Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 140 (Monday, July 22, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43770-43772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16930]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0299; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-072-AD; 
Amendment 39-17508; AD 2013-14-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The 
Boeing Company Model 727 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of 
cracks on the elevator rear spar stiffener assembly. This AD requires 
repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the elevator rear spar 
stiffener assembly, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct cracking of the elevator rear spar 
stiffener assembly, which could adversely affect elevator structural 
stiffness, which could lead to elevator vibration and possible 
interference with the tab control rod. These conditions could result in 
flutter and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective August 26, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of August 26, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6577; fax: 
425-917-6590; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 11, 2013 (78 FR 
21569). The NPRM proposed to require

[[Page 43771]]

repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the elevator rear spar 
stiffener assembly.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comments received.

Supportive Comments

    Boeing stated that it supports the NPRM (78 FR 21569, April 11, 
2013).
    FedEx stated that the requirements proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 
21569, April 11, 2013) would fit within the planned scheduled 
maintenance check and not impact fleet availability or span-time of the 
planned scheduled maintenance check.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (78 FR 21569, April 11, 2013) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 21569, April 11, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 98 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Cost on U.S.
         Action                 Labor cost               Parts cost         Cost per  product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.............  5 work-hours x $85 per   None...................  $425 per            $41,650 per
                          hour = $425 per                                   inspection cycle.   inspection cycle
                          inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this 
replacement:

                                               On-condition costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Action                       Labor cost                     Parts cost            Cost per  product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement.....................  7 work-hours x $85 per      Unknown........................               $595
                                   hour = $595.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Findings

    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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    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):

2013-14-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17508 ; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0299; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-072-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 26, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 727, 727C, 727-
100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated 
in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the elevator rear 
spar stiffener assembly. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct cracking of the elevator rear spar stiffener assembly, which 
could adversely affect elevator structural stiffness, which could 
lead to elevator vibration and possible interference with the tab 
control rod. These conditions could result in elevator flutter and 
consequent loss of control of the airplane.

[[Page 43772]]

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Actions

    Except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD, at the 
applicable time specified in table 1 of paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-55-
0094, dated March 21, 2012, do a detailed inspection for any 
cracking of the elevator rear spar stiffener assembly, and all 
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-55-
0094, dated March 21, 2012. Do all applicable corrective actions 
before further flight. Repeat the inspection thereafter at the 
applicable time specified in table 1 of paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-55-
0094, dated March 21, 2012, except as provided by paragraph (j) of 
this AD.

(h) Exception to the Service Information

    Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-55-0094, 
dated March 21, 2012, specifies a compliance time ``from the 
original issue date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires 
compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective 
date of this AD.

(i) Optional Replacement

    Replacing the elevator rear spar stiffener assembly with a new 
assembly in accordance with Part 4 or 5, as applicable, of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 727-55-0094, dated March 21, 2012, terminates the 
inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that assembly, 
except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD.

(j) Post-Replacement Inspection Compliance Time

    For any elevator rear spar stiffener assembly replaced as 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD or as specified in paragraph 
(i) of this AD: Do the next inspection required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD for that assembly within 96 months after accomplishing the 
replacement and repeat thereafter at the times specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in the Related Information 
section of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by the 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization 
(ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make 
those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must 
meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Berhane Alazar, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
phone: 425-917-6577; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-55-0094, dated 
March 21, 2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 21, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-16930 Filed 7-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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