder, Pemco, which is located in 
Birmingham, Alabama, to the Atlanta ACO, which is located in College 
Park, Georgia. The FAA has determined that the Atlanta ACO would be 
more readily accessible to Pemco than the Seattle ACO, which is located 
in Renton, Washington. Consequently, the FAA finds that revising this 
AD to change the cognizant ACO for requesting approval of an AMOC, from 
the Seattle ACO to the Atlanta ACO, would allow the FAA to be more 
responsive to the needs of its customers. Therefore, the FAA has 
determined that it is appropriate to take action to revise paragraph 
(b) of that AD to change the cognizant ACO from Seattle to Atlanta.
    Since unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist 
or develop on other airplanes of this same type design, this AD revises 
AD 95-01-06 to continue to require repetitive visual inspections to 
detect cracking in the radii on the support angles on the lower jamb of 
the main deck cargo door and replacement of cracked parts with new 
parts. This AD changes the cognizant ACO for requesting approval of an 
AMOC from the Seattle ACO to the Atlanta ACO.
    -This AD merely changes, for those operators requesting approval of 
an AMOC, the cognizant office from the Seattle ACO to the Atlanta ACO. 
In light of this, the FAA has determined that this AD has no adverse 
economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any person. 
Therefore, notice and opportunity for prior public comment hereon are 
unnecessary, and the amendment may be made effective in less than 30 
days after publication in the Federal Register.

Comments Invited

    -Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    -Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    -Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their 
comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: 
``Comments to Docket Number 94-NM-247-AD.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and returned to the commenter.
    -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 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, 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 removing amendment 39-9117 (60 FR 
2323, January 9, 1995), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-9449, to read as follows:

95-01-06 R1 Boeing: Amendment 39-9449. Docket 94-NM-247-AD. Revises 
AD 95-01-06, Amendment 39-9117.

    Applicability: Model 737-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped 
with main deck cargo doors installed in accordance with supplemental 
type certificate (STC) SA2969SO, 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 

[[Page 62194]]
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 in-flight separation of the main deck cargo door from 
the airplane, accomplish the following:

    -Note 2: This AD references Pemco Alert Service Letter 737-53-
0003, Revision 3, dated December 22, 1994, for information 
concerning inspection and replacement procedures. In addition, this 
AD specifies replacement requirements different from those included 
in the service letter. Where there are differences between the AD 
and the service letter, the AD prevails.

    (a) Within 50 flight after January 24, 1995 (the effective date 
of AD 95-01-06, amendment 39-9117), or within 50 flight cycles after 
installation of STC SA2969SO, whichever occurs later, perform a 
visual inspection to detect cracking in the radii on the support 
angles on the lower jamb of the main deck cargo door, in accordance 
with Pemco Alert Service Letter 737-53-0003, Revision 3, dated 
December 22, 1994.
    (1) If no cracking is detected, repeat the visual inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 450 flight cycles.
    (2) If any cracking is detected, prior to further flight, 
replace the cracked part with a new part in accordance with the 
service letter. Repeat the visual inspection thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 450 flight cycles.
    (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, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO). Operators shall submit 
their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Atlanta ACO.

    -Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta 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 inspection and replacement procedures shall be done in 
accordance with Pemco Alert Service Letter 737-53-0003, Revision 3, 
dated December 22, 1994. This incorporation by reference was 
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of January 24, 
1995 (60 FR 2323, January 9, 1995). Copies may be obtained from 
Pemco Aeroplex, Inc., P.O. Box 2287, Birmingham, Alabama 35201-2287. 
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Campus 
Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, Suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 
30337-2748; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on December 20, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 28, 1995.

Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-29480 Filed 12-4-95; 8:45 am]
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