Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 135 (Tuesday, July 15, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41093-41095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15507]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0009; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-123-AD; 
Amendment 39-17887; AD 2014-13-11]
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 707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of scribe-line-related 
fatigue cracks on Model 727 airplanes, which are similar in design to 
Model 707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. This AD 
requires inspections for scribe lines in the skin lap joints, external 
approved repairs, external features, skin butt joints, and decals; and 
related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also 
requires surface finish restoration. We are issuing this AD to detect 
and correct scribe lines, which can develop into fatigue cracks in the 
skin and cause rapid decompression of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective August 19, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 19, 
2014.

DATES: 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 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-2014-
0009; 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

[[Page 41094]]

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 Boulevard, 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 all The Boeing Company 
Model 707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on February 10, 2014 (79 FR 7598). 
The NPRM was prompted by reports of scribe-line-related fatigue cracks 
on Model 727 airplanes, which are similar in design to Model 707 
airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. The NPRM proposed 
to require inspections for scribe lines in the skin lap joints, 
external approved repairs, external features, skin butt joints, and 
decals; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. 
The NPRM also proposed to require surface finish restoration. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct scribe lines, which can develop 
into fatigue cracks in the skin and cause rapid decompression of the 
airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 7598, February 10, 
2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Changes to This AD

    We revised paragraphs (k)(1) and (k)(3) of this AD to update the 
aircraft certification office (ACO) information from the Seattle ACO to 
the Los Angeles ACO. The Los Angeles ACO is now the office of primary 
responsibility for the airplane models affected by this final rule.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD with the changes described 
previously except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that 
these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 7598, February 10 2014) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 7598, February 10 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 11 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........................  96 work-hours x $85 per                $0           $8,160          $89,760
                                     hour = $8,160.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.

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):

2014-13-11 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17887; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0009; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-123-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 19, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes, certificated in 
any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.

[[Page 41095]]

    (1) All Model 707-100 long body, -200, -100B long body, and -
100B short body series airplanes; and Model 707-300, -300B, -300C, 
and -400 series airplanes.
    (2) All Model 720 and 720B series airplanes.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of scribe-line-related fatigue 
cracks on Model 727 airplanes, which are similar in design to the 
Model 707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct scribe lines, which can 
develop into fatigue cracks in the skin and cause rapid 
decompression of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Scribe Line Inspection

    (1) Except as specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of this 
AD, at the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated 
April 26, 2013: Do a detailed inspection of the fuselage skin for 
scribe lines, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013. If no 
scribe line is found: Before further flight, do surface finish 
restoration, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013.
    (2) The inspection exceptions described in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated 
April 26, 2013, apply to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.

(h) Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

    If any scribe line is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD: At the applicable time specified in 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin 
A3539, dated April 26, 2013, except as specified in paragraphs 
(j)(1) and (j)(2) of this AD, do all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions, by doing all applicable 
actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 707 
Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013, except as 
specified in paragraph (j)(3) of this AD.

(i) Surface Finish Restoration

    After completing any actions required by paragraph (h) of this 
AD: Before further flight, do surface finish restoration, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 707 Alert 
Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013.

(j) Exceptions to Paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD

    (1) Where paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing 707 Alert 
Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013, specifies a compliance 
time ``after the original issue date of this service bulletin,'' 
this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where the Condition column of paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated 
April 26, 2013, refers to total flight cycles ``as of the original 
issue date of this service bulletin,'' this AD applies to the 
airplanes with the specified total flight cycles as of the effective 
date of this AD.
    (3) Where Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 
26, 2013, specifies to contact Boeing for additional inspections or 
repair instructions: Before further flight, repair the scribe line 
or cracking using a method approved in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD.

(k) 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 (l) 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, 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.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Chandraduth Ramdoss, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Suite 
100, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137, phone: 562-627-5239; fax: 562-627-
5210; 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 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 
2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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.
    (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 June 24, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-15507 Filed 7-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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