[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 227 (Monday, November 27, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58209-58210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-28795]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-83-AD; Amendment 39-9434; AD 95-24-02]
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747SP Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Boeing Model 747SP series airplanes, that
requires modification of the escape slide/raft on Door 2 of the
airplane. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that the
escape slide/raft on Door 2 deployed onto the wing of the airplane and
did not inflate automatically. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to ensure that the escape slide/raft on Door 2 inflates
automatically so that passengers are able to exit the airplane through
Door 2 in the event of an emergency evacuation.
DATES: Effective December 27, 1995.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 27, 1995.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation Systems,
Department 7916, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. This information may be
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Nemecek, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2773; fax (206) 227-1181.
[[Page 58210]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747SP series
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 10, 1995 (60
FR 40783). That action proposed to require modification of the escape
slide/raft on Door 2 of the airplane.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
The commenter supports the proposed rule.
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
There are approximately 45 Model 747SP series airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 12
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required
parts will cost approximately $259 per airplane. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$4,548, or $379 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
95-24-02 Boeing: Amendment 39-9434. Docket 95-NM-83-AD.
Applicability: Model 747SP series airplanes equipped with
BFGoodrich evacuation systems identified in BFGoodrich Service
Bulletin 7A1255-25-275, dated February 25, 1994, certificated in any
category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority
provided in paragraph (b) of this AD to request approval from the
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To ensure the ability of passengers to exit the airplane through
Door 2 in the event of an emergency evacuation, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the escape slide/raft on Door 2 in accordance with BFGoodrich
Service Bulletin 7A1255-25-275, dated February 25, 1994.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Seattle ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with BFGoodrich
Service Bulletin 7A1255-25-275, dated February 25, 1994. This
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies may be obtained from BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft
Evacuation Systems, Department 7916, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. Copies
may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on December 27, 1995.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 9, 1995.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-28795 Filed 11-24-95; 8:45 am]
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