[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2060-2062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-537]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20023; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-49-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 707 Airplanes and Model 
720 and 720B Series Airplanes

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) that applies to certain Boeing Model 707 airplanes and 
Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires 
a preventive modification of the front spar fitting on the outboard 
engine nacelle. This proposed AD would remove the requirement to do 
this preventive modification, and would require repetitive inspections 
for cracking of the front spar fitting of the inboard and outboard 
nacelle struts, and replacement of any cracked fitting with a new 
fitting. The proposed AD would also apply to more airplanes. This 
proposed AD is prompted by a report indicating that a crack was found 
in a front spar fitting that had been replaced as part of the 
modification required by the existing AD. We are proposing this AD to 
detect and correct this cracking, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the engine nacelle, and consequent separation 
of an engine from the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 28, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-
401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This 
docket number is FAA-2005-20023; the directorate identifier for this 
docket is 2004-NM-49-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Candice Gerretsen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
917-6428; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20023; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-49-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our 
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza

[[Page 2061]]

level of the Nassif Building at the DOT street address stated in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    On August 20, 2001, we issued AD 2001-17-24, amendment 39-12415 (66 
FR 45572, August 29, 2001), for certain Boeing Model 707 airplanes and 
720 and 720B series airplanes. That AD requires a preventive 
modification of the front spar fitting on the outboard engine nacelle. 
That AD was prompted by reports indicating that fatigue cracks have 
been found in the front spar fitting on the outboard engine nacelle. We 
issued that AD to prevent this fatigue cracking, which could reduce the 
structural integrity of the nacelle and result in separation of the 
engine from the airplane.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2001-17-24, we have received a report indicating 
that a crack was found in a front spar fitting that had been previously 
modified as required by AD 2001-17-24. This report led to a 
determination that the currently required modification is not effective 
in preventing the previously identified unsafe condition.
    Since we issued AD 2001-17-24, we have also determined that the 
front spar fitting on the inboard engine nacelle may also be subject to 
the same unsafe condition found on the outboard engine nacelle.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin A3514, dated July 
29, 2004. The service bulletin describes procedures for performing 
repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the upper surface of 
the front spar fitting of nacelle struts 1, 2, 3, and 4; and replacing 
any cracked fitting with a new fitting.

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. This proposed AD would supersede AD 2001-17-
24. This proposed AD would remove the requirement to do the preventive 
modification of the front spar fitting on the outboard engine nacelle. 
This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of 
the front spar fitting of the inboard and outboard nacelle struts, and 
replacement of any cracked fitting with a new fitting. The proposed AD 
would also apply to more airplanes because it would apply to airplanes 
having front spar fittings previously modified during production.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

    We have revised the applicability of the existing AD to identify 
model designations as published in the most recent type certificate 
data sheet for the affected models.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 290 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                                                   Number  of
                                           Work     Average                                                                          U.S.-       Fleet
                 Action                    hours   labor rate            Parts                      Cost per  airplane             registered     cost
                                                    per hour                                                                       airplanes
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Inspection (new proposed action)........       8          $65  None                       $520, per inspection cycle                       87    $45,240
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Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA 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 39-12415 (66 FR 
45572, August 29, 2001) and adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2005-20023; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
49-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this airworthiness directive (AD) action by February 28, 2005.

[[Page 2062]]

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2001-17-24, amendment 39-12415 (66 FR 
45572, August 29, 2001).

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 707-100 long body, -200, -
100B long body, and -100B short body series airplanes; Model 707-
300, -300B, -300C, and -400 series airplanes; and Model 720 and 720B 
series airplanes; certificated in any category; having line numbers 
1 through 1012 inclusive.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report indicating that a crack was 
found in a front spar fitting that had been replaced as part of the 
modification required by AD 2001-17-24, amendment 39-12415. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct this cracking, which could 
result in reduced structural integrity of the engine nacelle, and 
consequent separation of an engine from the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspection

    (f) Prior to the accumulation of 3,500 total flight hours, or 
within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later: Do a detailed inspection for cracking of the front 
spar fitting of the inboard and outboard nacelles according to the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin A3514, 
dated July 29, 2004. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 700 flight hours.

    Note 1: There is no terminating action at this time for the 
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD.

Replacement

    (g) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD: Before further flight, replace the cracked 
front spar fitting with a new fitting, according to the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin A3514, 
dated July 29, 2004.

Parts Installation

    (h)(1) As of October 3, 2001 (the effective date of AD 2001-17-
24, amendment 39-12415), no person may install a front spar fitting, 
part number 65-2532 or 65-2532-5, on the outboard engine nacelle on 
any airplane.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any airplane, a front spar fitting having a part number other 
than the part numbers specified in paragraph 2.C.2. of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin A3514, dated July 29, 2004.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair that is required by this AD, if it is approved 
by a Boeing Company Designated Engineering Representative who has 
been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. 
For a repair method to be approved, the approval must specifically 
refer to this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 30, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-537 Filed 1-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P