[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6536-6537]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2578]



[[Page 6536]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-84-AD; Amendment 39-13461; AD 2004-03-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-
100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SP, and 747SR 
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 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 
747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SP, and 747SR series 
airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection of each emergency 
evacuation slide or slide/raft to determine if a certain discrepant 
hose assembly is installed, and replacement of the hose assembly with a 
new or serviceable assembly if necessary. This action is necessary to 
prevent the failure of an emergency evacuation slide or slide/raft to 
fully inflate during an emergency situation, which could impede an 
evacuation and result in injury to passengers or airplane crewmembers. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective March 17, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 17, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from BFGoodrich Aircraft Evacuation Systems, 3414 S. Fifth 
Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. 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: Patrick Gillespie, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6429; fax (425) 917-6590.

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 747-100, 747-
100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SP, and 
747SR series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on July 
9, 2003 (68 FR 40821). That action proposed to require a one-time 
inspection of each emergency evacuation slide or slide/raft to 
determine if a certain discrepant hose assembly is installed, and 
replacement of the hose assembly with a new or serviceable assembly if 
necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received. One commenter concurs with the proposed rule.

Request to Revise Applicability

    One commenter requests that the applicability in the proposed rule 
be revised to apply to ``BFGoodrich slides or slide/rafts having part 
number 7A1238-()(), 7A1239-()(), 7A1248-()(), 7A1261-()(), 7A-1255-
()(), 7A-1256-()(), or 7A-1257-()(), where ``()()'' represents any dash 
number of those part numbers, that may be installed on certain Model 
747 series airplanes.'' The commenter states that the applicability of 
the proposed rule is misleading and could potentially cause compliance 
and/or record keeping errors because the slides are certified under a 
Technical Standard Order and may be removed, repaired, overhauled 
separately from the airplane, moved from airplane to airplane, or 
stored awaiting installation. Additionally, the commenter states that 
it is possible that the discrepant slides could be installed on 
airplane models not listed in the proposed applicability (i.e., Model 
747-400 series airplanes). Therefore, the commenter asserts that the 
proposed rule should be applicable to the component rather than the 
airplane model.
    The FAA does not agree. According to general FAA policy, if an 
unsafe condition results from the installation of a particular 
component in only one particular make and model of airplane, the AD 
would apply to the airplane model, not the component. The reason for 
this is: If the AD applies to the airplane model equipped with the 
item, operators of those airplanes will be notified directly of the 
unsafe condition and the action required to correct it. While we assume 
that operators can identify the airplane models they operate, they may 
not be aware of specific items installed on the airplanes. Therefore, 
specifying the airplane models in the applicability as the subject of 
the AD prevents an operator's ``unknowing failure to comply'' with the 
AD. We recognize that an unsafe condition may exist in an item that is 
installed in many different airplanes. In that case, we consider it 
impractical to issue an AD against each airplane; in fact, many times, 
the exact models and numbers of airplanes on which the item is 
installed may be unknown. Therefore, in those situations, the AD would 
apply to the item and usually indicates that the item is known to be 
``installed on, but not limited to,'' various airplane models. In this 
case, the applicability extends only to those airplane models for which 
the discrepant escape slides are approved for installation on; the 
discrepant slides are not approved for installation on Model 747-400 
series airplanes. No change to the final rule is necessary in this 
regard.

Request To Extend Compliance Time

    Another commenter requests that the proposed compliance time be 
extended from 36 months to 54 months. The commenter states that its 
current overhaul interval for the affected slides is 54 months. The 
commenter points out that its maintenance program carries out the 
Goodrich slide component maintenance manual (CMM) inspections for 
hydrostatic testing of the hoses during slide overhaul and discards any 
hose not passing the test. During its 22 years of operating the 
affected slides on its Model 747 series airplanes, the commenter states 
that it has had no failed deployments (scheduled, unscheduled, or 
during shop inflation) due to hose failure. Therefore, the commenter 
suggests that a 54-month compliance time would provide an adequate 
level of safety.
    We do not agree. In developing an appropriate compliance time for 
this action, we considered the safety implications, operators' normal 
maintenance schedules, and the compliance time recommended by the 
airplane manufacturer for the timely accomplishment of the required 
actions. In consideration of these items, we have determined that a 36-
month compliance time will ensure an acceptable level of safety and is 
an appropriate interval of time wherein the required actions can be 
accomplished during scheduled maintenance intervals for the majority of 
affected operators. We have also determined that the CMM slide 
inspections are not an adequate means to address the failure mode of 
the affected slides. However, according to the provisions of paragraph 
(d) of this

[[Page 6537]]

final rule, we may approve requests to adjust the compliance time if 
the request includes data that justify that a different compliance time 
would provide an acceptable level of safety. No change to the final 
rule is necessary in this regard.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 333 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 88 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required inspection on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $5,720, or $65 per airplane.
    Should an operator be required to accomplish the replacement of a 
hose assembly, it will take approximately 12 work hours per hose 
assembly, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts 
will cost between $795 and $1,169 per hose assembly. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the required replacement is estimated to be 
between $1,575 and $1,949 per hose assembly.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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

0
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

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

2004-03-17 Boeing: Amendment 39-13461. Docket 2003-NM-84-AD

    Applicability: All Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-
200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SP, and 747SR series 
airplanes; certificated in any category; and equipped with 
BFGoodrich slides or slide/rafts having part number 7A1238-()(), 
7A1239-()(), 7A1248-()(), 7A1261-()(), 7A-1255-()(), 7A-1256-()(), 
or 7A-1257-()(), where ``()()'' represents any dash number of those 
part numbers.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the failure of an emergency slide or slide/raft to 
fully inflate during an emergency situation, which could impede an 
evacuation and result in injury to passengers or airplane 
crewmembers, accomplish the following:

Inspection To Determine Manufacturing Date

    (a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time inspection of the part number information label 
on each inflation hose assembly on each emergency evacuation slide 
or slide/raft to determine the manufacturing/test date of the 
inflation hose assembly. Do this inspection per BFGoodrich Service 
Bulletin 25-241, dated September 30, 1991. If the manufacturing/test 
date is May 30, 1983, or later, no further action is required for 
that inflation hose assembly.

Replacement of Inflation Hose Assembly

    (b) For any inflation hose assembly having a manufacturing/test 
date before May 30, 1983, or on which the manufacturing/test date 
cannot be determined: Before further flight, replace the subject 
inflation hose assembly with a new or serviceable hose assembly 
having a manufacturing/test date on or after May 30, 1983, per 
BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-241, dated September 30, 1991.

Parts Installation

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an inflation hose assembly having a manufacturing/test date before 
May 30, 1983, or on which the manufacturing/test date cannot be 
determined, on an emergency evacuation slide or slide/raft on any 
airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with BFGoodrich 
Service Bulletin 25-241, dated September 30, 1991. 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 BFGoodrich Aircraft Evacuation 
Systems, 3414 S. Fifth Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. 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.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 17, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 29, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-2578 Filed 2-10-04; 8:45 am]
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