42900 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 138 / Thursday, July 18, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Branch, ANM–116, 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 International Branch, send it to ATTN: 

Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; 

telephone (425) 227–1137; fax (425) 227– 

1149. Information may be emailed to: 9- 

ANM-116-AMOC–REQUESTS@faa.gov. 

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. The AMOC 

approval letter must specifically reference 

this AD. 

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement 

in this AD to obtain corrective actions from 

a manufacturer or other source, use these 

actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective 

actions are considered FAA-approved if they 

are approved by the State of Design Authority 

(or their delegated agent). You are required 

to assure the product is airworthy before it 

is returned to service. 

(i) Related Information 

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) European 

Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 

Directive 2013–0047, dated March 4, 2013; 

and Avions de Transport Re ́gional Service 

Bulletin ATR72–28–1026, dated February 26, 

2013; for related information. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact ATR–GIE Avions de 

Transport Re ́gional, 1, Alle ́e Pierre Nadot, 

31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 

(0) 5 62 21 62 21; fax +33 (0) 5 62 21 67 18; 

email continued.airworthiness@atr.fr; 

Internet http://www.aerochain.com. You may 

review copies of the 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. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 11, 

2013. 

Jeffrey E. Duven, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–17293 Filed 7–17–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0545; Directorate 

Identifier 2013–NM–048–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

The Boeing Company Model 727 

airplanes. This proposed 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 proposed AD would 

require an inspection for cracks in the 

main wheel well pressure floor and a 

preventive modification or permanent 

repair, as applicable. We are proposing 

this AD to prevent cracking in the main 

wheel well pressure floor, which could 

result in reduced structural integrity of 

the airplane, and decompression of the 

cabin. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by September 3, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this proposed 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 

review copies of the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue 

SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356. 

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; 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 proposed AD, the 

regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for the Docket Office 

(phone: 800–647–5527) is in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Galib Abumeri, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe Branch, ANM 120L, FAA, Los 

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 

(ACO), 3960 Paramount Blvd., Suite 

100, Lakewood, CA 90712 4137; phone: 

562–627–5324; fax: 562–672–5210; 

email: galib.abumeri@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposal. Send your comments to 

an address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 

2013–0545; Directorate Identifier 2013– 

NM–048–AD’’ at the beginning of your 

comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this proposed AD. We will 

consider all comments received by the 

closing date and may amend this 

proposed AD because of those 

comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http://www.

regulations.gov, including any personal 

information you provide. We will also 

post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact we receive 

about this proposed AD. 

Discussion 

As described in FAA Advisory 

Circular 120–104 (http://www.faa.gov/

documentLibrary/media/Advisory_

Circular/120-104.pdf), several programs 

have been developed to support 

initiatives that will ensure the 

continued airworthiness of aging 

airplane structure. The last element of 

those initiatives is the requirement to 

establish a LOV of the engineering data 

that support the structural maintenance 

program under 14 CFR 26.21. This 

proposed AD is the result of an 

assessment of the previously established 

programs by The Boeing Company 

during the process of establishing the 


pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 138 / Thursday, July 18, 2013 / Proposed Rules 42901 

LOV for Model 727 airplanes. The 

actions specified in this proposed AD 

are necessary to complete certain 

programs to ensure the continued 

airworthiness of aging airplane structure 

and to support an airplane reaching its 

LOV. 

We received reports of cracks on 

Model 727 airplanes along the ends of 

the pressure floor reinforcing beads at 

stations 930 and 940 in the main wheel 

well. Eight operators have reported 34 

cracks on 20 airplanes. The cracks 

ranged from 0.38 inch to 15.25 inches, 

and the airplanes had accumulated 

between 24,000 and 42,000 total flight 

cycles and between 24,000 and 49,500 

total flight hours. Cracking along the 

ends of the reinforcing beads in the 

pressure floor of the main wheel well 

could result in reduced structural 

integrity of the airplane, and 

decompression of the cabin. 

