Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 Series Airplanes, Equipped with a Tail Cone Evacuation Slide Container Installed in Accordance With Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST735SO, 43578-43580 [E7-15237]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
43578
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 150 / Monday, August 6, 2007 / Proposed Rules
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 removing amendment 39–14633 (71
FR 33606, June 12, 2006) corrected at 71
FR 36674, June 28, 2006, and adding the
following new airworthiness directive
(AD):
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
this AD action by September 20, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2006–12–08.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Goodrich Evacuation
Systems Approved Under Technical
Standard Order (TSO) TSO–C69b, as
installed on Airbus Model A330–201, –202,
–203, –223, –243, –301, –321, –322, –323,
–341, –342, and –343 airplanes; Model
A340–211, –212, –213, –311, –312, and –313
airplanes; and Model A340–541 and –642
airplanes; certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report indicating
that, during maintenance testing, the
pressure relief valves on the affected
Goodrich evacuation systems did not seal
when activated, which caused the pressure in
the escape slide/raft to drop below the
minimum allowable raft mode pressure. We
are issuing this AD to prevent loss of
pressure in the escape slides/rafts after an
emergency evacuation, which could result in
inadequate buoyancy to support the raft’s
passenger capacity during ditching, and
increase the chance for injury to raft
passengers.
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.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with PROPOSALS
Restatement of Requirements of AD 2006–
12–08
Inspection for Certain Part Number (P/N)
(f) For all airplanes: Within 36 months after
July 17, 2006 (the effective date of AD 2006–
12–08): Perform an inspection to determine
the part number (P/N) of the pressure relief
valve on the Goodrich evacuation systems in
accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Goodrich Service Bulletin 25–
355, dated July 25, 2005, or Goodrich Service
Bulletin 25–355, Revision 1, dated July 24,
2006. After the effective date of this AD, only
Goodrich Service Bulletin 25–355, Revision
1, dated July 24, 2006, may be used.
16:16 Aug 03, 2007
Jkt 211001
approved as AMOCs for the corresponding
provisions of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 30,
2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–15222 Filed 8–3–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
Part Installation for Airplanes Identified in
Original Issue of the Service Bulletin
(g) As of July 17, 2006, no person may
install a pressure relief valve having P/N
4A3791–3, on any airplane equipped with
Goodrich evacuation systems identified in
Goodrich Service Bulletin 25–355, dated July
25, 2005.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
New Requirements of This AD
Goodrich (Formerly BF Goodrich): Docket
No. FAA–2007–28882; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–035–AD.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
(1) If any pressure relief valve having
P/N 4A3791–3 is installed, before further
flight, replace the valve with a new or
serviceable valve having P/N 4A3641–1 and
mark the girt adjacent to the placard, in
accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of the service bulletin.
(2) If any pressure release valve having
P/N 4A3641–1 is installed, before further
flight, mark the girt adjacent to the placard
in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of the service bulletin.
RIN 2120–AA64
Inspection for Certain Other P/N
(h) For Model A340–541 airplanes: Within
36 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform an inspection to determine the P/N
of the pressure relief valve on the Goodrich
evacuation systems in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Goodrich
Service Bulletin 25–355, Revision 1, dated
July 24, 2006.
(1) If any pressure relief valve having P/N
4A3791–6 is installed, before further flight,
replace the valve with a new or serviceable
valve having P/N 4A3641–26 and mark the
girt adjacent to the placard, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of the
service bulletin.
(2) If any pressure release valve having
P/N 4A3641–26 is installed, before further
flight, mark the girt adjacent to the placard
in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of the service bulletin.
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell
Douglas Model DC–9–10, DC–9–20,
DC–9–30, DC–9–40, and DC–9–50
Series Airplanes, Equipped with a Tail
Cone Evacuation Slide Container
Installed in Accordance With
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
ST735SO
Parts Installation for All Airplanes
(i) As of the effective date of this AD, no
person may install a pressure relief valve
having P/N 4A3791–3, on any airplane
equipped with Goodrich evacuation systems
identified in Goodrich Service Bulletin 25–
355, Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006.
(j) As of the effective date of this AD, no
person may install a pressure relief valve
having P/N 4A3791–6, on any airplane
equipped with Goodrich evacuation systems
identified in Goodrich Service Bulletin 25–
355, Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(k)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles 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.
