[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 5, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6586-6590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1724]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28299; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-139-AD; 
Amendment 39-15354; AD 2008-03-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-
100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 
747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP Series Airplanes; and Model 767-200 and -300 
Series Airplanes; Equipped With Certain Goodrich Evacuation Systems

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain

[[Page 6587]]

Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-
200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series 
airplanes; and Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes; equipped with 
certain Goodrich evacuation systems. For certain airplanes, this AD 
requires replacing the evacuation system shear-pin restraints with new 
ones. For certain other airplanes, this AD requires an inspection for 
manufacturing lot numbers; and a general visual inspection of the 
shear-pin restraints for discrepancies, and corrective actions if 
necessary. This AD results from several reports of corroded shear-pin 
restraints that prevented Goodrich evacuation systems from deploying 
properly. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of an evacuation 
system, which could impede an emergency evacuation and increase the 
chance of injury to passengers and flightcrew during the evacuation.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 11, 2008.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of March 11, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Goodrich, Aircraft Interior Products, ATTN: Technical Publications, 
3414 South Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85040-1169.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracy Ton, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety/Mechanical and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150L, FAA, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5352; fax (562) 
627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Boeing Model 
747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 
747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes; and 
Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes; equipped with certain Goodrich 
evacuation systems. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
May 29, 2007 (72 FR 29452). For certain airplanes, that NPRM proposed 
to require replacing the evacuation system shear-pin restraints with 
new ones. For certain other airplanes, that NPRM proposed to require an 
inspection for manufacturing lot numbers; and a general visual 
inspection of the shear-pin restraints for discrepancies, and 
corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.

Supportive Comment

    One commenter, Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), 
supports the proposed AD.

Request To Combine Two AD Actions Into One AD

    Delta requests that this NPRM be combined with another NPRM 
(Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-239-AD/Docket No. FAA-2007-28370 (72 FR 
31761, June 8, 2007)) so that a single AD is issued. Both NPRMs refer 
to Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-343, Revision 3, dated January 12, 
2007, as an appropriate source of service information for accomplishing 
the proposed actions.
    We do not agree with the commenter's request. While the evacuation 
slides affected by this AD and the other NPRM are identified in the 
same service bulletin and have the same unsafe condition, the 
individual evacuation slides were approved under different 
certification processes. This AD affects airplanes that had certain 
evacuation slides approved as part of a type certificate. The other 
NPRM (Docket No. FAA-2007-28370) affects certain other evacuation 
slides that were approved under a technical special order (TSO) that 
specified certain requirements for evacuation slides. The TSO approval 
process specifies which airplane model(s) a specific evacuation slide 
can be installed on. These two approval processes affect how we issue 
ADs. We have not changed this AD or NPRM Docket No. FAA-2007-28370 in 
this regard.

Request To Revise Sequence of Part Number in a Table

    Goodrich, the evacuation slide manufacturer, requests that we 
reverse the sequence of rows (6) and (7) of Table 1 of the NPRM to 
match the sequence in the Goodrich service bulletin.
    We agree with the commenter's request. Revising the sequence of 
rows to match the sequence in the service bulletin will reduce any 
confusion. We have revised paragraphs (c)(6) and (c)(7) of this AD 
(rows (6) and (7) of Table 1 of the AD) accordingly.

Request To Give Credit for a Service Bulletin

    Goodrich also requests that we give credit to operators who 
accomplish Revision 3 of the service bulletin before the effective date 
of this AD. Goodrich states that ``The wording of Paragraph (j) does 
not provide credit for actions done in compliance with Revision 3 
unless it occurs `after the effective date of this AD'.'' (We infer 
that Goodrich interprets the text of paragraph (j) of the AD to mean 
that operators that have accomplished Revision 3 of the service 
bulletin before the effective date would be required to accomplish 
those actions again after the effective date to comply with this AD.)
    We disagree with the commenter's request. Paragraph (e) of this AD 
states that the actions must be done as specified in the AD ``unless 
the actions have already been done.'' Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-343, 
Revision 3, dated January 12, 2007, is referred to as the appropriate 
source of service information for accomplishing the requirements of 
paragraph (g) of this AD. Accomplishing the requirements of this AD in 
accordance with Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-343, Revision 3, dated 
January 12, 2007, before the effective date of the AD is acceptable for 
compliance with paragraph (g) of this AD. Paragraph (j) of this AD 
gives credit for accomplishing earlier revisions of the service 
bulletin before the effective date of this AD. We have not changed the 
AD in this regard.

Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph

    We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure 
for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies.

