[Federal Register: February 15, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 32)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 8833-8836]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15fe08-17]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0176; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-228-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800
and -900 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series
airplanes. This proposed AD would 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. This proposed AD
also would require concurrent modification of the escape slide latch
assembly; 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 improved trigger housing if necessary; and concurrent replacement
of the rod in the pilot valve regulator with a new improved rod; as
applicable. This proposed AD results from reports that certain escape
slides did not automatically inflate when deployed or after the manual
inflation cable was pulled. We are proposing 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: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 31, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
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 proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
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:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0176;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-228-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We have received reports indicating that Goodrich 5A3307 series
escape slides did not automatically inflate when deployed on Boeing
Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series airplanes. On some of
these airplanes, the escape slides did not inflate even after the
manual inflation cable was pulled and the firing cable was pulled out
of the valve regulator assembly. Investigation revealed that these
escape slides did not inflate because the piston rod was incorrectly
installed in the valve regulator assembly of the escape slide. The same
valve regulator is also used on Goodrich 5A3086 and 5A3088 series
escape slides. If the rod is installed upside down, the valve regulator
assembly can be charged but the rod will prevent the regulator from
activating when the firing cable is pulled. On other airplanes, the
escape slides did not automatically inflate when deployed, but did
inflate after the manual inflation cable was pulled. Investigation
revealed that these escape slides did not automatically inflate because
there was insufficient force to pull the inflation cable from the
valve, due to the trigger housing cover deflecting the inflation cable.
The failure of an escape slide to inflate when deployed, if not
corrected, could result in the slide being unusable during an emergency
evacuation and consequent injury to passengers or crewmembers.
Other Related Rulemaking
On July 13, 2001, we issued AD 2001-15-01, amendment 39-12335 (66
FR 38361, July 24, 2001), applicable to certain Boeing Model 727 and
737 airplanes; and Model 757-200, 757-200CB, and 757-300 series
airplanes. That AD requires modification of the latch assembly of the
escape slides. For Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes, that
AD also requires installation of a cover assembly on the trigger
housing of the inflation cylinder on the escape slides. For certain
[[Page 8834]]
airplanes, this proposed AD specifies prior or concurrent
accomplishment of certain requirements of paragraph (a) of AD 2001-15-
01.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491, dated April
23, 2007. The service bulletin describes procedures for inspecting the
escape slides to determine the Goodrich part number and service
bulletin number stenciled on the escape slide girts, and for modifying
the escape slide assemblies.
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491 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. The modification includes replacing the regulator piston
plug in the vespel piston with a new piston plug, installing a new
ensolite pad on the valise, and replacing the trigger housing cover
with an improved trigger housing cover.
Concurrent Service Information
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491 also specifies prior or
concurrent accomplishment of the following service bulletins:
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404, dated May 25, 2000,
or Revision 1, dated April 18, 2002, for certain Model 737-600, -700,
and -800 series airplanes, equipped with any escape slide having P/N
5A3307-1, P/N 5A3307-3, P/N 5A3086-3, or P/N 5A3088-3. The original
issue of the service bulletin is required by paragraph (a) of AD 2001-
15-01. This service bulletin describes procedures for modifying the
escape slide latch assembly.
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1475,
dated November 26, 2002, 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. Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1475
describes procedures for inspecting the four escape slides to determine
the part number and service bulletin number stenciled on the escape
slide girts, and replacing the trigger housing on the regulator valve
with improved trigger housing if Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3086/
5A3088-25-302 is not stenciled on the girt. For certain airplanes, the
Boeing service bulletin also specifies that a records review may be
done in lieu of the inspection to determine the part number. Boeing
Service Bulletin 737-25-1475 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 new improved trigger housing.
Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21, 2000,
for any escape slide having P/N 5A3307-1, P/N 5A3086-3, or P/N 5A3088-
3; or P/N 5A3307-3 and Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-309
stenciled on the girt. Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-308 describes
procedures for replacing the rod in the pilot valve regulator with a
new improved rod.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the(se) same type
design(s). This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information described previously.
Clarification of Concurrent Service Information
Although Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491 identifies Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1403, dated May 4, 2000, or
Revision 1, dated November 29, 2001; and Goodrich Service Bulletin
5A3307-25-309, dated October 29, 1999; as concurrent requirements, this
proposed AD would not require accomplishment of those service
bulletins. (Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491 incorrectly dates the
original issue of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1403
as November 29, 2001.) Instead, this proposed AD would require
installing an improved trigger housing cover in accordance with
Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-338. Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-338
incorporates a larger escape slide valise pad that provides the same
shielding function as the trigger housing modification specified in
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1403 and Goodrich
Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-309. However, some operators might have
previously incorporated Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-
25-1403 and Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-309 on certain Model
737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes delivered with an escape slide
having P/N 5A3307-1, as required by AD 2001-15-01. For these airplanes,
this proposed AD would further require replacing the rod in the pilot
valve regulator with a new improved rod in accordance with Goodrich
Service Bulletin 25-308.
Although Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491 identifies Goodrich
Service Bulletin 5A3086/5A3088-25-302, dated November 13, 1998, or
Revision 1, dated February 19, 2001, as a concurrent requirement, this
proposed AD would not require accomplishment of that service bulletin.
However, some operators might have previously accomplished the actions
specified in Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3086/5A3088-25-302. If
Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3086/5A3088-25-302 has been previously
accomplished on 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, the trigger housing replacement specified in Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1475 and Goodrich Service Bulletin
5A3086/5A3088-25-336 would not need to be accomplished.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 480 airplanes of
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour
per product to comply with the proposed inspection. The average labor
rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost
of this proposed AD to the 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
proposed concurrent actions, if applicable.
Estimated Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Work hours Parts airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concurrent actions specified in 2 $1,424 $1,584
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-
1404............................
Concurrent actions specified in 3 1,740 1,980
Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737-25-1475............
[[Page 8835]]
Concurrent actions specified in 3 516 756
Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-308
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866,
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2008-0176; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
228-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by March 31, 2008.
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 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 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
improved trigger housing if Goodrich 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 the service bulletin, a records review may
be done in lieu of the inspection to determine the part number.
Note 2: Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1475 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 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 Goodrich 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
Goodrich 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
[[Page 8836]]
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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 10, 2008.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-2887 Filed 2-14-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P