[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 7, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38950-38953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16552]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0677; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-075-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 727 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Model 727 airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspections
for scribe lines in the fuselage skin at skin lap joints and butt
joints, the skin at certain external approved repairs, the skin around
external features such as antennas, and the skin at decals and
fairings; and related investigative and corrective actions if
necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of scribe lines found
at skin lap joints and butt joints, around external repairs and
antennas, and at locations where external decals had been cut. We are
proposing this AD to detect and correct scribe lines, which can develop
into fatigue cracks in the skin and cause rapid decompression of the
airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 23, 2010.
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 proposed AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail [email protected];
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
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: Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 917-6577; 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-2010-0677;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-075-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://
[[Page 38951]]
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 of scribe-line-related cracking on 2 Model
727 airplanes. One report was on a 727-100 airplane with 44,171 flight
cycles. The crack was near a repair and caused rapid decompression of
the airplane. Another report was on a 727-100 airplane with 51,195
flight cycles. The crack was at station 1090-1110, stringer 4L lap
joint. This crack also caused rapid decompression of the airplane. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in fatigue cracks developing
in the skin at scribe line locations. Fatigue cracks, if not corrected,
could grow large and cause rapid decompression of the airplane.
Related ADs
This proposed AD is similar to four existing ADs. AD 2010-05-13,
Amendment 39-16223 (75 FR 13225, March 19, 2010), applies to Boeing
Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and, -500 series airplanes. AD
2007-19-07, Amendment 39-15198 (72 FR 60244, October 24, 2007), applies
to certain Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, and, -200CB series airplanes.
AD 2009-24-08, Amendment 39-16096 (74 FR 62217, November 27, 2009)
applies to certain Boeing Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and, -300ER
series airplanes. AD 2010-06-16, Amendment 39-16241 (75 FR 12670, March
17, 2010) applies to certain Boeing Model 767 series airplanes. Those
ADs require inspections to detect scribe lines in the fuselage skin at
certain lap joints, around decal locations, external repair doublers,
and other areas; and related investigative/corrective actions if
necessary. Those actions resulted from reports of fuselage skin cracks
adjacent to the skin lap joints on airplanes that had scribe lines.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated
February 19, 2010. This service bulletin describes procedures for
detailed inspections to detect scribe lines along applicable skin lap
joints, skin butt joints, external approved repairs, external features,
decals, and fairings. This service bulletin specifies removing paint
and sealant from affected areas before the initial detailed inspection.
The compliance times for the initial detailed inspections range for
certain airplane configurations from 30,000 to 60,000 total accumulated
flight cycles (depending on the inspection location), or within up to
36 months after the date of this service bulletin, whichever occurs
later. For certain other airplane configurations, the initial detailed
inspections range between 6 months and 24 months after the date of this
service bulletin.
This service bulletin specifies related investigative actions that
include performing low or high frequency eddy current or ultrasonic
inspections of the scribe lines to detect cracks, and this service
bulletin specifies corrective actions as either repairing scribe lines
and cracks or contacting Boeing for repair instructions and doing the
repair.
This service bulletin specifies repairing scribe lines before
further flight, except when a limited return to service (LRTS) program
for qualifying scribe lines would allow return to service for a limited
period before scribe lines are repaired. The LRTS program includes
repetitive inspections to detect cracks where scribe lines are found.
To qualify for an LRTS program, scribe lines must meet certain criteria
based on their depth and location. This service bulletin specifies
contacting Boeing for final repair instructions, which would eliminate
the need for the repetitive inspections of the LRTS program. The
repetitive interval for the LRTS program ranges from 800 to 9,000
flight cycles, depending on the depth and location of the scribe lines
and the configuration of the airplane.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010,
notes that certain inspections would not be required under any of the
following conditions:
The airplane had never been stripped or repainted.
The airplane had never been stripped or repainted under
the wing-to-body fairings.
The airplane has never had any decals installed in
inspection areas since delivery.
The existing repairs on the airplane span at least 3 rows
above/forward and 3 rows below/aft of potential scribe lines on lap
joints and butt joints.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010,
specifies submitting the inspection results to Boeing.
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 these same type
designs. This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information described previously, except as
discussed under ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service
Bulletin.'' The proposed AD would also require sending the inspection
results to the manufacturer.
Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin
The service bulletin specifies to contact the manufacturer for
instructions on how to repair certain conditions, but this proposed AD
would require repairing those conditions in one of the following ways:
Using a method that we approve; or
Using data that meet the certification basis of the
airplane, and that have been approved by the Boeing Commercial
Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) whom we have
authorized to make those findings.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 234 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.
Table--Estimated Costs
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Number of U.S.-
Action Work hours Average labor rate Parts Cost per product registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
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Inspection Up to 320 hours $85 $0 Up to $27,200 234 Up to $6,364,800.
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[[Page 38952]]
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, Incorporation by
reference, 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:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-0677; Directorate Identifier
2010-NM-075-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by August 23, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 727, 727C, 727-
100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated
in any category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-
53A0233, dated February 19, 2010.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53:
Fuselage.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from reports of scribe lines found at skin
lap joints, butt joints, around external repairs and antennas, and
at locations where external decals had been cut. The Federal
Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to detect and correct
scribe lines, which can develop into fatigue cracks in the skin and
cause rapid decompression of the airplane.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Inspection
(g) At the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated
February 19, 2010 (``the service bulletin''), except as provided in
paragraphs (h) and (i) Of this AD, do detailed inspections for
scribe lines of skin lap joints, skin butt joints, around external
approved repairs, external features, and fairings, and at locations
where external decals may have been cut, and do all applicable
related investigative and corrective actions at the times specified
in the service bulletin, by accomplishing all actions specified in
the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin, except as
provided by paragraph (j) of this AD.
Note 1: The inspection exemptions noted in paragraph 1.E. of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010,
apply to this AD.
Exceptions to Service Bulletin Specifications
(h) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated
February 19, 2010, specifies a compliance time after ``the original
issue date on this service bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance
within the specified compliance time after the effective date of
this AD.
(i) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated
February 19, 2010, specifies to calculate the flight-cycle time for
an airplane ``as of the original issue date on this service
bulletin,'' this AD requires the airplane flight-cycle time to be
calculated as of the effective date of this AD.
(j) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated
February 19, 2010, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate
action, accomplish applicable actions before further flight using a
method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in
paragraph (l) of this AD.
Report
(k) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (k)(1) or
(k)(2) of this AD: Submit a report of positive crack findings of the
inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD. Operators may use
the reporting form contained in Appendixes B and C, as applicable,
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19,
2010. Send the report to Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707,
Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. The report must contain, at a
minimum, the inspection results, a description of any discrepancies
found, the airplane serial number, and the number of flight cycles
and flight hours on the airplane. Under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection
requirements contained in this AD and has assigned OMB Control
Number 2120-0056.
(1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of
this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(l)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN:
Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6577; fax (425)
917-6590. Information may be e-mailed to: [email protected].
(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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
(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 the
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization
(ODA) that 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.
[[Page 38953]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 29, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-16552 Filed 7-6-10; 8:45 am]
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