[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 146 (Monday, July 29, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39307-39309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18786]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-218-AD; Amendment 39-9698; AD 96-15-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 Series Airplanes 
Equipped With BFGoodrich Evacuation Slide/Rafts

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 747-400 series airplanes, that 
requires modification of door 5 evacuation slide/rafts. This amendment 
is prompted by reports that the door 5 evacuation slide/raft failed to 
deploy properly due to adverse loads caused by the geometry of this 
evacuation slide/raft. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent failure of the door 5 evacuation slide/raft to deploy properly, 
which could contribute to injury of passengers on the slide and could 
delay or impede the evacuation of passengers during an emergency.


[[Page 39308]]


DATES: Effective September 3, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 3, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation Systems, 
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, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, 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, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, 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 747-400 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 29, 
1996 (61 FR 18705). That action proposed to require modification of the 
door 5 evacuation slide/rafts.
    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.

Conclusion

    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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 150 BFGoodrich evacuation slide/rafts 
installed on 75 Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes (2 slides per 
airplane) of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 1 work hour per slide to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $84 per slide. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $21,600, 
or $144 per slide.
    The 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.

Regulatory Impact

    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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

96-15-08  Boeing: Amendment 39-9698. Docket 95-NM-218-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747-400 series airplanes equipped with 
BFGoodrich Evacuation Slide/Rafts at door 5; having slide/raft 
assembly part number 7A1469-1, -2, -3, -4, -7, -8, -9, -10, -11, or 
-12 (all unit serial numbers); 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the door 5 evacuation slide/raft to deploy 
properly, which could contribute to injury of passengers on the 
slide and 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 door 5 evacuation slide/rafts in accordance with BFGoodrich 
Service Bulletin 7A1469-25-283, dated November 6, 1995.

    Note 2: Modification previous to the effective date of this AD 
in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3096, which 
references BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 7A1469-25-283, dated November 
6, 1995, is considered acceptable for compliance with the 
modification requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.

    (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 3: 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 BFGoodrich 
Service Bulletin 7A1469-25-283, dated November 6, 1995. 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 BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft 
Evacuation Systems, Department 7916, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. Copies 
may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

[[Page 39309]]

Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 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 September 3, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 18, 1996.
Stewart R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-18786 Filed 7-26-96; 8:45 am]
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