[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 230 (Friday, November 28, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72320-72323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27926]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0176; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-228-AD; 
Amendment 39-15748; AD 2008-24-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 
and -900 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series airplanes. This 
AD requires an inspection of the escape slides for the forward and aft 
entry and service doors to determine the part number and service 
bulletin number stenciled on the escape slide girt, and modification of 
the escape slide assemblies. This AD also requires concurrent 
modification of the escape slide latch assemblies; concurrent 
inspection of the escape slides to determine the part number and 
service bulletin number stenciled on the escape slide girts, and 
replacement of the trigger housing on the regulator valve with an 
improved trigger housing if necessary; and concurrent replacement of 
the rod in the pilot valve regulator with a new, improved rod; as 
applicable. This AD results from reports that certain escape slides did 
not automatically inflate when deployed or after the manual inflation 
cable was pulled. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of an 
escape slide to inflate when deployed, which could result in the slide 
being unusable during an emergency evacuation and consequent injury to 
passengers or crewmembers.

DATES: This AD is effective January 2, 2009.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of January 2, 
2009.
    The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404, 
dated May 25, 2000 on August 28, 2001 (66 FR 38361, July 24, 2001).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207; telephone (206) 544-9990; fax (206) 766-5682; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.

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: Robert K. Hettman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems 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:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to 
certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series 
airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February 
15, 2008 (73 FR 8833). That NPRM proposed to require an inspection of 
the escape slides for the forward and aft entry and service doors to 
determine the part number and service bulletin number stenciled on the 
escape slide girt, and modification of the escape slide assemblies. 
That NPRM also proposed to require concurrent modification of the 
escape slide latch assemblies; concurrent inspection of the escape 
slides to determine the part number and service bulletin number 
stenciled on the escape slide girts, and replacement of the trigger 
housing on the regulator valve with an improved trigger housing if 
necessary; and concurrent replacement of the rod in the pilot valve 
regulator with a new, improved rod; as applicable.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comments received from the three commenters.

Support for the NPRM

    Boeing concurs with the contents of the proposed rule.

Requests To Refer to Additional Goodrich Service Bulletin

    Goodrich, and Air Transport Association (ATA) on behalf of one of 
its members, American Airlines (AA), request that Boeing revise Boeing 
Service Bulletin 737-25-1491, dated April 23, 2007 (cited in the NPRM 
as the appropriate source of service information for accomplishing 
certain actions specified in the NPRM), to include a reference to 
Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339, Revision 2, dated March 31, 
2004, as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to BFGoodrich 
Service Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21, 2000 (cited in the NPRM as a 
source of service information for accomplishing certain other actions 
specified in the NPRM). ATA and AA note that this service bulletin 
modifies the applicable slide to the latest standard offered by 
Goodrich. AA and Goodrich suggest that if Boeing Service Bulletin 737-
25-1491, dated April 23, 2007, is not revised, the AD should state that 
it does not apply to Goodrich part number (P/N) 5A3307-5 slides and 
that Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339, Revision 2, dated March 
31, 2004, be identified as an AMOC for the slide portion of the AD.
    We disagree with the request to revise the AD to refer to Goodrich 
Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339, Revision 2, dated March 31, 2004. There 
are significant differences in the actions between BFGoodrich Service 
Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21, 2000 and Goodrich Service Bulletin 
5A3307-25-339, Revision 2, dated March 31, 2004. Therefore, any request 
to use the procedures in Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339 is 
best handled through the AMOC process. Under the provisions of 
paragraph (k) of the AD, we will consider requests for approval of an 
AMOC if sufficient data are submitted to substantiate that the change 
would provide an acceptable level of safety. We have not changed the AD 
in this regard.

Request To Revise Unsafe Condition

    Goodrich notes that paragraph (g)(1) of the NPRM addresses an 
unsafe

[[Page 72321]]

condition (escape slide latch assembly) that is not mentioned in 
paragraph (d), ``Unsafe Condition,'' of the NPRM. Goodrich requests 
that we revise paragraph (d) to include a reference to the escape slide 
latch assembly.
    We disagree with the request to revise the unsafe condition to 
refer to the escape slide latch assembly. The unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD (failure of an escape slide to inflate when 
deployed) is addressed by the inspection and modification required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD. However, the inspection and modification 
cannot be done unless the applicable concurrent requirements addressed 
by both paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of the AD are done before or 
concurrently with the actions required by paragraph (f) of this AD. 
Those concurrent requirements, in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, are part 
of addressing the unsafe condition only in that they enable 
accomplishment of paragraph (f) of this AD. We have not changed the AD 
in this regard.

