Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 211 (Thursday, October 31, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65193-65195]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25132]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0666; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-060-AD; 
Amendment 39-17635; AD 2013-22-03]
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 
indicating that a standard fuel tank access door was located where an 
impact-resistant access door was required, and stencils were missing 
from some impact-resistant access doors. This AD requires an inspection 
of the left- and right-hand wing fuel tank access doors to determine 
that impact-resistant access doors are installed in the correct 
locations, and to replace any door with an impact-resistant access door 
if necessary. This AD also requires an inspection for stencils and 
index markers on impact-resistant access doors, and application of new 
stencils or index markers if necessary. This AD also requires revising 
the maintenance program to incorporate changes to the airworthiness 
limitations section. We are issuing this AD to prevent foreign object 
penetration of the fuel tank, which could cause a fuel leak near an 
ignition source (e.g., hot brakes), consequently leading to a fuel-fed 
fire.

DATES: This AD is effective December 5, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of December 5, 
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 this 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: Suzanne Lucier, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6438; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 1, 2013 (78 FR 46538). 
The NPRM proposed to require an inspection of the left- and right-hand 
wing fuel tank access doors to determine that impact-resistant access 
doors are installed in the correct locations, and to replace any door 
with an impact-resistant access door if necessary. The NPRM also 
proposed to require an inspection for stencils and index markers on 
impact-resistant access doors, and application of new stencils or index 
markers if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to require revising the 
maintenance program to incorporate changes to the airworthiness 
limitations section.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comment received. The Boeing Company 
supported the NPRM (78 FR 46538, August 1, 2013).

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 46538, August 1, 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 46538, August 1, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 139 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                            Labor cost           Parts cost    product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection...............................  Up to 3 work-hours x $85              $0         $255         $35,445
                                            per hour = $255.
Maintenance program revision.............  1 work-hour x $85 per hour             0           85          11,815
                                            = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 these 
replacements:

[[Page 65194]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement per door..........................  3 work-hours x $85 per hour =             $8,000          $8,255
                                                 $255.
Stencil and index marker......................  Up to 2 work-hours x $85 per                   0             170
                                                 hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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):

2013-22-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17635; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0666; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-060-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 5, 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 28, Fuel.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports indicating that a standard fuel 
tank access door was located where an impact-resistant access door 
was required, and stencils were missing from some impact-resistant 
access doors. We are issuing this AD to prevent foreign object 
penetration of the fuel tank, which could cause a fuel leak near an 
ignition source (e.g., hot brakes), consequently leading to a fuel-
fed fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspections

    Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 727-28-0134, dated January 12, 2012.
    (1) Do either a general visual inspection or ultrasonic non-
destructive test of the left- and right-hand wing fuel tank access 
doors to determine whether impact-resistant access doors are 
installed in the correct locations. If any standard access door is 
found, before further flight, replace with an impact-resistant 
access door, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 727-28-0134, dated January 12, 2012.
    (2) Do a general visual inspection of the left- and right-hand 
wing fuel tank impact-resistant access doors to verify stencils and 
index markers are applied. If a stencil or index marker is missing, 
before further flight, apply stencil or index marker, as applicable, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 727-28-0134, dated January 12, 2012.

(h) Maintenance Program Revision

    Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance program to incorporate Critical Design Configuration 
Control Limitation (CDCCL) Task 57-AWL-01, ``Impact-Resistant Fuel 
Tank Access Door,'' of Section 1, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) 
of Boeing 727-100/200 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) Document D6-
8766-AWL, Revision September 2012.

(i) No Alternative CDCCLs

    After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (h) of 
this AD, no alternative CDCCLs may be used unless the CDCCLs are 
approved as an alternative method of compliance in accordance with 
the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.

(j) 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 paragraph (k) 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

[[Page 65195]]

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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Suzanne Lucier, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6438; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

(l) 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 Service Bulletin 727-28-0134, dated January 12, 2012.
    (ii) Critical Design Configuration Control Limitation (CDCCL) 
Task 57-AWL-01, ``Impact-Resistant Fuel Tank Access Door,'' of 
Section 1, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) of Boeing 727-100/200 
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) Document D6-8766-AWL, Revision 
September 2012.
    (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, 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 October 15, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-25132 Filed 10-30-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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