[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 146 (Monday, July 29, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39307-39309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18786]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-218-AD; Amendment 39-9698; AD 96-15-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 Series Airplanes
Equipped With BFGoodrich Evacuation Slide/Rafts
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 747-400 series airplanes, that
requires modification of door 5 evacuation slide/rafts. This amendment
is prompted by reports that the door 5 evacuation slide/raft failed to
deploy properly due to adverse loads caused by the geometry of this
evacuation slide/raft. The actions specified by this AD are intended to
prevent failure of the door 5 evacuation slide/raft to deploy properly,
which could contribute to injury of passengers on the slide and could
delay or impede the evacuation of passengers during an emergency.
[[Page 39308]]
DATES: Effective September 3, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of September 3, 1996.
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 FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Gfrerer, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712; telephone (310) 627-5338; fax (310) 627-5210.
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 747-400
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 29,
1996 (61 FR 18705). That action proposed to require modification of the
door 5 evacuation slide/rafts.
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.
Conclusion
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.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 150 BFGoodrich evacuation slide/rafts
installed on 75 Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes (2 slides per
airplane) of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 1 work hour per slide to accomplish the required
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required
parts will cost approximately $84 per slide. Based on these figures,
the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $21,600,
or $144 per slide.
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.
Regulatory Impact
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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-15-08 Boeing: Amendment 39-9698. Docket 95-NM-218-AD.
Applicability: Model 747-400 series airplanes equipped with
BFGoodrich Evacuation Slide/Rafts at door 5; having slide/raft
assembly part number 7A1469-1, -2, -3, -4, -7, -8, -9, -10, -11, or
-12 (all unit serial numbers); 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) 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 failure of the door 5 evacuation slide/raft to deploy
properly, which could contribute to injury of passengers on the
slide and 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 door 5 evacuation slide/rafts in accordance with BFGoodrich
Service Bulletin 7A1469-25-283, dated November 6, 1995.
Note 2: Modification previous to the effective date of this AD
in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3096, which
references BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 7A1469-25-283, dated November
6, 1995, is considered acceptable for compliance with the
modification requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
(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 3: 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
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 7A1469-25-283, dated November 6, 1995. 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,
[[Page 39309]]
Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on September 3, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 18, 1996.
Stewart R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-18786 Filed 7-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
