5936 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 26 / Monday, February 9, 2004 / Proposed Rules 

than the amount of annuity. If the 

annuitant elects to change to a lower 

cost enrollment, the change takes effect 

immediately upon loss of coverage 

under the prior enrollment. The 

exemptions from debt collection 

procedures that are provided under 

§ 831.1305(d)(2) and § 845.205(d)(2) of 

this chapter apply to elections under 

this paragraph (q)(1)(ii).

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 04–2666 Filed 2–6–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6325–50–P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service 

7 CFR Part 1205 

[Doc. No. CN–03–003] 

Cotton Research and Promotion 

Program: Section 610 Review

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, 

USDA.

ACTION: Confirmation of regulations.

SUMMARY: This document summarizes 

the results of an Agricultural Marketing 

Service (AMS) review of the Cotton 

Research and Promotion Program under 

the criteria contained in section 610 of 

the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). 

Based upon its review, AMS has 

determined that the Cotton Research 

and Promotion Order should be 

continued without change.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons may 

obtain a copy of the review. Requests for 

copies should be sent to Whitney Rick, 

Chief, Research and Promotion Staff, 

USDA, AMS, Cotton Program, 14th and 

Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0224, 

Washington, DC 20250–0224; Fax (202) 

690–1718; or e-mail 

whitney.rick@usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Whitney Rick, Chief, Research and 

Promotion Staff, USDA, AMS, Cotton 

Program, 14th and Independence 

Avenue, SW., Stop 0224, Washington, 

DC 20250–0224; Fax (202) 690–1718; or 

e-mail whitney.rick@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 

1966 (7 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.) authorized 

a national Cotton Research and 

Promotion Program which is industry 

operated and funded, with oversight by 

USDA. The program’s objective is to 

enable cotton growers and importers to 

establish, finance and carry out a 

coordinated program of research and 

promotion to improve the competitive 

position of, and to expand markets for 

cotton. 

The Program became effective on 

December 31, 1966, when the Cotton 

Research and Promotion Order (7 CFR 

part 1205) was issued. Assessments 

began with the 1967 cotton crop. The 

Order was later amended and a 

supplemental assessment initiated, not 

to exceed one percent of the value of 

each bale, effective January 28, 1977. 

The current assessment is $1 per bale 

plus five-tenths of one percent of the 

value of the bales and is collected on 

every bale of cotton harvested and 

ginned in the U.S. and on imported raw 

cotton and on the non-U.S. cotton 

content of imported textile and apparel 

products. 

AMS published in the Federal 

Register (64 FR 8014) its plan to review 

certain regulations, including the Cotton 

Research and Promotion Order, under 

the criteria contained in section 610 of 

the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 

U.S.C. 601–612). An updated plan was 

published in the Federal Register on 

August 14, 2003 (68 FR 48573). 

AMS published a notice for review 

and request for written comments on the 

Order in the August 26, 2003, issue of 

the Federal Register (68 FR 51202). No 

comments were received. 

The review was undertaken to 

determine whether the Order should be 

continued without change, amended, or 

rescinded (consistent with the 

objectives of the Act) to minimize the 

impacts on small entities. In conducting 

this review, AMS considered the 

following factors: (1) The continued 

need for the Order; (2) the nature of 

complaints or comments received from 

the public concerning the Order; (3) the 

complexity of the Order; (4) the extent 

to which the Order overlaps, duplicates, 

or conflicts with other Federal rules, 

and, to the extent feasible, with State 

and local governmental rules; and (5) 

the length of time since the Order has 

been evaluated or the degree to which 

technology, economic conditions, or 

other factors have changed in the area 

affected by the Order. 

Currently, there are approximately 

21,000 producers, 300 first handlers, 

and 12,000 importers covered under the 

Order. AMS provides Federal oversight 

of the cotton research and promotion 

program. The Order is not unduly 

complex, and AMS has not identified 

regulations that duplicate, overlap, or 

conflict with the Order. Over the years, 

regulation changes have been made to 

address industry operation changes and 

to improve program administration. The 

goal of these evaluations is to assure 

that the Order and the regulations 

implemented under it fit the needs of 

the industry and are consistent with the 

Act. With the exception of challenges 

concerning the constitutionality of 

assessments used for generic advertising 

under the Order, which the Department 

is currently defending, AMS has not 

received complaints about the Order. 

