[Federal Register: February 18, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 32)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7551-7553]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18fe04-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-205-AD; Amendment 39-13474; AD 2004-03-30]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, and
727-100C 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 all Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, and 727-100C series
airplanes, that requires repetitive detailed and special detailed
inspections for cracks in the web, inner chord, and outer chord of the
forward and aft frames of the aft cargo door opening; and repair of any
crack found. This action is necessary to detect and correct such
cracks, which could result in loss of the aft cargo door and rapid
decompression of the airplane. This action is intended to address the
identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective March 24, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 24, 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
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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: Ivan Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6437;
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 all Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-
100, and 727-100C series airplanes was published in the Federal
Register on November 18, 2003 (68 FR 64994). That action proposed to
require repetitive detailed and special detailed inspections for cracks
in the web, inner chord, and outer chord of the forward and aft frames
of the aft cargo door opening; and repair of any crack found.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Explanation of Change to This Final Rule
The FAA has determined that the option to alternatively allow
Boeing Company Designated Engineering Representatives to approve
alternative methods of compliance for the actions specified in
paragraph (a) of the proposed AD was inadvertently omitted from
paragraph (b) of the proposed AD. Therefore, we have revised paragraph
(b) of this final rule to include that provision.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the
rule with the change previously described. The FAA has determined that
this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator
nor increase the scope of the AD.
Interim Action
We consider this AD to be interim action. The manufacturer is
currently developing a modification that will address the unsafe
condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is developed,
approved, and available, we may consider additional rulemaking.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 193 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. We estimate that 129 airplanes of U.S. registry will
be affected by this AD. We provide the following cost estimates for the
required inspections, per inspection cycle:
Table--Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hourly Cost per
Airplanes Work hours labor rate Parts airplane
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Group 1 airplanes not modified per Boeing Service Bulletin 2 $65 $0 $130
727-53-0045................................................
Group 1 airplanes modified per Boeing Service Bulletin 727- 3 65 0 195
53-0045....................................................
Group 2 airplanes........................................... 3 65 0 195
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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:
2004-03-30 Boeing: Amendment 39-13474. Docket 2003-NM-205-AD.
Applicability: Model 727, 727C, 727-100, and 727-100C series
airplanes, certificated in any category, as listed in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 727-53A0225, dated September 11, 2003.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To detect and correct fatigue cracks in the web, inner chord,
and outer chord of the forward and aft frames of the aft cargo door
opening, which could result in loss of the aft cargo door and rapid
decompression of the airplane, accomplish the following:
Inspections and Corrective Action
(a) Perform a detailed inspection and a special detailed (high
frequency eddy current) inspection for cracks in the web, inner
chord, and outer chord of the forward
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and aft frames of the aft cargo door opening. Do the inspections at
the applicable initial compliance time listed in paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0225, dated
September 11, 2003; except, where the service bulletin specifies a
compliance time after the effective date of the service bulletin
date, this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance
time after the effective date of this AD. Do the inspection in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin.
(1) If no crack is found: Repeat the inspection within the
interval listed in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of the service
bulletin.
(2) If any crack is found: Repair it before further flight in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or per 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 such findings. For a repair
method to be approved, the approval must specifically refer to this
AD. Within 12 months following a repair, implement an inspection
program for the repair into the 727 maintenance program in
accordance with a method and compliance times approved by the
Manager, Seattle ACO; or per data meeting 14 CFR 25.571 (Amendment
25-54 or later) approved by a Boeing Company DER who has been
authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make such findings.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b)(1) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle
ACO, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance
(AMOCs) for this AD.
(2) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD, if it is
approved by a Boeing Company DER who has been authorized by the
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, to make such
findings.
Incorporation by Reference
(c) Unless otherwise specified by this AD, the actions must be
done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0225,
dated September 11, 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
(d) This amendment becomes effective on March 24, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 5, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-3131 Filed 2-17-04; 8:45 am]
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