Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727 Airplanes, 30763-30765 [E8-11359]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 104 / Thursday, May 29, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
Optional Terminating Actions
(h) Installation of metallic window blanks
at cockpit eyebrow windows No. 4 and No.
5 in accordance with Supplemental Type
Certificate ST01630SE terminates the initial
and repetitive inspections for the flight deck
No. 4 and No. 5 windows required by
paragraph (f) of this AD. All other applicable
actions required by paragraph (f) of this AD
must be fully complied with.
(i) Installation of structural plugs at cockpit
eyebrow windows No. 4 and No. 5 in
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin
737–56–1017, dated May 17, 2006; or
Revision 1, dated February 15, 2007,
terminates the initial and repetitive
inspections for the flight deck No. 4 and No.
5 windows required by paragraph (f) of this
AD. All other applicable actions required by
paragraph (f) of this AD must be fully
complied with.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with RULES
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(j)(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.
(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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) You must use Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 737–56A1022, dated July 18, 2007,
to do the actions required by this AD, unless
the AD specifies otherwise. If you do the
optional actions specified in this AD, you
must use Boeing Service Bulletin 737–56–
1017, dated May 17, 2006; or Boeing Service
Bulletin 737–56–1017, Revision 1, dated
February 15, 2007, unless the AD specifies
otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of
this service information under 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124–2207.
(3) You may review copies of the service
information incorporated by reference at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at
the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA, call
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:07 May 28, 2008
Jkt 214001
202–741–6030, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal_register/
code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 10,
2008.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8–11336 Filed 5–28–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–0265; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–213–AD; Amendment
39–15531; AD 2008–11–09]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing
Model 727 Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This AD
requires repetitive inspections for any
cracking of or damage to the left side
and right side flight deck No. 2, No. 4,
and No. 5 windows, as necessary, and
corrective actions if necessary. This AD
results from reports of in-flight
departure and separation of the flight
deck windows. We are issuing this AD
to detect and correct cracking in the
vinyl interlayer or damage to the
structural inner glass panes of the flight
deck No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 windows,
which could result in loss of a window
and rapid loss of cabin pressure. Loss of
cabin pressure could cause crew
communication difficulties or crew
incapacitation.
This AD is effective July 3, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in this AD
as of July 3, 2008.
ADDRESSES: For service information
identified in this AD, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707,
Seattle, Washington 98124–2207.
DATES:
30763
evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the
Docket Office (telephone 800–647–5527)
is the 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,
Washington 98057–3356; telephone
(425) 917–6577; fax (425) 917–6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that would apply to all
Boeing Model 727 series airplanes. That
NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on December 3, 2007 (72 FR
67873). That NPRM proposed to require
repetitive inspections for any cracking
of or damage to the left side and right
side flight deck No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5
windows, as necessary, and corrective
actions if necessary.
Changes Made to This AD
We have deleted paragraph (h)(4) of
the NPRM and added a new paragraph
(h) to this AD specifying that
installation of metallic window blanks
at cockpit eyebrow windows No. 4 and
No. 5 in accordance with Supplemental
Type Certificate (STC) ST01704SE
terminates the initial and repetitive
inspections for the flight deck No. 4 and
No. 5 windows required by paragraph (f)
of this AD. Incorporation of STC
ST01704SE is considered a terminating
action, not an alternative method of
compliance (AMOC), since an AMOC
can only be issued after an AD has been
issued. We have also reidentified the
AMOC paragraph of the NPRM as
paragraph (i) in this AD.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. We
considered the comments received from
the two commenters.
Examining the AD Docket
Support for the NPRM
Boeing supports the NPRM.
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
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
Request To Extend Compliance Times
FedEx requests that we extend the
compliance time to 36 months or 3,600
flight hours, whichever occurs later, for
the initial inspections of the flight deck
No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 windows and the
repetitive intervals for the No. 4 and No.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
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E:\FR\FM\29MYR1.SGM
29MYR1
30764
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 104 / Thursday, May 29, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
5 windows. FedEx states this extension
will allow it to do the initial inspections
at a scheduled maintenance check.