Based upon the review, AMS has 

determined that the Order should be 

continued without change. AMS plans 

to continue working with the cotton 

industry in maintaining an effective 

program.

Dated: February 3, 2004. 

A.J. Yates, 

Administrator, Agricultural Marketing 

Service.

[FR Doc. 04–2697 Filed 2–6–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–02–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. 2001–NM–402–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream 

Aerospace LP Model 1125 Westwind 

Astra Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This document proposes the 

supersedure of an existing airworthiness 

directive (AD), applicable to certain 

Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model 1125 

Westwind Astra series airplanes, that 

currently requires revising the Airplane 

Flight Manual (AFM) to provide the 

flight crew with operational guidance 

under certain failure conditions and a 

limitation not to engage the long-range 

navigation system during takeoff, 

approach, or landing. This action would 

require replacing the low-voltage 

sensing relays with higher-accuracy 

relays, and replacing the circuit breakers 

of the directional gyros with circuit 

breakers with lower amps. After the 

replacements have been accomplished, 

this action would also require inserting 

a new temporary revision (TR) in the 

Limitations section of the AFM, or 

removing the revision to the AFM 

required by the previous AD. The 

actions specified by the proposed AD 

are intended to prevent the loss of 

primary attitude and directional gyros, 

which relate position information to the 

flight crew. This action is intended to 

address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by 

March 25, 2004.

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 26 / Monday, February 9, 2004 / Proposed Rules 5937

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in 

triplicate to the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Transport 

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114, 

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001–NM–

402–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 

Renton, Washington 98055–4056. 

Comments may be inspected at this 

location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. Comments may be submitted 

via fax to (425) 227–1232. Comments 

may also be sent via the Internet using 

the following address: 9–anm–

nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent 

via fax or the Internet must contain 

‘‘Docket No. 2001–NM–402–AD’’ in the 

subject line and need not be submitted 

in triplicate. Comments sent via the 

Internet as attached electronic files must 

be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 

2000 or ASCII text. 

The service information referenced in 

the proposed rule may be obtained from 

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. 

Box 2206, Mail Station D25, Savannah, 

Georgia 31402. This information may be 

examined at the FAA, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan 

Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, FAA, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 

98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2125; 

fax (425) 227–1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

Interested persons are invited to 

participate in the making of the 

proposed rule by submitting such 

written data, views, or arguments as 

they may desire. Communications shall 

identify the Rules Docket number and 

be submitted in triplicate to the address 

specified above. All communications 

received on or before the closing date 

for comments, specified above, will be 

considered before taking action on the 

proposed rule. The proposals contained 

in this action may be changed in light 

of the comments received. 

Submit comments using the following 

format:

• Organize comments issue-by-issue. 

For example, discuss a request to 

change the compliance time and a 

request to change the service bulletin 

reference as two separate issues. 

• For each issue, state what specific 

change to the proposed AD is being 

requested. 

• Include justification (e.g., reasons or 

data) for each request. 

Comments are specifically invited on 

the overall regulatory, economic, 

environmental, and energy aspects of 

the proposed rule. All comments 

submitted will be available, both before 

and after the closing date for comments, 

in the Rules Docket for examination by 

interested persons. A report 

summarizing each FAA-public contact 

concerned with the substance of this 

proposal will be filed in the Rules 

Docket. 

Commenters wishing the FAA to 

acknowledge receipt of their comments 

submitted in response to this action 

must submit a self-addressed, stamped 

postcard on which the following 

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to 

Docket Number 2001–NM–402–AD.’’

The postcard will be date stamped and 

returned to the commenter. 

Availability of NPRMs 

Any person may obtain a copy of this 

NPRM by submitting a request to the 

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

ANM–114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 

2001–NM–402–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, 

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056. 

Discussion 

On September 5, 2000, the FAA 

issued AD 2000–18–11, amendment 39–

11896 (65 FR 55450, September 14, 

2000), applicable to certain Gulfstream 

Aerospace LP (Formerly Israel Aircraft 

Industries, Ltd.) Model 1125 Westwind 

Astra series airplanes, to require 

revising the Airplane Flight Manual 

(AFM) to provide the flight crew with 

operational guidance under certain 

failure conditions and a limitation not 

to engage the long-range navigation 

system during takeoff, approach, or 

landing. That action was prompted by a 

report of the failure of a single 

alternating current inverter, which 

resulted in the simultaneous in-flight 

failure of all primary attitude and 

directional gyros on board. The 

requirements of that AD are intended to 

prevent loss of power to the electronic 

flight information system (EFIS) screens 

and internal gyros during takeoff, 

approach, or landing, and consequent 

loss of primary position information to 

the flight crew. 