Relevant Service Information 

We reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 

727–53–0149, Revision 4, dated June 27, 

1991. For information on the procedures 

and compliance times, see this service 

information at http:// 

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

Docket No. FAA–2013–0545. 

Other Relevant Rulemaking 

On August 26, 1992, the FAA issued 

AD 92–19–11, Amendment 39–8369 (57 

FR 53247, November 9, 1992), for all 

Model 727 series airplanes. AD 92–19– 

11 requires repetitive inspections to 

detect fatigue-related cracking of the 

main landing gear wheel well pressure 

floor adjacent to certain body stations, 

and repair if necessary. AD 92–19–11 

requires the preventive modification or 

permanent repair only for airplanes 

having line numbers 001 through 1432, 

later identified as Group 1 airplanes in 

Boeing Service Bulletin 727–53–0149, 

Revision 3, dated November 2, 1989; 

and Boeing Service Bulletin 727–53– 

0149, Revision 4, dated June 27, 1991. 

On January 16, 1990, the FAA issued 

AD 90–06–09, Amendment 39–6488 (55 

FR 8370, March 7, 1990), for Model 727 

series airplanes listed in Boeing 

Document No. D6–54860, ‘‘Aging 

Airplane Service Bulletin Structural 

Modification Program—Model 727,’’ 

Revision C, dated December 11, 1989. 

AD 90–06–09 requires modifications 

using service bulletins listed in Section 

3 of Boeing Document No. D6–54860, 

Revision C, dated December 11, 1989. 

One of the service bulletins listed in 

Boeing Document No. D6–54860 is 

Boeing Service Bulletin 727–53–0149, 

Revision 2, dated March 20, 1981. The 

effectivity of Boeing Service Bulletin 

727–53–0149, Revision 2, dated March 

20, 1981, is airplanes having line 

numbers 001 through 1432. These 

airplanes were later identified as Group 

1 airplanes in Boeing Service Bulletin 

727–53–0149, Revision 3, dated 

November 2, 1989; and Boeing Service 

Bulletin 727–53–0149, Revision 4, dated 

June 27, 1991. Therefore, AD 90–06–09 

only requires the permanent repair or 

modification for Group 1 airplanes. 

FAA’s Determination 

We are proposing this AD because we 

evaluated all the relevant information 

and determined the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop in other products of the same 

type design. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information identified 

previously, except as discussed under 

‘‘Differences Between the Proposed AD 

and the Service Information.’’ 

Differences Between the Proposed AD 

and the Service Information 

Boeing Service Bulletin 727–53–0149, 

Revision 4, dated June 27, 1991, 

includes repetitive inspections and 

preventive modification and permanent 

repair instructions for both Group 1 and 

Group 2 airplanes, as identified in that 

service bulletin. This proposed AD 

would mandate the preventive 

modification and permanent repair only 

for airplanes having line numbers 1433 

through 1832 inclusive, identified as 

Group 2 airplanes in Boeing Service 

Bulletin 727–53–0149, Revision 4, dated 

June 27, 1991. 

Boeing Service Bulletin 727–53–0149, 

Revision 4, dated June 27, 1991, 

includes the preventive modification as 

optional terminating action for the 

repetitive inspections included in that 

service bulletin. This proposed AD 

would mandate accomplishment of the 

permanent repair or preventive 

modification (depending on the 

inspection findings) as part of the 

actions identified by the 727 Aging Fleet 

Structures Working Group as being 

necessary to support an airplane 

reaching its LOV. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 106 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 

estimate the following costs to comply 

with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Inspection .......................... 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 ........................... $0 $170 ...................... $18,020. 

Modification/repair ............. Up to 272 work-hours × $85 per hour = $23,120 ........ 5,565 Up to $28,685 ....... Up to $3,040,610. 

