[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 2 (Thursday, January 3, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 265-267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-148]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 2 / Thursday, January 3, 2002 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 265]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-311-AD; Amendment 39-12585; AD 2001-26-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Boeing Model 767 series airplanes. This action 
requires a one-time inspection for missing, damaged, or incorrectly 
installed parts in the separation link assembly on the deployment bar 
of the emergency escape system on the entry or service door, and 
installation of new parts, if necessary. This action is necessary to 
prevent failure of an entry or service door to open fully in the event 
of an emergency evacuation, which could impede exit from the airplane. 
This condition could result in injury to passengers or crewmembers. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective January 18, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 18, 2002.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 4, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-311-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. 2001-NM-311-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 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 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Piccola, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1509; fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received reports that entry and 
service doors did not open fully during deployment of emergency escape 
slides on several Boeing Model 767 series airplanes. Most reported 
incidents occurred during testing; however, one incident occurred 
during an actual emergency evacuation. Investigation has revealed that 
this condition is due to failure of the separation link assembly to 
release the deployment cable from the deployment bar of the emergency 
escape system on the entry or service door. Such failure to release may 
occur when the snap ring or washer which hold the separation link in 
place, or the internal spring, is missing or installed incorrectly. 
Failure of an entry or service door to open fully during an emergency 
evacuation could impede exit from the airplane. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in injury to passengers or crewmembers.

Explanation of Related Service Information

    Boeing has issued Service Letter 767-SL-25-101, dated August 30, 
2001. That service letter describes the background of the unsafe 
condition related to the separation link assembly on the deployment bar 
of the emergency escape slide system and provides a ``Suggested 
Operator Action'' for correcting the condition. The service letter 
suggests performing an inspection to determine whether snap rings are 
present and properly installed on the separation link assembly, and 
replacing any damaged snap ring or installing a new snap ring if one is 
missing or installed incorrectly. The service letter specifies that 
maintenance information for the separation link assembly is available 
in the Boeing 767 Component Maintenance Manual.

Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is 
being issued to prevent failure of an entry or service door to open 
fully during an emergency evacuation. Failure of a door to open fully 
could impede exit from the airplane, which could result in injury to 
passengers or crewmembers. This AD requires a one-time detailed visual 
inspection for missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed parts in the 
separation link assembly on the deployment bar of the emergency escape 
system on the entry or service door, and installation of new parts, if 
necessary. These actions are required to be accomplished according to 
the procedures and the applicable sections of the Boeing 767 Airplane 
Maintenance Manual (AMM) and Component Maintenance Manual (CMM) 
specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.
    This AD also requires that, if any missing, damaged, or incorrectly 
installed part is found in the separation link assembly on the 
deployment bar of the emergency escape system on any entry or service 
door, operators must report the results of the inspection to the FAA 
Certificate Management Office--Boeing. The intent of this reporting 
requirement is to enable the FAA to determine the number of missing or 
damaged parts in the affected fleet.

[[Page 266]]

Differences Between This AD and Service Letter

    As stated above, Boeing Service Letter 767-SL-25-101 describes the 
background of the unsafe condition related to the separation link 
assembly on the deployment bar of the emergency escape slide system. 
However, this AD requires accomplishment of necessary actions according 
to certain sections of the AMM and CMM, not according to the 
``Suggested Operator Action'' in the service letter. Because the 
actions required by this AD differ in key ways from those described in 
the service letter, the FAA finds it necessary to describe specifically 
how this AD differs from the service letter. The differences are as 
follows:
     This AD requires a detailed visual inspection for missing, 
damaged, or incorrectly installed snap rings, washers, or internal 
springs in the separation link assembly on the deployment bar of the 
emergency escape system on the entry or service door. The service 
letter suggests an inspection for missing, damaged, or incorrectly 
installed snap rings only. The FAA's decision to require an inspection 
for missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed washers and internal 
springs, as well as snap rings, is based on inspections of in-service 
airplanes which have revealed missing washers and missing or 
incorrectly installed internal springs.
     Although the service letter recommends accomplishing the 
inspection during any scheduled or unscheduled maintenance on the 
service door escape slide, the FAA has determined that a specific 
compliance time is necessary to ensure that the identified unsafe 
condition is addressed in a timely manner. In developing an appropriate 
compliance time for this AD, the FAA considered not only the 
manufacturer's recommendation (developed with affected operators 
through the ``lead airline'' process), but the degree of urgency 
associated with addressing the subject unsafe condition, and the time 
necessary to perform the inspection. In light of all of these factors, 
the FAA finds a 60-day compliance time for completing 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.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    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 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 rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2001-NM-311-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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:

2001-26-19  Boeing: Amendment 39-12585. Docket 2001-NM-311-AD.

