Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 2, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59116-59117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28246]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-02-AD; Amendment 39-11394; AD 99-22-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 737 series airplanes, that requires 
a one-time detailed visual inspection of the upper decompression panel 
on the flight deck door to verify that a minimum overlap dimension 
exists, and corrective action, if necessary. This amendment is prompted 
by reports indicating that, during production, some upper decompression 
panels were installed incorrectly on the flight deck door. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to detect an incorrectly installed 
upper decompression panel, which could cause the emergency exit panel 
on the flight deck door to become inoperable, thereby preventing 
crewmembers from performing essential duties during an emergency 
evacuation.

DATES: Effective December 7, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 7, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1157; fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 737 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 20, 1999 (64 
FR 45470). That action proposed to require a one-time detailed visual 
inspection of the upper decompression panel on the flight deck door to 
verify that a minimum overlap dimension exists, and corrective action, 
if necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 1,299 airplanes of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 901 airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 
work hour per airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the inspection required

[[Page 59117]]

by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $54,060, or $60 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

99-22-16  BOEING:  Amendment 39-11394. Docket 99-NM-02-AD.

    Applicability: Model 737 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 737-52-1128, dated April 22, 1999, or in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 737-52-1137, dated May 13, 1999; certificated in 
any category.
    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect an incorrectly installed upper decompression panel, 
which could cause the emergency exit panel on the flight deck door 
to become inoperable, thereby preventing crewmembers from performing 
essential duties during an emergency evacuation, accomplish the 
following:

One-Time Inspection

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time detailed visual inspection of the upper 
decompression panel on the flight deck door to verify that a minimum 
overlap dimension of 0.05 inch exists, as specified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 737-52-1128, dated April 22, 1999 (for Model 737-
300/-400/-500 series airplanes); or Boeing Service Bulletin 737-52-
1137, dated May 13, 1999 (for Model 737-600/-700/-800 series 
airplanes); as applicable.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

Corrective Action

    (b) If a minimum overlap dimension of 0.05 inch is not found 
during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to 
further flight, adjust the decompression panel and, as applicable, 
the adjacent decorative channel, in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin 737-52-1128, dated April 22, 1999 (for Model 737-300/-400/-
500 series airplanes); or Boeing Service Bulletin 737-52-1137, dated 
May 13, 1999 (for Model 737-600/-700/-800 series airplanes); as 
applicable.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Seattle ACO.
    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin 737-52-1128, dated April 22, 1999, or Boeing Service 
Bulletin 737-52-1137, dated May 13, 1999, as applicable. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, 
P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 7, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 22, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-28246 Filed 11-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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