[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 90 (Thursday, May 8, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26043-26044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-10217]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 90 / Thursday, May 8, 2008 / Proposed 
Rules

[[Page 26043]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0523; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-049-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 707 Airplanes, and Model 
720 and 720B Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Boeing Model 707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series 
airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed 
inspections to detect cracks and corrosion on any existing repairs and 
at certain body stations of the visible surfaces of the wing to body 
terminal fittings including the web, flanges, and ribs; and applicable 
related investigative and corrective actions. This proposed AD results 
from reports of cracks found in the wing to body terminal fittings 
during routine inspections. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracks 
and corrosion in the body terminal fittings, which could cause loss of 
support for the wing and could adversely affect the structural 
integrity of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 23, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing 
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207.

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 (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
917-6577; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0523; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-049-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

    We have received reports of cracks found in the wing to body 
terminal fittings during routine inspections of certain Boeing Model 
707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. The cause of 
the cracks has been attributed to stress corrosion. The body terminal 
fittings are forgings made from 7079-T6 material. Cracks and corrosion 
in the body terminal fittings, if not corrected, could cause loss of 
support for the wing and could adversely affect the structural 
integrity of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing 707 Special Attention Service Bulletin 
3524, dated July 18, 2007. The service bulletin describes procedures 
for repetitive detailed inspections to detect cracks and corrosion on 
any existing repairs and at certain body stations of the visible 
surfaces of the wing to body terminal fittings including the web, 
flanges, and ribs; and applicable related investigative and corrective 
actions. The related investigative actions include removing the repair 
and doing a detailed inspection to detect cracks and corrosion of the 
fitting in the area covered by the repair. The corrective action 
includes contacting Boeing for repair instructions.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of this Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the(se) same type 
design(s). This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information described previously, except as 
discussed under ``Difference Between the Proposed AD and Referenced 
Service Bulletin.''

Difference Between the Proposed AD and Referenced Service Bulletin

    Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the referenced Boeing service bulletin describe 
procedures for submitting information to the manufacturer, this 
proposed AD would not require that action.

Costs of Compliance

[[Page 26044]]



                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Number of
                                  Work     Average                                                   U.S.-
            Action               hours    labor rate               Cost per product                registered                  Fleet cost
                                           per hour                                                airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections...................       20          $80  $1,600, per inspection cycle..............            5  $8,000 per inspection cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2008-0523; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-
049-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by June 23, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model 707-100 long body, -200, -100B long 
body, and -100B short body series airplanes; Model 707-300, -300B, -
300C, and -400 series airplanes; and Model 720 and 720B series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 707 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 3524, dated July 18, 2007.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of cracks found in the wing to 
body terminal fittings during routine inspections. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent cracks and corrosion in the body terminal 
fittings, which could cause loss of support for the wing and could 
adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

Compliance

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

Inspections and Corrective Actions

    (f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, do 
detailed inspections and applicable related investigative and 
corrective actions, by accomplishing all the actions specified in 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 707 Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 3524, dated July 18, 2007, except as provided by 
paragraph (g) of this AD. Repeat the detailed inspections thereafter 
at intervals not to exceed 24 months. Do all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions before further flight.
    (g) If any crack or corrosion is found during any inspection 
required by paragraph (f) of this AD, and Boeing 707 Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 3524, dated July 18, 2007, specifies to 
contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair 
the terminal fittings using a method approved in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.

No Information Submission

    (h) Although Boeing 707 Special Attention Service Bulletin 3524, 
dated July 18, 2007, specifies to submit information to the 
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 
(SACO), FAA, ATTN: Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe 
Branch, ANM-120S, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 917-6577; fax (425) 917-6590; has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (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 an 
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized 
by the Manager, SACO, 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 25, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-10217 Filed 5-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P