(3) AMOCs approved previously in
accordance with AD 2006–12–08 are
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28881; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–263–AD]
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
McDonnell Douglas Model DC–9–10,
DC–9–20, DC–9–30, DC–9–40, and DC–
9–50 series airplanes, equipped with tail
cone evacuation slide containers as
specified above. This proposed AD
would require modifying the tail cone
slide. This proposed AD also would
require additional tail cone drops and
slide deployments, and repair if
necessary. This proposed AD results
from several reports of inadvertent tail
cone deployments in which the tail
cone slide failed to deploy. We are
proposing this AD to ensure that the tail
cone evacuation slide deploys correctly;
failure of the slide to deploy during an
emergency evacuation could result in
injury to flightcrew and passengers.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by September 20,
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
E:\FR\FM\06AUP1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 150 / Monday, August 6, 2007 / Proposed Rules
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with PROPOSALS
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 Northwest Airlines, Inc., 7500
Airline Drive, Minneapolis, Minnesota,
55450–1101, Mail Stop: 8953, for the
service information identified in this
proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cheyenne Del Carmen, Aerospace
Engineer, Cabin Safety/Mechanical and
Environmental Systems Branch, ANM–
150L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712–4137; telephone (562) 627–5338;
fax (562) 627–5210.
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–2007–28881; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–263–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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:16 Aug 03, 2007
Jkt 211001
43579
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 floor of the West Building at the
street address stated in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after the Docket
Management System receives them.
150 flight cycles and no later than 24
months after modifying the tail cone
slide, for a minimum of 10 percent of an
operator’s fleet of affected airplanes (if
fewer than 10 airplanes in the fleet: at
least 1 airplane). If the tailcone and
slide deployment is unsuccessful, this
proposed AD would require repair in
accordance with a method approved by
the FAA.
Discussion
We have received several reports that
the tail cone emergency slide failed to
deploy on McDonnell Douglas Model
DC–9–10, DC–9–20, DC–9–30, DC–9–40,
and DC–9–50 series airplanes, equipped
with tail cone evacuation slide
containers installed in accordance with
supplemental type certificate (STC)
ST735SO. Although we are doing
further investigation and analysis, it
appears that the failures resulted from
either the slide container not clearing
the immediate area around the slide
when the slide deployment handle is
pulled, or contaminated Velcro
attachments that allow the slide
container lanyard to separate without
pulling the container off and activating
the inflation bottle.
STC ST735SO for the tail cone
emergency slide containers was
surrendered to the Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, on
January 21, 2003. Therefore, there is no
manufacturer’s service information
related to this proposed AD. The
affected operator must submit a method
of compliance to the FAA for approval.
Failure of the slide to deploy during
an emergency evacuation could result in
injury to flightcrew and passengers.
Costs of Compliance
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 products of this same
type design. For this reason, we are
proposing this AD, which would require
operators to modify the tail cone slide
in accordance with a method approved
by the FAA. One approved method is
Northwest Airlines STC ST01967CH,
issued March 19, 2007. STC ST01967CH
describes the modification of the DC–9
tail cone slide. (STC ST01967CH refers
to Northwest Airlines, Drawing 9B25–
41477, Revision B, dated September 14,
2006; and Northwest Airlines, Drawing
9B25–90399, Revision D, dated
December 21, 2006; as additional
sources of service information for
modifying the tail cone slide.) This
proposed AD also would require
additional tail cone drops and slide
deployments to be done no earlier than
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
There are about 400 airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet.
This proposed AD would affect about
300 airplanes of U.S. registry. The tail
cone drops/slide deployments would
take about 16 work hours per airplane,
at an average labor rate of $80 per work
hour. Required parts would cost about
$1,300 per airplane. Based on these
figures, the estimated cost of the
proposed AD for U.S. operators is about
$774,000, or $2,580 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
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06AUP1
43580
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 150 / Monday, August 6, 2007 / Proposed Rules
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):
McDonnell Douglas: Docket No. FAA–2007–
28881; Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–
263–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
this AD action by September 20, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with PROPOSALS
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas
Model DC–9–11, DC–9–12, DC–9–13, DC–9–
14, DC–9–15, DC–9–15F, DC–9–21, DC–9–31,
DC–9–32, DC–9–32 (VC–9C), DC–9–32F, DC–
9–33F, DC–9–34, DC–9–34F, DC–9–32F (C–
9A, C–9B), DC–9–41, and DC–9–51 airplanes,
certificated in any category, equipped with a
tail cone evacuation slide container installed
in accordance with supplemental type
certificate (STC) ST735SO.
