[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71010-71012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32581]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-134-AD; Amendment 39-11469; AD 99-26-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, and -800 
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 737-600, -700, and -800 series 
airplanes, that requires installation of a drain at each of the number 
2 window frame assemblies in the airplane. This amendment is prompted 
by reports that flight deck emergency exits (number 2 windows) were 
found frozen shut after landing. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent water accumulation in the lower corners of the 
flight deck emergency exits (number 2 windows), which can freeze and 
prevent the exits from being used during an emergency evacuation.

DATES: Effective January 24, 2000.

[[Page 71011]]

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 24, 2000.

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: Meghan Gordon, Aerospace 
Engineer,Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2207; 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 737-600, -
700, and -800 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
July 14, 1999 (64 FR 37918). That action proposed to require 
installation of a drain at each of the number 2 window frame assemblies 
in the airplane.

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 has no objection to the proposed rule, and one 
commenter states that the rule does not affect it.

Request To Reduce Compliance Time

    One commenter supports the proposed rule, but requests that the 
compliance time be reduced to 12 months from 18 months. The commenter 
also requests that the maximum time from publication of the final rule 
in the Federal Register until the effective date of the rule be no more 
than 30 days. The commenter states that based upon the proposed 
compliance times, adding in the administrative procedures time to 
publish the final rule and a possible ``delayed'' effective date, the 
affected airplanes may go through two more cold weather seasons before 
an operator must correct this unsafe condition.
    The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request to reduce the 
compliance time of the AD, or accelerate the effective date to no more 
than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Reduction of 
the compliance time from 18 to 12 months would necessitate reopening 
the comment period, resulting in further delay of the AD. In developing 
the compliance time for this AD action, the FAA considered not only the 
safety implications of the unsafe condition addressed, but the average 
utilization rate of the affected fleet, the practical aspects of an 
orderly modification of the fleet during regular maintenance periods, 
the availability of parts, and the time necessary for the rulemaking 
process. The proposed compliance time of 18 months after the effective 
date of the AD was determined to be appropriate.
    Also, the effective date for an AD action is not arbitrarily 
assigned, as the commenter implies. The Administrative Procedure Act 
(APA) requires that Federal agencies provide at least 30 days after 
publication of a final rule in the Federal Register before making it 
effective, unless ``good cause'' can be found not to do so. Under the 
APA, the basis for this finding is similar to the basis for a finding 
of good cause to dispense with notice and comment procedures in issuing 
rules. In the case of certainAD's, the nature of the action may be of 
such urgency that for the FAA to take any additional time to provide 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment would be impracticable; 
in those cases, the FAA finds good cause for making the rule effective 
in less than 30 days. In the case of this AD action, the FAA does not 
consider that the addressed unsafe condition is of such a critical 
nature that time could not be afforded for notice and the opportunity 
for the public to comment on the rule. It follows then, that there is 
no basis for finding good cause for making this rule effective in less 
than 30 days. For final rules following notice, the FAA usually assigns 
an effective date of 30 days after publication. No change to the final 
rule is necessary.

Request To Increase the Cost Estimate

    One commenter requests that the number of work hours in the cost 
estimate be increased to 5 work hours from 3 work hours. The commenter 
states that Boeing Service Bulletin 737-56-1011, dated November 19, 
1998, states that 5 hours are required per airplane to perform the 
installation, and the rulemaking cost impact analysis should be 
consistent with the work hours quoted in the service bulletin.
    The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request. The cost 
impact information, below, describes only the ``direct'' costs of the 
specific actions required by this AD. The number of work hours 
necessary to accomplish the required actions, specified as 3 in the 
cost impact information below, was provided to the FAA by the 
manufacturer based on the best data available to date. This number 
represents the time necessary to perform only the actions actually 
required by this AD. The FAA recognizes that, in accomplishing the 
requirements of any AD, operators may incur ``incidental'' costs in 
addition to the ``direct'' costs. The cost analysis in AD rulemaking 
actions, however, typically does not include incidental costs, such as 
the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions. Because incidental costs 
may vary significantly from operator to operator, they are almost 
impossible to calculate. 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 144 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 57 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required installation, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $536 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $40,812, or $716 
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.

[[Page 71012]]

    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:

99-26-10 Boeing: Amendment 39-11469. Docket 99-NM-134-AD.

    Applicability: Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes; 
line numbers 1 through 144 inclusive; 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 water accumulation in the lower corners of the flight 
deck emergency exits (number 2 windows), which can freeze and 
prevent the exits from being used during an emergency evacuation, 
accomplish the following:

Installation

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install a drain at each of the number 2 window frame assemblies in 
the airplane, in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-56-
1011, dated November 19, 1998.

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 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

    (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 737-56-1011, dated November 19, 1998. 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 January 24, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 10, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-32581 Filed 12-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U