FedEx also states that extending the
repetitive interval will allow the
repetitive inspections of the No. 2, No.
4, and No. 5 to be done concurrently.
We do not agree with the request to
extend certain compliance times. In
developing an appropriate compliance
time for this action, we considered the
urgency associated with the subject
unsafe condition and the practical
aspect of accomplishing the required
inspections within a period of time that
corresponds to the normal scheduled
maintenance for most affected operators.
However, according to the provisions of
paragraph (i) of this AD, we may
approve requests to adjust the
compliance time if the request includes
data that show that the new compliance
time would provide an acceptable level
of safety.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data,
considered the comments received, and
determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD
with the changes described previously.
We also determined that these changes
will not increase the economic burden
on any operator or increase the scope of
the AD.
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); 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.
You can find our regulatory
evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with RULES
Costs of Compliance
There are about 790 airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet.
This AD affects about 431 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The required actions take
about 2 work hours per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $80 per work hour.
Based on these figures, the estimated
cost of the AD for U.S. operators is
$68,960, or $160 per airplane, per
inspection cycle.
I
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
§ 39.13
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:07 May 28, 2008
Jkt 214001
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as
follows:
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new AD:
I
2008–11–09 Boeing: Amendment 39–15531.
Docket No. FAA–2007–0265; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–213–AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is
effective July 3, 2008.
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 in-flight
departure and separation of the flight deck
PO 00000
Frm 00038
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
windows. We are issuing this AD to detect
and correct cracking in the vinyl interlayer or
damage to the structural inner glass panes of
the flight deck No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5
windows, which could result in loss of a
window and rapid loss of cabin pressure.
Loss of cabin pressure could cause crew
communication difficulties or crew
incapacitation.
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.
Repetitive Inspections and Replacement
(f) At the applicable times specified in
Tables 1, 2, and 3 of paragraph 1.E. of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 727–56A0019, dated
June 6, 2007, except as provided by
paragraph (g) of this AD: Do the internal and
external detailed inspections for any cracking
of or damage to the left side and right side
flight deck No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 windows,
as applicable, and do the applicable
corrective actions before further flight, by
accomplishing all of the applicable actions
specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
727–56A0019, dated June 6, 2007. Repeat the
inspections thereafter at the applicable
interval specified in paragraph 1.E. of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 727–56A0019, dated
June 6, 2007.
Exception to Compliance Times
(g) Where Tables 1, 2, and 3 of paragraph
1.E. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727–
56A0019, dated June 6, 2007, specify
counting the compliance time from ‘‘* * *
the date on this service bulletin,’’ this AD
requires counting the compliance time from
the effective date of this AD.
Optional Terminating Action
(h) Installation of metallic window blanks
at cockpit eyebrow windows No. 4 and No.
5 in accordance with Supplemental Type
Certificate ST01704SE terminates the initial
and repetitive inspections for the flight deck
No. 4 and No. 5 windows required by
paragraph (f) of this AD. All other applicable
actions required by paragraph (f) of this AD
must be fully complied with.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(i)(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.
(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
E:\FR\FM\29MYR1.SGM
29MYR1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 104 / Thursday, May 29, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 727–56A0019, dated June 6, 2007, to
do the actions required by this AD, unless the
AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of
this service information under 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124–2207.
(3) You may review copies of the service
information incorporated by reference at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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: https://
www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_
federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 10,
2008.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8–11359 Filed 5–28–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28748; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–115–AD; Amendment
39–15537; AD 2008–11–14]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell
Douglas Model DC–10–10F, DC–10–
30F (KC–10A and KDC–10), DC–10–
40F, MD–10–10F, and MD–10–30F
Airplanes; and Model MD–11 and MD–
11F Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
McDonnell Douglas Model DC–10–10F,
DC–10–30F (KC–10A and KDC–10), DC–
10–40F, MD–10–10F, and MD–10–30F
airplanes; and Model MD–11 and MD–
11F airplanes. This AD requires
installation of control cable freeze
protection by making certain changes.