Initial Actions To Address Slide Deployment
Failures
(f) Within 24 months after the effective
date of this AD: Modify the tail cone slide in
accordance with a method approved by the
Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA. Northwest Airlines STC
ST01967CH, issued March 19, 2007, is one
approved method.
Note 1: STC ST01967CH refers to
Northwest Airlines, Drawing 9B25–41477,
Revision B, dated September 14, 2006; and
Northwest Airlines, Drawing 9B25–90399,
Revision D, dated December 21, 2006; as
additional sources of service information for
modifying the tail cone slide.
Repeat Deployment and Terminating Action
(g) Within 150 flight cycles after doing the
modification required by paragraph (f) of this
AD, or within 150 days after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Do
additional tail cone drops and slide
deployments on a minimum of 10 percent of
an operator’s fleet of affected airplanes (if
fewer than 10 airplanes in the fleet: At least
one airplane).
(1) If the tailcone and slide deployments
are successful according to the applicable
McDonnell Douglas DC–9 maintenance
manual, no further action is required by this
AD.
(2) If any tailcone and slide deployment is
unsuccessful according to the applicable
McDonnell Douglas DC–9 maintenance
manual, before further flight, repair in
accordance with a method approved by the
Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 30,
2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–15237 Filed 8–3–07; 8:45 am]
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from several reports of
inadvertent tail cone deployments in which
the tail cone slide failed to deploy. We are
issuing this AD to ensure that the tail cone
evacuation slide deploys correctly; failure of
the slide to deploy during an emergency
evacuation could result in injury to
flightcrew and passengers.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
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.
Revisions to the Arizona State
Implementation Plan, Maricopa County
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:16 Aug 03, 2007
Jkt 211001
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R09–OAR–2007–0610; FRL–8448–7]
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
AGENCY:
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
ACTION:
Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to approve
revisions to the Maricopa County
portion of the Arizona State
Implementation Plan (SIP). This
revision concerns reductions of
particulate matter (PM) emissions from
the paving of unpaved road and use of
these reductions to satisfy the offset
requirements under the new source
review provisions of the Clean Air Act
as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act).
We are proposing to approve a local rule
to assure that the PM emission
reductions resulting from the road
paving meet the criteria for valid offsets
under the Act.
DATES: Any comments on this proposal
must arrive by September 5, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments,
identified by docket number EPA–R09–
OAR–2007–0610, by one of the
following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
on-line instructions.
2. E-mail: steckel.andrew@epa.gov.
3. Mail or deliver: Andrew Steckel
(Air-4), U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street,
San Francisco, CA 94105–3901.
Instructions: All comments will be
included in the public docket without
change and may be made available
online at https://www.regulations.gov,
including any personal information
provided, unless the comment includes
Confidential Business Information (CBI)
or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Information that
you consider CBI or otherwise protected
should be clearly identified as such and
should not be submitted through
https://www.regulations.gov or e-mail.
https://www.regulations.gov is an
‘‘anonymous access’’ system, and EPA
will not know your identity or contact
information unless you provide it in the
body of your comment. If you send email directly to EPA, your e-mail
address will be automatically captured
and included as part of the public
comment. If EPA cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties
and cannot contact you for clarification,
EPA may not be able to consider your
comment. Electronic files should avoid
the use of special characters, any form
of encryption, and be free of any defects
or viruses.
Docket: The index to the docket for
this action is available electronically at
https://www.regulations.gov and in hard
copy at EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne
Street, San Francisco, California. While
all documents in the docket are listed in
the index, some information may be
publicly available only at the hard copy
E:\FR\FM\06AUP1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 150 (Monday, August 6, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43578-43580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15237]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28881; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-263-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, DC-9-
20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 Series Airplanes, Equipped with a
Tail Cone Evacuation Slide Container Installed in Accordance With
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST735SO
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 McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-
9-50 series airplanes, equipped with tail cone evacuation slide
containers as specified above. This proposed AD would require modifying
the tail cone slide. This proposed AD also would require additional
tail cone drops and slide deployments, and repair if necessary. This
proposed AD results from several reports of inadvertent tail cone
deployments in which the tail cone slide failed to deploy. We are
proposing this AD to ensure that the tail cone evacuation slide deploys
correctly; failure of the slide to deploy during an emergency
evacuation could result in injury to flightcrew and passengers.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 20,
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
[[Page 43579]]
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 Northwest Airlines, Inc., 7500 Airline Drive, Minneapolis,
Minnesota, 55450-1101, Mail Stop: 8953, for the service information
identified in this proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheyenne Del Carmen, Aerospace
Engineer, Cabin Safety/Mechanical and Environmental Systems Branch,
ANM-150L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562)
627-5338; fax (562) 627-5210.
