[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 5, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17033-17035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4924]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24271; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-006-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727 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 727 airplanes. This proposed AD would require 
repetitive measurements of the freeplay of the left and right outboard 
aileron balance tabs and of the upper and lower rudder tabs, and 
related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD 
also would require repetitive lubrication of the hinge bearings and rod 
end bearings of the aileron balance tabs. This proposed AD results from 
reports of freeplay-induced vibration of the outboard aileron balance 
tab and rudder tab. We are proposing this AD to prevent excessive 
vibration of the airframe during flight, which could result in 
divergent flutter and loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 22, 2006.

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.

[[Page 17034]]

    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this 
proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis Stremick, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
917-6450; 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 the docket number ``FAA-2006-
24271; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-006-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 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 may review 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

    We have received several reports of freeplay-induced vibration of 
the outboard aileron balance tab and a couple of reports of freeplay-
induced vibration of the rudder tab on Boeing Model 727 airplanes. 
Excessive corrosion and wear of components and/or interfaces allows 
excessive freeplay movement of the control surfaces and can cause 
excessive vibration of the airframe during flight. The point of 
transition from vibration to divergent flutter is unknown. When 
divergent flutter occurs, the amplitude of each cycle or oscillation is 
larger than the last one and the surface can reach its structural 
limits. This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of 
control of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-27-
0234, dated November 10, 2005. The service bulletin describes 
procedures for repetitive measurements of the freeplay of the left and 
right outboard aileron balance tabs and of the upper and lower rudder 
tabs. If the freeplay exceeds certain specified limits, the service 
bulletin describes procedures for doing applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions. These related investigative and 
corrective actions include doing a general visual inspection for wear 
of the affected bearings, bolts, and bushings; and repairing or 
replacing the affected part. The corrective actions also include 
repeating the freeplay measurement and any related investigative and 
corrective actions until the maximum freeplay is within acceptable 
limits. For the repetitive measurements of the freeplay, the service 
bulletin specifies an initial compliance time of 18 months and 
repetitive intervals of 8,000 flight hours or 24 months, whichever 
occurs first. The service bulletin also describes procedures for 
repetitive lubrication of the hinge bearings and rod end bearings of 
the aileron balance tabs. For the repetitive lubrications, the service 
bulletin specifies an initial compliance time of 9 months and 
repetitive intervals of 3,200 flight hours and 6,000 flight hours, 
depending on if grease was used. Accomplishing the actions specified in 
the service bulletin 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. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, 
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 944 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 U.S.-
            Action               Work hours     Average labor      Cost per        registered       Fleet cost
                                                rate per hour      airplane         airplanes
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Freeplay measurement.........               8             $80  $640, per                    539  $344,960, per
                                                                lubrication                       measurement
                                                                cycle.                            cycle.
Lubrication..................               4              80  $320, per                    539  $172,480, per
                                                                measurement                       lubrication
                                                                cycle.                            cycle.
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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

[[Page 17035]]

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 placed 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 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2006-24271; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
006-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by May 22, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-
100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated in any 
category; as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
727-27-0234, dated November 10, 2005.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of freeplay-induced vibration 
of the outboard aileron balance tab and rudder tab. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent excessive vibration of the airframe during 
flight, which could result in divergent flutter and loss of control 
of 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.

Compliance Times

    (f) Except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD, at the 
applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-27-0234, dated 
November 10, 2005, do the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this 
AD. Where the service bulletin specifies a compliance time ``from 
the initial release of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires 
compliance within the applicable compliance time after the effective 
date of this AD.

Freeplay Measurement, Related Investigative and Corrective Actions, and 
Lubrication

    (g) At the applicable times specified in paragraph (f) of this 
AD, do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this 
AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-27-0234, dated November 10, 
2005.
    (1) Measure the freeplay of the left and right outboard aileron 
balance tabs and of the upper and lower rudder tabs, and do 
applicable related investigative and corrective actions if 
necessary.
    (2) Lubricate the hinge bearings and rod end bearings of the 
aileron balance tabs.

Concurrent Repetitive Cycles

    (h) If a freeplay measurement required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD and a lubrication cycle required by paragraph (g)(2) of this 
AD are due at the same time or will be done during the same 
maintenance visit, the freeplay measurement and applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions must be done before the 
lubrication.

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) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an 
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized 
by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair 
method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis 
of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this 
AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 29, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-4924 Filed 4-4-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P