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule 

The preamble to AD 2000–18–11 

specified that we considered the 

requirements ‘‘interim action’’ and that 

the manufacturer may develop a 

modification to address the unsafe 

condition. That AD explained that we 

may consider further rulemaking if a 

modification is developed, approved, 

and available. The manufacturer now 

has developed such a modification, and 

we have determined that further 

rulemaking is indeed necessary; this 

proposed AD follows from that 

determination. 

Explanation of Relevant Service 

Information 

We have reviewed and approved 

Astra (Gulfstream Aerospace 

Corporation) Alert Service Bulletin 

1125–24A–246, dated September 26, 

2001, which describes procedures for 

replacing existing low voltage sensing 

relays with higher-accuracy relays 

capable of providing warning at 

approximately 97.5 volts alternating 

current (VAC), and for replacing the 3-

amp directional gyros circuit breakers 

with 0.5-amp circuit breakers. 

Accomplishment of the actions 

specified in the service bulletin is 

intended to adequately address the 

identified unsafe condition. 

We have also reviewed and approved 

Temporary Revision (TR) #13, dated 

October 31, 2001, which directs 

operators to remove TR #9 from the 

Limitations section of the AFM. 

Accomplishment of the actions 

specified in the service bulletin and the 

TR is intended to adequately address 

the identified unsafe condition. The 

Civil Aviation Administration of Israel 

(CAAI) classified this service bulletin as 

mandatory and issued Israeli AD 24–01–

06–04 to ensure the continued 

airworthiness of these airplanes in 

Israel. 

Explanation of Requirements of 

Proposed Rule 

Since an unsafe condition has been 

identified that is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of this same 

type design, the proposed AD would 

supersede AD 2000–18–11 to continue 

to require a revision to the Limitations 

section of the AFM. This proposed AD 

would also require replacing the lowvoltage sensing relays with higheraccuracy relays; replacing the circuit 

breakers of the directional gyros with 

circuit breakers with lower amps; and 

inserting a new temporary revision in 

the Limitations Section of the AFM that 

directs operators to remove the revision 

to the AFM required by the previous 

AD, after the proposed replacements 

have been accomplished. The actions 

would be required to be accomplished 

in accordance with the service bulletin 

described previously, except as 

discussed below. 

Difference Between the Proposed AD 

and the Service Bulletin 

Operators should note that, although 

the Accomplishment Instructions of the 

referenced service bulletin describe 

procedures for submitting a certificate of 

compliance to the manufacturer, this 

5938 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 26 / Monday, February 9, 2004 / Proposed Rules 

proposed AD would not require those 

actions. 

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the 

Proposed AD 

On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a 

new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 

47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the 

FAA’s airworthiness directives system. 

The regulation now includes material 

that relates to altered products, special 

flight permits, and alternative methods 

of compliance. Because we have now 

included this material in part 39, we no 

longer need to include it in each 

individual AD; therefore, paragraphs (b) 

and (c) and Note 2 of AD 2000–18–11 

are not included in this proposed AD. 

However, this proposed AD identifies 

the office authorized to approve 

alternative methods of compliance.

Explanation of Change to Applicability 

We have revised the applicability of 

the existing AD to identify model 

designations as published in the most 

recent type certificate data sheet for the 

affected models. 

Cost Impact 

There are approximately 29 airplanes 

of U.S. registry that would be affected 

by this proposed AD. 

The actions that are currently 

required by AD 2000–18–11 take 

approximately 1 work hour per airplane 

to accomplish, at an average labor rate 

of $65 per work hour. Based on these 

figures, the cost impact of the currently 

required actions on U.S. operators is 

estimated to be $1,885, or $65 per 

airplane. 

The new actions that are proposed in 

this AD action would take 

approximately 24 work hours per 

airplane to accomplish for the proposed 

replacements, and approximately 1 

work hour per airplane to accomplish 

for the proposed revision of the AFM. 

The average labor rate is $65 per work 

hour. Required parts would cost 

approximately $1,030 per airplane. 

