[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 158 (Thursday, August 16, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45972-45973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16110]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28921; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-091-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 
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 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require, among other actions, modifying the door-
mounted escape system of the forward right side door slide compartment. 
This proposed AD results from reports indicating that the forward right 
escape slide inflated 90 degrees out of alignment after deployment from 
the forward right side slide compartment. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent the escape slide from being unusable during an emergency 
evacuation and consequent injury to passengers or crewmembers.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 1, 2007.

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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    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: Robert Hettman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin & Environmental Systems Safety Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6457; 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-2007-
28921; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-091-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 Operations office between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The 
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the 
ground level of the West 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 reports indicating that the forward door escape 
slide inflated 90 degrees out of alignment after deployment from the 
forward right side slide compartment, on Boeing Model 737-300, -400, 
and -500 airplanes. During deployment of the escape slide, the escape 
slide may be temporarily restricted within the slide compartment. This 
added restriction can delay the escape slide from aligning to a proper 
orientation before inflation. If inflation begins before the escape 
slide extends from the door, it can result in a sideways slide 
deployment. This condition, if not corrected, could result in the 
escape slide being unusable during an emergency evacuation and 
consequent injury to passengers or crewmembers.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-
1567, dated March 21, 2007. The service information describes 
procedures for modifying the door-mounted escape system of the forward 
right side door slide compartment. The modification includes:
     Removing the bottle retainer, rubber pad, and window; and 
cleaning the pan assembly.
     Modifying the window cutout and applying a primer coating 
and enamel finish.
     Installing a new window.
    Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1430, Revision 1, dated April 10, 
2003, which is required by AD 2004-02-08, amendment 39-13443 (69 FR 
4452, January 30, 2004), is necessary to be done prior to or 
concurrently with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-
1567. Boeing Service Bulletin 737-24-1430 describes procedures for 
replacing the hinge assembly of the escape slide compartment with a new 
assembly.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

[[Page 45973]]

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 1,949 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 660 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The modification and installation actions would take 
about 2 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per 
work hour. Required parts would cost about $207 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators 
is $242,220, or $367 per airplane.

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 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-2007-28921; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
091-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October 
1, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 
series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1567, dated March 
21, 2007.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports indicating that the forward 
door escape slide inflated 90 degrees out of alignment after 
deployment from the forward right side slide compartment. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent the escape slide from being unusable 
during an emergency evacuation and consequent injury to passengers 
or crewmembers.

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.

Modification and Installation

    (f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the door-mounted escape system of the forward right side door slide 
compartment, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1567, dated March 
21, 2007.

Prior to or Concurrent Requirement

    (g) Prior to or concurrently with the requirements of paragraph 
(f) of this AD, accomplish the requirements of AD 2004-02-08, 
amendment 39-13443.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(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) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 30, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-16110 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am]
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