[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6534-6535]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3131]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-226-AD; Amendment 39-11562; AD 2000-03-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-200 Series Airplanes 
Modified in Accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
ST00969AT

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 737-200 series airplanes that 
requires removal of the existing emergency floor path lighting system 
and replacement with an FAA-approved emergency floor path lighting 
system. This amendment is prompted by information indicating that the 
existing emergency floor path lighting system does not provide adequate 
lighting and cueing for safe evacuation of the airplane in the event of 
an emergency. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
such inadequate lighting and cueing, which could delay or impede the 
flight crew and passengers when exiting the airplane during an 
emergency.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 16, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this amendment may be examined at 
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 
or at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Campus Building, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, Suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eugene Evans, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-
116A, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification 
Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30349; telephone (770) 703-6081; fax (770) 703-6097.

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 737-200 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 23, 1999 
(64 FR 33443). That action proposed to require removal of the existing 
emergency floor path lighting system and replacement with an FAA-
approved emergency floor path lighting system. That proposal was 
prompted by information indicating that the existing emergency floor 
path lighting system does not provide adequate lighting and cueing for 
safe evacuation of the airplane in the event of an emergency. The 
actions specified by that proposal are intended to prevent such 
inadequate lighting and cueing, which could delay or impede the flight 
crew and passengers when exiting the airplane during an emergency.
    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 concurs with the proposed rule.
    Another commenter requests that the compliance time be extended to 
six months so that it will have adequate time to integrate the affected 
airplanes into the maintenance cycle.
    The FAA concurs. The FAA has determined that such an extension of 
the compliance time to within 6 months after the effective date of the 
AD will not adversely affect safety. The final rule has been revised 
accordingly.

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 with the changes previously 
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 40 Boeing Model 737-200 series airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 4 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 12 work hours per airplane to accomplish the removal 
of the system, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. It 
will take approximately 40 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required replacement with an FAA-approved system. Required parts for 
the replacement will cost approximately $10,000 for a new system, per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $524,800, or $13,120 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 a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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

[[Page 6535]]

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, 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:

2000-03-05  Boeing: Amendment 39-11562. Docket 96-NM-226-AD.

    Applicability: Model 737-200 series airplanes equipped with SAF-
T-GL0 Aerospace Limited emergency floor path lighting systems 
installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
ST00969AT, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 inadequate lighting and cueing of the emergency floor 
path lighting system, which could delay or impede the flight crew 
and passengers when exiting the airplane during an emergency, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, remove 
the existing photoluminescent emergency floor path lighting system 
from the airplane. Replace it with an emergency floor path lighting 
system in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate ST01829AT, 
dated February 11, 1999, or an FAA-approved emergency floor path 
lighting system that is installed in accordance with a method 
approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, Small Airplane Directorate.
    (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, Atlanta ACO. Operators shall submit 
their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Atlanta ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta ACO.

    (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.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on March 16, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 4, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-3131 Filed 2-9-00; 8:45 am]
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