[Federal Register: January 24, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 16)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 4053-4054]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24ja08-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28884; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-116-AD;
Amendment 39-15343; AD 2008-02-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive external high
frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the crown skin for cracks
at certain stringer attachment holes, and repair if necessary. This AD
results from a report of cracks at multiple locations on certain areas
of the crown skin. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue
cracks of the crown skin, which could result in rapid decompression of
the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective February 28, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 28,
2008.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
917-6577; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to
all Boeing Model 727 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on August 8, 2007 (72 FR 44433). That NPRM proposed to require
repetitive external high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of
the crown skin for cracks at certain stringer attachment holes, and
repair if necessary.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We considered the comment received from the commenter.
Request to Delegate Approval of Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOC) for Repairs
Boeing requests that paragraph (h) of the NPRM be revised to allow
AMOCs for any required repair to be approved by an Authorized
Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option
Authorization Organization who has been authorized by the Manager,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office.
We agree with Boeing's request and have revised paragraph (h) of
the AD accordingly.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the
AD with the change described previously. We also determined that this
change will not increase the economic burden
[[Page 4054]]
on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 842 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 459 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The inspection takes about 110 work hours per airplane, at an average
labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated
cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $4,039,200, or $8,800 per
airplane, per inspection cycle.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. 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.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA 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
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
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.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2008-02-13 Boeing: Amendment 39-15343. Docket No. FAA-2007-28884;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-116-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 28,
2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-
100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated in any
category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report of cracks at multiple
locations on certain areas of the crown skin. We are issuing this AD
to detect and correct fatigue cracks of the crown skin, which could
result in rapid decompression of the airplane.
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.
Repetitive Inspections and Repair
(f) Before the accumulation of 66,000 total flight cycles, or
within 3,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later, do an external high frequency eddy current
inspection of the crown skin for cracks at stringer attachment holes
between stringer 11 left and stringer 11 right and from body station
(BS) 259.5 to BS 1183. Repair any crack found before further flight.
Do the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0224, dated April 10, 2003,
except as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD. Repeat the
inspection at intervals not to exceed 3,500 flight cycles.
(g) Although Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0224, dated
April 10, 2003, specifies to submit certain information to the
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized
by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair
method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis
of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this
AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0224,
dated April 10, 2003, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington
98124-2207.
(3) You may review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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
.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 14, 2008.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-1129 Filed 1-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P