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-
28881; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-263-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 floor of the West Building at the 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 several reports that the tail cone emergency slide
failed to deploy on McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, DC-9-20, DC-9-30,
DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 series airplanes, equipped with tail cone
evacuation slide containers installed in accordance with supplemental
type certificate (STC) ST735SO. Although we are doing further
investigation and analysis, it appears that the failures resulted from
either the slide container not clearing the immediate area around the
slide when the slide deployment handle is pulled, or contaminated
Velcro attachments that allow the slide container lanyard to separate
without pulling the container off and activating the inflation bottle.
STC ST735SO for the tail cone emergency slide containers was
surrendered to the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, on January 21, 2003. Therefore, there is no manufacturer's service
information related to this proposed AD. The affected operator must
submit a method of compliance to the FAA for approval.
Failure of the slide to deploy during an emergency evacuation could
result in injury to flightcrew and passengers.
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 products
of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD,
which would require operators to modify the tail cone slide in
accordance with a method approved by the FAA. One approved method is
Northwest Airlines STC ST01967CH, issued March 19, 2007. STC ST01967CH
describes the modification of the DC-9 tail cone slide. (STC ST01967CH
refers to Northwest Airlines, Drawing 9B25-41477, Revision B, dated
September 14, 2006; and Northwest Airlines, Drawing 9B25-90399,
Revision D, dated December 21, 2006; as additional sources of service
information for modifying the tail cone slide.) This proposed AD also
would require additional tail cone drops and slide deployments to be
done no earlier than 150 flight cycles and no later than 24 months
after modifying the tail cone slide, for a minimum of 10 percent of an
operator's fleet of affected airplanes (if fewer than 10 airplanes in
the fleet: at least 1 airplane). If the tailcone and slide deployment
is unsuccessful, this proposed AD would require repair in accordance
with a method approved by the FAA.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 400 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 300 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The tail cone drops/slide deployments would take about
16 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work
hour. Required parts would cost about $1,300 per airplane. Based on
these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators
is about $774,000, or $2,580 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
[[Page 43580]]
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):
McDonnell Douglas: Docket No. FAA-2007-28881; Directorate Identifier
2006-NM-263-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by September
20, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-11, DC-9-12,
DC-9-13, DC-9-14, DC-9-15, DC-9-15F, DC-9-21, DC-9-31, DC-9-32, DC-
9-32 (VC-9C), DC-9-32F, DC-9-33F, DC-9-34, DC-9-34F, DC-9-32F (C-9A,
C-9B), DC-9-41, and DC-9-51 airplanes, certificated in any category,
equipped with a tail cone evacuation slide container installed in
accordance with supplemental type certificate (STC) ST735SO.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from several reports of inadvertent tail
cone deployments in which the tail cone slide failed to deploy. We
are issuing this AD to ensure that the tail cone evacuation slide
deploys correctly; failure of the slide to deploy during an
emergency evacuation could result in injury to flightcrew and
passengers.
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.
Initial Actions To Address Slide Deployment Failures
(f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify
the tail cone slide in accordance with a method approved by the
Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.
Northwest Airlines STC ST01967CH, issued March 19, 2007, is one
approved method.
Note 1: STC ST01967CH refers to Northwest Airlines, Drawing
9B25-41477, Revision B, dated September 14, 2006; and Northwest
Airlines, Drawing 9B25-90399, Revision D, dated December 21, 2006;
as additional sources of service information for modifying the tail
cone slide.
Repeat Deployment and Terminating Action
(g) Within 150 flight cycles after doing the modification
required by paragraph (f) of this AD, or within 150 days after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Do additional
tail cone drops and slide deployments on a minimum of 10 percent of
an operator's fleet of affected airplanes (if fewer than 10
airplanes in the fleet: At least one airplane).
(1) If the tailcone and slide deployments are successful
according to the applicable McDonnell Douglas DC-9 maintenance
manual, no further action is required by this AD.
(2) If any tailcone and slide deployment is unsuccessful
according to the applicable McDonnell Douglas DC-9 maintenance
manual, before further flight, repair in accordance with a method
approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 30, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-15237 Filed 8-3-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