Request To Include Alternative Rod Replacement

    Goodrich notes that paragraph (g)(3) of the NPRM specifies rod 
replacement in the regulator valve in accordance with BFGoodrich 
Service Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21, 2000, for slides with P/Ns 
5A3307-1 and -3. Goodrich states that the combination rod/bushing/
trigger housing replacement in Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339, 
Revision 2, dated March 31, 2004, provides an acceptable alternative 
rod replacement. Goodrich recommends that we include this alternative 
in the AD.
    We disagree with the request to revise the AD to refer to Goodrich 
Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339, Revision 2, dated March 31, 2004. As 
stated previously, there are significant differences in the actions 
between BF Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21, 2000 and 
Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339, Revision 2, dated March 31, 
2004. Therefore, any request to use the procedures in Goodrich Service 
Bulletin 5A3307-25-339 is best handled through the AMOC process. Under 
the provisions of paragraph (k) of the AD, we will consider requests 
for approval of an AMOC if sufficient data are submitted to 
substantiate that the change would provide an acceptable level of 
safety. We have not changed the AD in this regard.

Request To Revise Costs of Compliance

    ATA on behalf of AA states that the Costs of Compliance provided by 
the NPRM do not accurately reflect the true costs associated with the 
proposed modification. The commenters state that accomplishment of the 
minimum required service bulletins would accrue approximately $800 per 
airplane in material for modification of the slide in accordance with 
BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21, 2000, and $200 in 
labor for verification of incorporation of the new latch assembly.
    We infer that the commenters would like us to revise the Costs of 
Compliance section of the NPRM. We disagree. We based our cost estimate 
of $516 per airplane for parts for the modification of the slide in 
accordance with BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21, 
2000, on information from the manufacturer. The commenters did not 
supply additional information to use as a basis for changing the Costs 
of Compliance section. Therefore, we do not find it necessary to change 
the AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 480 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
also estimate that it takes about 1 work-hour per product to comply 
with the inspection. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to U.S. operators to 
be $38,400 or $80 per product.
    The following table provides the estimated costs, at an average 
labor rate of $80 per work-hour, for U.S. operators to comply with the 
concurrent actions, if applicable.

                                           Estimated Concurrent Costs
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                                                                     Cost per
                 Action                   Work hours     Parts       airplane              Fleet cost
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Concurrent actions specified in Boeing             2       $1,424       $1,584  Up to $760,320.
 Service Bulletin 737-25-1404.
Concurrent actions specified in Boeing             3        1,740        1,980  Up to $950,400.
 Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-
 25-1475.
Concurrent actions specified in                    3          516          756  Up to $362,880.
 BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-308.
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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

    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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

[[Page 72322]]

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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2008-24-08 Boeing: Amendment 39-15748. Docket No. FAA-2008-0176; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-228-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 2, 
2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 
and -900 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491, dated April 23, 
2007.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports that certain escape slides did 
not inflate when deployed or after the manual inflation cable was 
pulled. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of an escape slide 
to inflate when deployed, which could result in the slide being 
unusable during an emergency evacuation and consequent injury to 
passengers or crewmembers.

Compliance

    (e) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

Inspection and Modification

    (f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect the escape slides for the forward and aft entry and service 
doors to determine the Goodrich part number (P/N) and service 
bulletin number stenciled on the escape slide girts, and modify the 
escape slide assemblies, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491, dated April 23, 
2007.

    Note 1: Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491, dated April 23, 
2007, refers to Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-338, Revision 1, dated 
March 31, 2004, as an additional source of service information for 
modifying the escape slide assemblies.

