Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9991-9994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03241]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0547; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-028-AD; 
Amendment 39-17758; AD 2014-03-21]
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 certain 
The Boeing Company Model 727-200 and 727-200F series airplanes. This AD 
is intended to complete certain mandated programs intended to support 
the airplane reaching its limit of validity (LOV) of the engineering 
data that support the established structural maintenance program. This 
AD requires a one-time inspection for cracking of the pressure floor of 
both main wheel wells, and related investigative and corrective actions 
if necessary; and modifying the pressure floor of both main wheel 
wells. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking in the 
pressure floor of the main wheel wells, which could lead to rapid loss 
of cabin pressurization.

DATES: This AD is effective March 31, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 13, 
1991 (56 FR 57233, November 8, 1991).

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 view 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
0547; 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

[[Page 9992]]

evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The address 
for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Docket 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: Chandraduth Ramdoss, Aerospace 
Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Blvd., Suite 100, Lakewood, 
CA 90712-4137, phone: 562-627-5239; fax: 562-627-5210; 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 certain The Boeing Company 
Model 727-200 and 727-200F series airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on July 18, 2013 (78 FR 42895). This AD is intended to 
complete certain mandated programs intended to support the airplane 
reaching its limit of validity (LOV) of the engineering data that 
support the established structural maintenance program. The NPRM 
proposed to require a one-time inspection for cracking of the pressure 
floor of both main wheel wells, and related investigative and 
corrective actions if necessary; and modifying the pressure floor of 
both main wheel wells. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue 
cracking in the pressure floor of the main wheel wells, which could 
lead to rapid loss of cabin pressurization.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
(78 FR 42895, July 18, 2013) and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Clarify the Preamble of the NPRM (78 FR 42895, July 18, 
2013)

    Boeing requested that we clarify the ``Discussion'' section of the 
preamble of the NPRM (78 FR 42895, July 18, 2013). Boeing stated that 
the ``Discussion'' section in the preamble of the NPRM did not 
specifically explain that the NPRM is being issued to complete actions 
in service information that was not previously AD-mandated, but was 
recommended as a part of the Model 727 airplane service action 
requirement (SAR) program. Boeing stated that in two places in the 
``Discussion'' section in the NPRM, reference is made to ``certain 
programs'' and ``previously established program'' when it should more 
specifically refer to the Model 727 airplane SAR program.
    Additionally, Boeing commented that the focus of the ``Explanation 
of Compliance Time'' section in the preamble of the NPRM (78 FR 42895, 
July 18, 2013) should be on the SAR program instead of on widespread 
fatigue damage (WFD). However, Boeing stated that the restrictions 
concerning extensions to compliance times for AD-mandated service 
bulletins related to WFD in the ``Explanation of Compliance Time'' 
section in the preamble of the NPRM might be similar to the SAR 
program.
    We concur that the NPRM (78 FR 42895, July 18, 2013) references to 
``certain programs'' and ``previously established program'' are 
intended to refer to the Model 727 airplane SAR program. However, the 
``Discussion'' section of the NPRM is not restated in this final rule. 
Therefore, no change to this final rule is necessary in this regard.
    We find that clarification is necessary concerning how the SAR 
program and WFD affect this final rule. This final rule is being issued 
to complete actions in one of the service bulletins recommended as a 
part of the Model 727 airplane SAR program, but not previously AD-
mandated. This is necessary because the LOV for Model 727 series 
airplanes is dependent on timely completion of the previously 
established SAR program actions. Since some of those actions, including 
those mandated by this final rule, were not previously mandated, it is 
necessary to mandate them now as a part of defining the service actions 
that support the LOV and preclude WFD. This is the link between WFD and 
the SAR program actions that were not previously mandated by an AD. 
Since the requirements of this final rule support the LOV and preclude 
WFD, the statement that we will not grant any extensions of the 
compliance time to complete any AD-mandated service information related 
to WFD without extensive new data applies to this final rule. We have 
not changed this final rule in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 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 42895, July 18, 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 42895, July 18, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 94 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 and Modification.........  222 work[dash]hours x            $2,906          $21,776       $2,046,944
                                       $85 per hour = $18,870.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.

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.

[[Page 9993]]

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):

2014-03-21 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17758; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0547; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-028-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 31, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 91-22-08, Amendment 39-8068 (56 FR 57233, 
November 8, 1991).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 727-200 and 727-200F 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, line numbers 1103 
and subsequent.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD is intended to complete certain mandated programs 
intended to support the airplane reaching its limit of validity 
(LOV) of the engineering data that support the established 
structural maintenance program. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
fatigue cracking in the pressure floor of the main wheel wells, 
which could lead to rapid loss of cabin pressurization.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Before the accumulation of 60,000 total flight cycles, or within 
24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later: Do a one-time detailed inspection for cracking of the 
pressure floor of both main wheel wells, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 727-53A0124, 
Revision 3, dated November 30, 1989, except as specified in 
paragraph (h) of this AD. If any indication of distress is found 
(such as cracking or flaked paint): Before further flight, do an 
eddy current inspection or penetrant inspection for cracking of the 
pressure floor of both main wheel wells, and do all applicable 
related investigative and corrective actions, by accomplishing all 
the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Service Bulletin 727-53A0124, Revision 3, dated November 30, 1989. 
Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions 
before further flight.

(h) Exception to Service Information

    Where Boeing Service Bulletin 727-53A0124, Revision 3, dated 
November 30, 1989, specifies a close visual inspection, this AD 
requires a detailed inspection, which is an intensive examination of 
a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity 
deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying 
lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
procedures may be required.

(i) Preventive Modification

    Before further flight after accomplishing the actions required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD: Do a preventive modification of the 
pressure floor of both main wheel wells, in accordance with Part III 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 727-
53A0124, Revision 3, dated November 30, 1989.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0124, 
Revision 2, dated May 2, 1975, which is not incorporated by 
reference in this AD.

(k) Termination of Certain Actions in AD 91-22-08, Amendment 39-8068 
(56 FR 57233, November 8, 1991)

    Accomplishment of the preventative modification required by 
paragraph (i) of this AD terminates the repetitive inspection 
requirement required by AD 91-22-08, Amendment 39-8068 (56 FR 57233, 
November 8, 1991), for airplanes with line number 1103 and 
subsequent.

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles 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 (m)(1) of this AD.
    (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, Los Angeles 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.

(m) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Chandraduth 
Ramdoss, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Blvd., 
Suite 100, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137, phone: 562-627-5239; fax: 562-
627-5210; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference may be obtained at the addresses specified 
in paragraphs (n)(4) and (n)(5) of this AD.

(n) 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
December 13, 1991 (56 FR 57233, November 8, 1991).
    (i) Boeing Service Bulletin 727-53A0124, Revision 3, dated 
November 30, 1989.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) For Boeing 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.
    (5) 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.

[[Page 9994]]

    (6) 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 January 18, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 2014-03241 Filed 2-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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