[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42647-42650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18243]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-31-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Air Cruisers Company Emergency 
Evacuation Slide/Raft System

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) for a certain Air Cruisers Company Emergency Evacuation 
Slide/Raft System. That AD currently requires a one-time unpacking and 
subsequent repacking of the slide/raft systems, identified by basic 
part number (P/N) with dash numbers, and serial numbers (SNs) listed in 
the AD, and mandates repacking of all other slide/raft systems of the 
same design at the next required normal maintenance schedule of the 
slide/raft system. This proposed AD contains the same requirements but 
replaces the specific slide/raft system P/N dash numbers with the word 
``-series'', reduces the number of affected slide/raft systems to the 
SNs identified in paragraph (g) of this proposed AD, and eliminates 
mandating the utilization of the applicable Folding Procedures for 
subsequent repacking of all slide/raft systems of the same design 
during the normal scheduled maintenance. This proposed AD is prompted 
by recent information received that Air Cruisers Company has made 
modifications which have added new dash numbers to the slide/raft 
system basic P/N. This has affected some of the SN slide/raft systems 
listed in the AD. The actions specified in this proposed AD are 
intended to prevent failure of the slide/raft to properly inflate, 
which could impede the emergency evacuation of passengers in the event 
of an airplane emergency.

[[Page 42648]]


DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by September 
16, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
    [sbull] By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-
NE-31-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
    [sbull] By fax: (781) 238-7055.
    [sbull] By e-mail: [email protected].
    You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from Air Cruisers Company, Technical Publications Department, PO Box 
180, Belmar, NJ 07719-0180; telephone: (732) 681-3527, fax: (732) 280-
8212.
    You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leung Lee, Aerospace Engineer, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, 3rd floor, Valley Stream, NY 11581-1200; 
telephone (516) 256-7509; fax (516) 568-2716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 99-NE-31-AD'' in the 
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of 
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with 
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and 
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. If a person contacts us through a nonwritten communication, and 
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will 
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You may get more information about 
plain language at http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service 
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the 
location.

Discussion

    On January 22, 2003, the FAA issued AD 2003-03-11, Amendment 39-
13035 (68 FR 4897, January 31, 2003). That AD requires a one-time 
unpacking and subsequent repacking of the slideraft system, identified 
by basic P/N with dash numbers and SNs. That AD also mandates repacking 
of all other slide/raft systems of the same design at the next required 
normal maintenance schedule of the slide/raft system. That AD was 
prompted by reports of separation of the lower aspirator during a 
number of deployments. That condition, if not corrected, could result 
in failure of the slide/raft to properly inflate, which could result in 
the inability to evacuate the passenger cabin in the event of an 
airplane emergency.

Actions Since AD 2003-03-11 Was Issued

    Since that AD was issued, we became aware that the manufacturer has 
modified some slide/raft systems which has added some new dash numbers 
to the basic P/N of 62774. This proposed AD contains the same 
requirements as AD 2003-03-11, but replaces the specific slide/raft 
system P/N dash numbers with the word ``-series''. In addition, the 
number of affected slide/raft systems is now reduced to the SNs 
identified in paragraph (g) of this proposed AD. Also, this proposed AD 
eliminates mandating the utilization of the applicable Folding 
Procedures for subsequent repacking of all slide/raft systems of the 
same design during the normal scheduled maintenance.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Air 
Cruisers Company Service Bulletin (SB) 777-107-25-06, dated February 
19, 1999, that identifies improperly packed slide/rafts by SN, and 
references slide/raft folding procedure P-12054, and P-12064.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require a one-time unpacking and repacking of P/N 62774-series 
slide/raft systems, identified by SNs. The proposed AD would require 
that these actions be done per the service information described 
previously.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the Proposed AD

    On July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 
FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This 
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, 
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This 
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this 
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in 
future AD actions.

