Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-200, -300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 139 (Wednesday, July 19, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44662-44663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-18126]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-103-AD; Amendment 39-11823; AD 2000-14-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-200, -300, -400, and -
500 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-200, -300, -400, and -500 series 
airplanes, that requires replacement of existing door handle mounting 
hub assemblies with new, improved hub assemblies. This amendment is 
prompted by reports of cracked or broken mounting hub assemblies for 
the interior door handles on the cabin doors. The actions specified by 
thisAD are intended to prevent cracking or breaking of the door handle 
mounting hub, which could result in the interior door handle breaking 
off while the door is being opened. In an emergency situation, this 
could impede evacuation of the airplane.

DATES: Effective August 23, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 23, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Ladderud, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2780; fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-200, -
300, -400, and -500 series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on May 10, 2000 (65 FR 30019). That action proposed to require 
replacement of existing door handle mounting hub assemblies with new, 
improved hub assemblies.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    The commenters state no objections to the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 1,575 airplanes of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 632 airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 
12 work hours per airplane (3 work hours per door) to accomplish the 
required replacement, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost approximately $2,150 per airplane. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $1,813,840, or $2,870 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under

[[Page 44663]]

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. A final evaluation has been prepared 
for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 
may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under 
the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14CFR 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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:
2000-14-13  Boeing: Amendment 39-11823. Docket 2000-NM-103-AD.
    Applicability: Model 737-200, -300, -400, and -500 series 
airplanes; as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1322, 
Revision 2, dated February 19, 1998; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent cracking or breaking of the door handle mounting hub, 
which could result in the interior door handle breaking off while 
the door is being opened, and, in an emergency situation, could 
impede evacuation of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace existing door handle mounting hub assemblies in the forward 
and aft entry doors, forward galley door, and aft service door, with 
new, improved hub assemblies, in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin 737-25-1322, Revision 2, dated February 19, 1998.

    Note 2: Replacements accomplished prior to the effective date of 
this AD in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1322, 
dated January 19, 1995, or Revision 1, dated December 19, 1996, are 
considered acceptable for compliance with paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Seattle ACO.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
Service Bulletin 737-25-1322, Revision 2, dated February 19, 1998. 
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane 
Group,P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 23, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 12, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-18126 Filed 7-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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