[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60676-60679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24031]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0090; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-149-AD;
Amendment 39-17595; AD 2013-19-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company 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
The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B,
747-200C, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747SP series airplanes. This
AD was prompted by reports of worn or incorrectly assembled latches on
main deck escape slides installed on airplane doors. This AD requires
determining if the latches are correctly assembled; and doing
corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires, for certain
airplanes, modifications to the escape slide/rafts and escape slides.
We are issuing this AD to prevent a latch hook moving from closed to
open in an escape slide/raft or escape slide, which could result in the
escape slide/raft or escape slide not deploying correctly in an
emergency, or releasing/inflating into the passenger cabin and causing
injury to passengers and crew.
DATES: This AD is effective November 6, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 6,
2013.
ADDRESSES: For Boeing service information identified in this AD,
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services
Management, P. O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. For Goodrich service information identified in
this AD, contact Goodrich Corporation, Aircraft Interior Products,
ATTN: Technical Publications, 3414 South Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ
85040-1169; telephone 602-243-2200; 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, WA. 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is 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: Sarah Piccola, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6483; fax: 425-917-6590; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The
NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 8, 2013 (78 FR
9346). The NPRM proposed to require determining if the latches on main
deck escape slides installed on airplane doors are correctly assembled;
and doing corrective actions if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to
require, for certain airplanes, modifications to the escape slide/rafts
and escape slides.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal
(78 FR 9346, February 8, 2013) and the FAA's response to each comment.
Request To Extend Compliance Time
Delta Air Lines (DAL) requested that the compliance time in the
NPRM (78 FR 9346, February 8, 2013) be extended to 60 months. DAL
stated that this will
[[Page 60677]]
allow for the modification to be accomplished at the next scheduled
overhaul for DAL's affected slides.
We disagree with DAL's request to extend the compliance time. In
developing an appropriate compliance time for this action, we
considered the safety implications, parts availability, and normal
maintenance schedules for the timely accomplishment of the inspections
and modification. However, under the provisions of paragraph (j) of
this final rule, we will consider requests for approval of an extension
of the compliance time if sufficient data are submitted to substantiate
that the new compliance time would provide an acceptable level of
safety. We have not changed this final rule in this regard.
Requests To Refer to Revised Service Information
United Airlines and Boeing stated that Boeing has issued revised
service information. The commenters requested that the service
information in the NPRM (78 FR 9346, February 8, 2013) be updated to
refer to Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3428,
Revision 4, dated February 25, 2013.
DAL requested that the NPRM (78 FR 9346, February 8, 2013) be
revised to allow the replacement of affected slides with slides on
which the inspection and modification have been done in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 747-25-3428, Revision 3, dated June 14, 2012.
We agree with United Airlines' and Boeing's requests and have
revised paragraphs (c), (g), and (h) in this final rule to refer to
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3428, Revision 4,
dated February 25, 2013.
We also agree with DAL's request and have revised paragraph (i) of
this final rule by redesignating paragraph (i) of the NPRM (78 FR 9346,
February 8, 2013) as paragraph (i)(2), and adding new paragraph (i)(1),
which provides credit for the applicable actions required by paragraph
(g) of this final rule, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this final rule using Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 747-25-3428, Revision 3, dated June 14, 2012.
Request To Allow Replacement of Slides Using a Means Other Than the
Service Information
DAL requested that, alternatively, the proposed AD (78 FR 9346,
February 8, 2013) be revised to include a statement that accomplishment
of the inspection and modification by means of an approved routine
maintenance item would be acceptable.
As previously stated, we deem it acceptable to replace an affected
part with a part that has been inspected and modified in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 747-25-3428, Revision 3, dated June 14, 2012.
Regarding the use of an approved maintenance item instead of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 747-25-3428, Revision 3, dated June 14, 2012, DAL included
this as a conditional statement if the slide replacement discussed
above was deemed unacceptable. As stated above, we agree that affected
slides can be replaced with slides that have completed the inspection
and modification in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3428, Revision 3,
dated June 14, 2012. However, once this final rule is issued, any
person may request approval of an AMOC under the provisions of
paragraph (j) of this final rule. We have not changed this final rule
in this regard.
