[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 180 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49659-49661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24867]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-95-AD; Amendment 39-10766; AD 98-19-25]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 Series Airplanes
Equipped With Air Cruisers 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 777-200 series airplanes, that
requires modifying the sliding surface of the door 1 left and door 1
right evacuation slide/rafts. This amendment is
[[Page 49660]]
prompted by a report of injuries to evacuees using the slide/raft to
exit the airplane; the evacuees were unable to achieve adequate initial
sliding speed and adequate momentum to carry them expeditiously down
the slide/raft. The actions specified by this AD are intended to
prevent evacuee overload of the slide/rafts, and consequent impeded
evacuation and injury to the evacuees.
DATES: Effective October 22, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 22, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207. 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 Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Ladderud, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington; telephone (425) 227-2780; fax
(425) 227-1181.
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 777-200
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on September 2,
1997 (62 FR 46221). That action proposed to require modifying the
sliding surface of the door 1 left and door 1 right evacuation slide/
rafts.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received. One commenter supports the proposed AD and two
commenters oppose it.
Request That the AD Not Be Issued
The Air Transport Association (ATA) of America states that one
operator has already accomplished the modification according to the
manufacturer's service bulletin. That operator opposes the proposed
rule and states that all 16 of its Model 777 series airplanes have been
modified in accordance with the referenced service bulletins (Boeing
Service Bulletin 777-25A0035 and Air Cruisers Company Service Bulletin
S.B 777-107-25-02), that no other Model 777 operators are affected by
these service bulletins, and that the proposed AD will not have a
positive impact on safety. For these reasons, the operator does not
consider that it is necessary for the FAA to issue the proposed AD.
Another commenter, the manufacturer, states that the proposed AD is
not warranted. That commenter advises that it is committed to ensuring
the safety of Model 777 series airplanes and has worked aggressively
with the affected operators to accomplish the door 1 slide/raft
modifications at the earliest possible date. In a letter dated October
15, 1997, the commenter states that 107 slide/rafts out of 113 were
modified, only 6 remain unmodified, and none of the unmodified slide/
rafts are owned by a U.S. operator. However, in a letter dated October
23, 1997, the commenter states that 104 slide/rafts have been modified
and only 9 slide/rafts remain unmodified. Upon inquiry about the
correct number of slide/rafts, the FAA was informed by the commenter
that the correct numbers were cited in the October 15 letter. That
commenter also states that it will continue its efforts to modify the
remaining slide/rafts as soon as possible.
The FAA does not concur that issuance of the rule is unnecessary or
that it would not have a positive impact on safety, even though the FAA
has received information indicating that most of the modifications
required by the AD have been accomplished. In accordance with various
bilateral airworthiness agreements with countries around the world, the
FAA is obligated to advise foreign airworthiness authorities of unsafe
conditions identified in products manufactured in the United States.
The issuance of AD's is the means by which the FAA satisfies this
obligation, and therefore, the issuance of this AD is both warranted
and necessary.
Further Evaluation of the Slide/Raft Design Recommended
The Air Line Pilots Association supports the proposed AD. However,
this commenter questions whether the proposed solution for applying a
dry lubricant to the top of the sliding area has been thoroughly
evaluated to ensure that it is usable in all possible conditions that
would be encountered during the life of the slide. The commenter also
questions how the evacuation problem was discovered, since it was not
immediately evident in the evacuation demonstration. In addition, the
commenter contends that certain evacuation conditions could result in
unsafe slide performance (e.g., when the slide is wet with rain). The
commenter recommends further evaluation of the slide/raft evacuation
scenario.
After careful consideration of the questions and recommendations
presented by the commenter, the FAA does not concur that additional
evaluation is required to correct the identified unsafe condition.
During evacuation tests of the slide/raft, evacuees wore clothing of
several types of fabric. Testing also included various sliding surface
treatments, lubricant applications, evacuee jumping styles, sliding
angles (sill height), and wet and dry sliding surface conditions. After
careful analysis of these test results, the FAA has determined that
further evaluation is not necessary. In addition, the FAA has
determined that the application of the dry lubricant, as specified in
the AD, is adequate to ensure an appropriate level of safety during an
evacuation. The FAA has made no change to the final rule.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 43 Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes of
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 16
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required
parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $3,840, or $240 per airplane.
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
[[Page 49661]]
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:
98-19-25 Boeing: Amendment 39-10766. Docket 97-NM-95-AD.
Applicability: Model 777-200 series airplanes, line positions 2
through 48 inclusive, excluding line positions 10, 41, 43, and 47;
equipped with Air Cruisers evacuation slide/rafts, as identified in
Air Cruisers Service Bulletin S.B. 777-107-25-02, dated October 29,
1996; 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 evacuee overload of the slide/raft, and consequent
impeded evacuation and injury to the evacuees, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, modify
the sliding surfaces of the door 1 left and door 1 right evacuation
slide/rafts, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
25A0035, dated December 2, 1996.
Note 2: The Boeing alert service bulletin references Air
Cruisers Company Service Bulletin S.B. 777-107-25-02, dated October
29, 1996, as an additional source of service information.
(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 3: 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.
(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 777-25A0035, dated December 2, 1996. 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 Boeing Commercial Airplane Group,
P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 22, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 10, 1998.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24867 Filed 9-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
