[Federal Register: November 28, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 230)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 72320-72323]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28no08-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0176; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-228-AD;
Amendment 39-15748; AD 2008-24-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800
and -900 Series Airplanes
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 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series airplanes. This
AD requires an inspection of the escape slides for the forward and aft
entry and service doors to determine the part number and service
bulletin number stenciled on the escape slide girt, and modification of
the escape slide assemblies. This AD also requires concurrent
modification of the escape slide latch assemblies; concurrent
inspection of the escape slides to determine the part number and
service bulletin number stenciled on the escape slide girts, and
replacement of the trigger housing on the regulator valve with an
improved trigger housing if necessary; and concurrent replacement of
the rod in the pilot valve regulator with a new, improved rod; as
applicable. This AD results from reports that certain escape slides did
not automatically inflate when deployed or after the manual inflation
cable was pulled. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of an
escape slide to inflate when deployed, which could result in the slide
being unusable during an emergency evacuation and consequent injury to
passengers or crewmembers.
DATES: This AD is effective January 2, 2009.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of January 2,
2009.
The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the
incorporation by reference of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404,
dated May 25, 2000 on August 28, 2001 (66 FR 38361, July 24, 2001).
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207; telephone (206) 544-9990; fax (206) 766-5682; e-mail
DDCS@boeing.com; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
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: Robert K. Hettman, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6457, 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 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series
airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February
15, 2008 (73 FR 8833). That NPRM proposed to require an inspection of
the escape slides for the forward and aft entry and service doors to
determine the part number and service bulletin number stenciled on the
escape slide girt, and modification of the escape slide assemblies.
That NPRM also proposed to require concurrent modification of the
escape slide latch assemblies; concurrent inspection of the escape
slides to determine the part number and service bulletin number
stenciled on the escape slide girts, and replacement of the trigger
housing on the regulator valve with an improved trigger housing if
necessary; and concurrent replacement of the rod in the pilot valve
regulator with a new, improved rod; as applicable.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We considered the comments received from the three commenters.
Support for the NPRM
Boeing concurs with the contents of the proposed rule.
Requests To Refer to Additional Goodrich Service Bulletin
Goodrich, and Air Transport Association (ATA) on behalf of one of
its members, American Airlines (AA), request that Boeing revise Boeing
Service Bulletin 737-25-1491, dated April 23, 2007 (cited in the NPRM
as the appropriate source of service information for accomplishing
certain actions specified in the NPRM), to include a reference to
Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339, Revision 2, dated March 31,
2004, as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to BFGoodrich
Service Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21, 2000 (cited in the NPRM as a
source of service information for accomplishing certain other actions
specified in the NPRM). ATA and AA note that this service bulletin
modifies the applicable slide to the latest standard offered by
Goodrich. AA and Goodrich suggest that if Boeing Service Bulletin 737-
25-1491, dated April 23, 2007, is not revised, the AD should state that
it does not apply to Goodrich part number (P/N) 5A3307-5 slides and
that Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339, Revision 2, dated March
31, 2004, be identified as an AMOC for the slide portion of the AD.
We disagree with the request to revise the AD to refer to Goodrich
Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339, Revision 2, dated March 31, 2004. There
are significant differences in the actions between BFGoodrich Service
Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21, 2000 and Goodrich Service Bulletin
5A3307-25-339, Revision 2, dated March 31, 2004. Therefore, any request
to use the procedures in Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339 is
best handled through the AMOC process. Under the provisions of
paragraph (k) of the AD, we will consider requests for approval of an
AMOC if sufficient data are submitted to substantiate that the change
would provide an acceptable level of safety. We have not changed the AD
in this regard.
Request To Revise Unsafe Condition
Goodrich notes that paragraph (g)(1) of the NPRM addresses an
unsafe
[[Page 72321]]
condition (escape slide latch assembly) that is not mentioned in
paragraph (d), ``Unsafe Condition,'' of the NPRM. Goodrich requests
that we revise paragraph (d) to include a reference to the escape slide
latch assembly.
