[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 161 (Friday, August 20, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45436-45438]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21571]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-06-AD; Amendment 39-11266; AD 99-17-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

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 757-200 and -300 series airplanes, 
that requires modification of the off-wing emergency evacuation slide 
system. This amendment is prompted by reports that a certain type of 
off-wing escape slide aboard several airplanes separated from the 
airplane during flight. The actions specified by this 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: Effective September 24, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 24, 1999.

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, 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: 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 757-200 and -
300 series airplanes was published as a supplemental notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on June 11, 1999 (64 FR 
31523). That action proposed to require modification of the off-wing 
emergency evacuation slide system.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due

[[Page 45437]]

consideration has been given to the comments received.

Support for the Proposal

    Three commenters support the proposed rule, and one commenter 
states that the rule does not affect it.

Request To Delay Effective Date

    One commenter supports the proposed rule, but requests that the 
effective date of the AD be set after July 31, 1999, to allow the 
scheduled modification to be accomplished during the operator's 
scheduled ``4C'' check. The FAA notes that the effective date of the AD 
will be after July 31, 1999. No change to the final rule is necessary.

Request To Require New Repetitive Inspections

    One commenter to the NPRM that preceded the supplemental NPRM 
favors adding a requirement for a functional test to the proposed AD. 
The commenter requests that the FAA consider rulemaking to require 
repetitive tests of the emergency evacuation slides on each airplane to 
ensure that they work properly.
    The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request. Adding a 
requirement to this final rule would require the issuance of a new 
supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to reopen the public comment 
period. To delay this final rule in this way would be inappropriate, 
because the FAA has determined that an unsafe condition exists and the 
required actions must be accomplished to ensure continued safety. The 
FAA notes, however, that operators are required, per their maintenance 
procedures, to periodically deploy one escape slide on one airplane in 
its fleet to ensure proper function. No change to the final rule is 
necessary.

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 503 Model 757-200 and -300 series airplanes 
of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 
441 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
    For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0182, 
Revision 1 (301 U.S.-registered airplanes), it will take approximately 
40 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required modification of 
the door latch system, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost approximately $1,450 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the required 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 will take approximately 4 work 
hours to accomplish the required installation of the bumper assembly 
and placards, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $457 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the required 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 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:

99-17-20  Boeing: Amendment 39-11266. 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.

[[Page 45438]]

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 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 
Secs. 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin 757-25-0182, Revision 1, dated June 12, 1997, or Boeing 
Service Bulletin 757-25-0200, dated January 21, 1999; as applicable. 
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 September 24, 1999.
    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 13, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-21571 Filed 8-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U