This AD results from reports of standing
water on the horizontal pressure panel
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with RULES
17:07 May 28, 2008
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
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 (telephone 800–647–5527)
is the 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: Ken
Sujishi, 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)
627–5353; fax (562) 627–5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
SUMMARY:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
above the main and center landing gear
wheel wells. We are issuing this AD to
prevent the accumulation of ice on the
flight control cables in the wheel wells.
When the landing gear doors open or
vibration in this area occurs, such ice
accumulation could break off and can
cause injury to people or damage to
property on the ground, can affect
landing gear controls and rear spar flight
control systems, can cause damage to
other control systems, and might cause
loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective July 3, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain publications listed in this AD
as of July 3, 2008.
ADDRESSES: For service information
identified in this AD, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach
Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard,
Long Beach, California 90846,
Attention: Data and Service
Management, Dept. C1–L5A (D800–
0024).
Jkt 214001
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that would apply to
certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC–
10–10, DC–10–10F, DC–10–30F (KC–
10A and KDC–10), DC–10–40F, MD–10–
10F, and MD–10–30F airplanes; and
Model MD–11 and MD–11F airplanes.
That NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on July 23, 2007 (72 FR
40094). That NPRM proposed to require
PO 00000
Frm 00039
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
30765
installation of control cable freeze
protection by making certain changes.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. We
considered the comments received from
the two commenters.
Request To Delay Issuance of Final
Rule
FedEx and Boeing request that we
delay issuance of the final rule until
Boeing releases a revision to Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin DC10–27A237,
dated January 9, 2007 (referred to as an
appropriate source of service
information for accomplishing the
actions specified in the NPRM), and to
Drawing SR11530052, and necessary
parts are available. FedEx notes that
Boeing released Information Notice
DC10–27A237 IN 01, dated August 8,
2007, which indicates that the
procedures specified in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin DC10–27A237 for
Model DC–10–10F and MD–10–10F
airplanes cannot be done. Boeing states
that the engineering provided in
Drawing SR11530052, which is referred
to in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
DC10–27A237, does not reflect the
existing structural configuration used on
Model DC–10–10F and MD–10–10F
airplanes.
Since issuance of the NPRM, we have
reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
DC10–27A237, Revision 1, dated
December 20, 2007. Revision 1 revises
Drawing SR11530052 to account for
different panel configurations on Model
DC–10–10F and MD–10–10F airplanes
and adds airplane groups for those
affected airplanes. Revision 1 also
removes Model DC–10–10 airplanes,
which are not subject to the identified
unsafe condition of this AD. No more
work is necessary on Model DC–10–30F
(KC–10A and KDC–10), DC–10–40F,
MD–10–10F, and MD–10–30F airplanes
changed in accordance with Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin DC10–27A237,
dated January 9, 2007.
Therefore, we have revised this AD to
refer to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
DC10–27A237, Revision 1, as an
appropriate source of service
information for accomplishing the
required actions and identifying the
affected airplanes. We also have added
a new paragraph (g) of this AD to give
credit for actions done before the
effective date of this AD according to
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10–
27A237, dated January 9, 2007, and
redesignated subsequent paragraphs of
the AD accordingly. In addition, we
have removed Model DC–10–10
E:\FR\FM\29MYR1.SGM
29MYR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 104 (Thursday, May 29, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30763-30765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11359]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0265; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-213-AD;
Amendment 39-15531; AD 2008-11-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for
any cracking of or damage to the left side and right side flight deck
No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 windows, as necessary, and corrective actions
if necessary. This AD results from reports of in-flight departure and
separation of the flight deck windows. We are issuing this AD to detect
and correct cracking in the vinyl interlayer or damage to the
structural inner glass panes of the flight deck No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5
windows, which could result in loss of a window and rapid loss of cabin
pressure. Loss of cabin pressure could cause crew communication
difficulties or crew incapacitation.