Additional Change

    In paragraph (j) of the NPRM, we inadvertently referenced paragraph 
(h) of the AD. Instead, the correct reference is paragraph (g) of the 
AD. We have

[[Page 6588]]

revised paragraph (j) of this AD to cite the correct paragraph.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 1,063 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 144 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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                                     Work hours per     Average labor                         Number of slide
             Action                    slide unit       rate per hour         Parts          units per airplane   Cost per airplane       Fleet cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement.....................  Between 2 and 9....             $80  Between $58 and      Between 1 and 12...  Between $218 and     Between $31,392
                                                                        $638, depending on                        $16,296.             and $2,346,624.
                                                                        number of
                                                                        restraints.
Inspection......................  Between 2 and 9....              80  None...............  Between 1 and 12...  Between $160 and     Between $23,040
                                                                                                                  $8,640.              and $1,244,160.
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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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2008-03-05 Boeing: Amendment 39-15354. Docket No. FAA-2007-28299; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-139-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective March 11, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B 
SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-
400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes; and Model 767-200 and -300 
series airplanes; certificated in any category; equipped with any 
Goodrich evacuation system listed in Table 1 of this AD.

                  Table 1.--Goodrich Evacuation Systems
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Goodrich evacuation systems                            Component/part
          part number              Serial No. (S/N)           name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 101651-303................  PA2475 through PA2955   Slide/Raft,
                                 inclusive.              forward/aft
                                                         doors.
(2) 7A1412-3 through 7A1412-8   GU0154 through GU0325   Slide, upper
 inclusive.                      inclusive.              deck.
(3) 101651-109 through 101651-  All S/Ns with a B51     Slide/Raft,
 303 inclusive.                  prefix, and S/Ns        forward/aft
                                 PA0001 through PA2474   doors.
                                 inclusive.
(4) 7A1101-20 through 7A1101-   All S/Ns with a single  Slide, doors 1
 24 inclusive.                   letter G prefix, and    and 2.
                                 S/Ns GL0001 through
                                 GL0099 inclusive.
(5) 7A1102-20 through 7A1102-   All S/Ns with a single  Slide, door 4.
 24 inclusive.                   letter G prefix, and
                                 S/Ns GN001 through
                                 GN121 inclusive.
(6) Odd dash numbers 7A1103-45  All odd S/Ns with a     Slide, door 5,
 through 7A1103-51.              single letter G         left-hand (LH)
                                 prefix, and odd S/Ns    side.
                                 GC0001 through GC0127.

[[Page 6589]]

