Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727 Airplanes, 34646-34648 [E7-12220]
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34646
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 121 / Monday, June 25, 2007 / Proposed Rules
Federal Aviation Administration
detailed inspections, and doing related
investigative actions, if necessary. This
proposed AD results from reports of
cracking in the aft pressure bulkhead
web. We are proposing this AD to detect
and correct a cracked pressure bulkhead
web, which could result in rapid
decompression of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by August 9, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
proposed AD.
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
• 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.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room W12–140 on
the ground floor of the West Building,
1200 New Jersey, Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
Contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124–2207, for the service
information identified in this proposed
AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057–3356; telephone
(425) 917–6577; fax (425) 917–6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
14 CFR Part 39
Comments Invited
prevent clogging caused by ice or other
foreign matter.
(c) A means must be provided for
each fire extinguishing agent container
to indicate that the container has
discharged or that the charging pressure
is below the established minimum
necessary for proper functioning.
(d) The temperature of each container
must be maintained, under intended
operating conditions, to prevent the
pressure in the container from—
(1) Falling below that necessary to
provide an adequate rate of discharge; or
(2) Rising high enough to cause
premature discharge.
(e) If a pyrotechnic capsule is used to
discharge the fire extinguishing agent,
each container must be installed so that
temperature conditions will not cause
hazardous deterioration of the
pyrotechnic capsule.
4. SC 23.1201—Add the requirements
of § 23.1201 while deleting ‘‘For
commuter category airplanes.’’
23.1201, Fire Extinguishing System
Materials
The following apply:
(a) No material in any fire
extinguishing system may react
chemically with any extinguishing agent
so as to create a hazard.
(b) Each system component in an
engine compartment must be fireproof.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June
14, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–12121 Filed 6–22–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28378; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–089–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing
Model 727 Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALS
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This
proposed AD would require doing an
initial detailed inspection for cracks in
the aft pressure bulkhead web; repairing
any discrepancy; and doing repetitive
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:11 Jun 22, 2007
Jkt 211001
We invite you to submit any relevant
written data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your
comments to an address listed in the
ADDRESSES section. Include the docket
number ‘‘FAA–2007–28378; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–089–AD’’ at the
beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the
overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of
the proposed AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date
and may amend the proposed AD in
light of those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal
information you provide. We will also
post a report summarizing each
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD.
Using the search function of that Web
site, anyone can find and read the
comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual
who sent the comment (or signed the
comment on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78), or you may visit https://
dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov, or in
person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The Docket Operations office (telephone
(800) 647–5527) is located on the
ground level of the West Building at the
DOT street address stated in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after
the Docket Management System receives
them.
Discussion
We have received a report of a 6.8inch crack oriented horizontally in the
aft pressure bulkhead web located at
station 1183 at water line 210 from right
buttock line (RBL) 50.7 to RBL 57.5. We
also have received a report of a 14.5inch crack in the same bay between left
buttock line (LBL) 46 to LBL 63. These
events occurred on Boeing Model 727
airplanes. The cracks were attributed to
fatigue of the pressure bulkhead web
due to cabin pressurization cycles.
Analysis by Boeing revealed multiple
crack origins along the length of the
web, which propagated through the web
thickness. A cracked pressure bulkhead
web, if not corrected, could result in
rapid decompression of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 727–53–
0230, dated January 8, 2007. The service
information describes the following
procedures:
• Doing an initial detailed inspection
for cracks in the aft pressure bulkhead
web;
• Doing repetitive detailed
inspections if necessary; and
• Repairing any crack, doing related
investigative actions if necessary, and
contacting Boeing for certain repairs.
The related investigative actions include
a high frequency eddy current
inspection and a detailed inspection to
make sure that structure common to the
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 121 / Monday, June 25, 2007 / Proposed Rules
repair installation is crack free and that
no disbonding or corrosion is present.
The compliance time for the initial
detailed inspection is before the
accumulation of 40,000 total flight
cycles, or within 3,500 flight cycles after
the date of the service bulletin,
whichever occurs later. The repeat
interval is 12,000 flight cycles.
Accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information is intended to
adequately address the unsafe
condition.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent
information and identified an unsafe
condition that is likely to exist or
develop on other airplanes of this same
type design. For this reason, we are
proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information described
previously, except as discussed under
‘‘Differences Between the Proposed AD
and the Service Information.’’
