[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 27 (Friday, February 8, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9346-9349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02896]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0090; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-149-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company 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
[[Page 9347]]
The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B,
747-200C, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747SP series airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of worn or incorrectly assembled
latches on main deck escape slides installed on airplane doors. This
proposed AD would require determining if the latches are correctly
assembled; and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also
would require, for certain airplanes, modifications to the escape
slide/rafts and escape slides. We are proposing this AD to prevent a
latch hook moving from closed to open in an escape slide/raft or escape
slide, which could result in the escape slide/raft or escape slide not
deploying correctly in an emergency, or releasing/inflating into the
passenger cabin and causing injury to passengers and crew.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 25, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For Boeing service information identified in this proposed AD,
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services
Management, P. O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. For Goodrich service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Goodrich Corporation, Aircraft Interior
Products, ATTN: Technical Publications, 3414 South Fifth Street,
Phoenix, AZ 85040-1169; telephone 602-243-2200; Internet http://www.goodrich.com/TechPubs. You may review copies of the referenced
service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Piccola, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6483; fax: 425-917-6590; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2013-0090;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-149-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 received reports that, in service, latches in the main deck
escape slide/rafts and escape slides installed on airplane doors were
not fully closed. The current latch design uses friction to keep the
latch hook closed. Corrosion and worn parts reduce friction between the
parts of the latch that keep it closed. The new latch design has a
retention feature to make sure the latch stays closed. A latch hook
moving from the closed to the open position in an escape slide/raft or
escape slide, if not corrected, could result in an escape slide/raft or
escape slide not deploying correctly in an emergency, or releasing/
inflating into the passenger cabin and causing injury to passengers and
crew.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3428,
Revision 3, dated June 14, 2012. For information on the procedures and
compliance times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2013-0090.
Concurrent Service Information
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3428, Revision 3,
dated June 14, 2012, specifies concurrent or prior accomplishment of
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-2425, Revision 1, dated September 7,
1979. For information on the procedures, see this service information
at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA 2013
0090.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously.
The phrase ``related investigative actions'' might be used in this
proposed AD. ``Related investigative actions'' are follow-on actions
that (1) are related to the primary action, and (2) are actions that
further investigate the nature of any condition found. Related
investigative actions in an AD could include, for example, inspections.
In addition, the phrase ``corrective actions'' might be used in
this proposed AD. ``Corrective actions'' are actions that correct or
address any condition found. Corrective actions in an AD could include,
for example, repairs.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 121 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
[[Page 9348]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Determine if latches are 1 work-hour x $85 $0................ $85............... $10,285.
correctly assembled. per hour = $85.
Option to rework/replace Between 3 and 24 $286 per latch.... Between $541 and Between $65,461 and
latches instead of determining work-hours x $85 $2,326. $281,446.
if latches are correctly per hour =
assembled. Between $255 and
$2,040.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the proposed latch
assembly determination. We have no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need this replacement:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Corrective action................... Between 3 and 24 work- $286 per latch......... Between $541 and $2,326.
hours x $85 per hour =
Between $255 and $
2,040.
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According to the manufacturer, all of the costs of this proposed AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
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
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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2013-0090; Directorate Identifier
2012-NM-149-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by March 25, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B,
747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, and
747SP series airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified
in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3428, Revision
3, dated June 14, 2012; except for Groups 3-4, Configuration 2, and
Group 9, Configuration 2, airplanes.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of worn or incorrectly assembled
latches on main deck escape slides installed on airplane doors. We
are issuing this AD to prevent a latch hook moving from closed to
open in an escape slide/raft or escape slide, which could result in
the escape slide/raft or escape slide not deploying correctly in an
emergency, or releasing/inflating into the passenger cabin and
causing injury to passengers and crew.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Replacement or Rework of Escape Slide Latch Assembly
Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD: Determine
if the latches in the main deck escape slide/rafts and the escape
slides installed on the airplane doors are correctly assembled, and
do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the
[[Page 9349]]
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 747-25-3428, Revision 3, dated June 14, 2012. Do all
applicable corrective actions before further flight. Options
provided in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3428,
Revision 3, dated June 14, 2012, for determining the correct
assembly of the latches are acceptable for the corresponding
requirement of this paragraph.
(h) Concurrent Requirements
For Groups 1, 5, 10, and 13 airplanes, as identified in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3428, Revision 3, dated
June 14, 2012: Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, replace the packboard
cap nuts with flush-type inserts, reinforce the lower packboard
support bracket attachments, install hooks, modify the lower liner
of the main entry door and packboard, and remove the ``Press to
Test'' circuit panel and associated circuitry, in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-
2425, Revision 1, dated September 7, 1979.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the applicable concurrent
actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD, if those actions were
performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Service
Bulletin 747-25-2425, dated August 25, 1978, which is not
incorporated by reference in this AD.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO)
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the
attention of the person identified in the Related Information
section of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Sarah Piccola,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch,
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6483; fax: 425-
917-6590; email: [email protected].
(2) For Boeing service information identified in this AD,
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services
Management, P. O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207;
telephone 206- 544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet
https://www.myboeingfleet.com. For Goodrich service information
identified in this AD, contact Goodrich Corporation, Aircraft
Interior Products, ATTN: Technical Publications, 3414 South Fifth
Street, Phoenix, AZ 85040-1169; telephone 602-243-2200; Internet
http://www.goodrich.com/TechPubs. You may also review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 1, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-02896 Filed 2-7-13; 8:45 am]
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