[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 20, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38846-38848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18412]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-89-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 757-200 and -
300 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the
slide/raft evacuation system by installing a girt reinforcement chafing
patch. This proposal is prompted by reports of holes in the inflatable
area of the slide/raft evacuation system. The actions specified by the
proposed AD are intended to prevent holes in the inflatable portion of
the slide/raft evacuation system, which could result in the slide/raft
being unusable as a raft during an emergency water landing.
DATES: Comments must be received by September 3, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-89-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Air Cruisers Company, Technical Publications Department,
P.O. Box 180, Belmar, New Jersey 07719-0180. This information may be
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Ladderud, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2780; fax (425) 227-1181.
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 99-NM-89-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-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 99-NM-89-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received reports of holes in the inflatable portion of
certain slide/
[[Page 38847]]
raft evacuation systems on Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 series
airplanes. The holes result from chafing of the slide/raft on a bracket
harness assembly used to attach the system to the aircraft door. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in the slide/raft being
unusable as a raft during an emergency water landing.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Air Cruisers Company Service
Bulletin 757-105-25-51, dated January 29, 1999, which describes
procedures for modifying the slide/raft evacuation system by installing
a girt reinforcement patch in the area prone to chafing against the
bracket harness assembly. Accomplishment of the actions specified in
the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified
unsafe condition.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
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 accomplishment of the actions specified in
the service bulletin described previously, except as discussed below.
Differences Between the Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin
Operators should note that this proposed AD would require
modification of the slide/raft within 36 months after the effective
date of this AD. The service bulletin recommends that this action
should be accomplished, ``* * * at the next regular scheduled
maintenance to the equipment.'' In developing an appropriate compliance
time for this AD, the FAA considered not only the manufacturer's
recommendation, but the degree of urgency associated with addressing
the subject unsafe condition, the average utilization of the affected
fleet, and the time necessary to perform the modification (5 hours per
airplane). In light of all of these factors, the FAA finds a 36-month
compliance time for initiating the required actions to be warranted, in
that it represents an appropriate interval of time allowable for
affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising safety.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 445 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 310 airplanes of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately
5 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed modification, and
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would
cost approximately $145 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$137,950, or $445 per airplane.
The 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.
Regulatory Impact
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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Boeing: Docket 99-NM-89-AD.
Applicability: Model 757-200 and -300 series airplanes, equipped
with Air Cruisers Company slide/raft evacuation systems having part
and serial numbers identified in Table 1 of this AD; certificated in
any category.
Table 1.--Air Cruisers Company Slide/Raft Evacuation Systems Subject to
this AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Part No. Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Cruisers.................. D30657-( ) Prior to 1132.
Air Cruisers.................. D30658-( ) Prior to 0859.
Air Cruisers.................. D30659-( ) Prior to 0860.
Air Cruisers.................. 61570-( ) Prior to 0321.
Air Cruisers.................. 61475-( ) Prior to 0137.
Air Cruisers.................. 61475-( ) 0138, 0139.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent holes in the inflatable portion of the slide/raft
evacuation system, which
[[Page 38848]]
could result in the slide/raft being unusable as a raft during an
emergency water landing, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the slide/raft evacuation system in accordance with Air Cruisers
Company Service Bulletin 757-105-25-51, dated January 29, 1999.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
a slide/raft evacuation system having a part number and serial
number identified in Table 1 of this AD, on any airplane, unless
that slide/raft evacuation system has been modified in accordance
with Air Cruisers Company Service Bulletin 757-105-25-51, dated
January 29, 1999.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) 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.
Special Flight Permits
(d) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 14, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-18412 Filed 7-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