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 

We determined that this proposed AD 

would not have federalism implications 

under Executive Order 13132. This 

proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under 

the DOT Regulatory Policies and 


pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1
42902 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 138 / Thursday, July 18, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

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. 

The Proposed Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA proposes to amend 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 

2013–0545; Directorate Identifier 2013– 

NM–048–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by September 

3, 2013. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD affects AD 92–19–11, Amendment 

39–8369 (57 FR 53247, November 9, 1992). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

Model 727, 727C, 727–100, 727–100C, 727– 

200, and 727–200F series airplanes, 

certificated in any category, having line 

position 1433 through 1832 inclusive, 

identified as Group 2 airplanes in Boeing 

Service Bulletin 727–53–0149, Revision 4, 

dated June 27, 1991. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ 

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 cracking 

in the main wheel well pressure floor, which 

could result in reduced structural integrity of 

the airplane, and decompression of the cabin. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Definition of Detailed Inspection 

For the purposes of this AD, a detailed 

inspection 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 mirrors, magnifying lenses, etc., 

may be necessary. Surface cleaning and 

elaborate procedures may be required. 

(h) Inspection and Repair/Modification 

At the later of the times in paragraphs 

(h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD: Do a one-time 

detailed, high frequency eddy current 

(HFEC), or dye penetrant inspection for 

cracks in the main wheel well pressure floor 

at body stations 930, 940, and 950, between 

left and right buttock line 50 and the side of 

the airplane body, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 

Service Bulletin 727–53–0149, Revision 4, 

dated June 27, 1991. 

(1) Prior to the accumulation of 60,000 

total flight cycles, or 

(2) Within 2,500 flight cycles or 2 years 

after the effective date of this AD, whichever 

occurs first. 

(i) Preventive Modification 

If no cracks are found during the 

inspection required by paragraph (h) of this 

AD: Before further flight, do the preventive 

modification, in accordance with Part IV of 

the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 

Service Bulletin 727–53–0149, Revision 4, 

dated June 27, 1991. Doing the preventive 

modification terminates the repetitive 

inspections required by paragraph (d) of AD 

92–19–11, Amendment 39–8369 (57 FR 

53247, November 9, 1992). 

(j) Permanent Repair 

If any crack is found during the inspection 

required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Before 

further flight, do the permanent repair, in 

accordance with Part III of the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 

Service Bulletin 727–53–0149, Revision 4, 

dated June 27, 1991. Doing the permanent 

repair terminates the repetitive inspections 

required by paragraph (d) of AD 92–19–11, 

Amendment 39–8369 (57 FR 53247, 

November 9, 1992). 

Note (1) to paragraph (h) of this AD: If a 

detailed inspection is performed, stripping 

the paint will help ensure accurate 

inspection results. 

(k) Credit for Previous Actions 

This paragraph provides credit for actions 

required by paragraph (h) of this AD, if those 

actions were performed before the effective 

date of this AD using Boeing Service Bulletin 

727–53–0149, Revision 3, dated November 2, 

1989. 

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Seattle 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 the 

Related Information section 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, Seattle 

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 Galib Abumeri, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe Branch, ANM 120L, FAA, Los 

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 

3960 Paramount Blvd., Suite 100, Lakewood, 

CA 90712 4137; phone: 562–627–5324; fax: 

562–672–5210; email: galib.abumeri@faa.gov. 

(2) 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 review copies of the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356. For information on 

the availability of this material at the FAA, 

call 425–227–1221. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 2, 

2013. 

Jeffrey E. Duven, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–17252 Filed 7–17–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

Coast Guard 

33 CFR Part 147 

[Docket No. USCG–2013–0070] 

RIN 1625–AA00 

Safety Zone; Olympus Tension Leg 

Platform, Mississippi Canyon Block 

807, Outer Continental Shelf on the 

Gulf of Mexico 

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. 

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to 

establish a safety zone around the 

Olympus Tension Leg Platform, 

Mississippi Canyon Block 807 on the 


pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1