[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 194 (Thursday, October 7, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54513-54515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25767]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-367-AD; Amendment 39-11353; AD 99-21-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727-100 and -100C 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 727-100 and -100C series airplanes, 
that requires replacement of certain skin panels of the lower fuselage 
with non-bonded skin panels. This amendment is prompted by reports of 
corrosion of the skin panels of the lower fuselage on airplanes with 
hot-bonded doublers. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent degradation of the structural integrity of certain skin panels 
of the lower fuselage, which could result in loss of airplane 
pressurization.

DATES: Effective November 12, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 12, 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),

[[Page 54514]]

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: Walt Sippel, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2774; 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 727-100 and -
100C series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 21, 
1999 (64 FR 39102). That action proposed to require replacement of 
certain skin panels of the lower fuselage with non-bonded skin panels.

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.
    Two commenters indicate they are not affected by the proposed rule. 
One commenter supports the proposed 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 67 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. Based on a records review, the FAA estimates that only 
38 of those airplanes are still in service. The FAA estimates that 23 
airplanes of U.S. registry still in service will be affected by this 
AD, that it will take approximately 1,216 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required replacement, and that the average labor rate is 
$60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $12,993 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $1,976,919, or $85,953 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 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:

99-21-10  Boeing: Amendment 39-11353. Docket 98-NM-367-AD.

    Applicability: Model 727-100 and -100C series airplanes; line 
numbers 126, 130, 146, 153, 221, 287, 331, 339, 345, 355, 416, 516, 
532, 540, 551, 555, 559, 575, 592, 594, 596, 599, 600, 604, 605, 
615, 619, 625, 626, 628, 630, 631, 632, 635, 640, 641, 643, 645, 
647, 658, 660, 686, 695, 700, 711, 712, 735, 748, 766, 768, 784, 
797, 803, 806, 810, 812, 817, 821, 822, 824, 829, 854, 856, 857, 
858, 861, and 869; 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 degradation of the structural integrity of certain 
skin panels of the lower fuselage, which could result in loss of 
airplane pressurization, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 20 years since original installation, or within 4 
years after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, 
replace the skin panels of the lower fuselage between body station 
(BS) 950 and BS 1183 with non-bonded skin panels, in accordance with 
Part VI of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 727-53-0085, Revision 4, dated July 11, 1991.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the modification specified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 727-53-0085, Revision 2, dated July 3, 1975, or 
Revision 3, dated September 28, 1989, is acceptable for compliance 
with the replacement required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
    Note 3: Accomplishment of the modification specified in 
paragraph (a) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the 
inspection requirements of AD 92-19-10, amendment 39-8368 (57 FR 
47404, October 16, 1992) for those panels.

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 4: 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
Service Bulletin 727-53-0085, Revision 4, dated July 11, 1991. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)

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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 November 12, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 28, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-25767 Filed 10-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U