We disagree with the request to revise the unsafe condition to
refer to the escape slide latch assembly. The unsafe condition
addressed by this AD (failure of an escape slide to inflate when
deployed) is addressed by the inspection and modification required by
paragraph (f) of this AD. However, the inspection and modification
cannot be done unless the applicable concurrent requirements addressed
by both paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of the AD are done before or
concurrently with the actions required by paragraph (f) of this AD.
Those concurrent requirements, in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, are part
of addressing the unsafe condition only in that they enable
accomplishment of paragraph (f) of this AD. We have not changed the AD
in this regard.
Request To Include Alternative Rod Replacement
Goodrich notes that paragraph (g)(3) of the NPRM specifies rod
replacement in the regulator valve in accordance with BFGoodrich
Service Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21, 2000, for slides with P/Ns
5A3307-1 and -3. Goodrich states that the combination rod/bushing/
trigger housing replacement in Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339,
Revision 2, dated March 31, 2004, provides an acceptable alternative
rod replacement. Goodrich recommends that we include this alternative
in the AD.
We disagree with the request to revise the AD to refer to Goodrich
Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339, Revision 2, dated March 31, 2004. As
stated previously, there are significant differences in the actions
between BF Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21, 2000 and
Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-339, Revision 2, dated March 31,
2004. Therefore, any request to use the procedures in Goodrich Service
Bulletin 5A3307-25-339 is best handled through the AMOC process. Under
the provisions of paragraph (k) of the AD, we will consider requests
for approval of an AMOC if sufficient data are submitted to
substantiate that the change would provide an acceptable level of
safety. We have not changed the AD in this regard.
Request To Revise Costs of Compliance
ATA on behalf of AA states that the Costs of Compliance provided by
the NPRM do not accurately reflect the true costs associated with the
proposed modification. The commenters state that accomplishment of the
minimum required service bulletins would accrue approximately $800 per
airplane in material for modification of the slide in accordance with
BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21, 2000, and $200 in
labor for verification of incorporation of the new latch assembly.
We infer that the commenters would like us to revise the Costs of
Compliance section of the NPRM. We disagree. We based our cost estimate
of $516 per airplane for parts for the modification of the slide in
accordance with BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21,
2000, on information from the manufacturer. The commenters did not
supply additional information to use as a basis for changing the Costs
of Compliance section. Therefore, we do not find it necessary to change
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 as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 480 airplanes of U.S. registry. We
also estimate that it takes about 1 work-hour per product to comply
with the inspection. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based
on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to U.S. operators to
be $38,400 or $80 per product.
The following table provides the estimated costs, at an average
labor rate of $80 per work-hour, for U.S. operators to comply with the
concurrent actions, if applicable.
Estimated Concurrent Costs
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Cost per
Action Work hours Parts airplane Fleet cost
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Concurrent actions specified in Boeing 2 $1,424 $1,584 Up to $760,320.
Service Bulletin 737-25-1404.
Concurrent actions specified in Boeing 3 1,740 1,980 Up to $950,400.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-
25-1475.
Concurrent actions specified in 3 516 756 Up to $362,880.
BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-308.
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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.
[[Page 72322]]
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:
2008-24-08 Boeing: Amendment 39-15748. Docket No. FAA-2008-0176;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-228-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 2,
2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800
and -900 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491, dated April 23,
2007.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports that certain escape slides did
not inflate when deployed or after the manual inflation cable was
pulled. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of an escape slide
to inflate when deployed, which could result in the slide being
unusable during an emergency evacuation and consequent injury to
passengers or crewmembers.
Compliance
(e) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
Inspection and Modification
(f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD,
inspect the escape slides for the forward and aft entry and service
doors to determine the Goodrich part number (P/N) and service
bulletin number stenciled on the escape slide girts, and modify the
escape slide assemblies, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491, dated April 23,
2007.
Note 1: Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491, dated April 23,
2007, refers to Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-338, Revision 1, dated
March 31, 2004, as an additional source of service information for
modifying the escape slide assemblies.
Concurrent Requirements
(g) Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the actions
required by paragraph (f) of this AD, do the applicable actions
specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD.
(1) For Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404, dated May 25,
2000, equipped with any escape slide having P/N 5A3307-1, P/N
5A3307-3, P/N 5A3086-3, or P/N 5A3088-3: Modify the escape slide
latch assembly in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-
1404, dated May 25, 2000, as required by paragraph (a) of AD 2001-
15-01; or Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404, Revision 1, dated
April 18, 2002.
