00-19262. Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727-100 and -200 Series Airplanes Equipped With an Engine Nose Cowl for Engine Numbers 1 and 3, Installed in Accordance With Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA4363NM

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

This amendment revises an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 727-100 and -200 series airplanes, that currently requires replacing the attaching nutplates on certain engine nose cowls with washers and self-locking nuts. This amendment changes the responsible office for approval of an alternative method of compliance. This amendment is prompted by the transfer of the supplemental type certificate. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent the attach bolts from becoming loose, which could result in subsequent separation of the nose cowl from the engine.

DATES:

Effective August 16, 2000.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications, as listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of October 20, 1995 (60 FR 48630, September 20, 1995).

Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before October 2, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-249-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to [phone]. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: [e-mail]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must contain “Docket No. 2000-NM-249-AD” in the subject line and need not be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from VALSAN Partnership Ltd., Aviation Products Management, Product Support Office, 39450 Third Street East, suite 121, Palmdale, California 93550.

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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael E. O'Neil, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On September 7, 1995, the FAA issued AD 95-19-08, amendment 39-9370 (60 FR 48630, September 20, 1995), applicable to certain Boeing Model 727-100 and -200 series airplanes, to require replacing the attaching nutplates on certain engine nose cowls with washers and self-locking nuts. That action was prompted by reports indicating that nose cowls separated (or nearly separated) from the engines of certain airplanes following failure of the engine fan blade and subsequent vibration of the engine, which caused loosening of the attach bolts on the nose cowl of the engine. The actions required by that AD are intended to prevent the attach bolts from becoming loose, which could result in subsequent separation of the nose cowl from the engine.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has transferred the supplemental type certificate data from the Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) to the Los Angeles ACO. Therefore, the FAA has determined it is necessary to issue this AD to require that all future alternative methods of compliance and adjustments of compliance time be approved by the Manager of the Los Angeles ACO.

Explanation of Requirements of Rule

Since unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of this same type design, this AD revises AD 95-19-08 to continue to require replacing the attaching nutplates on certain engine nose cowls with washers and self-locking nuts. This AD changes the responsible office for approval of an alternative method of compliance.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

Since this AD is a minor and merely technical amendment in which the public is not particularly interested, and does not change the existing requirements, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior public comment hereon are unnecessary and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a final rule that is a minor and merely technical amendment and, thus, was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.

Submit comments using the following format:

• Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a request to change the compliance time and a request to change the service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
• For each issue, state what specific change to the AD is being requested.
• Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each request.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the 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 that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket Number 2000-NM-249-AD.” The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

The FAA has determined that notice and comment hereon are unnecessary because this is a minor and merely technical amendment in which the public is not particularly interested.

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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-9370 ( 60 FR 48630, September 20, 1995), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39-11839, to read as follows:

95-19-08 R1 Boeing: Amendment 39-11839. Docket 2000-NM-249-AD. Revises AD 95-19-08, Amendment 39-9370.

Applicability: Model 727-100 and -200 series airplanes equipped with an engine nose cowl for engine numbers 1 and 3, installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA4363NM, 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 (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 the attach bolts on the nose cowl of the engine from becoming loose, and subsequent separation of the nose cowl from the engine, accomplish the following:

Replacement

(a) Within 12 months after October 20, 1995 (the effective date of AD 95-19-08, amendment 39-9370), replace the attaching nutplates of the No. 1 and No. 3 engine nose cowls with washers and self-locking nuts in accordance with VALSAN B727-RE Service Bulletin 71-006, Revision 1, dated March 3, 1995.

Spares

(b) As of October 20, 1995, no person shall install a nose cowl having VALSAN part number 259-0002-501 or 259-0002-503 on any airplane.

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, 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.

Special Flight Permits

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with §§ 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.

Incorporation by Reference

(e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with VALSAN B727-RE Service Bulletin 71-006, Revision 1, dated March 3, 1995. This incorporation by reference was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of October 20, 1995 (60 FR 48630, September 20, 1995). Copies may be obtained from VALSAN Partnership Ltd., Aviation Products Management, Product Support Office, 39450 Third Street East, suite 121, Palmdale, California 93550. Copies may be inspected 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 16, 2000.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 25, 2000.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.