[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 112 (Friday, June 11, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31523-31525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14820]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-06-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of
comment period.
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SUMMARY: This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness
directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 757-200 series
airplanes, that would have required modification of the off-wing
emergency evacuation slide system. That proposal was prompted by
reports that a certain type of off-wing escape slide aboard several
airplanes separated from the airplane during flight. This new action
revises the proposed rule by expanding the applicability to include
additional airplanes. The actions specified by this new proposed AD are
intended to prevent separation of the emergency evacuation slide from
the airplane, which could result in damage to the fuselage and
unavailability of an escape slide during an emergency evacuation.
DATES: Comments must be received by July 6, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-06-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207.
This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Ladderud, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2780; fax (425) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed 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 above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 99-NM-06-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 99-NM-06-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to add an airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to
certain Boeing Model 757-200 series airplanes, was published as a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on
February 17, 1999 (64 FR 7827). That NPRM would have required
modification of the off-wing emergency evacuation slide system. That
NPRM was prompted by reports that a certain type of off-wing escape
slide aboard several airplanes deployed and separated from the airplane
during flight. Such separation of the emergency evacuation slide from
the airplane could result in damage to the fuselage and unavailability
of an escape slide during an emergency evacuation.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Proposal
Due consideration has been given to the comments received in
response to the NPRM.
Request to Expand Applicability
One commenter requests that the applicability of the proposed rule
be revised to add Boeing Model 757-300 series airplanes. The commenter
states that the effectivity listing in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-
0200, dated January 21, 1999 (which is cited in the proposal as an
appropriate source of service information for accomplishment of the
actions specified), is applicable to both Model 757-200 and -300 series
airplanes.
[[Page 31524]]
The FAA concurs with the commenter's request, having determined
that the effectivity listing in the service bulletin referenced by the
commenter does indeed include Model 757-300 series airplanes. The
applicability and cost impact information of this supplemental NPRM has
been revised accordingly.
Request to Revise Certain Wording
In addition, the FAA has received a comment requesting that the
word ``deployed'' be removed from the sentence in the preamble that
currently reads, ``This proposal is prompted by reports that a certain
* * * escape slide * * * deployed and separated from the airplane
during flight.'' The commenter considers the word ``deployed'' to imply
that the off-wing escape slide inflated. The commenter reports that, in
all such cases where the off-wing slide was lost, it did not inflate
but rather rotated out of its storage compartment and departed the
airplane either in its packed configuration or in an unfurled
condition.
The FAA concurs with the commenter's request. The purpose of the
quoted statement is to explain the event that caused the unsafe
condition. In light of the fact that the cause of the unsafe condition
was inaccurately described, this supplemental NPRM has been revised to
remove the word ``deployed'' from the summary section of the preamble.
Conclusion
Since adding airplanes to the applicability of this supplemental
NPRM expands the scope of the originally proposed rule, the FAA has
determined that it is necessary to reopen the comment period to provide
additional opportunity for public comment.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 503 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 441 airplanes of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD.
For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0182,
Revision 1 (301 U.S.-registered airplanes), it would take approximately
40 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed modification of
the door latch system, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour.
Required parts would cost approximately $1,450 per airplane. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed modification on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $1,158,850, or $3,850 per airplane.
For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0200
(441 U.S.-registered airplanes), it would take approximately 4 work
hours to accomplish the proposed installation of the bumper assembly
and placards, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required
parts would cost approximately $457 per airplane. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the proposed installation on U.S. operators
is estimated to be $307,377, or $697 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
Boeing: Docket 99-NM-06-AD.
Applicability: Model 757-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped
with off-wing emergency evacuation slides, as listed in Boeing
Service Bulletin 757-25-0182, Revision 1, dated June 12, 1997, or
Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0200, dated January 21, 1999;
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 separation of the emergency evacuation slide from the
airplane, which could result in damage to the fuselage and
unavailability of an escape slide during an emergency evacuation,
accomplish the following:
Modification
(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify
the left and right off-wing emergency evacuation slide systems by
accomplishment of paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as
applicable.
(1) For airplanes listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0182,
Revision 1, dated June 12, 1997: Modify the door latch system of the
left and right off-wing emergency evacuation slide systems in
accordance with the service bulletin.
Note 2: Modification of the door latch system of the off-wing
emergency evacuation slide system, prior to the effective date of
this AD, in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0182,
dated October 10, 1996, is considered acceptable for compliance with
paragraph (a)(1) of this AD.
(2) For airplanes listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0200,
dated January 21, 1999: Install a bumper assembly on the bottom of
the left and right off-wing escape slide carriers, and install new
placards in the area of the maintenance access door, in accordance
with the service bulletin.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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
[[Page 31525]]
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.
Special Flight Permits
(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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 4, 1999.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-14820 Filed 6-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P