[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 8, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69159-69161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28856]



[[Page 69159]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1222; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-268-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Airplanes Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, 
-900, and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD would require 
checking the escape slide girt for serviceability and replacement if 
necessary, modifying the cable routing provision, replacing the 
regulator padding, modifying the aspirator orientation, and modifying 
the valise. This proposed AD also would, for certain airplanes, require 
modifying or replacing the Vespel piston, modifying the pilot valve 
regulator, installing a new firing cable and safety pin, and modifying 
the slide valise. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of escape 
slides failing to deploy from the forward and aft right-hand doors 
during scheduled maintenance slide deployments, which could result in 
the slide being unusable during an emergency evacuation and increased 
likelihood of injury to passengers or crewmembers due to the difficulty 
in evacuating the aircraft.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 23, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     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.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Goodrich Corporation, Aircraft Interior Products, Attn: Technical 
Publications, 3414 South Fifth Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85040; phone: 
(602) 243-2270; email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.goodrich.com/TechPubs. You may review copies of the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (425) 227-1221.

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 proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Gillespie, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety & Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6429; fax: (425) 917-6590; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-1222; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-268-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We have received eight reports from five operators of escape slides 
failing to deploy from the forward and aft right-hand doors during 
scheduled maintenance slide deployments. During the attempted escape 
slide deployments, the valise release cable was caught in the gap 
between the latch bracket and the lower edge of the aft side of the 
compartment latch bracket. This caused the door to stall, ultimately 
preventing the door from fully opening, which prevented escape slide 
deployment. This condition, if not corrected, could result in the 
escape slide being unusable during an emergency evacuation and 
increased likelihood of injury to passengers or crewmembers due to the 
difficulty in evacuating the aircraft.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-389, dated November 
8, 2010. This service information describes procedures for checking the 
escape slide girt for continued serviceability, and replacing the girt 
with a new girt if necessary. This service information also describes 
procedures for modifying the cable routing provision on the girt by 
removing three Velcro tabs and installing two fabric tunnels. 
Additionally, this service information describes procedures for 
modifying the valise by removing the parachute spring band and 
installing an aspirator support pad, replacing the regulator valve 
padding with new padding, and repacking the slide with the aspirator in 
a different orientation within the slide pack.

Concurrent Service Information

    For slides having certain part numbers, Goodrich Service Bulletin 
5A3307-25-389, dated November 8, 2010, specifies concurrent 
accomplishment of a modification specified in Goodrich Service Bulletin 
5A3307-25-339, Revision 3, dated May 8, 2009. The modification involves 
modifying certain pilot valve regulators by replacing the trigger 
housing, bushing, and rod; installing a new firing cable and safety 
pin; and modifying the slide valise to accept the safety pin used with 
the modified valve.
    For certain slides, Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-389, dated 
November 8, 2010, also specifies concurrent accomplishment of Goodrich 
Service Bulletin 25-349, Revision 1, dated January 11, 2010, which 
describes procedures for modifying the Vespel piston in the regulator 
valves, or as an option to the modification, replacing the Vespel 
piston with a certain new or serviceable Vespel piston.

Other Relevant Rulemaking

    Slides having part number (P/N) 5A3307-3 are affected by Boeing 
Service Bulletin 737-25-1491, dated

[[Page 69160]]

April 23, 2007, which is mandated by AD 2008-24-08, Amendment 39-15748 
(73 FR 72320, November 28, 2008). The modification specified by 
Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339, Revision 3, dated May 8, 2009, 
is approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to the slide 
modification required by AD 2008-24-08.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-389, dated November 8, 2010; 
Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339, Revision 3, dated May 8, 2009; 
and Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-349, Revision 1, dated January 11, 
2010; described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 557 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per  product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check girt for serviceability,    2 work-hours x $85  $223..............  $393..............  $218,901.
 modify girt and valise,           per hour = $170.
 orientation, and replace
 padding.
Modify regulator valve, install   1 work-hour x $85   Between $1,749 and  Between $1,834 and  Between $1,021,538
 cable and pin, and modify slide   per hour = $85.     $1,836.             $1,921.             and $1,069,997.
 valise.
Modify Vespel piston............  1 work-hour x $85   $0................  $85...............  $47,345.
                                   per hour = $85.
Optional Vespel piston            1 work-hour x $85   $612..............  $697..............  $388,229.
 replacement.                      per hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the check of the girt. 
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need 
these replacements.

