[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 27, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34128-34130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16055]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 124 / Wednesday, June 27, 2001 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 34128]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-NM-115-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 707-100, -100B, -300, and
-E3A (Military Airplanes); 727-100 and -200; 737-200, -200C, -300, -
400, and -500; 747SP and 747SR; 747-100B, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -
400, and -400D; 757-200 and -200PF; and 767-200 and -300 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 707-100, -
100B, -300, and -E3A (military airplanes); 727-100 and -200; 737-200, -
200C, -300, -400, and -500; 747SP and 747SR; 747-100B, -200B, -200C, -
200F, -300, -400, and -400D; 757-200 and -200PF; and 767-200 and -300
series airplanes. This proposal would require inspection of the
attachment of the shoulder restraint harness to the mounting bracket on
certain observer and attendant seats to determine if a C-clip is used
in the attachment, and corrective action, if necessary. This action is
necessary to prevent detachment of the shoulder restraint harness of
the attendant or observer seat from its mounting bracket during
service, which could result in injury to the occupant of the seat. This
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 13, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-115-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-115-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: Keith Ladderud, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2780; 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-115-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-115-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received reports that the shoulder restraint harness of
the attendant or observer seat detached from the mounting bracket
during service on two Boeing Model 737-300 series airplanes. In the
reported incidents, the restraint harness was attached to the mounting
bracket with a C-clip. Such detachment of the shoulder restraint
harness from its mounting bracket during service, if not corrected,
could result in injury to the occupant of the seat.
The shoulder restraint harness installations on the affected Model
737-300 series airplanes are identical to those on certain Boeing Model
707-100, -100B, -300, and -E3A (military airplanes); 727-100 and -200;
737-200, -200C, -400, and -500; 747SP and 747SR; 747-100B, -200B, -
200C, -200F, -300, -400, and -400D; 757-200 and -200PF; and 767-200 and
-300 series airplanes. Therefore, the shoulder restraint harnesses on
all of these models may have a C-clip installed and thus be subject to
the same unsafe condition.
[[Page 34129]]
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Service Bulletins 3499,
727-25-0295, 737-25-1412, 747-25-3244, 757-25-0223, and 767-25-0288;
all Revision 1; all dated May 17, 2001. These service bulletins
describe procedures for a one-time inspection of the attachment of the
shoulder restraint harness of certain attendant or observer seats to
the mounting bracket to determine if a C-clip is used in the
attachment. If the shoulder restraint harness is looped through the
bracket and attached to itself with a C-clip, the service bulletins
provide two alternatives for correcting this condition. One method
instructs operators to attach the shoulder restraint harness directly
to the mounting bracket by removing and discarding the C-clip, removing
the mounting bracket, putting the mounting bracket through the loop of
the shoulder harness, and attaching the mounting bracket in its
original position. In lieu of removal of the C-clip, the service
bulletins also describe an optional method that involves installation
of a second C-clip with the clip's opening positioned in the opposite
direction of the opening of the existing C-clip. Accomplishment of
either of these actions given in the service bulletins 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 applicable service bulletin described previously, except as
discussed below.
Differences Between The Service Bulletins and This Proposed AD
Operators should note that, although the service bulletins
recommend accomplishing the inspection ``at the next scheduled
maintenance period when manpower and equipment are available,'' the FAA
has determined that such an indefinite compliance time would not
address the identified unsafe condition in a timely manner. In
developing an appropriate compliance time for this AD, the FAA
considered not only the manufacturer's recommendation, but the degree
of urgency associated with addressing the subject unsafe condition, the
average utilization of the affected fleet, and the time necessary to
perform the proposed actions. In light of all of these factors, the FAA
finds an 18-month compliance time for initiating the required actions
to be warranted, in that it represents an appropriate interval of time
allowable for affected airplanes to continue to operate without
compromising safety.
In addition, the service bulletins do not identify the type of
inspection that is involved in the procedures for inspecting the
attachment of the shoulder restraint harness to determine if a C-clip
is used. The FAA refers to this inspection in the proposed AD as a
``general visual'' inspection.
Cost Impact
The table below estimates the cost impact of the inspection that
would be required by this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $60
per work hour.
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Number of Number of Number of work
Base model airplanes/ airplanes/U.S. hours (@ 0.25 Total cost per Total cost fleet
worldwide registry work hour/seat) airplane
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707 250 21 1 $60 $1,260
727 1,986 881 1 60 52,860
737 921 437 2 120 52,440
747 533 83 5 300 24,900
757 262 257 2 120 30,840
767 573 207 3 180 37,260
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The cost impact figures discussed above are 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-115-AD.
Applicability: Airplanes as listed in the table below;
certificated in any category.
[[Page 34130]]
Table 1.
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As listed in the following
Models and series Boeing service bulletins
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Model 707-100, -100B, -300, and -E3A 3499, Revision 1, dated May
(Military). 17, 2001
Model 727-100 and 727-200................. 727-25-0295, Revision 1,
dated May 17, 2001
Model 737 -200, -200C, -300, -400, and - 737-25-1412, Revision 1,
500. dated May 17, 2001
Model 747SR, 747SP, and 747-100B, -200B, - 747-25-3244, Revision 1,
200C, -200F, -300, -400, and -400D. dated May 17, 2001
Model 757-200 and 757-200PF............... 757-25-0223, Revision 1,
dated May 17, 2001
Model 767-200 and -300.................... 767-25-0288, Revision 1,
dated May 17, 2001
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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 (c) 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 detachment of the shoulder restraint harness of the
attendant or observer seat from its mounting bracket during service,
which could result in injury to the occupant of the seat, accomplish
the following:
Inspection and Corrective Action
(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do a
one-time general visual inspection of the attachment of the shoulder
restraint harness of each observer or attendant seat to determine if
a C-clip is used in the attachment. Do the inspection according to
Boeing Service Bulletin 3499, 727-25-0295, 737-25-1412, 747-25-3244,
757-25-0223, or 767-25-0288; all Revision 1; all dated May 17, 2001;
as applicable. If the shoulder harness is looped through the bracket
and attached to itself with a C-clip, do paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2)
of this AD.
(1) Remove and discard the C-clip, and reattach the shoulder
harness to the mounting bracket, according to the service bulletin.
Note 2: Removing and discarding the C-clip and reattaching the
shoulder harness to the mounting bracket; according to Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 3499, 727-25-0295, 737-25-1412,
747-25-3244, 757-25-0233, or 767-25-0288; all dated April 27, 2000;
as applicable; is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of
paragraph (a)(1) of this AD.
(2) Install a second C-clip with the clip's opening positioned
in the opposite direction of the opening of the existing C-clip,
according to the optional method described in Steps 19 and 20 of
Figure 1 or 2 of the applicable service bulletin.
Spares
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, do not attach the
shoulder restraint harness of an observer or attendant seat on any
airplane to the mounting bracket using a C-clip, unless the
requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this AD are done.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) 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 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
(d) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 20, 2001.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-16055 Filed 6-26-01; 8:45 am]
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