Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33817-33820]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11085]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1410; Project Identifier AD-2022-00198-T; 
Amendment 39-22427; AD 2023-09-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and 
-900ER series airplanes, and certain Model 737-8 and -9 airplanes. This 
AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded escape slide deployments in 
the passenger compartment, caused by too much tension in the inflation 
cable and the movement of the escape slide assembly in the escape slide 
compartment. This AD requires inspecting all escape slide assemblies to 
identify affected parts, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 29, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 29, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1410; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket

[[Page 33818]]

contains this final rule, any comments received, and other information. 
The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data 
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 
90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; website myboeingfleet.com.
    <bullet> You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1410.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandon Lucero, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO 
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-
3569; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA 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 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series 
airplanes, and certain Model 737-8 and -9 airplanes. The NPRM published 
in the Federal Register on November 30, 2022 (87 FR 73507). The NPRM 
was prompted by reports from Boeing of uncommanded escape slide 
deployments in the passenger compartment while the airplane was on the 
ground, caused by too much tension in the inflation cable (introduced 
during packing of the slide) and the movement of the escape slide 
assembly in the escape slide compartment during normal airplane 
operations. The escape slide is used in the door-mounted escape system 
of the forward and aft entry doors, and the forward and aft galley 
service doors on the affected airplanes. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed 
to require inspecting all escape slide assemblies to identify affected 
parts, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address inflation of the escape slide while it is in the escape 
slide compartment, which could result in injury to passengers and crew 
during normal operation, or impede an emergency evacuation by rendering 
the exit unusable.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from The Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA) and an individual, who supported the NPRM without 
change.
    The FAA received additional comments from Aviation Partners Boeing, 
AIRDO, Singapore Airlines (SIA), American Airlines (AAL), Southwest 
Airlines (SWA), and an individual. The following presents the comments 
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Effect of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions

    Aviation Partners Boeing stated that the installation of winglets 
per Supplemental Type Certificate STC ST00830SE does not affect the 
accomplishment of the actions in the proposed AD.
    The FAA agrees with the commenter that the installation of STC 
ST00830SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions 
required by this AD. The FAA has not changed this AD in this regard.

Request To Allow Maintenance Records Review To Determine Slide Part 
Numbers

    AIRDO, SIA, and SWA requested the proposed AD be revised to allow 
using maintenance records in lieu of inspecting the part number of the 
escape slide assembly as required by the service information specified 
in paragraph (g) of the proposed AD. SWA noted that escape slides are 
time limited parts and can easily be identified by a maintenance 
records review. AIRDO added that the escape slide is controlled by the 
operator's maintenance system, so it will be easier to use a 
maintenance record to identify the part number.
    The FAA agrees to allow for a maintenance record review to 
determine the part number of the escape slide assembly, provided the 
part number can be conclusively determined from the records review. The 
FAA has added paragraph (h)(3) of this AD to allow a records review in 
lieu of an inspection.

Request To Add a Parts Prohibition Paragraph

    AAL suggested adding a parts prohibition paragraph to the proposed 
AD. AAL noted that the proposed AD, Boeing Special Attention 
Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022, 
and Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB, 
Revision 1, dated April 11, 2022, do not explicitly prohibit the 
installation of slide P/N 5A3307-7 after the actions have been 
accomplished. AAL requested that the FAA add a paragraph prohibiting 
the installation of an escape slide part number (P/N) 5A3307-7 after 
the actions in paragraph (g) of the proposed AD have been accomplished.
    The FAA agrees to clarify. 14 CFR 39.7 specifies that once an AD is 
issued, no person may operate a product to which the AD applies except 
in accordance with the requirements of that AD. Further, 14 CFR 39.9 
imposes a continuing obligation to maintain compliance with an AD by 
establishing a separate violation for each time an aircraft is operated 
that fails to meet AD requirements. Thus, operators have an ongoing 
obligation to ensure that the AD-mandated configuration is maintained. 
The FAA has not changed this AD as a result of the request.

