Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727-100 and -200 Series Airplanes Equipped With an Engine Nose Cowl for Engine Numbers 1 and 3, Installed in Accordance With Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA4363NM

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 1, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46861-46862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19262]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-249-AD; Amendment 39-11839; AD 95-19-08 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727-100 and -200 Series 
Airplanes Equipped With an Engine Nose Cowl for Engine Numbers 1 and 3, 
Installed in Accordance With Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
SA4363NM

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment revises an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 727-100 and -200 series 
airplanes, that currently requires replacing the attaching nutplates on 
certain engine nose cowls with washers and self-locking nuts. This 
amendment changes the responsible office for approval of an alternative 
method of compliance. This amendment is prompted by the transfer of the 
supplemental type certificate. The actions specified in this AD are 
intended to prevent the attach bolts from becoming loose, which could 
result in subsequent separation of the nose cowl from the engine.

DATES: Effective August 16, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications, as listed 
in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the 
Federal Register as of October 20, 1995 (60 FR 48630, September 20, 
1995).
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before October 2, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-249-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-249-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
VALSAN Partnership Ltd., Aviation Products Management, Product Support 
Office, 39450 Third Street East, suite 121, Palmdale, California 93550.
    This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael E. O'Neil, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5320; fax (562) 
627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 7, 1995, the FAA issued AD 95-
19-08, amendment 39-9370 (60 FR 48630, September 20, 1995), applicable 
to certain Boeing Model 727-100 and -200 series airplanes, to require 
replacing the attaching nutplates on certain engine nose cowls with 
washers and self-locking nuts. That action was prompted by reports 
indicating that nose cowls separated (or nearly separated) from the 
engines of certain airplanes following failure of the engine fan blade 
and subsequent vibration of the engine, which caused loosening of the 
attach bolts on the nose cowl of the engine. The actions required by 
that AD are intended to prevent the attach bolts from becoming loose, 
which could result in subsequent separation of the nose cowl from the 
engine.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has transferred the 
supplemental type certificate data from the Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO) to the Los Angeles ACO. Therefore, the FAA 
has determined it is necessary to issue this AD to require that all 
future alternative methods of compliance and adjustments of compliance 
time be approved by the Manager of the Los Angeles ACO.

Explanation of Requirements of Rule

    Since unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist 
or develop on other airplanes of this same type design, this AD revises 
AD 95-19-08 to continue to require replacing the attaching nutplates on 
certain engine nose cowls with washers and self-locking nuts. This AD 
changes the responsible office for approval of an alternative method of 
compliance.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since this AD is a minor and merely technical amendment in which 
the public is not particularly interested, and does not change the 
existing requirements, it is found that notice and opportunity for 
prior public comment hereon are unnecessary and that good cause exists 
for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that is a minor 
and merely technical amendment and, thus, was not preceded by notice 
and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on this 
rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    <bullet> Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
    <bullet> For each issue, state what specific change to the AD is 
being requested.
    <bullet> Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic,

[[Page 46862]]

environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need 
to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be available, both 
before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for 
examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-
public contact concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in 
the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-249-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

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.
    The FAA has determined that notice and comment hereon are 
unnecessary because this is a minor and merely technical amendment in 
which the public is not particularly interested.

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 (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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-9370 (60 FR 
48630, September 20, 1995), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-11839, to read as follows:

95-19-08 R1  Boeing: Amendment 39-11839. Docket 2000-NM-249-AD. 
Revises AD 95-19-08, Amendment 39-9370.

    Applicability: Model 727-100 and -200 series airplanes equipped 
with an engine nose cowl for engine numbers 1 and 3, installed in 
accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA4363NM, 
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 (c) 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 the attach bolts on the nose cowl of the engine from 
becoming loose, and subsequent separation of the nose cowl from the 
engine, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 12 months after October 20, 1995 (the effective date 
of AD 95-19-08, amendment 39-9370), replace the attaching nutplates 
of the No. 1 and No. 3 engine nose cowls with washers and self-
locking nuts in accordance with VALSAN B727-RE Service Bulletin 71-
006, Revision 1, dated March 3, 1995.

Spares

    (b) As of October 20, 1995, no person shall install a nose cowl 
having VALSAN part number 259-0002-501 or 259-0002-503 on any 
airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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, Los Angeles 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, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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

    (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with VALSAN 
B727-RE Service Bulletin 71-006, Revision 1, dated March 3, 1995. 
This incorporation by reference was approved previously by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of October 20, 1995 (60 FR 
48630, September 20, 1995). Copies may be obtained from VALSAN 
Partnership Ltd., Aviation Products Management, Product Support 
Office, 39450 Third Street East, suite 121, Palmdale, California 
93550. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on August 16, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 25, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-19262 Filed 7-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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