[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 180 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49659-49661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24867]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-95-AD; Amendment 39-10766; AD 98-19-25]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 Series Airplanes 
Equipped With Air Cruisers 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 777-200 series airplanes, that 
requires modifying the sliding surface of the door 1 left and door 1 
right evacuation slide/rafts. This amendment is

[[Page 49660]]

prompted by a report of injuries to evacuees using the slide/raft to 
exit the airplane; the evacuees were unable to achieve adequate initial 
sliding speed and adequate momentum to carry them expeditiously down 
the slide/raft. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent evacuee overload of the slide/rafts, and consequent impeded 
evacuation and injury to the evacuees.

DATES: Effective October 22, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 22, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. 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: Keith Ladderud, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington; telephone (425) 227-2780; fax 
(425) 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 777-200 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on September 2, 
1997 (62 FR 46221). That action proposed to require modifying the 
sliding surface of the door 1 left and door 1 right evacuation slide/
rafts.

Comments

    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 AD and two 
commenters oppose it.

Request That the AD Not Be Issued

    The Air Transport Association (ATA) of America states that one 
operator has already accomplished the modification according to the 
manufacturer's service bulletin. That operator opposes the proposed 
rule and states that all 16 of its Model 777 series airplanes have been 
modified in accordance with the referenced service bulletins (Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-25A0035 and Air Cruisers Company Service Bulletin 
S.B 777-107-25-02), that no other Model 777 operators are affected by 
these service bulletins, and that the proposed AD will not have a 
positive impact on safety. For these reasons, the operator does not 
consider that it is necessary for the FAA to issue the proposed AD.
    Another commenter, the manufacturer, states that the proposed AD is 
not warranted. That commenter advises that it is committed to ensuring 
the safety of Model 777 series airplanes and has worked aggressively 
with the affected operators to accomplish the door 1 slide/raft 
modifications at the earliest possible date. In a letter dated October 
15, 1997, the commenter states that 107 slide/rafts out of 113 were 
modified, only 6 remain unmodified, and none of the unmodified slide/
rafts are owned by a U.S. operator. However, in a letter dated October 
23, 1997, the commenter states that 104 slide/rafts have been modified 
and only 9 slide/rafts remain unmodified. Upon inquiry about the 
correct number of slide/rafts, the FAA was informed by the commenter 
that the correct numbers were cited in the October 15 letter. That 
commenter also states that it will continue its efforts to modify the 
remaining slide/rafts as soon as possible.
    The FAA does not concur that issuance of the rule is unnecessary or 
that it would not have a positive impact on safety, even though the FAA 
has received information indicating that most of the modifications 
required by the AD have been accomplished. In accordance with various 
bilateral airworthiness agreements with countries around the world, the 
FAA is obligated to advise foreign airworthiness authorities of unsafe 
conditions identified in products manufactured in the United States. 
The issuance of AD's is the means by which the FAA satisfies this 
obligation, and therefore, the issuance of this AD is both warranted 
and necessary.

Further Evaluation of the Slide/Raft Design Recommended

    The Air Line Pilots Association supports the proposed AD. However, 
this commenter questions whether the proposed solution for applying a 
dry lubricant to the top of the sliding area has been thoroughly 
evaluated to ensure that it is usable in all possible conditions that 
would be encountered during the life of the slide. The commenter also 
questions how the evacuation problem was discovered, since it was not 
immediately evident in the evacuation demonstration. In addition, the 
commenter contends that certain evacuation conditions could result in 
unsafe slide performance (e.g., when the slide is wet with rain). The 
commenter recommends further evaluation of the slide/raft evacuation 
scenario.
    After careful consideration of the questions and recommendations 
presented by the commenter, the FAA does not concur that additional 
evaluation is required to correct the identified unsafe condition. 
During evacuation tests of the slide/raft, evacuees wore clothing of 
several types of fabric. Testing also included various sliding surface 
treatments, lubricant applications, evacuee jumping styles, sliding 
angles (sill height), and wet and dry sliding surface conditions. After 
careful analysis of these test results, the FAA has determined that 
further evaluation is not necessary. In addition, the FAA has 
determined that the application of the dry lubricant, as specified in 
the AD, is adequate to ensure an appropriate level of safety during an 
evacuation. The FAA has made no change to the final rule.

Conclusion

    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 as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 43 Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 16 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $3,840, or $240 per airplane.
    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

[[Page 49661]]

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:

98-19-25  Boeing: Amendment 39-10766. Docket 97-NM-95-AD.

    Applicability: Model 777-200 series airplanes, line positions 2 
through 48 inclusive, excluding line positions 10, 41, 43, and 47; 
equipped with Air Cruisers evacuation slide/rafts, as identified in 
Air Cruisers Service Bulletin S.B. 777-107-25-02, dated October 29, 
1996; 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 evacuee overload of the slide/raft, and consequent 
impeded evacuation and injury to the evacuees, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the sliding surfaces of the door 1 left and door 1 right evacuation 
slide/rafts, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
25A0035, dated December 2, 1996.

    Note 2: The Boeing alert service bulletin references Air 
Cruisers Company Service Bulletin S.B. 777-107-25-02, dated October 
29, 1996, as an additional source of service information.

    (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, 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle 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 
Alert Service Bulletin 777-25A0035, dated December 2, 1996. 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 Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 22, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 10, 1998.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24867 Filed 9-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U