DATES: This AD is effective July 3, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 3,
2008.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
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 (telephone 800-647-5527) is the 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, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
917-6577; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to
all Boeing Model 727 series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on December 3, 2007 (72 FR 67873). That NPRM proposed
to require repetitive inspections for any cracking of or damage to the
left side and right side flight deck No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 windows,
as necessary, and corrective actions if necessary.
Changes Made to This AD
We have deleted paragraph (h)(4) of the NPRM and added a new
paragraph (h) to this AD specifying that installation of metallic
window blanks at cockpit eyebrow windows No. 4 and No. 5 in accordance
with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01704SE terminates the
initial and repetitive inspections for the flight deck No. 4 and No. 5
windows required by paragraph (f) of this AD. Incorporation of STC
ST01704SE is considered a terminating action, not an alternative method
of compliance (AMOC), since an AMOC can only be issued after an AD has
been issued. We have also reidentified the AMOC paragraph of the NPRM
as paragraph (i) in this AD.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We considered the comments received from the two commenters.
Support for the NPRM
Boeing supports the NPRM.
Request To Extend Compliance Times
FedEx requests that we extend the compliance time to 36 months or
3,600 flight hours, whichever occurs later, for the initial inspections
of the flight deck No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 windows and the repetitive
intervals for the No. 4 and No.
[[Page 30764]]
5 windows. FedEx states this extension will allow it to do the initial
inspections at a scheduled maintenance check. FedEx also states that
extending the repetitive interval will allow the repetitive inspections
of the No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 to be done concurrently.
We do not agree with the request to extend certain compliance
times. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this action, we
considered the urgency associated with the subject unsafe condition and
the practical aspect of accomplishing the required inspections within a
period of time that corresponds to the normal scheduled maintenance for
most affected operators. However, according to the provisions of
paragraph (i) of this AD, we may approve requests to adjust the
compliance time if the request includes data that show that the new
compliance time would provide an acceptable level of safety.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
the AD with the changes described previously. We also determined that
these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or
increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 790 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 431 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The required actions take about 2 work hours per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $68,960, or $160 per
airplane, per inspection cycle.
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); 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.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
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 AD:
2008-11-09 Boeing: Amendment 39-15531. Docket No. FAA-2007-0265;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-213-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 3, 2008.
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 in-flight departure and
separation of the flight deck windows. We are issuing this AD to
detect and correct cracking in the vinyl interlayer or damage to the
structural inner glass panes of the flight deck No. 2, No. 4, and
No. 5 windows, which could result in loss of a window and rapid loss
of cabin pressure. Loss of cabin pressure could cause crew
communication difficulties or crew incapacitation.
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.
Repetitive Inspections and Replacement
(f) At the applicable times specified in Tables 1, 2, and 3 of
paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-56A0019, dated
June 6, 2007, except as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD: Do the
internal and external detailed inspections for any cracking of or
damage to the left side and right side flight deck No. 2, No. 4, and
No. 5 windows, as applicable, and do the applicable corrective
actions before further flight, by accomplishing all of the
applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-56A0019, dated June 6, 2007.
Repeat the inspections thereafter at the applicable interval
specified in paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-
56A0019, dated June 6, 2007.
Exception to Compliance Times
(g) Where Tables 1, 2, and 3 of paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 727-56A0019, dated June 6, 2007, specify counting
the compliance time from ``* * * the date on this service
bulletin,'' this AD requires counting the compliance time from the
effective date of this AD.
Optional Terminating Action
(h) Installation of metallic window blanks at cockpit eyebrow
windows No. 4 and No. 5 in accordance with Supplemental Type
Certificate ST01704SE terminates the initial and repetitive
inspections for the flight deck No. 4 and No. 5 windows required by
paragraph (f) of this AD. All other applicable actions required by
paragraph (f) of this AD must be fully complied with.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(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.
(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
[[Page 30765]]
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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-56A0019,
dated June 6, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, unless
the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington
98124-2207.
(3) You may review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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: https://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_
regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 10, 2008.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-11359 Filed 5-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P