[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 20, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38846-38848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18412]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-89-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 757-200 and -
300 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the 
slide/raft evacuation system by installing a girt reinforcement chafing 
patch. This proposal is prompted by reports of holes in the inflatable 
area of the slide/raft evacuation system. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent holes in the inflatable portion of 
the slide/raft evacuation system, which could result in the slide/raft 
being unusable as a raft during an emergency water landing.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 3, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-89-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Air Cruisers Company, Technical Publications Department, 
P.O. Box 180, Belmar, New Jersey 07719-0180. 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-89-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-89-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of holes in the inflatable portion of 
certain slide/

[[Page 38847]]

raft evacuation systems on Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 series 
airplanes. The holes result from chafing of the slide/raft on a bracket 
harness assembly used to attach the system to the aircraft door. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in the slide/raft being 
unusable as a raft during an emergency water landing.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Air Cruisers Company Service 
Bulletin 757-105-25-51, dated January 29, 1999, which describes 
procedures for modifying the slide/raft evacuation system by installing 
a girt reinforcement patch in the area prone to chafing against the 
bracket harness assembly. Accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified 
unsafe condition.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously, except as discussed below.

Differences Between the Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin

    Operators should note that this proposed AD would require 
modification of the slide/raft within 36 months after the effective 
date of this AD. The service bulletin recommends that this action 
should be accomplished, ``* * * at the next regular scheduled 
maintenance to the equipment.'' In developing an appropriate compliance 
time for this AD, the FAA considered not only the manufacturer's 
recommendation, but the degree of urgency associated with addressing 
the subject unsafe condition, the average utilization of the affected 
fleet, and the time necessary to perform the modification (5 hours per 
airplane). In light of all of these factors, the FAA finds a 36-month 
compliance time for initiating the required actions to be warranted, in 
that it represents an appropriate interval of time allowable for 
affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising safety.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 445 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 310 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
5 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed modification, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would 
cost approximately $145 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$137,950, or $445 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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-89-AD.

    Applicability: Model 757-200 and -300 series airplanes, equipped 
with Air Cruisers Company slide/raft evacuation systems having part 
and serial numbers identified in Table 1 of this AD; certificated in 
any category.

 Table 1.--Air Cruisers Company Slide/Raft Evacuation Systems Subject to
                                 this AD
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             Name                   Part No.            Serial Nos.
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Air Cruisers..................  D30657-( )        Prior to 1132.
Air Cruisers..................  D30658-( )        Prior to 0859.
Air Cruisers..................  D30659-( )        Prior to 0860.
Air Cruisers..................  61570-( )         Prior to 0321.
Air Cruisers..................  61475-( )         Prior to 0137.
Air Cruisers..................  61475-( )         0138, 0139.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 (c) 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 holes in the inflatable portion of the slide/raft 
evacuation system, which

[[Page 38848]]

could result in the slide/raft being unusable as a raft during an 
emergency water landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the slide/raft evacuation system in accordance with Air Cruisers 
Company Service Bulletin 757-105-25-51, dated January 29, 1999.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a slide/raft evacuation system having a part number and serial 
number identified in Table 1 of this AD, on any airplane, unless 
that slide/raft evacuation system has been modified in accordance 
with Air Cruisers Company Service Bulletin 757-105-25-51, dated 
January 29, 1999.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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.

Special Flight Permits

    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 14, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-18412 Filed 7-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U