Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 707 and 720 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 29, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45572-45573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21493]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-378-AD; Amendment 39-12415; AD 2001-17-24]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 707 and 720 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 707 and 720 series airplanes, that 
requires a preventive modification of the front spar fitting on the 
outboard engine nacelle. This action is necessary to prevent fatigue 
cracking of the front spar fitting on the outboard engine nacelle, 
which could reduce the structural integrity of the nacelle, and result 
in separation of the engine from the airplane. This action is intended 
to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective October 3, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 3, 2001.

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: Duong Tran, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2773; 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 707 and 720 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 5, 2001 
(66 FR 30105). That action proposed to require a preventive 
modification of the front spar fitting on the outboard engine nacelle.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 13 Model 707 and 720 series airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 3 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 64 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required modification, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,300 per airplane. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $15,420, or $5,140 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 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 (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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2001-17-24  Boeing: Amendment 39-12415. Docket 2000-NM-378-AD.

    Applicability: Model 707 and 720 series airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Service Bulletin 1541, Revision 3, dated February 15, 1967; 
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 fatigue cracking of the front spar fitting on the 
outboard engine nacelle,

[[Page 45573]]

which could reduce the structural integrity of the nacelle, and 
result in separation of the engine from the airplane, accomplish the 
following:

Preventive Modification

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 20,000 total flight cycles, or 
within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, install the preventive modification of the front spar 
fitting on the outboard engine nacelle. Do the modification 
(including replacement of the front spar fitting with a new, 
improved (stronger) fitting, and modification of the front spar 
chord to distribute stress loads over the entire front spar fitting) 
according to Boeing Service Bulletin 1541, Revision 3, dated 
February 15, 1967.

    Note 2: Modification of the front spar fitting on the outboard 
engine nacelle (including replacement of the front spar fitting with 
a new, improved (stronger) fitting, and modification of the front 
spar chord to distribute stress loads over the entire front spar 
fitting) accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD 
according to Boeing Service Bulletin 1541, dated July 1, 1962; 
Revision 1, dated January 29, 1963; Revision 2, dated February 11, 
1964; or Supplement 1541(R-2)A, dated April 2, 1964; is acceptable 
for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a front spar fitting, part number 65-2532 or 65-2532-5, on the 
outboard engine nacelle 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, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA. 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

    (d) 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

    (e) The preventive modification shall be done in accordance with 
Boeing Service Bulletin 1541, Revision 3, dated February 15, 1967, 
which contains the following effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Revision level
            Page No.                 shown on page    Date shown on page
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-4.............................  3.................  Feb. 15, 1967.
5-21............................  Supplement 1541(R-  Apr. 2, 1964.
                                   2)A.
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    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.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on October 3, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 20, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-21493 Filed 8-28-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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