[Federal Register: September 10, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 175)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 53309-53311]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10se03-13]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-213-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747SP, 747SR, 747-100, -
100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, and -300 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 all Boeing Model 747SP, 747SR,
747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, and -300 series
airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the escape
slide/raft pack assembly and cable release sliders. This action is
necessary to prevent improper deployment of the escape slide/raft or
blockage of the passenger/crew doors in the event of an emergency
evacuation, which could result in injury to passengers or crewmembers.
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 27, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-213-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 (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-213-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 the proposed rule may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207. 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, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
917-6435; fax (425) 917-6590.
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 action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
[sbull] 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.
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
[sbull] 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 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 action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2001-NM-213-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. 2001-NM-213-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received reports of improper escape slide/raft
deployment and passenger/crew door blockage during slide deployment
tests on certain Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. Subsequent
investigation revealed that the cause of this improper deployment or
door blockage was damaged pins of the slide pack cover, which could not
be extracted. If the pins are not extracted, either the door will not
fully open or the slide will not deploy.
We also received one report of high-deployment and non-deployment
forces of the floor mounted escape slide of the upper deck during
maintenance. Investigation revealed that the cable release slider did
not travel enough to allow for easy extraction of the deployment
cables, which can result in high-deployment forces. Further
investigation revealed that the release pins can become snagged in the
access hole of the outboard cover panel cone, preventing escape slide
deployment.
Improper deployment of the escape slide/raft or blockage of the
passenger/crew doors in the event of an emergency evacuation could
result in injury to passengers or crewmembers.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 747-25-3274, Revision 1, dated January 9, 2003, which
describes procedures for modification of the escape slide/raft pack
assembly. For Group 1 and 2 airplanes, the modification includes
removing the slide packs and replacing the cover release pin cable
assemblies with new assemblies containing high-strength pins, and
removing the pulley guard bracket to prevent new pins from hanging on
the pulley guard during slide pack release. For Group 3 through 15
airplanes, the modification includes removing the slide packs and
replacing the cover release pin cable assemblies with new assemblies
containing high-strength pins. For Groups 4, 6, 8, and 10 airplanes,
the modification includes removing the cable guard brackets from the
door 3 ramp packs.
[[Page 53310]]
We also have reviewed and approved Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 747-25-3307, dated November 21, 2002, which describes
procedures for modification of the cable release sliders of the escape
slide/raft pack assembly. The modification includes overhaul or
replacement of the cable release sliders with new sliders and
installation of washers on the outboard pack cover. This service
bulletin is to be done prior to or concurrent with Service Bulletin
747-25-3274.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins 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 bulletins described previously, except as discussed below.
Difference Between Service Information and This Proposed AD
Although the service bulletins recommend accomplishment of the
modifications at the earliest time when manpower and parts are
available, or at the next scheduled slide overhaul/maintenance,
respectively, we have determined that a specific compliance time is
needed to ensure that the identified unsafe condition is addressed in a
timely manner. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this
proposed AD, we considered not only the manufacturer's recommendation,
but the degree of urgency associated with addressing the subject unsafe
condition, and the average utilization of the affected fleet.
Considering these factors, we find that a 36-month compliance time for
completing the proposed actions is warranted, in that this represents
an appropriate interval of time allowable for affected airplanes to
continue to operate without compromising safety.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 592 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. We estimate that 187 airplanes of U.S. registry would
be affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 2 work hours per escape slide to
accomplish the proposed modification of the escape slide/raft pack
assembly, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts
would cost between $13,980 and $48,940 per slide. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the modification of the escape slide/raft
pack assembly proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
between $14,110 and $49,070 per slide.
Should an operator be required to accomplish the overhaul of the
cable release sliders, it would take approximately 2 work hours to
accomplish the proposed overhaul, at an average labor rate of $65 per
work hour. Required parts cost would be negligible. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the overhaul of the cable release sliders
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $130 per
slider.
Should an operator be required to accomplish the replacement of the
cable release sliders, it would take approximately 1 work hour to
accomplish the proposed replacement, at an average labor rate of $65
per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $2,940 per
slider. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the replacement of
the cable release sliders proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $3,005 per slider.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD.
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time
necessitated by other administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
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 2001-NM-213-AD.
Applicability: All Model 747SP, 747SR, 747-100, -100B, -100BSUD,
-200B, -200C, -200F, and -300 series airplanes, 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 (d) 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 improper deployment of the escape slide/raft or
blockage of the passenger/crew doors in the event of an emergency
evacuation, which could result in injury to passengers or
crewmembers, accomplish the following:
Modification
(a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify
the escape slide/raft pack assembly (includes removing the slide
packs, replacing the cover release pin cable assemblies with new
assemblies, and removing the pulley guard bracket, as applicable),
per Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3274, Revision
1, dated January 9, 2003.
(b) Prior to or concurrent with accomplishment of paragraph (a)
of this AD:
[[Page 53311]]
Modify the cable release sliders of the escape slide/raft pack
assembly (includes overhauling or replacing the cable release
sliders and installing washers on the outboard pack cover, as
applicable), per Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-
3307, dated November 21, 2002.
Part Installation
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no one may install, on
any airplane, a pin cable assembly with a part number listed in the
``Existing Part Number'' column of the table in Appendix A of Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3274, Revision 1, dated
January 9, 2003.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) 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. 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 Permit
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Sec. Sec. 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 September 4, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-22992 Filed 9-9-03; 8:45 am]
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