Based on these figures, the cost impact 

of the proposed requirements of this AD 

on U.S. operators is estimated to be 

$76,995, or $2,655 per airplane. 

The cost impact figures discussed 

above are based on assumptions that no 

operator has yet accomplished any of 

the current or proposed 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 proposed herein 

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. Therefore, 

it is determined that this proposal 

would not have federalism implications 

under Executive Order 13132. 

For the reasons discussed above, I 

certify that 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 Procedures (44 

FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if 

promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 

regulatory evaluation prepared for this 

action is contained in the Rules Docket. 

A copy of it may be obtained by 

contacting the Rules Docket at the 

location provided under the caption 

ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment 

Accordingly, pursuant to the 

authority delegated to me by the 

Administrator, the Federal Aviation 

Administration proposes to amend 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.

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. Section 39.13 is amended by 

removing amendment 39–11896 (65 FR 

55450, September 14, 2000), and by 

adding a new airworthiness directive 

(AD), to read as follows:

Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Formerly Israel 

Aircraft Industries, Ltd.): Docket 2001–

NM–402–AD. Supersedes AD 2000–18–

11, Amendment 39–11896.

Applicability: Model 1125 Westwind Astra 

series airplanes, certificated in any category; 

serial numbers 004 through 029 inclusive, 

and 031 through 041 inclusive. 

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless 

accomplished previously. 

To prevent the loss of primary attitude and 

directional gyros, which relate position 

information to the flight crew, accomplish 

the following: 

Restatement of the Requirements of AD 

2000–18–11 

AFM Revision 

(a) Within 10 days after September 29, 

2000 (the effective date of AD 2000–18–11), 

revise the Limitations and Abnormal 

Procedures Sections of the Israel Aircraft 

Industries, Ltd., Astra Airplane Flight 

Manual (AFM) by inserting a copy of 

Temporary Revision No. 9, dated May 21, 

2000, into the AFM.

Note 1: When the temporary revision 

required by paragraph (a) of this AD has been 

incorporated into the general revisions of the 

AFM, the general revisions may be inserted 

into the AFM, provided that the information 

contained in the general revisions is identical 

to that specified in the temporary revision.

New Requirements of this AD 

Replacements 

(b) Within 50 flight hours after the effective 

date of this AD: Replace existing sensing 

relays with new higher-accuracy relays 

having new part number (P/N) 1350–X3042; 

and replace existing DIRECT GYRO 1 and 2 

circuit breakers having P/N 7274–47–3 with 

new circuit breakers having new P/N 7274–

47–0.5; in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Astra 

(Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation) Alert 

Service Bulletin 1125–24A–246, dated 

September 26, 2001. 

New AFM Revision 

(c) Before further flight following the 

actions required by paragraph (b) of this AD, 

remove Temporary Revision No. 9, dated 

May 21, 2000, from the AFM; or revise the 

Limitations and Abnormal Procedures 

Sections of the Gulfstream Aerospace LP 

ASTRA AFM by inserting a copy of 

Temporary Revision No. 13, dated October 

31, 2001, into the AFM.

Note 2: When the temporary revision 

required by paragraph (c) of this AD has been 

incorporated into the general revisions of the 

AFM, the general revisions may be inserted 

into the AFM, provided that the information 

contained in the general revisions is identical 

to that specified in the temporary revision.

No Reporting Requirement 

(d) Operators should note that, although 

the Accomplishment Instructions of the 

service bulletin referenced in paragraph (b) of 

this AD describe procedures for submitting a 

certificate of compliance to the manufacturer, 

this AD does not require those actions. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the 

Manager, International Branch, ANM–116, 

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is 

authorized to approve alternative methods of 

compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed 

in Israeli airworthiness directive 24–01–06–

04, dated November 13, 2001.

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 26 / Monday, February 9, 2004 / Proposed Rules 5939

Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 

3, 2004. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 04–2679 Filed 2–6–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001–NM–182–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing 

Model 757–200 and –300 Series 

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This document proposes the 

adoption of a new airworthiness 

directive (AD) that is applicable to 

certain Boeing Model 757–200 and –300 

series airplanes. This proposal would 

require inspection of the guide arm 

assembly on passenger door number 1 

for a part mark to determine whether the 

guide arm assembly contains an adjuster 

rod which was incorrectly 

manufactured and replacement of any 

such adjuster rod. This action is 

necessary to prevent failure of the 

adjuster rod in the passenger door guide 

arm assembly, which could prevent the 

door from opening or closing during 

normal or emergency operations, 

resulting in inability to evacuate the 

crew and passengers in an emergency. 

