[Federal Register: December 9, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 236)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 71347-71349]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09de04-5]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19228; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-77-AD;
Amendment 39-13897; AD 2004-25-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 707 Airplanes and Model
720 and 720B Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Boeing Model 707 airplanes and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes.
This AD requires repetitive inspections of the left and right support
ribs for the main landing gear (MLG) trunnion, related investigative/
corrective actions if necessary, and other specified actions. This AD
is prompted by reports of in-service cracking of the support ribs for
the MLG trunnion. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
corrosion and cracking of the support ribs for the MLG trunnion, which
could result in collapse of the MLG.
DATES: This AD becomes effective January 13, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of
January 13, 2005.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207. You can examine this information at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of
this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: Candice
Gerretsen, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6428; fax (425) 917-6590.
Plain language information: Marcia Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.
Examining the Docket
The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any final
disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with an AD for all Boeing Model 707 airplanes and Model 720 and 720B
series airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on
October 4, 2004 (69 FR 59151), proposed to require repetitive
inspections of the left and right support ribs for the main landing
gear (MLG) trunnion, related investigative/corrective actions if
necessary, and other specified actions.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comment that was
submitted on the proposed AD. The commenter, the manufacturer, supports
the proposed AD.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comment that has been submitted, and determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 227 airplanes of the affected design worldwide. The
following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to
comply with this AD.
[[Page 71348]]
Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Average U.S.-
Action Work hours labor rate Parts Cost per airplane registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection, per inspection cycle..... 6 $65 None.................... $390, per inspection 32 $12,480, per inspection
cycle. cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authority for This Rulemaking
The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's
authority.
This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, the FAA is charged with promoting
safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to
examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2004-25-09 Boeing: Amendment 39-13897. Docket No. FAA-2004-19228;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-77-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective January 13, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 707-100 long body, -200,
-100B long body, and -100B short body series airplanes; and Model
707-300, -300B, -300C, and -400 airplanes; and Model 720 and 720B
series airplanes; certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of in-service cracking of
the support ribs for the main landing gear (MLG) trunnion. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion and cracking of the
support ribs for the MLG trunnion, which could result in collapse of
the MLG.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Service Bulletin References
(f) The term ``alert service bulletin,'' as used in this AD,
means the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 707 Alert Service
Bulletin A3510, dated January 15, 2004.
Repetitive Detailed Inspection and Corrective Action
(g) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a
detailed inspection for corrosion and cracking of the left and right
support ribs of the MLG trunnion. Do the inspection in accordance
with all of the actions in Part I of the alert service bulletin.
Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6
months.
(h) If any corrosion or cracking is found during any inspection
required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, do all
applicable related investigative and corrective actions, and the
other specified actions, in accordance with the alert service
bulletin; except, where the alert service bulletin specifies to
contact Boeing, before further flight, repair in accordance with a
method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA; or in accordance with data meeting the type
certification basis of the airplane approved by a Boeing Company
Designated Engineering Representative (DER) who has been authorized
by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair
method to be approved, the approval must specifically refer to this
AD.
Repetitive High Frequency Eddy Current (HFEC) Inspection and Corrective
Action
(i) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a
HFEC inspection for cracking of the left and right support ribs of
the MLG trunnion. Do the inspection in accordance with all of the
actions in Part II of the alert service bulletin. Repeat the
inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months.
(j) If cracking is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (i) of this AD: Before further flight, repair the cracked
area in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle
ACO; or in accordance with data meeting the type certification basis
of the airplane approved by a Boeing Company DER who has been
authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For
a repair method to be approved, the approval must specifically refer
to this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(k)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures
found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by a
Boeing Company DER who has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle
ACO, to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the
approval must specifically refer to this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(l) You must use Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3510, dated
January 15, 2004, to
[[Page 71349]]
perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD
specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approves
the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For copies of the service
information, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707,
Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. For information on the availability
of this material at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
You may view the AD docket at the Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW.,
room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 30, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-26794 Filed 12-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P