[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 98 (Monday, May 22, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27054-27056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12442]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-13-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Series Airplanes
Equipped With BFGoodrich Off-Wing Ramp/Slide Evacuation Systems
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 767 series
airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the off-wing
ramp/slide evacuation systems. This proposal is prompted by reports of
punctured tubes on certain BFGoodrich off-wing ramp/slide evacuation
systems installed on these airplanes. The actions specified by the
proposed AD are intended to prevent such tube punctures, which could
delay or impede the evacuation of passengers during an emergency.
DATES: Comments must be received by July 17, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No 95-NM-13-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207; and BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation
Systems, Sustaining Engineering, Dept. 7916, Phoenix, Arizona 85040.
This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Gfrerer, Aerospace Engineer,
ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712; telephone (310) 627-5338; fax (310) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 95-NM-13-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 95-NM-13-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received reports of punctured tubes on BFGoodrich off-
wing ramp/slide evacuation systems, having part numbers (P/N) 101630,
101655, and 101656, installed on certain Boeing Model 767 series
airplanes. There have been several incidents in [[Page 27055]] which
the ramp/slides have been damaged or punctured during inflation of the
ramp/slide. Investigation revealed that the tubes were punctured when
the ramp/slides became trapped in the spoiler gap or were caught on the
inboard edge of the flap during inflation. Puncture of the tubes on an
off-wing ramp/slide evacuation system, if not corrected, could cause
portions of the slide to deflate and, thus, delay or impede the
evacuation of passengers during an emergency.
The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-
0218, dated December 15, 1994, which describes procedures for
modication of the off-wing ramp/slide evacuation systems. This
modification involves replacement of nuts on the bearings on the
packboards with new nuts.
The FAA has also reviewed and approved BFGoodrich Service Bulletin
101630/655/656-25-269, dated October 28, 1994, which describes
procedures for modication of the off-wing ramp/slide evacuation
systems. This modification involves replacement of velcro retainers
with improved retainers, installation of a cover panel on the bottom of
the inflatable, and installation of a chafe panel between the upper and
lower tubes near the transfer tube.
Accomplishment of the modifications described in these two service
bulletins will improve the resistance to a tube puncture when the ramp/
slide impinges on the spoiler gap and inboard flap edge during
inflation.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would require modication of the off-wing ramp/slide
evacuation systems. The actions would be required to be accomplished in
accordance with the service bulletins described previously.
Operators should note that the applicability of this proposed rule
affects Boeing Model 767 series airplanes that are equipped with
certain BFGoodrich evacuation systems. The FAA's general policy is
that, when an unsafe condition results from the installation of an
appliance or other item that is installed in only one particular make
and model of aircraft, the AD is issued so that it is applicable to the
aircraft, rather than the item. The reason for this is simple: Making
the AD applicable to the airplane model on which the item is installed
ensures that operators of those airplanes will be notified directly of
the unsafe condition and the action required to correct it. While it is
assumed that an operator will know the models of airplanes that it
operates, there is a potential that the operator will not know or be
aware of specific items that are installed on its airplanes. It is for
this reason that this proposed AD would be applicable to Model 767's
rather than to the BFGoodrich evacuation system. Additionally, calling
out the airplane model as the subject of the AD prevents ``unknowing
non-compliance'' on the part of the operator.
The FAA recognizes that there are situations when an unsafe
condition exists in an item that is installed in many different
aircraft. In those cases, the FAA considers it impractical to issue
AD's against each aircraft; in fact, many times, the exact models and
numbers of aircraft on which the item is installed may not be known.
Therefore, in those situations, the AD is issued so that it is
applicable to the item; furthermore, those AD's usually indicate that
the item is known to be installed on, but not limited to, various
aircraft models.
As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general,
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has
been included in this notice to clarify this long-standing requirement.
There are approximately 992 BFGoodrich off-wing ramp/slide
evacuation systems installed on 496 Model 767 series airplanes (2
evacuation systems per airplane) of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 376 BFGoodrich off-wing ramp/
slide evacuation systems installed on 188 Model 767 series airplanes of
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take
approximately 9 work hours per evacuation system to accomplish the
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
Required parts would cost approximately $200 per evacuation system.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $278,240, or $740 per evacuation
system.
The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Boeing: Docket 95-NM-13-AD.
Applicability: Model 767 series airplanes, equipped with
BFGoodrich off-wing ramp/slide evacuation systems having part number
(P/N) 101630, 101655, or 101656; certificated in any category.
[[Page 27056]]
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) 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 prevent tube puncture of the ramp/slide evacuation system,
which could delay or impede the evacuation of passengers during an
emergency, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the off-wing ramp/slide evacuation systems in accordance with Boeing
Service Bulletin 767-25-0218, dated December 15, 1994, and
BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 101630/655/656-25-269, dated October 28,
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, Los Angeles 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, Los Angeles ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 16, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-12442 Filed 5-19-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