    Applicability: Model 767 series airplanes, line numbers 1 
through 854 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 (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.



[[Page 267]]


    Note 2: Boeing Service Letter 767-SL-25-101, dated August 30, 
2001, provides information related to this AD; however, the actions 
required by this AD are not identical to those in the ``Suggested 
Operator Action'' section of that service letter. Where this AD 
differs from the service letter, this AD prevails.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of an entry or service door to open fully in 
the event of an emergency evacuation, which could impede exit from 
the airplane and result in injury to passengers or crewmembers, 
accomplish the following:

One-Time Inspection and Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, do a 
one-time detailed visual inspection for missing, damaged, or 
incorrectly installed parts in the separation link assembly on the 
deployment bar of the emergency escape system on the entry or 
service door, according to the procedures specified in paragraphs 
(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), and (a)(6) of this AD.
    (1) Remove the escape slide pack bustle according to Section 25-
66-00 of the Boeing 767 Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM).
    (2) Position the deployment bar of the escape slide to expose 
the forward and aft separation links, according to Section 25-66-00 
of the Boeing 767 AMM and Section 25-66-30 of the Boeing 767 
Component Maintenance Manual (CMM), Revision 2, dated November 1, 
2000.
    (3) Do a detailed visual inspection to determine whether the 
snap ring, washer, and internal spring of the separation link 
assembly are installed correctly on both the forward and aft 
separation links, and to detect any damage of the snap ring, washer, 
and spring, according to Items 65 and 70 of Section 25-66-30 of the 
CMM, Revision 2, dated November 1, 2000.
    (4) If any snap ring, washer, or internal spring is missing or 
found damaged or installed incorrectly during the inspection 
required by paragraph (a)(3) of this AD, before further flight, 
install a new snap ring, washer, and internal spring according to 
Section 25-66-30 of the CMM, Revision 2, dated November 1, 2000.
    (5) Ensure that the separation links and deployment cables are 
installed as depicted on placard BAC27TPPS5141 or BAC27TPPS5142, as 
applicable. Placards are adjacent to each link on the deployment 
bar. If any separation link or deployment cable is installed 
incorrectly, before further flight, correct the installation as 
shown on the applicable placard.
    (6) Reinstall the escape slide pack bustle according to Section 
25-66-00 of the Boeing 767 AMM.

    Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

Reporting Requirement

    (b) If there is any missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed 
part in the separation link assembly on the deployment bar of the 
emergency escape system on any entry or service door: Submit a 
report of inspection findings to the FAA Certification Management 
Office--Boeing, ANM-108B, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056; at the applicable time specified in paragraph (b)(1) or 
(b)(2) of this AD. The report must include: the serial number of the 
affected airplane, the total number of doors inspected, the number 
of deployment bars with missing or damaged parts, an identification 
of what parts are missing or damaged, and the calendar date of the 
last inspection or test of any emergency escape system with missing 
or damaged parts. Information collection requirements contained in 
this AD have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 
2120-0056.
    (1) For airplanes on which the inspection is accomplished after 
the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days 
after performing the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this 
AD.
    (2) For airplanes on which the inspection has been accomplished 
before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 
days after the effective date of this AD.

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 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

    (d) 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

    (e) The exposure of the forward and aft separation links; 
inspection for snap ring, washer, and internal spring; and 
installation of new snap ring, washer, and internal spring; shall be 
done in accordance with Section 25-66-30 of the Boeing 767 Component 
Maintenance Manual, Revision 2, dated November 1, 2000, which 
contains the following effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Revision
                                         level
             Page number               shown on     Date shown  on page
                                         page
------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Effective Pages; Page 1.....          2   Nov. 1, 2000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Only the ``Highlights'' page of Section 25-66-30 shows the 
appropriate revision level; no other page of this document contains 
the revision level.) 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.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on January 18, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 21, 2001.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-148 Filed 1-2-02; 8:45 am]
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