(2) For Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series
airplanes equipped with any escape slide having P/N 5A3086-3 or P/N
5A3088-3: Inspect the four escape slides to determine the part
number and service bulletin number stenciled on the escape slide
girts, and replace the trigger housing on the regulator valve with
an improved trigger housing if BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 5A3086/
5A3088-25-302 is not stenciled on the girt, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737-25-1475, dated November 26, 2002. For airplanes
identified as Group 2 in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin
737-25-1475, dated November 26, 2002, a records review may be done
in lieu of the inspection to determine the part number.
Note 2: Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1475,
dated November 26, 2002, refers to Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3086/
5A3088-25-336, dated June 17, 2002, as an additional source of
service information for replacing the trigger housing on the
regulator valve with a new, improved trigger housing.
(3) For Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series
airplanes equipped with any escape slide having P/N 5A3307-1, P/N
5A3086-3, or P/N 5A3088-3; or P/N 5A3307-3 and BFGoodrich Service
Bulletin 5A3307-25-309 stenciled on the girt: Replace the rod in the
pilot valve regulator with a new, improved rod in accordance with
BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21, 2000.
Terminating Action for AD 2001-15-01
(h) For Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1403,
dated May 4, 2000: Accomplishing the replacement of the regulator
piston plug in the vespel piston with a new piston plug,
installation of a new insolate pad on the valise, and removal of the
trigger housing cover, in accordance with Goodrich Service Bulletin
25-338, Revision 1, dated March 31, 2004, terminates the
modification specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin
737-25-1403, dated May 4, 2000, as required by paragraph (a) of AD
2001-15-01. All other applicable actions required by paragraph (a)
of AD 2001-15-01 must be fully complied with.
(i) For Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes:
Installation of a cover assembly on the trigger housing of the
inflation cylinder on the escape slides in accordance with Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1403, Revision 1, dated
November 29, 2001, terminates the corresponding action required by
paragraph (a) of AD 2001-15-01. All other applicable actions
required by paragraph (a) of AD 2001-15-01 must be fully complied
with.
(j) For Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes:
Modification of the escape slide latch assembly in accordance with
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404, Revision 1, dated April 18,
2002, terminates the corresponding action required by paragraph (a)
of AD 2001-15-01. All other applicable actions required by paragraph
(a) of AD 2001-15-01 must be fully complied with.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(k)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
ATTN: Robert K. Hettman, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and
Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6457, fax (425)
917-6590; has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested using 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(l) You must use the applicable service information contained in
Table 1 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the
AD specifies otherwise. If you accomplish the terminating actions
for AD 2001-15-01 specified in this AD, you must use the applicable
service information contained in Table 2 of this AD, unless the AD
specifies otherwise.
Table 1--Material Incorporated by Reference for Actions Required in This AD
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Service Bulletin Revision Date
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Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404...... Original.................... May 25, 2000.
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404...... 1........................... April 18, 2002.
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491...... Original.................... April 23, 2007.
[[Page 72323]]
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin Original.................... November 26, 2002.
737-25-1475.
BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-308....... Original.................... January 21, 2000.
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Table 2--Material Incorporated by Reference for the Optional Terminating Action in This AD
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Service Bulletin Revision Date
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Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404...... 1........................... April 18, 2002.
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 1........................... November 29, 2001.
737-25-1403.
Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-338......... 1........................... March 31, 2004.
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(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in
Table 3 of this AD under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
Table 3--New Material Incorporated by Reference
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Service Bulletin Revision Date
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Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404...... 1........................... April 18, 2002.
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491...... Original.................... April 23, 2007.
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin Original.................... November 26, 2002.
737-25-1475.
Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-308......... Original.................... January 21, 2000.
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(2) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the
incorporation by reference of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404,
dated May 25, 2000, on August 28, 2001 (66 FR 38361, July 24, 2001).
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington
98124-2207; telephone (206) 544-9990; fax (206) 766-5682; e-mail
DDCS@boeing.com; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
(4) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 16, 2008.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-27926 Filed 11-26-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P