[Federal Register: July 2, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 128)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 37786-37789]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02jy08-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0225; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-210-AD;
Amendment 39-15583; AD 2008-13-20]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 Airplanes Equipped
With Rolls Royce RB211-535E Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Boeing Model 757 airplanes equipped with Rolls Royce RB211-535E
engines. This AD requires repetitive inspections for signs of damage of
the aft hinge fittings and attachment bolts of the thrust reversers,
and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD
results from reports of several incidents of bolt failure at the aft
hinge fittings of the thrust reversers due to, among other things, high
operational loads. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the
attachment bolts and consequent separation of a thrust reverser from
the airplane during flight, which could result in structural damage to
the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective August 6, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 6,
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: Jason Deutschman, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
917-6449; 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
certain Boeing Model 757 airplanes equipped with Rolls Royce RB211-535E
engines. That NPRM was published in
[[Page 37787]]
the Federal Register on November 26, 2007 (72 FR 65903). That NPRM
proposed to require repetitive inspections for signs of damage of the
aft hinge fittings and attachment bolts of the thrust reversers, and
related investigative and corrective actions if necessary.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We considered the comments received.
Request to Include Terminating Action
Continental Airlines (CAL) and Federal Express (FedEx) ask that the
preventive modification specified in Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletins 757-54-0049 and 757-54-0050, both dated July 16, 2007, be
included in the AD as follows:
CAL asks that a new paragraph be added to clarify that
accomplishing the preventive modification provided in Part III of the
above referenced service bulletins constitutes terminating action for
the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f) of the NPRM.
FedEx states that the referenced service bulletins specify that the
repetitive inspections are no longer necessary once the preventive
modification is accomplished. FedEx would like to confirm that
accomplishing the preventive modification will terminate any further
inspections in the NPRM, and asks that we include the terminating
action in the AD.
We agree that clarification is necessary for the reasons provided;
therefore, we have added a new paragraph (h) to this AD (and re-
identified subsequent paragraphs) to include optional terminating
action for paragraph (f) of this AD.
Request To Clarify Applicability
FedEx asks that Model 757-200SF (special freighter) airplanes be
added to the applicability specified in paragraph (c) of the NPRM.
FedEx states that the NPRM applies to Model 757-200, -200CB, -200PF,
and -300 series airplanes equipped with Rolls Royce RB211-535E engines.
FedEx states that its airplanes will be modified from the Model 757-200
passenger configuration to a special freighter configuration. FedEx
adds that it will submit a supplemental type certificate (STC) to the
FAA to confirm the new certification of the airplane after release of
this AD.
We do not agree that Model 757-200SF airplanes should be added to
the applicability in this AD. The airplanes cited by the commenter are
legally known as ``Model 757-200 airplanes'' as identified on the
airplane data plate. Even though they might be modified by STC and
commonly known as ``special freighters,'' these airplanes continue to
be identified by the type certificated model designation. We have made
no change to the AD in this regard.
FedEx also asks for clarification of the difference between the
effectivity specified in the concurrent service information referenced
in paragraph (h) of the NPRM and the applicability in the NPRM. FedEx
states that the concurrent service bulletin (Boeing Service Bulletin
757-54-0015, Revision 3, dated September 19, 1996) addresses the
replacement of older hinge fittings for airplanes having line numbers 2
through 241.
We provide the following clarification. Paragraph (h) of the NPRM
(changed to paragraph (i) in the final rule) requires accomplishing the
actions in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-54-0015 prior to or concurrently
with accomplishing the actions specified in Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 757-54-0049, dated July 16, 2007. Airplanes having
line number 242 and subsequent have the production change installed and
are covered by paragraph (e) of this AD. The NPRM is applicable to
airplanes equipped with Rolls Royce RB211-535E engines; no line numbers
are identified. Therefore, we have made no change to the AD in this
regard.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 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 on any operator or
increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 606 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 295 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The inspections take about 2 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 $47,200, or $160 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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2008-13-20 Boeing: Amendment 39-15583. Docket No. FAA-2007-0225;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-210-AD.
[[Page 37788]]
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 6,
2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 757-200, -200CB, -200PF, and
-300 series airplanes, certificated in any category; equipped with
Rolls Royce RB211-535E engines.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of several incidents of bolt
failure at the aft hinge fittings of the thrust reversers due to,
among other things, high operational loads. We are issuing this AD
to prevent failure of the attachment bolts and consequent separation
of a thrust reverser from the airplane during flight, which could
result in structural damage to 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/Investigative and Corrective Actions
(f) At the time specified in paragraph 1.E. ``Compliance,'' of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-54-0049 or 757-54-
0050, both dated July 16, 2007, as applicable, except as provided by
paragraph (g) of this AD: Do a detailed inspection for signs of
damage of the aft hinge fittings and attachment bolts of the thrust
reversers by doing all the actions, including all applicable related
investigative and corrective actions, as specified in the
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin. Do
all applicable related investigative and corrective actions at the
time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of the applicable
service bulletin. If any damage is found and the service bulletins
specify to contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before further
flight, repair using a method approved in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
(g) Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletins 757-54-0049
and 757-54-0050, both dated July 16, 2007, specify compliance times
relative to the date on the service bulletin, this AD requires
compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective
date of this AD.
Optional Terminating Action
(h) Accomplishing the preventive modification specified in
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-54-0049 or 757-54-
0050, both dated July 16, 2007, terminates the repetitive
inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD.
Concurrent Actions
(i) Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the actions
specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-54-0049,
dated July 16, 2007, accomplish the replacement specified in Boeing
Service Bulletin 757-54-0015, Revision 3, dated September 19, 1996.
(j) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 757-54-0015, dated February
16, 1989; Revision 1, dated December 20, 1990; or Revision 2, dated
April 21, 1994 are considered acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding actions specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(k)(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
(l) You must use the Boeing service information contained in
Table 1 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, 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 that is
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.
Table 1.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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Service information Revision Date
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Boeing Special Attention Service 3.................................. September 19, 1996.
Bulletin 757-54-0015.
Boeing Special Attention Service Original........................... July 16, 2007.
Bulletin 757-54-0049.
Boeing Service Bulletin 757-54-0050... Original........................... July 16, 2007.
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[[Page 37789]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 8, 2008.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-14190 Filed 7-1-08; 8:45 am]
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