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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 39 (Monday, February 29, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10072-10074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04036]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1423; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-173-AD; 
Amendment 39-18418; AD 2016-04-24]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 757-200 Series 
Airplanes Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01529SE or 
STC ST02278SE

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 757-200 series airplanes modified by 
particular STCs. This AD was prompted by reports of a main cargo door 
being blown past its full open position while on the ground during 
gusty wind conditions, which resulted in uncontrolled fall down to its 
closed position. This AD requires installing a new placard and bracket, 
replacing an existing placard, and replacing the main cargo door 
control panel. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the main 
cargo door, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane, 
or injury to maintenance and ground crew during ground operations.

DATES: This AD is effective April 4, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 4, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Precision Conversions LLC, 4900 SW Griffith Drive, Suite 133, 
Beaverton, OR 97005; ATTN: Steven A. Lopez; phone: 503-601-3001; email: 
Steven.Lopez@precisionaircraft.com. You may view this 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. It is also available on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2015-1423.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1423; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Narinder Luthra, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6513;

[[Page 10073]]

fax: 425-917-6590; email: Narinder.Luthra@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company 
Model 757-200 series airplanes modified by particular STCs. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on June 5, 2015 (80 FR 32061) (``the 
NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by reports of a main cargo door being 
blown past its full open position while on the ground during gusty wind 
conditions, which resulted in uncontrolled fall down to its closed 
position. The NPRM proposed to require installation of a new placard 
and bracket, replacement of an existing placard, and replacement of the 
main cargo door control panel. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage 
to the main cargo door, which could result in rapid decompression of 
the airplane, or injury to maintenance and ground crew during ground 
operations.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Revise Description of the Unsafe Condition

    Precision Conversions, LLC requested that we revise the SUMMARY and 
Discussion sections of the NPRM and the unsafe condition section of the 
proposed AD. Precision Conversions, LLC stated that it was concerned by 
certain conclusions stated in the NPRM for which it does not believe 
there is a factual basis. Precision Conversions, LLC noted that the 
NPRM stated that wind damage to a cargo door could result in rapid 
decompression, leading to in-flight breakup. However, even without the 
accomplishment of Precision Conversions Service Bulletin PC-757-11-
0023, dated August 1, 2014, Precision Conversions, LLC stated that the 
suggested scenario would not occur. If, during ground operations, the 
main cargo door were to deflect beyond the fully open position enough 
to be of concern, its damaged operating system would prevent the cargo 
door from closing as usual, which would not go unnoticed by the crew, 
and the airplane would not be dispatched. Thus, a potential unsafe 
condition would occur only on the ground, not in the air.
    Precision Conversions, LLC stated that a potential for an unsafe 
condition does arise from the possibility of ground crew operating the 
main cargo door outside of the wind limits published in the aircraft 
maintenance manual and operations manual supplements. Precision 
Conversions, LLC asserted that exceeding published limits could result 
in damage to the door operating system and loss of control of the door, 
creating an unsafe condition, but only during ground operations; thus, 
Precision Conversions, LLC believed that the proposed language 
regarding rapid decompression and in-flight breakup had no basis, given 
the relevant factual scenario, and should not be included in the final 
rule. Precision Conversions, LLC requested that we revise the unsafe 
condition to indicate that the NPRM will ``prevent wind damage to the 
main cargo door operating system and ensure its safe use during ground 
operations.''
    We partially agree with the request. We disagree that a damaged 
door will always be detected because of human factors. We agree, 
however, that rapid decompression might not necessarily lead to in-
flight breakup, which would depend on the decompression. We have 
therefore revised the SUMMARY and Discussion sections of this final 
rule and paragraph (e), Unsafe Condition, of this AD to remove 
reference to in-flight breakup, and to include injury to maintenance 
and ground crew during ground operations.

Statement Regarding Content of NPRM

    Boeing stated that the NPRM does not address or affect any Boeing 
designs; therefore, Boeing can neither review the data nor comment on 
the content of the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Precision Conversions LLC Service Bulletin PC-757-11-
0023, dated August 1, 2014. The service information describes 
procedures for installing a new placard and bracket, replacement of an 
existing placard, and replacement of the main cargo door control panel. 
This service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 9 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation......................  6 work-hours x $85 per               $0 *             $510           $4,590
                                     hour = $510.
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* According to the manufacturer, the kits will be provided at no charge to operators.

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

[[Page 10074]]

that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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),
    (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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2016-04-24 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18418; Docket No. FAA-
2015-1423; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-173-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 4, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 757-200 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, modified by the applicable 
supplemental type certificate identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and 
(c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) ST01529SE (http://rgl.faa.gov/
Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/
0af09c3701a237ee86257a5d0064b3aa/$FILE/ST01529SE.pdf).
    (2) ST02278SE (http://rgl.faa.gov/
Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/
e54b5289a2e9f6ef86257b7f0056edaf/$FILE/ST02278SE.pdf).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 11, Placards and 
Markings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of a main cargo door being blown 
past its full open position while on the ground during gusty wind 
conditions, which resulted in uncontrolled fall down to its closed 
position. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the main cargo 
door, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane, or 
injury to maintenance and ground crew during ground operations.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Installation

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, install a 
new placard and bracket, replace the existing placard, and replace 
the main cargo door control panel, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Precision Conversions Service 
Bulletin PC-757-11-0023, dated August 1, 2014.

(h) 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 paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. 
Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
    (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.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Narinder Luthra, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6513; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
Narinder.Luthra@faa.gov.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Precision Conversions Service Bulletin PC-757-11-0023, dated 
August 1, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Precision Conversions LLC, 4900 SW Griffith Drive, Suite 133, 
Beaverton, OR 97005; ATTN: Steven A. Lopez; phone: 503-601-3001; 
email: Steven.Lopez@precisionaircraft.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 16, 2016.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04036 Filed 2-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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