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Cost per
                    Action                                    Labor cost                 Parts cost    product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Girt replacement (Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-   1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85......         $942       $1,027
 389).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the parts supplier, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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 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 this 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2011-1222; Directorate Identifier 
2010-NM-268-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 23, 2011.

[[Page 69161]]

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2008-24-08, Amendment 39-15748 (73 FR 72320, 
November 28, 2008).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -
700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, with Goodrich Corporation door escape slide part number 
(P/N) 5A3086-1, -3, or -301, serial number (S/N) B3F001 through 
B3F611 inclusive; P/N 5A3088-1, -3, or -301, S/N B3A001 through 
B3A685 inclusive; or P/N 5A3307-1, -3, -5, or -301, S/N BNG0001 
through BNG5707 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of escape slides failing to 
deploy from the forward and aft right-hand doors during scheduled 
maintenance slide deployments. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of an escape slide to deploy, which could result in the 
slide being unusable during an emergency evacuation and increased 
likelihood of injury to passengers or crewmembers due to the 
difficulty in evacuating the aircraft.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Girt Check and Slide Modification

    Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: Do the 
actions in paragraph (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Check the girt for continued serviceability, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Goodrich Service Bulletin 
5A3307-25-389, dated November 8, 2010. If the girt is unserviceable: 
Before further flight, replace the girt with a new girt, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Goodrich Service 
Bulletin 5A3307-25-389, dated November 8, 2010.
    (2) Modify the cable routing provision on the girt, modify the 
valise, replace the regulator padding, and modify the aspirator 
orientation in the slide pack, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-389, dated 
November 8, 2010

(h) Concurrent Requirements

    (1) For slide P/N 5A3307-3 or 5A3307-301: Prior to or 
concurrently with accomplishing the actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, modify the pilot valve regulator P/N 4A3865-2, -3, 
or -4, as applicable; install a new firing cable and safety pin; and 
modify the slide valise; in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339, Revision 3, 
dated May 8, 2009.
    (2) For slide P/N 5A3307-3, 5A3307-5, or 5A3307-301: Prior to or 
concurrently with accomplishing the actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, modify the Vespel piston in the regulator valves or 
replace the Vespel piston with a new or serviceable Vespel piston P/
N 3A3566-2 or 3A3832-2, as applicable, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-349, 
Revision 1, dated January 11, 2010.

(i) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    (1) Modifying the pilot valve regulator, installing a new firing 
cable and safety pin, or modifying the slide valise in accordance 
with Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339, Revision 1, dated 
September 26, 2003; or Revision 2, dated March 31, 2004; before the 
effective date of this AD is acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding modification or installations required by paragraph 
(h) of this AD.
    (2) Modifying or replacing the Vespel piston in the regulator 
valves, in accordance with Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-349, dated 
September 15, 2004, before the effective date of this AD is 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding modification 
required by paragraph (h) of this AD.

(j) Parts Installation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on 
any airplane a part identified in paragraph (j)(1), (j)(2), or 
(j)(3) of this AD.
    (1) A regulator having P/N 4A3865-2, -3, or -4.
    (2) An evacuation system having P/N 5A3086-1, -3, or -301, 
serial number (S/N) B3F001 through B3F611 inclusive; P/N 5A3088-1, -
3, or -301, S/N B3A001 through B3A685 inclusive; or P/N 5A3307-1, -
3, -5, or -301, S/N BNG0001 through BNG5707 inclusive.
    (3) Regulator valve padding having P/N 3A4047-13.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Patrick 
Gillespie, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety & Environmental Systems 
Branch, ANM-150S, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: (425) 
917-6429; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Goodrich Corporation, Aircraft Interior Products, Attn: Technical 
Publications, 3414 South Fifth Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85040; 
phone: (602) 243-2270; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: http://www.goodrich.com/TechPubs. You may review copies of 
the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, the FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(425) 227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 27, 2011.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 2011-28856 Filed 11-7-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P