Request To Add Information Notice 737-25-1855 IN 01

    SIA requested Boeing Information Notice 737-25-1855 IN 01, dated 
April 22, 2022, to be referenced along with Boeing Special Attention 
Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022. 
SIA noted that Boeing Information Notice 737-25-1855 IN 01, dated April 
22, 2022, changed the weight and balance information to ``none.''
    The FAA disagrees with the commenter's request. The weight and 
balance information is only contained in Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 737-25-1855, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022, and is 
not required for compliance with this AD. Additionally, the information 
in Boeing Information Notice 737-25-1855 IN 01, dated April 22, 2022, 
is not necessary to address the unsafe condition or comply with this 
AD. The FAA has not changed this AD regarding this issue.

Request To Add Airplanes of Similar Type Design

    An individual requested the FAA require inspecting other aircraft 
of similar type design. The individual expressed concern that an 
emergency evacuation would render the exit unusable.
    The FAA agrees to clarify. An emergency evacuation slide is often 
designed for a particular aircraft. In this case, the escape slide 
assembly in question is a unique installation to the 737, and the same 
design does not exist

[[Page 33819]]

on other aircraft. Therefore, no change to this AD is necessary.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, and 
any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed 
in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on 
any operator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 
737-25-1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022, and Boeing Special 
Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB, Revision 1, dated April 
11, 2022. This service information specifies procedures for inspecting 
all escape slide assemblies to identify affected parts, and applicable 
on-condition actions. The on-condition actions include replacing any 
escape slide assembly having part number (P/N) 5A3307-7 with a new 
assembly having P/N 5A3307-9 or P/N 5A3307-701 (an escape slide 
assembly having P/N 5A3307-701 is one on which a firing cable retention 
modification has been done and the assembly has been reidentified). 
These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane 
models.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2,502 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection or maintenance records       2 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $170        $425,340
 review.                                 hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Action                     Labor cost                     Parts cost               Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement................  Up to 1 work hours x $85     Up to $19,000..................  Up to $19,085 per
                              per hour = up to $85.                                         escape slide
                                                                                            assembly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    The FAA is 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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:

2023-09-04 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22427; Docket No. FAA-
2022-1410; Project Identifier AD-2022-00198-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 29, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD.
    (1) Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series 
airplanes, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Requirements 
Bulletin 737-25-1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022.
    (2) Model 737-8 and -9 airplanes, as identified in Boeing 
Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB, Revision 1, 
dated April 11, 2022.

[[Page 33820]]

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded escape slide 
deployments in the passenger compartment, caused by too much tension 
in the inflation cable and the movement of the escape slide assembly 
in the escape slide compartment. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address inflation of the escape slide while it is in the escape 
slide compartment, which could result in injury to passengers and 
crew during normal operation, or impede an emergency evacuation by 
rendering the exit unusable.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1855 RB, Revision 1, 
dated April 13, 2022, and Boeing Special Attention Requirements 
Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB, Revision 1, dated April 11, 2022, do all 
applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Requirements 
Bulletin 737-25-1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022 (for Model 
737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes), and 
Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB, 
Revision 1, dated April 11, 2022 (for Model 737-8 and -9 airplanes); 
as applicable.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 737-25-1855, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022, which is 
referred to in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-
25-1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022.
    Note 2 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 737-25-1866, Revision 1, dated April 11, 2022, which is 
referred to in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-
25-1866 RB, Revision 1, dated April 11, 2022.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Special Attention Requirements 
Bulletin 737-25-1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022, use the 
phrase ``the Original Issue date of Requirements Bulletin 737-25-
1855 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
    (2) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Special Attention Requirements 
Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB, Revision 1, dated April 11, 2022, use the 
phrase ``the Original Issue date of Requirements Bulletin 737-25-
1866 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
    (3) Where Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-
1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022, and Boeing Special 
Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB specify doing an 
inspection of the escape slide assembly to determine whether P/N 
5A3307-7 is installed, for this AD a review of airplane maintenance 
records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection, provided the part 
number of the escape slide assembly can be conclusively determined 
from that review.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Special Attention 
Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1855 RB, dated August 31, 2021, or 
Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB, dated 
September 27, 2021, as applicable.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, 
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of 
the certification office, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD 
if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation 
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle 
ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair 
method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation 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 Brandon Lucero, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, 
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
phone: 206-231-3569; 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 Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1855 
RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022.
    (ii) Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1866 
RB, Revision 1, dated April 11, 2022.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services 
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; website myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (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, [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on April 28, 2023.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-11085 Filed 5-24-23; 8:45 am]
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