Differences Between the Proposed AD
and the Service Information
The service information 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 an
Authorized Representative for the
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Delegation Option Authorization
Organization whom we have authorized
to make those findings.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 842 airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet.
This proposed AD would affect about
459 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
proposed detailed inspection would
take about 1 work hour per airplane, at
an average labor rate of $80 per work
hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed AD for
U.S. operators is $36,720, or $80 per
airplane.
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALS
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.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:11 Jun 22, 2007
Jkt 211001
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 have 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 that the 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this proposed AD and placed it in the
AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section
for a location to examine the regulatory
evaluation.
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.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA–2007–28378;
Directorate Identifier 2007–NM–089–AD.
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34647
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
this AD action by August 9, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model
727, 727C, 727–100, 727–100C, 727–200, and
727–200F series airplanes, certificated in any
category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of cracking
in the aft pressure bulkhead web. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct a
cracked pressure bulkhead web, which could
result in rapid decompression of the airplane.
Compliance
(e) 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(s) and Corrective Actions
(f) Do an initial detailed inspection for
cracks in the aft pressure bulkhead web in
accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 727–53–0230, dated January
8, 2007; except as provided by note (a) in
Table 1 of paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of
the service bulletin. Do the inspection at the
compliance time identified in paragraph 1.E.,
‘‘Compliance,’’ of the service bulletin; except
as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(1) If no crack is found, repeat the detailed
inspection at the repeat interval identified in
paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of the service
bulletin, except as provided by note (a) in
Table 1 of paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of
the service bulletin.
(2) If any crack is found, before further
flight, repair the crack and do the related
investigative actions, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin. If any crack, disbonding, or
corrosion is found during related
investigative actions, before further flight,
repair the discrepancy using a method
approved in accordance with the procedures
specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.
(g) Where Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 727–53–0230, dated January 8, 2007,
specifies a compliance time after the date of
the service bulletin, this AD requires
compliance within the specified compliance
time after the effective date of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested in accordance with 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.
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34648
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 121 / Monday, June 25, 2007 / Proposed Rules
(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 an
Authorized Representative for the Boeing
Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option
Authorization Organization who 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 18,
2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–12220 Filed 6–22–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28377; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–063–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Empresa
Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.
(EMBRAER) Model ERJ 170 and ERJ
190 Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed
AD results from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI)
originated by an aviation authority of
another country to identify and correct
an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALS
Periodic operational check of the firewall
hydraulic shutoff valves, made during
routine maintenance, has revealed that the
failure rate of that component is significantly
higher than expected. Such a dormant
failure, when combined with further possible
failures, such as engine fire, may lead to an
unacceptable reduction of safety margins.
The unsafe condition is failure of the
firewall hydraulic shutoff valve, which,
in combination with an engine fire,
could result in loss of hydraulic
pressure or spread of an engine fire
beyond the firewall. The proposed AD
would require actions that are intended
to address the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by July 25, 2007.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:11 Jun 22, 2007
Jkt 211001
You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• DOT Docket Web Site: Go to
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
• 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: Room W12–140 on
the ground floor of the West Building,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
ADDRESSES:
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov; or in
person at the Docket Operations office
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 Operations 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:
Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–1175;
fax (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new
process for streamlining the issuance of
ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined
process will allow us to adopt MCAI
safety requirements in a more efficient
manner and will reduce safety risks to
the public. This process continues to
follow all FAA AD issuance processes to
meet legal, economic, Administrative
Procedure Act, and Federal Register
requirements. We also continue to meet
our technical decision-making
responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated
products.
This proposed AD references the
MCAI and related service information
that we considered in forming the
engineering basis to correct the unsafe
condition. The proposed AD contains
text copied from the MCAI and for this
reason might not follow our plain
language principles.
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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–2007–28377; Directorate Identifier
2007–NM–063–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 based on those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.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
ˆ
The Agencia Nacional de Aviacao
¸˜
Civil (ANAC), which is the aviation
authority for Brazil, has issued Brazilian
Airworthiness Directives 2007–02–01
and 2007–02–02, both effective
February 27, 2007 (referred to after this
as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products.
