[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8741-8743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4506]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-392-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200, -200CB, 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 757-200, -
200CB, and -300 series airplanes. This proposal would require 
determining the part numbers of the master control valve on the 
pressure bottles that activate the off-wing escape slides, and 
corrective action, if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent 
failure of an escape slide to deploy or inflate correctly, which could 
cause the slide to be unusable during an emergency evacuation and 
result in consequent injury to passengers or crewmembers. This action 
is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 12, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-392-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 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-392-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: Victor Wicklund, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1426; 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

[[Page 8742]]

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-392-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-392-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report indicating that during certification 
testing of an off-wing emergency escape slide on a Boeing Model 757 
series airplane, the escape slide failed to automatically deploy. The 
failure occurred because the master control valve installed on a 
pressure bottle that activates the off-wing escape slide did not 
actuate when the over-wing exit was opened. When the valve is not 
triggered by the electronically fired squib (pyrotechnic cartridge), 
the escape slide will not deploy until the system is manually 
activated. Subsequent functional tests of other off-wing escape slides 
revealed the same malfunction in the master control valve, which 
prevented slide deployment. Failure of an escape slide to deploy or 
inflate correctly could cause the slide to be unusable during an 
emergency evacuation and result in consequent injury to passengers or 
crewmembers.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletins 757-25-0214 and 757-25-0216, both dated April 6, 2000. The 
service bulletins describe procedures for determining the part numbers 
of the master control valve installed on each of the two pressure 
bottles that activate the off-wing escape slides, and corrective 
action, if necessary. The corrective action includes replacement of the 
master control valve with a new valve, or rework of any valve with part 
number (P/N) S416N207-6 (supplier P/N 42000802-1), and replacement of 
the placard on that pressure bottle assembly with a new placard. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the applicable 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 applicable service bulletin described previously, except as 
discussed below.

Difference Between This Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins

    Although the service bulletins recommend determining the P/Ns of 
the master control valves at the earliest maintenance period when 
manpower and parts are available, the FAA has determined that this 
compliance time may not ensure that the identified unsafe condition is 
addressed in a timely manner. In developing an appropriate compliance 
time for this proposed 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 
AD. In light of all of these factors, the FAA finds a compliance time 
of 18 months after the effective date of this AD to be warranted, in 
that it represents an appropriate interval of time allowable for 
affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising safety.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 435 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 360 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 inspection, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $21,600, or $60 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.
    Should an operator be required to accomplish the replacement of the 
valve and placard, it would take approximately 2 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Currently, the required parts would be provided at no 
cost to the operator. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
replacement is estimated to be $120 per airplane.

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.

[[Page 8743]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

    Boeing: Docket 2000-NM-392-AD.

    Applicability: Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes, 
as listed in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-0214 
or 757-25-0216, both dated April 6, 2000, 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.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of an escape slide to deploy or inflate 
correctly, which could cause the slide to be unusable during an 
emergency evacuation and result in consequent injury to passengers 
or crewmembers, accomplish the following:

Inspection/Corrective Action

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Determine the part numbers (P/N) of the master control valve 
installed on each of the two pressure bottles located in the forward 
end of the aft cargo compartment that activate the off-wing escape 
slides, per Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-0214 
(for Model 757-200 and 200CB series airplanes), or 757-25-0216 (for 
Model 757-300 series airplanes), both dated April 6, 2000, as 
applicable.
    (1) If any P/N found on any valve is P/N S416N207-6, (supplier 
P/N 42000802-1), before further flight, replace the affected valve 
with a new valve or rework the valve, as applicable; and replace the 
placard on the corresponding pressure bottle assembly with a new 
placard, per the applicable service bulletin.
    (2) If the P/N shown on both valves is not P/N S416N207-6, 
(supplier P/N 42000802-1), no further action is required by this AD.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a master control valve, 
P/N S416N207-6 (supplier P/N 42000802-1), on any airplane.

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). 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

    (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 February 20, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-4506 Filed 2-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U