Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 16, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33555-33557]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13500]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2004-NM-29-AD; Amendment 39-13673; AD 2004-03-34 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -
300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment revises an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -
400, and -500 series airplanes, that currently requires replacing 
existing screw, nut, and washers that attach the latch cable assembly 
to the latch block assembly of the door mounted escape slides, with 
new, improved screw, nut, and washers. The actions specified by that AD 
are intended to prevent the latch cable assembly from disconnecting 
from the latch block assembly of the door mounted escape slide, which 
could result in an escape slide not deploying in an emergency 
situation. This amendment revises the parts installation paragraph to 
allow certain nuts to be installed and is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective July 21, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication, as listed 
in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the 
Federal Register as of March 24, 2004 (69 FR 7553, February 18, 2004).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 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 National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Ladderud, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

[[Page 33556]]

Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6435; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by revising AD 2004-03-34, 
amendment 39-13478 (69 FR 7553, February 18, 2004), which is applicable 
to certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 
series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on March 24, 
2004 (69 FR 13761). The action proposed to continue to require 
replacing the existing screw, nut, and washers that attach the latch 
cable assembly to the latch block assembly of the door mounted escape 
slides, with new, improved screw, nut, and washers. In addition, the 
action proposed to revise the parts installation paragraph to allow 
certain nuts to be installed on the latch block assembly.

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

    The changes in this action add no additional economic burden. The 
current costs for this AD are repeated for the convenience of affected 
operators, as follows:
    There are approximately 2,919 airplanes of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 1,129 airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD. The FAA estimates that it will 
take approximately 2 work hours for each airplane specified as Group 1 
in the referenced service bulletin, and approximately 1 work hour for 
each airplane specified as Group 2 in the referenced service bulletin, 
to accomplish the required actions; the average labor rate is estimated 
to be $65 per work hour. Parts and materials are standard and are to be 
supplied by the operator. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $130 per Group 1 airplane, 
and $65 per Group 2 airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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. The manufacturer may cover the cost of 
replacement parts associated with this AD, subject to warranty 
conditions. Manufacturer warranty remedies may also be available for 
labor costs associated with this AD. As a result, the costs 
attributable to the AD may be less than stated above.

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

0
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

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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing 39-13478 (69 FR 7553, February 
18, 2004), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 
39-13673, to read as follows:

2004-03-34 R1 Boeing: Docket 2004-NM-29-AD. Revises AD 2004-03-34, 
Amendment 39-13478.

    Applicability: Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 
series airplanes, as listed in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 737-25-1434, dated March 22, 2001; certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the latch cable assembly from disconnecting from the 
latch block assembly of the door mounted escape slide, which could 
result in an escape slide not deploying in an emergency situation, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace existing screw, nut, and washers that attach the latch cable 
assembly to the latch block assembly of the door mounted escape 
slides, with new, improved screw, nut, and washers; per the Work 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-
1434, dated March 22, 2001.

Parts Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
either of the parts specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of 
this AD on the latch block assembly of any airplane.
    (1) A nut, part number (P/N) BACN10R10L, that has been removed 
from any airplane.
    (2) A screw, P/N NAS623-3-8.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c)(1) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance (AMOC) for this AD.
    (2) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for repair of the latch cable assembly and the latch block 
assembly for the door mounted escape slide, if it is approved by a 
Boeing Company Designated Engineering Representative (DER) who has 
been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make such findings.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1434, dated March 22, 2001. The 
incorporation by reference of that document was approved previously 
by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 24, 2004 (69 FR 
7553, February 18, 2004). Copies may be obtained from Boeing 
Commercial Airplanes, 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 National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go 
to: http://www.archives.gov/federal--register/

[[Page 33557]]

code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--locations.html.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 21, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 7, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-13500 Filed 6-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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