[Federal Register: January 30, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 20)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 4452-4454]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30ja04-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-88-AD; Amendment 39-13443; AD 2004-02-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500
Series Airplanes
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 737-300, -400, and -500 series
airplanes. This amendment requires, for certain airplanes, replacement
of the hinge assemblies on certain escape slide compartments of the
forward doors with new, stronger hinge assemblies; and, for certain
other airplanes, an inspection for incorrectly crimped hinge
assemblies, and corrective action if necessary. The actions specified
by this AD are intended to prevent forward door escape slides from
falling out of their compartments into the airplane interior and
inflating, which could impede an evacuation in the event of an
emergency. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe
condition.
DATES: Effective March 5, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 5, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 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.
[[Page 4453]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Ladderud, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6435; fax (425) 917-6590.
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 737-300, -
400, and -500 series airplanes was published as a supplemental notice
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on September 19,
2003 (68 FR 54869). That action proposed to require, for certain
airplanes, replacement of the hinge assemblies on certain escape slide
compartments of the forward doors with new, stronger hinge assemblies;
and, for certain other airplanes, an inspection for incorrectly crimped
hinge assemblies, and corrective action if necessary.
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.
Agrees With the Proposed AD
One commenter generally agrees with the proposed AD and has no
additional comments.
Allow for Reinstallation of the Hinges During Maintenance
One commenter requests that the proposed AD be revised to allow
reinstallation of the existing hinge assemblies if a maintenance action
not associated with the proposed AD requires the removal of the escape
slide/hinge assemblies. This would allow normal operations until the
replacement of the hinge assemblies is completed per planned
maintenance. The commenter believes paragraph (c) of the proposed AD
prohibits normal maintenance actions that require the removal and
reinstallation of the escape slide/hinge assemblies. The commenter
believes their proposal would allow for normal maintenance without
disruption while replacing the hinge assemblies within the compliance
time of the proposed AD and without any degradation of safety.
We agree with the commenter that clarification is necessary. The
intent of paragraph (c) of the proposed AD is that when operators
replace parts, they should replace them with good parts rather than bad
parts. Doing normal maintenance where the escape slide assembly is
removed does not warrant immediate replacement of the hinge assembly.
By reinstalling the escape slide assembly, the operator is not
``replacing'' the hinge assembly. The hinge assembly replacement would
be done within the compliance time of the AD. The final rule has been
clarified accordingly.
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 with the changes previously
described.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 1,974 airplanes of the affected design in
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 793 airplanes of U.S.
registry will be affected by this AD.
Replacement of the hinge assemblies, if necessary, will take
approximately 5 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of
$65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,569 per
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the hinge
replacement is estimated to be $1,894 per airplane.
The inspection, if necessary, will take approximately 1 to 3 work
hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection is estimated
to be $65 to $195 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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. 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 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.
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
0
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
0
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]
0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2004-02-08 Boeing: Amendment 39-13443. Docket 2001-NM-88-AD.
Applicability: Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes;
certificated in any category; as listed in Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 737-25-1430, Revision 1, dated April 10, 2003.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent forward door escape slides from falling out of their
compartments into the airplane interior and inflating, which could
impede an evacuation in the event of emergency, accomplish the
following:
Hinge Assembly Replacement
(a) For airplanes on which the hinge assemblies have not been
replaced as of the effective date of this AD in accordance with
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1430, dated
February 22, 2001: Within 36 months after the effective date of this
AD, replace the hinge assemblies on the escape slide stowage
compartments of the forward doors with new, stronger hinge
assemblies, in accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-
1430, Revision 1, dated April 10, 2003.
Hinge Assembly Inspection
(b) For airplanes on which the hinge assemblies were replaced
before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing
[[Page 4454]]
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1430, dated February 22,
2001: Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, perform
a general visual inspection for incorrectly crimped hinge
assemblies, in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-
1430, Revision 1, dated April 10, 2003. If any hinge assembly is not
correctly crimped, perform corrective action before further flight
in accordance with Revision 1 of the service bulletin.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure,
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting,
flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''
Part Installation
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, when replacing a hinge
assembly, no person may install a hinge assembly, part number
65C30431-6 or 65C30431-7, on any airplane.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1430, Revision 1, dated April 10,
2003. 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 Airplanes,
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.
Effective Date
(f) This amendment becomes effective on March 5, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 20, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-1914 Filed 1-29-04; 8:45 am]
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