[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 196 (Thursday, October 9, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58271-58273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25490]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-48-AD; Amendment 39-13332; AD 2003-20-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727-200 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 727-200 series airplanes, that 
requires installation of four lanyards on the forward access panel/
door. This action is necessary to prevent the forward ceiling access 
panel/door from falling down and blocking the aisle, which would impede 
evacuation in an emergency. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective November 13, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 13, 2003.

ADDRESSES: 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 Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 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: Keith Ladderud, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6435; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 727-200 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 16, 
2003 (68 FR 18569). That action proposed to require installation of 
four lanyards on the forward access panel/door.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.

Request To Revise Applicability

    The commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the applicability of 
the proposed AD be revised to include only those airplanes that remain 
in a passenger configuration and to exclude those certified to 
permanently fly in a cargo configuration. The commenter also requests 
that special consideration be given to airplanes that are presently 
parked (out of service). The commenter states that, of the total number 
of airplanes affected by the proposed AD and still in flying condition, 
approximately 50 percent have been converted to a cargo configuration. 
The commenter adds that there are 20 affected airplanes in active 
service that

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have retained the passenger configuration, which represents 22 percent 
of the total affected fleet, and that the remaining flyable passenger 
fleet is presently parked.
    The FAA does not agree that the applicability of the AD should be 
revised. Airplanes that have been modified to fly in a cargo 
configuration may still be subject to the unsafe condition addressed by 
this AD. Numerous supplemental type certificates (STC) exist, which, 
depending on the configuration, may or may not have the forward ceiling 
access panel/door installed. Airplanes in the cargo configuration, 
which do have the forward ceiling access panel/door installed are still 
subject to this AD. However, operators of airplanes in the cargo 
configuration that do not have the forward ceiling panel/door installed 
may request that the cargo modification be approved as an alternate 
method of compliance, as explained in Note 1 of this AD pertaining to 
altered products. No change to the final rule is necessary in this 
regard.
    We do not agree that special consideration is necessary for 
airplanes that have been parked. Those airplanes need only comply with 
the requirements of this AD before they return to service. No change to 
the final rule is necessary in this regard.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance. However, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we 
have retained the language of the NPRM regarding that material.

Change To Labor Rate Estimate

    We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several 
years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various 
inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to 
increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work 
hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects 
this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 100 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 78 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $5,070, or 
$65 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this 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 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-20-14 Boeing: Amendment 39-13332. Docket 2003-NM-48-AD.

    Applicability: Model 727-200 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as listed in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-
25-0298, dated February 13, 2003.

    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 prevent the forward ceiling access panel/door from falling 
down and blocking the aisle, which would impede evacuation in an 
emergency, accomplish the following:

Lanyard Installation

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install 4 lanyards on the forward ceiling access panel/door, in 
accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-25-
0298, dated February 13, 2003.

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 Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR

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21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 727-25-0298, dated February 13, 2003. 
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

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 13, 2003.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 2, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-25490 Filed 10-8-03; 8:45 am]
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