The MCAI state:
Periodic operational check of the firewall
hydraulic shutoff valves, made during
routine maintenance, has revealed that the
failure rate of that component is significantly
higher than expected. Such a dormant
failure, when combined with further possible
failures, such as engine fire, may lead to an
unacceptable reduction of safety margins.
The unsafe condition is failure of the
firewall hydraulic shutoff valve, which,
in combination with an engine fire,
could result in loss of hydraulic
pressure or spread of an engine fire
beyond the firewall. The MCAI requires
repetitive operational checks of the
firewall hydraulic shutoff valve, and if
necessary, replacement of the valve.
You may obtain further information by
examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
EMBRAER has issued Service
Bulletins 170–29–0013 and 190–29–
0008, both dated December 13, 2006.
The actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the
unsafe condition identified in the
MCAI.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by
the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation
in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with the State of
E:\FR\FM\25JNP1.SGM
25JNP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 121 (Monday, June 25, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34646-34648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12220]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28378; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-089-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This proposed AD would require
doing an initial detailed inspection for cracks in the aft pressure
bulkhead web; repairing any discrepancy; and doing repetitive detailed
inspections, and doing related investigative actions, if necessary.
This proposed AD results from reports of cracking in the aft pressure
bulkhead web. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct a cracked
pressure bulkhead web, which could result in rapid decompression of the
airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 9, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
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.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the
West Building, 1200 New Jersey, Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this
proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
917-6577; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2007-
28378; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-089-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit https://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the
ground level of the West Building at the DOT street address stated in
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after the Docket Management System receives them.
Discussion
We have received a report of a 6.8-inch crack oriented horizontally
in the aft pressure bulkhead web located at station 1183 at water line
210 from right buttock line (RBL) 50.7 to RBL 57.5. We also have
received a report of a 14.5-inch crack in the same bay between left
buttock line (LBL) 46 to LBL 63. These events occurred on Boeing Model
727 airplanes. The cracks were attributed to fatigue of the pressure
bulkhead web due to cabin pressurization cycles. Analysis by Boeing
revealed multiple crack origins along the length of the web, which
propagated through the web thickness. A cracked pressure bulkhead web,
if not corrected, could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-53-
0230, dated January 8, 2007. The service information describes the
following procedures:
Doing an initial detailed inspection for cracks in the aft
pressure bulkhead web;
Doing repetitive detailed inspections if necessary; and
Repairing any crack, doing related investigative actions
if necessary, and contacting Boeing for certain repairs. The related
investigative actions include a high frequency eddy current inspection
and a detailed inspection to make sure that structure common to the
[[Page 34647]]
repair installation is crack free and that no disbonding or corrosion
is present.
The compliance time for the initial detailed inspection is before
the accumulation of 40,000 total flight cycles, or within 3,500 flight
cycles after the date of the service bulletin, whichever occurs later.
The repeat interval is 12,000 flight cycles.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes
of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD,
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously, except as discussed under
``Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information.''
Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information
The service information 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 an Authorized Representative
for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option Authorization
Organization whom we have authorized to make those findings.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 842 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 459 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed detailed inspection would take about 1 work
hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based
on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S.
operators is $36,720, or $80 per airplane.
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 have 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 that the 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.
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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2007-28378; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
089-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August 9,
2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-
100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated in any
category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of cracking in the aft pressure
bulkhead web. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct a cracked
pressure bulkhead web, which could result in rapid decompression of
the airplane.
Compliance
(e) 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(s) and Corrective Actions
(f) Do an initial detailed inspection for cracks in the aft
pressure bulkhead web in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-53-
0230, dated January 8, 2007; except as provided by note (a) in Table
1 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of the service bulletin. Do the
inspection at the compliance time identified in paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of the service bulletin; except as provided by
paragraph (g) of this AD.
(1) If no crack is found, repeat the detailed inspection at the
repeat interval identified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of the
service bulletin, except as provided by note (a) in Table 1 of
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of the service bulletin.
(2) If any crack is found, before further flight, repair the
crack and do the related investigative actions, in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. If any
crack, disbonding, or corrosion is found during related
investigative actions, before further flight, repair the discrepancy
using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified
in paragraph (h) of this AD.
(g) Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-53-0230,
dated January 8, 2007, specifies a compliance time after the date of
the service bulletin, this AD requires compliance within the
specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with 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.
[[Page 34648]]
(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 an
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 18, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-12220 Filed 6-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
