[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 21, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55323-55325]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18796]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22488; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-151-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200 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 revise an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series 
airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to 
detect wear or damage of the door latches and disconnect housings in 
the off-wing escape slide compartments, and replacement of any 
discrepant component with a new component. This proposed AD would 
revise the applicability of the existing AD to refer to a later 
revision of the referenced service bulletin, which removes airplanes 
that are not subject to the identified unsafe condition. This proposed 
AD results from reports of worn and damaged door latches and disconnect 
housings in the off-wing escape slide compartments. We are proposing 
this AD to ensure deployment of an escape slide during an emergency 
evacuation. Non-deployment of an escape slide during an emergency could 
slow down the evacuation of the airplane and result in injury to 
passengers or flightcrew. We are also proposing this AD to detect 
damaged disconnect housings in the off-wing escape slide compartments, 
which could result in unexpected deployment of an escape slide during 
maintenance, and consequent injury to maintenance personnel.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 7, 
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.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, PO Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207, for service information identified in this 
proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Rosanske, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 917-6448; 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include docket number ``Docket No. 
FAA-2005-22488; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-151-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 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in a docket, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may 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 
receives them.

Discussion

    On June 1, 2000, we issued AD 2000-11-19, amendment 39-11767 (65 FR 
37015, June 13, 2000), for certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series 
airplanes. That AD requires repetitive inspections to detect wear or 
damage of the door latches and disconnect housings in the off-wing 
escape slide compartments, and replacement of any discrepant component 
with a new component. That AD resulted from reports of worn and damaged 
door latches and disconnect housings in the off-wing escape slide 
compartments. We issued that AD to ensure deployment of an escape slide 
during an emergency evacuation. Non-deployment of an escape slide 
during an emergency could slow down the evacuation of the airplane and 
result in injury to passengers or flightcrew. We also issued that AD to 
detect damaged disconnect housings in the off-wing escape slide 
compartments, which could result in unexpected deployment of an escape 
slide during maintenance, and consequent injury to maintenance 
personnel.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2000-11-19, we have reviewed Boeing Service 
Bulletin 767-25A0260, Revision 1, dated January 25, 2001; Revision 2, 
dated August 26, 2004; and Revision 3, dated July 7, 2005 (AD 2000-11-
19 refers to the original issue of the service bulletin as the 
appropriate source of service information for accomplishing the 
required actions). The inspections and corrective actions specified in 
Revisions 1 through 3 are identical to those in the original issue of 
the service bulletin.

[[Page 55324]]

Revision 1 changes the listing of affected airplane operators. Revision 
2 revises the effectivity to exclude airplanes having line numbers 921 
and subsequent on which the new off-wing slide has been incorporated 
during production. Revision 3 removes 14 airplanes from the 
effectivity, because the airplanes do not have off-wing escape slides. 
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.
    Therefore, we have determined that the airplanes deleted from the 
effectivity of the referenced service bulletin are not subject to the 
identified unsafe condition specified in AD 2000-11-19, and that the 
applicability of that AD needs to be revised.

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. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, 
which would revise AD 2000-11-19 and would retain the requirements of 
the existing AD. This proposed AD would also revise the applicability 
of the existing AD to refer to a later revision of the referenced 
service bulletin, which removes airplanes that are not subject to the 
identified unsafe condition.

Change to Existing AD

    This proposed AD would retain all requirements of AD 2000-11-19. 
Since AD 2000-11-19 was issued, the AD format has been revised, and 
certain paragraphs have been rearranged. As a result, the corresponding 
paragraph identifiers have changed in this proposed AD, as listed in 
the following table:

                      Revised Paragraph Identifiers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Corresponding  requirement
       Requirement in AD 2000-11-19             in this  proposed AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paragraph (a).............................  Paragraph (f).
Paragraph (b).............................  Paragraph (h).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We also have changed all references to a ``detailed visual 
inspection'' in the existing AD to ``detailed inspection'' in this 
action.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 694 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 315 airplanes of 
U.S. registry.
    The inspections that are required by AD 2000-11-19 and retained in 
this proposed AD take about 3 work hours per airplane, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated 
cost of the currently required inspections is $61,425, or $195 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 and place it in the AD docket. 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
removing amendment 39-11767 (65 FR 37015, June 13, 2000) and adding the 
following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2005-22488; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
151-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November 
7, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD revises AD 2000-11-19.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 767-25A0260, Revision 3, dated July 7, 2005; 
excluding those airplanes that have been converted from a passenger 
to freighter configuration, and on which the off-wing escape system 
has been removed or deactivated.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of worn and damaged door 
latches and disconnect housings in the off-wing escape slide 
compartments. We are issuing this AD to ensure deployment of an 
escape slide during an emergency evacuation. Non-deployment of an 
escape slide during an emergency could slow down the evacuation of 
the airplane and result in injury to passengers or flightcrew. We 
are also issuing this AD to detect damaged disconnect housings in 
the off-wing escape slide compartments, which could result in 
unexpected deployment of an escape slide during maintenance, and 
consequent injury to maintenance personnel.

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.

Requirements of AD 2000-11-19

    Inspections
    (f) Prior to the accumulation of 6,000 total flight hours, or 
within 18 months after July 18, 2000 (the effective date of AD 2000-
11-19), whichever occurs later, perform a detailed inspection to 
detect wear or damage of the door latches and disconnect housings in 
the off-wing escape slide compartments, in accordance with Boeing 
Alert Service

[[Page 55325]]

Bulletin 767-25A0260, dated July 9, 1998. Repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight hours or 18 
months, whichever occurs later.

    Note 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-25A0260, dated July 9, 
1998, allows repetitive inspections of a door latch having part 
number H2052-11 or H2052-115, provided that the latch is not worn or 
damaged. However, replacement of any latch having part number H2052-
11 or H2052-115 with a new latch having part number H2052-13 is 
described as part of a modification of the escape slide compartment 
door latching mechanism that is specified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 767-25A0174, dated August 15, 1991. Accomplishment of that 
modification is required by AD 92-16-17, amendment 39-8327, and AD 
95-08-11, amendment 39-9200. Therefore, operators should note that 
any latch having part number H2052-11 or H2052-115 found during an 
inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD is already required 
to be replaced in accordance with AD 92-16-17 or AD 95-08-11, as 
applicable.

    (g) Inspections and corrective actions accomplished prior to 
July 18, 2000, in accordance with the Validation Copy of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 767-25A0260, dated April 28, 1998, are 
considered acceptable for compliance with the applicable action 
specified in this AD.

Replacement

    (h) If any part is found to be worn or damaged during the 
inspections performed in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD, 
prior to further flight, replace the worn or damaged part with a new 
part, and perform an adjustment of the off-wing escape slide system, 
in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-25A0260, dated 
July 9, 1998.

New Optional Actions

    Compliance With Revisions 1 Through 3 of Referenced Service 
Bulletin
    (i) Inspections and applicable corrective actions done after the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 
767-25A0260, Revision 1, dated January 25, 2001; Revision 2, dated 
August 26, 2004; or Revision 3, dated July 7, 2005; are acceptable 
for compliance with the corresponding requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 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 September 13, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-18796 Filed 9-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P