[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43343-43345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14790]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21968; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-077-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Boeing Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes. 
This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections for 
proper functioning of the girt bar leaf springs for the escape slides 
at passenger doors 1, 2, and 4, and corrective actions if necessary. 
This proposed AD is prompted by a report that the escape slides failed 
to deploy correctly during an operator's tests of the escape slides. We 
are proposing this AD to prevent escape slides from disengaging from 
the airplane during deployment or in use, which could result in 
injuries to passengers or flightcrew.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 12, 
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.
     By 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, PO 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-2005-21968; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2005-NM-077-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Crotty, 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) 917-6422; 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-2005-21968; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-077-AD'' in the subject line 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 submitted 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 
that 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 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 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 Docket Management System 
(DMS) receives them.

Discussion

    We have received a report indicating that the escape slides failed 
to deploy correctly during an operator's tests on Boeing Model 757-200, 
-200CB, and -300 series airplanes. Further examination showed that the 
girt bar, which attaches the deployed escape slide to the airplane 
floor, did not stay attached to the floor fitting. When an escape slide 
is being deployed, sliders on the forward and aft ends of the girt bar 
engage with the floor fittings and are held in place by leaf springs. 
The airplane manufacturer and operators have found that it is possible 
for the leaf

[[Page 43344]]

springs to be deformed and damaged in service, and that deformed or 
damaged leaf springs may not keep the girt bar sliders engaged with the 
floor fittings. This condition, if not corrected, could cause escape 
slides to disengage from the airplane during deployment or in use, 
which could result in injuries to passengers or flightcrew.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-52-
0085, dated March 24, 2005 (for Boeing Model 757-200 and -200CB series 
airplanes); and Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-52-0086, 
dated March 24, 2005 (for Boeing Model 757-300 series airplanes). The 
service bulletins describe procedures for doing repetitive detailed 
inspections for discrepancies of the leaf springs. Discrepancies 
include inadequate spring retention force and inadequate girt bar 
slider engagement dimensions. For airplanes on which an inspection 
shows an engagement dimension of less than 0.37 inch, the service 
bulletins describe procedures for corrective action. The corrective 
action is replacing the leaf spring or the girt bar assembly with new 
parts, and doing girt bar assembly adjustments and testing. 
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

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 airplanes 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously, except as discussed under 
``Difference Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins.''

Difference Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins

    The service bulletins specify that operators may accomplish certain 
actions in accordance with the Boeing 757 Airplane Maintenance Manual 
(AMM), the Boeing 757 Component Maintenance Manual (CMM), or an 
``approved equivalent procedure.'' However, for actions in Part 1--
``Inspection'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable 
service bulletin, this proposed AD would require operators to 
accomplish the actions in accordance with the applicable chapter of the 
AMM or CMM specified in the applicable service bulletin. An ``approved 
equivalent procedure'' may be used only if it is approved as an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (h) of 
this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 944 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 632 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed inspection would take about 2 work hours 
per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators 
is $82,160, or $130 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2005-21968; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
077-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by September 12, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 757-200 and -200CB series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-52-0085, dated March 24, 
2005; and Boeing Model 757-300 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category; as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
757-52-0086, dated March 24, 2005.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report that the escape slides 
failed to deploy correctly during an operator's tests of the escape 
slides. We are issuing this AD to prevent escape slides from 
disengaging from the airplane during deployment or in use, which 
could result in injuries to passengers or flightcrew.

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.

Detailed Inspection and Corrective Actions

    (f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
detailed inspection for inadequate spring retention force and 
inadequate girt bar slider dimensions of the girt bar leaf springs 
for the escape slides at passenger doors 1, 2, and 4; and do any 
applicable corrective actions before further flight. Do all the 
actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
applicable service bulletin in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this 
AD, except as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD. Repeat the

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inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24 months, or after 
each maintenance task where removal of and installation of the girt 
bar is necessary, whichever occurs earlier.
    (1) For Boeing Model 757-200 and -200CB series airplanes: Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-52-0085, dated March 24, 
2005.
    (2) For Boeing Model 757-300 series airplanes: Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 757-52-0086, dated March 24, 2005.

Equivalent Procedures

    (g) Where Part 1--``Inspection'' of the applicable service 
bulletin in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD specifies that 
actions may be accomplished in accordance with an ``approved 
equivalent procedure'': The corrective actions must be accomplished 
in accordance with the chapter of the Boeing 757 Airplane 
Maintenance Manual (AMM) or Boeing 757 Component Maintenance Manual 
(CMM) specified in the applicable service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 13, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-14790 Filed 7-26-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P