This action is intended to address the 

identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by 

March 25, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in 

triplicate to the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Transport 

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114, 

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001–NM–

182–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 

Renton, Washington 98055–4056. 

Comments may be inspected at this 

location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. Comments may be submitted 

via fax to (425) 227–1232. Comments 

may also be sent via the Internet using 

the following address: 9-anmnprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent 

via fax or the Internet must contain 

‘‘Docket No. 2001–NM–182–AD’’ in the 

subject line and need not be submitted 

in triplicate. Comments sent via the 

Internet as attached electronic files must 

be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 

2000 or ASCII text. 

The service information referenced in 

the proposed rule may be obtained from 

Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 

3707, Seattle, Washington 98124–2207. 

This information may be examined at 

the FAA, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 

Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David Crotty, 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) 917–6422; fax (425) 917–6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

Interested persons are invited to 

participate in the making of the 

proposed rule by submitting such 

written data, views, or arguments as 

they may desire. Communications shall 

identify the Rules Docket number and 

be submitted in triplicate to the address 

specified above. All communications 

received on or before the closing date 

for comments, specified above, will be 

considered before taking action on the 

proposed rule. The proposals contained 

in this action may be changed in light 

of the comments received. 

Submit comments using the following 

format: 

• Organize comments issue-by-issue. 

For example, discuss a request to 

change the compliance time and a 

request to change the service bulletin 

reference as two separate issues. 

• For each issue, state what specific 

change to the proposed AD is being 

requested. 

• Include justification (e.g., reasons or 

data) for each request.

Comments are specifically invited on 

the overall regulatory, economic, 

environmental, and energy aspects of 

the proposed rule. All comments 

submitted will be available, both before 

and after the closing date for comments, 

in the Rules Docket for examination by 

interested persons. A report 

summarizing each FAA-public contact 

concerned with the substance of this 

proposal will be filed in the Rules 

Docket. 

Commenters wishing the FAA to 

acknowledge receipt of their comments 

submitted in response to this action 

must submit a self-addressed, stamped 

postcard on which the following 

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to 

Docket Number 2001–NM–182–AD.’’

The postcard will be date stamped and 

returned to the commenter. 

Availability of NPRMs 

Any person may obtain a copy of this 

NPRM by submitting a request to the 

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

ANM–114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 

2001–NM–182–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, 

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056. 

Discussion 

The FAA has received reports that 

certain adjuster rods in passenger door 

guide arm assemblies of the number 1 

left passenger doors on certain Boeing 

Model 757–200 and 757–300 series 

airplanes were improperly 

manufactured, resulting in adjuster rods 

which are not as strong as correctly 

manufactured adjuster rods. This 

condition, if not corrected, could result 

in failure of the adjuster rod in the 

passenger door guide arm assembly, 

which could prevent the door from 

opening or closing during normal or 

emergency operations, resulting in 

inability to evacuate the crew and 

passengers in an emergency. 

Explanation of Relevant Service 

Information 

The FAA has reviewed and approved 

Boeing Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 757–52–0077, dated February 

15, 2001, (for Boeing Model 757–200 

series airplanes) and Boeing Special 

Attention Service Bulletin 757–52–

0078, dated February 15, 2001 (for 

Boeing Model 757–300 series airplanes). 

The service bulletins describe 

procedures for inspecting the guide arm 

assembly of the passenger door for a 

part mark and replacing the improperly 

manufactured adjuster rods in the guide 

arm assembly with new adjustor rods. 

The service bulletins also describe 

procedures for testing the hardness of an 

adjuster rod when there is no part mark 

on the guide arm assembly. 

Accomplishment of the actions 

specified in the service bulletins is 

intended to adequately address the 

identified unsafe condition. 

Explanation of Requirements of 

Proposed Rule 

Since an unsafe condition has been 

identified that is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of these same 

type designs, the proposed AD would 

require accomplishment of the actions 

specified in the service bulletins 

described previously. 

Cost Impact 

There are approximately 9 airplanes 

of the affected design in the worldwide 

fleet. The FAA estimates that 9 

airplanes of U.S. registry would be 

affected by this proposed AD, that it 

would take approximately 1 work hour