[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 140 (Monday, July 22, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43770-43772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16930]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0299; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-072-AD;
Amendment 39-17508; AD 2013-14-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The
Boeing Company Model 727 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of
cracks on the elevator rear spar stiffener assembly. This AD requires
repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the elevator rear spar
stiffener assembly, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing
this AD to detect and correct cracking of the elevator rear spar
stiffener assembly, which could adversely affect elevator structural
stiffness, which could lead to elevator vibration and possible
interference with the tab control rod. These conditions could result in
flutter and consequent loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective August 26, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of August 26,
2013.
ADDRESSES: For 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. 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is 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: Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6577; fax:
425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 11, 2013 (78 FR
21569). The NPRM proposed to require
[[Page 43771]]
repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the elevator rear spar
stiffener assembly.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We have considered the comments received.
Supportive Comments
Boeing stated that it supports the NPRM (78 FR 21569, April 11,
2013).
FedEx stated that the requirements proposed in the NPRM (78 FR
21569, April 11, 2013) would fit within the planned scheduled
maintenance check and not impact fleet availability or span-time of the
planned scheduled maintenance check.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have
determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (78 FR 21569, April 11, 2013) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 21569, April 11, 2013).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 98 airplanes of U.S. registry. We
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Inspection............. 5 work-hours x $85 per None................... $425 per $41,650 per
hour = $425 per inspection cycle. inspection cycle
inspection cycle.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this
replacement:
On-condition costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement..................... 7 work-hours x $85 per Unknown........................ $595
hour = $595.
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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),
(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.
Adoption of the Amendment
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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
2013-14-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17508 ; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0299; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-072-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective August 26, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 727, 727C, 727-
100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated
in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the elevator rear
spar stiffener assembly. We are issuing this AD to detect and
correct cracking of the elevator rear spar stiffener assembly, which
could adversely affect elevator structural stiffness, which could
lead to elevator vibration and possible interference with the tab
control rod. These conditions could result in elevator flutter and
consequent loss of control of the airplane.
[[Page 43772]]
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Actions
Except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD, at the
applicable time specified in table 1 of paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-55-
0094, dated March 21, 2012, do a detailed inspection for any
cracking of the elevator rear spar stiffener assembly, and all
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-55-
0094, dated March 21, 2012. Do all applicable corrective actions
before further flight. Repeat the inspection thereafter at the
applicable time specified in table 1 of paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-55-
0094, dated March 21, 2012, except as provided by paragraph (j) of
this AD.
(h) Exception to the Service Information
Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-55-0094,
dated March 21, 2012, specifies a compliance time ``from the
original issue date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires
compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective
date of this AD.
(i) Optional Replacement
Replacing the elevator rear spar stiffener assembly with a new
assembly in accordance with Part 4 or 5, as applicable, of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 727-55-0094, dated March 21, 2012, terminates the
inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that assembly,
except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD.
(j) Post-Replacement Inspection Compliance Time
For any elevator rear spar stiffener assembly replaced as
required by paragraph (g) of this AD or as specified in paragraph
(i) of this AD: Do the next inspection required by paragraph (g) of
this AD for that assembly within 96 months after accomplishing the
replacement and repeat thereafter at the times specified in
paragraph (g) of this AD.
(k) 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.
(l) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Berhane Alazar,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356;
phone: 425-917-6577; fax: 425-917-6590; email:
[email protected].
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-55-0094, dated
March 21, 2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For 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.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, 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.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 21, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-16930 Filed 7-19-13; 8:45 am]
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