Costs of Compliance

    There are approximately 388 slide/raft systems of the affected 
design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 74 slide/raft systems 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this 
proposed AD. We also estimate that it would take approximately 5 work 
hours per slide/raft system to perform the repacking, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$22,200.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposal and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 99-NE-31-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

[[Page 42649]]

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-13035, (68 
FR 4897, January 31, 2003), and by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Air Cruisers Company: Docket No. 99-NE-31-AD. Supersedes AD 2003-03-
11, Amendment 39-13035.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by September 
16, 2003.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2003-03-11, Amendment 39-13035.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all dash numbers of Air Cruisers Company 
Emergency Evacuation Slide/Raft System, part number (P/N) 62774. 
These Emergency Evacuation Slide/Raft Systems are installed on, but 
not limited to Boeing 777-200 and -300 series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD is prompted by recent information received that Air 
Cruisers Company has made modifications which have added new dash 
numbers to the slide/raft system basic P/N. This has affected some 
of the SN slide/raft systems listed in AD 2003-03-11. In addition, 
this AD is prompted by the requirement to reduce the number of 
affected slide/raft systems to only the SNs identified in paragraph 
(g) of this AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
slide/raft to properly inflate, which could impede the emergency 
evacuation of passengers in the event of an airplane emergency.

Compliance

    (e) If you have not already performed the actions required by 
this AD, you must perform the actions within the compliance times 
specified in this AD.

Repacking

    (f) For slide/raft systems that have a SN listed in Table 1 of 
this AD, do the following: Table 1 follows:

                                        Table 1.--Affected Slide/Raft SNs
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0203        0207        0220        0234        0235       0239       0241       0245       0250       0255
0267        0277        0280        0302        0305       0306       0310       0312       0316       0318
0320        0330        0332        0333        0335       0339       0342       0343       0344       0345
0348        0349        0350        0351        0354       0355       0356       0358       0364       0365
0366        0368        0369        0372        0373       0374       0376       0378       0379       0380
0381        0384        0385        0388        0389       0390       0391       0392       0394       0395
0396        0397        0398        0399        0402       0403       0404       0406       0408       0409
0411        0413        0415        0417        0418       0419       0420       0421       0422       0423
0425        0426        0427        0428        0429       0430       0431       0433       0438       0443
0445        0455        0456
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    (1) For slide/raft systems currently installed on airplanes, 
repack the slide/raft system within 2 months after the effective 
date of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
described in Air Cruisers Company SB 777-107-25-06, dated February 
19, 1999, and the applicable Air Cruisers Company Folding Procedure 
P-12054 (for left-hand slide/rafts), Revision F, dated March 12, 
1999, or Procedure P-12064 (for right-hand slide/rafts), Revision F, 
dated March 12, 1999.
    (2) For uninstalled slide/raft systems, repack before 
installation, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
described in Air Cruisers Company SB 777-107-25-06, dated February 
19, 1999, and the applicable Air Cruisers Company Folding Procedure 
P-12054 (for left-hand slide/rafts), Revision F, dated March 12, 
1999, or Procedure P-12064 (for right-hand slide/rafts), Revision F, 
dated March 12, 1999.
    (g) For slide/raft systems SN 0558 and lower that are not 
included in Table 1 of this AD, repack the slide/raft systems in 
accordance with the applicable Air Cruisers Company Folding 
Procedure P-12054 (for left-hand slide/rafts), Revision F, dated 
March 12, 1999, or Procedure P-12064 (for right-hand slide/rafts), 
Revision F, dated March 12, 1999, at the next required normal 
maintenance schedule of the slide/raft system, but no later than 18 
months after the effective date of this AD.

Credit for Previous Repacking

    (h) Slide/raft systems with a SN listed in Table 1 or identified 
in paragraph (g) of this AD that have already been repacked in 
accordance with Air Cruisers Company Folding Procedures P-12054, 
Revision F, dated March 12, 1999, or P-12064, Revision F, dated 
March 12, 1999, as applicable, are considered in compliance with the 
requirements of paragraph (f) or (g) of this AD.
    (i) Slide/raft systems with a SN listed in Table 1 or identified 
in paragraph (g) of this AD that were repacked under AD 2003-11-03 
are considered in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f) 
or (g) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j) You must request AMOCs as specified in 14 CFR 39.19. All 
AMOCs must be approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) The repacking must be done in accordance with the following 
Air Cruisers Company service bulletin (SB) and Folding Procedures:

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         Document No.                     Pages                     Revision                      Date
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    SB 777-107-25-06           All.......................  Original..................  February 19, 1999.
    Total pages: 3...........
    P-12054                    All.......................  F.........................  March 12, 1999.
    Total pages: 158.........
    P-12064                    All.......................  F.........................  March 12, 1999.
    Total pages: 156.........
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[[Page 42650]]

Related Information

    (l) None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 14, 2003.
Robert E. Guyotte,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-18243 Filed 7-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P