Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 707 Airplanes and Model 720 and 720B Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 236 (Thursday, December 9, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71347-71349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26794]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19228; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-77-AD; 
Amendment 39-13897; AD 2004-25-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 707 Airplanes and Model 
720 and 720B Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Boeing Model 707 airplanes and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. 
This AD requires repetitive inspections of the left and right support 
ribs for the main landing gear (MLG) trunnion, related investigative/
corrective actions if necessary, and other specified actions. This AD 
is prompted by reports of in-service cracking of the support ribs for 
the MLG trunnion. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
corrosion and cracking of the support ribs for the MLG trunnion, which 
could result in collapse of the MLG.

DATES: This AD becomes effective January 13, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
January 13, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207. You can examine this information 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.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, on 
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: Candice 
Gerretsen, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6428; fax (425) 917-6590.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

Examining the Docket

    The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any final 
disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for all Boeing Model 707 airplanes and Model 720 and 720B 
series airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on 
October 4, 2004 (69 FR 59151), proposed to require repetitive 
inspections of the left and right support ribs for the main landing 
gear (MLG) trunnion, related investigative/corrective actions if 
necessary, and other specified actions.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment that was 
submitted on the proposed AD. The commenter, the manufacturer, supports 
the proposed AD.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment that has been submitted, and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 227 airplanes of the affected design worldwide. The 
following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this AD.

[[Page 71348]]



                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                     Number of
                                                      Average                                                          U.S.-
                Action                  Work hours   labor rate            Parts              Cost per airplane      registered         Fleet cost
                                                      per hour                                                       airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection, per inspection cycle.....            6          $65  None....................  $390, per inspection              32  $12,480, per inspection
                                                                                            cycle.                                cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. 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.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, the FAA is charged 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 AD.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to 
examine the regulatory evaluation.

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2004-25-09 Boeing: Amendment 39-13897. Docket No. FAA-2004-19228; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-77-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective January 13, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 707-100 long body, -200, 
-100B long body, and -100B short body series airplanes; and Model 
707-300, -300B, -300C, and -400 airplanes; and Model 720 and 720B 
series airplanes; certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of in-service cracking of 
the support ribs for the main landing gear (MLG) trunnion. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion and cracking of the 
support ribs for the MLG trunnion, which could result in collapse of 
the MLG.

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.

Service Bulletin References

    (f) The term ``alert service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, 
means the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 707 Alert Service 
Bulletin A3510, dated January 15, 2004.

Repetitive Detailed Inspection and Corrective Action

    (g) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
detailed inspection for corrosion and cracking of the left and right 
support ribs of the MLG trunnion. Do the inspection in accordance 
with all of the actions in Part I of the alert service bulletin. 
Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6 
months.
    (h) If any corrosion or cracking is found during any inspection 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, do all 
applicable related investigative and corrective actions, and the 
other specified actions, in accordance with the alert service 
bulletin; except, where the alert service bulletin specifies to 
contact Boeing, before further flight, repair in accordance with a 
method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA; or in accordance with data meeting the type 
certification basis of the airplane approved by a Boeing Company 
Designated Engineering Representative (DER) who has been authorized 
by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair 
method to be approved, the approval must specifically refer to this 
AD.

Repetitive High Frequency Eddy Current (HFEC) Inspection and Corrective 
Action

    (i) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
HFEC inspection for cracking of the left and right support ribs of 
the MLG trunnion. Do the inspection in accordance with all of the 
actions in Part II of the alert service bulletin. Repeat the 
inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months.
    (j) If cracking is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (i) of this AD: Before further flight, repair the cracked 
area in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle 
ACO; or in accordance with data meeting the type certification basis 
of the airplane approved by a Boeing Company DER who has been 
authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For 
a repair method to be approved, the approval must specifically refer 
to this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures 
found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by a 
Boeing Company DER who has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle 
ACO, to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the 
approval must specifically refer to this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3510, dated 
January 15, 2004, to

[[Page 71349]]

perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approves 
the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For copies of the service 
information, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, 
Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. For information on the availability 
of this material at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. You may view the AD docket at the Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., 
room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 30, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-26794 Filed 12-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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