[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 2, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46221-46223]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23173]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-95-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 Series Airplanes 
Equipped With Air Cruisers Evacuation Slide/Rafts

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 777-200 
series airplanes. This proposal would require modifying the sliding 
surface of the door 1 left and door 1 right evacuation slide/rafts. 
This proposal is prompted by a report of injuries to evacuees using the 
slide/raft to exit the airplane; the evacuees were unable to achieve 
adequate initial sliding speed and adequate momentum to carry them 
expeditiously down the slide/raft. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent evacuee overload of the slide/
rafts, and consequent impeded evacuation and injury to the evacuees.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 14, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-95-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, 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: Jim Cashdollar, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,

[[Page 46222]]

1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington; telephone (425) 227-2785; fax 
(425) 227-1181.

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 notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    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 notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 97-NM-95-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-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 97-NM-95-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington 98055-
4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report indicating that, during a full-scale 
evacuation demonstration on a Boeing Model 777 series airplane equipped 
with Air Cruisers evacuation slide/rafts, evacuees were injured because 
they were unable to achieve adequate initial sliding speed and adequate 
momentum to carry them expeditiously to the toe end of the door 1 
evacuation slide/raft. Investigation revealed a shallow sliding angle 
of the slide/raft, which resulted in delayed descent of the evacuees 
down the slide/raft; this, in turn, resulted in evacuee overload of the 
slide/raft. This condition, if not corrected, could result in impeded 
evacuation and injury to the evacuees.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
777-25A0035, dated December 2, 1996, which describes procedures for 
modifying the sliding surface of the door 1 left and door 1 right 
evacuation slide/rafts. (The alert service bulletin references Air 
Cruisers Company Service Bulletin S.B. 777-107-25-02, dated October 29, 
1996, as an additional source of service information for accomplishment 
of the modification.) The modification involves the application of dry 
lubricant McLube 1720L to a specified area of the sliding area of the 
sliding lane of each evacuation slide/raft, and the subsequent 
reidentification of the slide/rafts. Accomplishment of the modification 
will improve the initial evacuee sliding speed to provide adequate 
momentum to carry evacuees through to the toe ends of the slides.

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 require modifying the sliding surface of the door 1 
left and door 1 right evacuation slide/rafts. The actions would be 
required to be accomplished in accordance with the alert service 
bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 43 Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 16 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the 
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,840, or $240 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

Boeing: Docket 97-NM-95-AD.

    Applicability: Model 777-200 series airplanes, line positions 2 
through 48, excluding line positions 10, 41, 43, and 47; equipped 
with Air Cruisers evacuation slide/rafts, as identified in Air 
Cruisers Service Bulletin S.B. 777-107-25-02; 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 (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or

[[Page 46223]]

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 prevent evacuee overload of the slide/raft, and consequent 
impeded evacuation and injury to the evacuees, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the sliding surfaces of the door 1 left and door 1 right evacuation 
slide/rafts, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
25A0035, dated December 2, 1996.

    Note 2: The Boeing alert service bulletin references Air 
Cruisers Company Service Bulletin S.B. 777-107-25-02, dated October 
29, 1996, as an additional source of service information.

    (b) 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.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 26, 1997.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-23173 Filed 8-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U