Concurrent Requirements

    (g) Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the actions 
required by paragraph (f) of this AD, do the applicable actions 
specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD.
    (1) For Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes 
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404, dated May 25, 
2000, equipped with any escape slide having P/N 5A3307-1, P/N 
5A3307-3, P/N 5A3086-3, or P/N 5A3088-3: Modify the escape slide 
latch assembly in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-
1404, dated May 25, 2000, as required by paragraph (a) of AD 2001-
15-01; or Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404, Revision 1, dated 
April 18, 2002.
    (2) For Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series 
airplanes equipped with any escape slide having P/N 5A3086-3 or P/N 
5A3088-3: Inspect the four escape slides to determine the part 
number and service bulletin number stenciled on the escape slide 
girts, and replace the trigger housing on the regulator valve with 
an improved trigger housing if BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 5A3086/
5A3088-25-302 is not stenciled on the girt, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 737-25-1475, dated November 26, 2002. For airplanes 
identified as Group 2 in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
737-25-1475, dated November 26, 2002, a records review may be done 
in lieu of the inspection to determine the part number.

    Note 2: Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1475, 
dated November 26, 2002, refers to Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3086/
5A3088-25-336, dated June 17, 2002, as an additional source of 
service information for replacing the trigger housing on the 
regulator valve with a new, improved trigger housing.

    (3) For Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series 
airplanes equipped with any escape slide having P/N 5A3307-1, P/N 
5A3086-3, or P/N 5A3088-3; or P/N 5A3307-3 and BFGoodrich Service 
Bulletin 5A3307-25-309 stenciled on the girt: Replace the rod in the 
pilot valve regulator with a new, improved rod in accordance with 
BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21, 2000.

Terminating Action for AD 2001-15-01

    (h) For Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes 
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1403, 
dated May 4, 2000: Accomplishing the replacement of the regulator 
piston plug in the vespel piston with a new piston plug, 
installation of a new insolate pad on the valise, and removal of the 
trigger housing cover, in accordance with Goodrich Service Bulletin 
25-338, Revision 1, dated March 31, 2004, terminates the 
modification specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
737-25-1403, dated May 4, 2000, as required by paragraph (a) of AD 
2001-15-01. All other applicable actions required by paragraph (a) 
of AD 2001-15-01 must be fully complied with.
    (i) For Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes: 
Installation of a cover assembly on the trigger housing of the 
inflation cylinder on the escape slides in accordance with Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1403, Revision 1, dated 
November 29, 2001, terminates the corresponding action required by 
paragraph (a) of AD 2001-15-01. All other applicable actions 
required by paragraph (a) of AD 2001-15-01 must be fully complied 
with.
    (j) For Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes: 
Modification of the escape slide latch assembly in accordance with 
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404, Revision 1, dated April 18, 
2002, terminates the corresponding action required by paragraph (a) 
of AD 2001-15-01. All other applicable actions required by paragraph 
(a) of AD 2001-15-01 must be fully complied with.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
ATTN: Robert K. Hettman, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and 
Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6457, fax (425) 
917-6590; has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested using 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 the applicable service information contained in 
Table 1 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the 
AD specifies otherwise. If you accomplish the terminating actions 
for AD 2001-15-01 specified in this AD, you must use the applicable 
service information contained in Table 2 of this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise.

                   Table 1--Material Incorporated by Reference for Actions Required in This AD
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             Service Bulletin                        Revision                              Date
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Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404......  Original....................  May 25, 2000.
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404......  1...........................  April 18, 2002.
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491......  Original....................  April 23, 2007.

[[Page 72323]]

 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin  Original....................  November 26, 2002.
 737-25-1475.
BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-308.......  Original....................  January 21, 2000.
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           Table 2--Material Incorporated by Reference for the Optional Terminating Action in This AD
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             Service Bulletin                        Revision                              Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404......  1...........................  April 18, 2002.
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin  1...........................  November 29, 2001.
 737-25-1403.
Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-338.........  1...........................  March 31, 2004.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in 
Table 3 of this AD under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

                                 Table 3--New Material Incorporated by Reference
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             Service Bulletin                        Revision                              Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404......  1...........................  April 18, 2002.
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491......  Original....................  April 23, 2007.
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin  Original....................  November 26, 2002.
 737-25-1475.
Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-308.........  Original....................  January 21, 2000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404, 
dated May 25, 2000, on August 28, 2001 (66 FR 38361, July 24, 2001).
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 
98124-2207; telephone (206) 544-9990; fax (206) 766-5682; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information that is 
incorporated by reference 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 16, 2008.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-27926 Filed 11-26-08; 8:45 am]
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