[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 154 (Thursday, August 10, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40783-40785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-19775]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-83-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747SP Series Airplanes
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 747SP series
airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the escape
slide/raft on Door 2 of the airplane. This proposal 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 the proposed 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: Comments must be received by October 4, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-83-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 BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation Systems,
Department 7916, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. This information may be
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue
SW., Renton, Washington.
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
[[Page 40784]]
98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2773; fax (206) 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 95-NM-83-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-83-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received reports indicating that, during an annual
check, the escape slide/raft on Door 2 of a Boeing Model 747SP series
airplane deployed onto the wing of the airplane, but did not inflate
automatically. Investigation revealed that the firing lanyard was not
being pulled from the regulator actuator assembly because the bottle
and bottle pouch were trapped on the wing by the remainder of the
slide/raft pack bundle. This condition, if not corrected, could result
in the inability of passengers to exit the airplane through Door 2 in
the event of an emergency evacuation.
The FAA has reviewed and approved BFGoodrich Service Bulletin
7A1255-25-275, dated February 25, 1994, which describes procedures for
modification of the escape slide/raft on Door 2. The modification
entails adding a four-inch (10.2 cm) extension to the bottle pouch
hanger, installing a lanyard lever (force intensifier) on the firing
lanyard, and enhancing the packing instructions for the unit.
Accomplishment of the modification will provide more reliable automatic
inflation of the Door 2 slide/raft.
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 modification of the escape slide/raft on Door
2 of the airplane. The actions would be required to be accomplished in
accordance with the service bulletin described previously.
Operators should note that, although this action addresses a
problem associated with a component and not specifically with the
airplane itself, the proposed AD would be applicable to the airplane
model (Boeing Model 747SP's, in this case) rather than to the
discrepant component (BFGoodrich slide/rafts, in this case). 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. 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 747SP'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.
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 45 Model 747SP series airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 12
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that
it would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
Required parts would cost approximately $259 per airplane. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $4,548, or $379 per airplane.
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
[[Page 40785]]
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:
Boeing: 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 prevent the inability 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 4, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-19775 Filed 8-9-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
