[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 16, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3515-3516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-1238]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-116-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 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 767 series 
airplanes. This proposal would require removing the two existing escape 
ropes in the flight compartment; installing new escape ropes, bags, and 
placards; and replacing the nylon straps with new straps; as 
applicable. This action is necessary to ensure that flight crew members 
safely reach the ground from a flight compartment window in the event 
of an emergency evacuation. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-116-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    Comments may be inspected at this location between 9:00 a.m. and 
3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may 
be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. Comments may also be sent via 
the Internet using the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent via fax or the Internet must contain ``Docket No. 2000-
NM-116-AD'' in the subject line and need not be submitted in 
triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached electronic files 
must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Cashdollar, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2785; 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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-116-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. 2000-NM-116-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report indicating that the escape ropes 
provided at the flight deck windows on certain Model 767 series 
airplanes are too short when the airplane is in a tail-tip condition 
[i.e., airplane resting on one main landing gear (MLG), the engine on 
the side of the collapsed MLG, and the aft fuselage]. The length of the 
end of the existing ropes is approximately 10\1/2\ to 12\1/2\ feet 
above the ground when the airplane is in a tail-tip condition. To 
establish the appropriate length of an escape rope, all conditions of a 
collapsed landing gear must be considered to determine how high the 
flight deck windows will be above the ground. When the length of the 
767 escape ropes was established, it was assumed that the engine on the 
same side of the airplane as a collapsed MLG would shear off of the 
wing due to the weight of the airplane. However, service experience has 
shown that the engines on both sides of the airplane can remain 
attached when an MLG collapses. If this condition were to occur, the 
height of the flight deck windows would be higher than originally 
calculated, and thus, the escape ropes at the flight deck windows would 
be too short if a tail-tip condition occurs. This condition, if not 
corrected, could prevent flight crew members from safely reaching the 
ground from a flight compartment window in the event of an emergency 
evacuation.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
767-25A0265, dated May 27, 1999, which describes procedures for 
removing the two existing escape ropes in the flight compartment; 
installing new escape ropes, bags, and placards; and replacing

[[Page 3516]]

the nylon straps with new straps; as applicable. 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.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 321 Model 767 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 136 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $4,718 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $649,808, or $4,778 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 proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact 
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time 
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. 
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the 
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 2000-NM-116-AD.

    Applicability: Model 767 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 767-25A0265, dated May 27, 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 ensure that flight crew members safely reach the ground from 
a flight compartment window in the event of an emergency evacuation, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-25A0265, dated May 
27, 1999.
    (1) For all airplanes: Remove the two existing escape ropes and 
install new escape ropes, bags, and placards, as applicable, in the 
flight compartment.
    (2) For airplanes having serial numbers 1 through 107 inclusive; 
on which Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-0149, dated March 7, 1991 
has been accomplished; or on which neither Boeing Service Bulletin 
767-25-0149, dated March 7, 1991, nor 767-25A0242, dated October 31, 
1996, has been accomplished: Replace the nylon straps with new 
straps.

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. 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 Permit

    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 9, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-1238 Filed 1-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U