 
(7) Even dash numbers 7A1103-   All even S/Ns with a    Slide, door 5,
 46 through 7A1103-52.           single letter G         right-hand (RH)
                                 prefix, and even S/Ns   side.
                                 GC0002 through GC0128.
(8) 7A1104-14 through 7A1104-   All S/Ns with a single  Slide, crew
 24 inclusive.                   letter G prefix, and    door.
                                 S/Ns GM0001 through
                                 GM0138 inclusive.
(9) Odd dash numbers 7A1105-35  All...................  Slide, off-wing,
 through 7A1105-43.                                      LH side.
(10) Even dash numbers 7A1105-  All...................  Slide, off-wing,
 36 through 7A1105-44.                                   RH side.
(11) Odd dash numbers 7A1238-3  All odd S/Ns with a     Slide/Raft,
 through 7A1238-69.              single letter G         doors 1, 2, and
                                 prefix, and odd S/Ns    4, LH side.
                                 GE0001 through GE2091.
(12) Even dash numbers 7A1238-  All even S/Ns with a    Slide/Raft,
 4 through 7A1238-70.            single letter G         doors 1, 2, and
                                 prefix, and even S/Ns   4, RH side.
                                 GE0002 through GE2076.
(13) Odd dash numbers 7A1239-3  All odd S/Ns with a     Slide/Raft, door
 through 7A1239-33.              single letter G         5, LH side.
                                 prefix, and odd S/Ns
                                 GF0001 through GF0649.
(14) Even dash numbers 7A1239-  All even S/Ns with a    Slide/Raft, door
 4 through 7A1239-34.            single letter G         5, RH side.
                                 prefix, and even S/Ns
                                 GF0002 through GF0650.
(15) Odd dash numbers 7A1248-1  All odd S/Ns with a     Slide, upper
 through 7A1248-35.              single letter G         deck, LH side.
                                 prefix, and odd S/Ns
                                 GU001 through GU321.
(16) Even dash numbers 7A1248-  All even S/Ns with a    Slide, upper
 2 through 7A1248-36.            single letter G         deck, RH side.
                                 prefix, and even S/Ns
                                 GU002 through GU662.
(17) Odd dash numbers 7A1252-1  All odd S/Ns with a     Slide, off-wing,
 through 7A1252-9.               single letter G         LH side.
                                 prefix, and odd S/Ns
                                 GO001 through GO505.
(18) Even dash numbers 7A1252-  All even S/Ns with a    Slide, off-wing,
 2 through 7A1252-10.            single letter G         RH side.
                                 prefix, and even S/Ns
                                 GO002 through GO506.
(19) Odd dash numbers 7A1255-1  All odd S/Ns with a     Slide/Raft, door
 through 7A1255-29.              single letter G         2, LH side.
                                 prefix, and odd S/Ns
                                 WH0001 through WH0139.
(20) Even dash numbers 7A1255-  All even S/Ns with a    Slide/Raft, door
 2 through 7A1255-30.            single letter G         2, RH side.
                                 prefix, and even S/Ns
                                 WH0002 through WH0136.
(21) Odd dash numbers 7A1256-1  All odd S/Ns with a     Slide/Raft, door
 through 7A1256-29.              single letter G         3, LH side.
                                 prefix, and odd S/Ns
                                 WI0001 through WI0143.
(22) Even dash numbers 7A1256-  All even S/Ns with a    Slide/Raft, door
 2 through 7A1256-30.            single letter G         3, RH side.
                                 prefix, and even S/Ns
                                 WI0002 through WI0144.
(23) Odd dash numbers 7A1257-1  All odd S/Ns with a     Slide/Raft, door
 through 7A1257-29.              single letter G         4, LH side.
                                 prefix, and odd S/Ns
                                 WJ0001 through WJ0167.
(24) Even dash numbers 7A1257-  All even S/Ns with a    Slide/Raft, door
 2 through 7A1257-30.            single letter G         4, RH side.
                                 prefix, and even S/Ns
                                 WJ0002 through WJ0160.
(25) Odd dash numbers 7A1261-1  All odd S/Ns with a     Slide/Raft, door
 through 7A1261-33.              single letter G         1, LH side.
                                 prefix, and odd S/Ns
                                 WG0001 through WG0165.
(26) Even dash numbers 7A1261-  All even S/Ns with a    Slide/Raft, door
 2 through 7A1261-34.            single letter G         1, RH side.
                                 prefix, and even S/Ns
                                 WG0002 through WG0162.
(27) 7A1412-1 through 7A1412-8  All S/Ns with a single  Slide, upper
 inclusive.                      letter G prefix, and    deck.
                                 S/Ns GU001 through
                                 GU153.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from several reports of corroded shear-pin 
restraints that prevented Goodrich evacuation systems from deploying 
properly. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of an evacuation 
system, which could impede an emergency evacuation and increase the 
chance of injury to passengers and flightcrew during the evacuation.

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.

Service Bulletin Reference

    (f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-343, 
Revision 3, dated January 12, 2007.

Replacement, or Inspections and Corrective Action

    (g) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (1) For airplanes equipped with any Goodrich evacuation system 
identified in paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this AD: Replace the 
shear-pin restraints with new restraints.
    (2) For airplanes equipped with any Goodrich evacuation system 
identified in paragraphs (c)(3) through (c)(27) of this AD: Do an 
inspection to verify the manufacturing lot number of the shear-pin 
restraint. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in 
lieu of this inspection if the manufacturing lot number of the 
shear-pin restraint can be conclusively determined from that review.
    (i) If a manufacturing lot number from 3375 through 5551 
inclusive is found, before further flight, replace the shear-pin 
restraint with a new restraint.
    (ii) If a manufacturing lot number from 3375 through 5551 
inclusive is not found, do a general visual inspection of the shear-
pin restraints for discrepancies (i.e., corrosion, security of pin 
retainer/label, overall condition, and lack of play). If any 
discrepancy is found, before further flight, replace the shear-pin 
restraint with a new restraint.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no Goodrich evacuation 
system with a part number and serial number identified in paragraph 
(c)(1) or (c)(2) of this AD may be installed on any airplane, unless 
the shear-

[[Page 6590]]

pin restraints have been replaced with new restraints in accordance 
with paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
    (i) As of the effective date of this AD, no Goodrich evacuation 
system with a part number and serial number identified in paragraphs 
(c)(3) through (c)(27) of this AD may be installed on any airplane, 
unless the shear-pin restraints have been inspected and found 
acceptable in accordance with paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.

Credit for Actions Done Using Previous Service Information

    (j) Replacements and inspections done before the effective date 
of this AD in accordance with Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-343, 
dated October 15, 2003; Revision 1, dated January 31, 2005; or 
Revision 2, dated October 11, 2006; are acceptable for compliance 
with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles 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.
    (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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-343, Revision 3, 
dated January 12, 2007, to perform the actions that are required by 
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this 
document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Contact Goodrich, Aircraft Interior Products, ATTN: Technical 
Publications, 3414 South Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85040-1169, for a 
copy of this service information. You may review copies at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 18, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-1724 Filed 2-4-08; 8:45 am]
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