Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, and 727-100C Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 12, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59266-59268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20075]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-238-AD; Amendment 39-14330; AD 2005-20-33]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, and 
727-100C 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 727, 727C, 727-100, and 727-100C 
series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the frame 
inner chord, outer chord, and web of the forward and aft edge frames of 
the lower lobe forward cargo door (FCD) cutout, and corrective action 
if necessary. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect 
and correct fatigue cracking of the forward and aft edge frames of the 
lower lobe FCD cutout, which could result in the loss of the FCD and 
rapid decompression of the airplane. This action is intended to address 
the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective November 16, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 16, 2005.

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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel F. Kutz, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
917-6456; fax (425) 917-6590.

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 727, 727C, 
727-100, and 727-100C series airplanes was published as a supplemental 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on August 
22, 2005 (70 FR 48904). That action proposed to require repetitive 
inspections of the frame inner chord, outer chord, and web of the 
forward and aft edge frames of the lower lobe forward cargo door 
cutout, and corrective action if necessary.

[[Page 59267]]

Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph

    We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure 
for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment received. The 
commenter supports the supplemental NPRM.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Interim Action

    We consider this final rule to be an interim action. The 
manufacturer is currently developing a modification that will address 
the unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is 
developed, approved, and available, we may consider additional 
rulemaking.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 211 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 116 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 to 8 
work hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspections, and 
that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
between $45,240 and $60,320, or between $390 and $520 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.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. 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.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA 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 
rulemaking action.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2005-20-33 Boeing: Amendment 39-14330. Docket 2003-NM-238-AD.

    Applicability: Model 727, 727C, 727-100, and 727-100C series 
airplanes, line numbers 1 through 694 inclusive; certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect and correct fatigue cracking of the forward and aft 
edge frames of the lower lobe forward cargo door (FCD) cutout, which 
could result in the loss of the FCD and rapid decompression of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:

    Note 1: This AD is related to AD 98-11-03 R1, amendment 39-
10983, and affects Structural Significant Item (SSI) F-11B of the 
Boeing 727 Supplemental Structural Inspection Document (SSID) 
program, D6-48040-1, Revision H, dated June 1994.

Initial and Repetitive Inspections

    (a) For airplanes on which the forward and aft edge frames of 
the lower lobe FCD cutout have not been inspected per AD 98-11-03 R1 
as of the effective date of this AD: Prior to the accumulation of 
21,000 total flight cycles, or within 3,000 flight cycles after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, do the 
inspections specified in paragraph (c) of this AD.
    (b) For airplanes on which the forward and aft edge frames of 
the lower lobe FCD cutout have been inspected per AD 98-11-03 R1 as 
of the effective date of this AD: Within the next scheduled 
inspection required by AD 98-11-03 R1, or within 3,000 flight cycles 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do the 
inspections specified in paragraph (c) of this AD.
    (c) At the time specified in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of 
this AD, as applicable: Perform the detailed and high frequency eddy 
current inspections for cracks in the web and the inner and outer 
chords of the forward and aft frames of the forward cargo doorway in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 727-53A0229, dated March 24, 2005. Repeat the 
inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight 
cycles.

Corrective Action

    (d) If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (c) of this AD: Before further flight, repair per a method 
approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA; or according to data meeting the certification basis of 
the airplane approved by an Authorized Representative for the Boeing 
Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option Authorization Organization 
who has been authorized by the

[[Page 59268]]

Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair method to 
be approved, the approval must meet the certification basis of the 
airplane, and the approval must specifically reference this AD.

Certain Actions Constitute Compliance With AD 98-11-03 R1

    (e) Accomplishment of the inspections specified in paragraph (c) 
of this AD is terminating action for the inspections required by AD 
98-11-03 R1 that pertain to SSI F-11B of Boeing Document D6-48040-1, 
Boeing 727 SSID, Revision H, dated June 1994, for the areas 
specified in paragraph (c) of this AD only. Accomplishment of the 
actions required by paragraph (c) of this AD does not terminate the 
inspections required by AD 98-11-03 R1 for the remaining areas of 
SSI F-11B and does not terminate the remaining requirements of AD 
98-11-03 R1.

No Reporting Required

    (f) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD 
specifies to provide certain information to the manufacturer, this 
AD does not include that requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g)(1) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle 
ACO, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance 
(AMOCs) for this AD.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Incorporation by Reference

    (h) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions must be 
done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0229, 
dated March 24, 2005. 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. To get copies of this service information, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. To inspect copies of this service 
information, go to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or to the National Archives 
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or 
go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Effective Date

    (i) This amendment becomes effective on November 16, 2005.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 29, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-20075 Filed 10-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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