Additional Change to This Final Rule
We added Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this final rule to reference
additional guidance material.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD with the changes described previously--and minor editorial
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (78 FR 9346, February 8, 2013) for correcting the unsafe
condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 9346, February 8, 2013).
We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 121 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Determine if latches are 1 work-hour x $85 per $0............... $85.............. $10,285.
correctly assembled. hour = $85.
Option to rework/replace Between 3 and 24 work- $286 per latch... Between $541 and Between $65,461
latches instead of determining hours x $85 per hour $2,326. and $281,446.
if latches are correctly = Between $255 and
assembled. $2,040.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the latch assembly
determination. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft
that might need this replacement:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Corrective action.................. Between 3 and 24 work-hours $286 per latch........ Between $541 and
x $85 per hour = Between $2,326.
$255 and $2,040.
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[[Page 60678]]
According to the manufacturer, all of the costs of this 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
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),
(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.
Adoption of the Amendment
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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
2013-19-13 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17595; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0090; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-149-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective November 6, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B,
747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, and
747SP series airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified
in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3428, Revision
4, dated February 25, 2013; except for Groups 3-4, Configuration 2,
and Group 9, Configuration 2, airplanes.
(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 worn or incorrectly assembled
latches on main deck escape slides installed on airplane doors. We
are issuing this AD to prevent a latch hook moving from closed to
open in an escape slide/raft or escape slide, which could result in
the escape slide/raft or escape slide not deploying correctly in an
emergency, or releasing/inflating into the passenger cabin and
causing injury to passengers and crew.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Replacement or Rework of Escape Slide Latch Assembly
Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD: Determine
if the latches in the main deck escape slide/rafts and the escape
slides installed on the airplane doors are correctly assembled, and
do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 747-25-3428, Revision 4, dated February 25, 2013. Do all
applicable corrective actions before further flight. Options
provided in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3428,
Revision 4, dated February 25, 2013, for determining the correct
assembly of the latches are acceptable for the corresponding
requirement of this paragraph.
Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 747-25-3428, Revision 4, dated February 25, 2013,
refers to Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-367, Revision 1, dated May 1,
2012, as an additional source of guidance for unpacking the escape
slide/raft assemblies.
(h) Concurrent Requirements
For Groups 1, 5, 10, and 13 airplanes, as identified in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3428, Revision 4, dated
February 25, 2013: Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, replace the packboard
cap nuts with flush-type inserts, reinforce the lower packboard
support bracket attachments, install hooks, modify the lower liner
of the main entry door and packboard, and remove the ``Press to
Test'' circuit panel and associated circuitry, in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-
2425, Revision 1, dated September 7, 1979.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
(1) This paragraph provides credit for the applicable actions
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were
performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3428, Revision 3, dated June 14,
2012, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
(2) This paragraph provides credit for the applicable concurrent
actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD, if those actions were
performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Service
Bulletin 747-25-2425, dated August 25, 1978, which is not
incorporated by reference in this AD.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO)
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 paragraph (k) 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.
(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 the
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization
(ODA) that 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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Sarah Piccola,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems
[[Page 60679]]
Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6483; fax:
425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
(2) For Goodrich service information identified in this AD,
contact Goodrich Corporation, Aircraft Interior Products, ATTN:
Technical Publications, 3414 South Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85040-
1169; telephone 602-243-2200; Internet http://www.goodrich.com/TechPubs.
(3) Boeing service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference may be obtained at the addresses specified
in paragraphs (l)(3) and (l)(4) of this AD.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3428,
Revision 4, dated February 25, 2013.
(ii) Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-2425, Revision 1, dated
September 7, 1979. (Pages 1 through 4 of this document are dated
September 7, 1979. Pages 5 through 20 of this document are dated
August 25, 1978.)
(3) For Boeing service information identified in this AD,
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services
Management, P. O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207;
telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet
https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
425-227-1221.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference 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 September 13, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-24031 Filed 10-1-13; 8:45 am]
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