[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 211 (Thursday, October 31, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65193-65195]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25132]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0666; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-060-AD;
Amendment 39-17635; AD 2013-22-03]
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
indicating that a standard fuel tank access door was located where an
impact-resistant access door was required, and stencils were missing
from some impact-resistant access doors. This AD requires an inspection
of the left- and right-hand wing fuel tank access doors to determine
that impact-resistant access doors are installed in the correct
locations, and to replace any door with an impact-resistant access door
if necessary. This AD also requires an inspection for stencils and
index markers on impact-resistant access doors, and application of new
stencils or index markers if necessary. This AD also requires revising
the maintenance program to incorporate changes to the airworthiness
limitations section. We are issuing this AD to prevent foreign object
penetration of the fuel tank, which could cause a fuel leak near an
ignition source (e.g., hot brakes), consequently leading to a fuel-fed
fire.
DATES: This AD is effective December 5, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of December 5,
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 this 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: Suzanne Lucier, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6438; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The
NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 1, 2013 (78 FR 46538).
The NPRM proposed to require an inspection of the left- and right-hand
wing fuel tank access doors to determine that impact-resistant access
doors are installed in the correct locations, and to replace any door
with an impact-resistant access door if necessary. The NPRM also
proposed to require an inspection for stencils and index markers on
impact-resistant access doors, and application of new stencils or index
markers if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to require revising the
maintenance program to incorporate changes to the airworthiness
limitations section.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We have considered the comment received. The Boeing Company
supported the NPRM (78 FR 46538, August 1, 2013).
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 46538, August 1, 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 46538, August 1, 2013).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 139 airplanes of U.S. registry. We
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspection............................... Up to 3 work-hours x $85 $0 $255 $35,445
per hour = $255.
Maintenance program revision............. 1 work-hour x $85 per hour 0 85 11,815
= $85.
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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 these
replacements:
[[Page 65194]]
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement per door.......................... 3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $8,000 $8,255
$255.
Stencil and index marker...................... Up to 2 work-hours x $85 per 0 170
hour = $170.
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According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this 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
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):
2013-22-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17635; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0666; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-060-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective December 5, 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 28, Fuel.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports indicating that a standard fuel
tank access door was located where an impact-resistant access door
was required, and stencils were missing from some impact-resistant
access doors. We are issuing this AD to prevent foreign object
penetration of the fuel tank, which could cause a fuel leak near an
ignition source (e.g., hot brakes), consequently leading to a fuel-
fed fire.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspections
Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, do the
actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service
Bulletin 727-28-0134, dated January 12, 2012.
(1) Do either a general visual inspection or ultrasonic non-
destructive test of the left- and right-hand wing fuel tank access
doors to determine whether impact-resistant access doors are
installed in the correct locations. If any standard access door is
found, before further flight, replace with an impact-resistant
access door, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Service Bulletin 727-28-0134, dated January 12, 2012.
(2) Do a general visual inspection of the left- and right-hand
wing fuel tank impact-resistant access doors to verify stencils and
index markers are applied. If a stencil or index marker is missing,
before further flight, apply stencil or index marker, as applicable,
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service
Bulletin 727-28-0134, dated January 12, 2012.
(h) Maintenance Program Revision
Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the
maintenance program to incorporate Critical Design Configuration
Control Limitation (CDCCL) Task 57-AWL-01, ``Impact-Resistant Fuel
Tank Access Door,'' of Section 1, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs)
of Boeing 727-100/200 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) Document D6-
8766-AWL, Revision September 2012.
(i) No Alternative CDCCLs
After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (h) of
this AD, no alternative CDCCLs may be used unless the CDCCLs are
approved as an alternative method of compliance in accordance with
the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of 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 paragraph (k) 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
[[Page 65195]]
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
For more information about this AD, contact Suzanne Lucier,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6438; fax: 425-917-6590; email:
[email protected].
(l) 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 Service Bulletin 727-28-0134, dated January 12, 2012.
(ii) Critical Design Configuration Control Limitation (CDCCL)
Task 57-AWL-01, ``Impact-Resistant Fuel Tank Access Door,'' of
Section 1, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) of Boeing 727-100/200
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) Document D6-8766-AWL, Revision
September 2012.
(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, 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 October 15, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-25132 Filed 10-30-13; 8:45 am]
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