Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 211 / Thursday, October 31, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 65193 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 

15, 2013. 

Jeffrey E. Duven, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–25306 Filed 10–30–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0666; Directorate 

Identifier 2013–NM–060–AD; Amendment 

39–17635; AD 2013–22–03] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all The 

Boeing Company Model 727 airplanes. 

This AD was prompted by reports 

indicating that a standard fuel tank 

access door was located where an 

impact-resistant access door was 

required, and stencils were missing 

from some impact-resistant access 

doors. This AD requires an inspection of 

the left- and right-hand wing fuel tank 

access doors to determine that impactresistant access doors are installed in 

the correct locations, and to replace any 

door with an impact-resistant access 

door if necessary. This AD also requires 

an inspection for stencils and index 

markers on impact-resistant access 

doors, and application of new stencils 

or index markers if necessary. This AD 

also requires revising the maintenance 

program to incorporate changes to the 

airworthiness limitations section. We 

are issuing this AD to prevent foreign 

object penetration of the fuel tank, 

which could cause a fuel leak near an 

ignition source (e.g., hot brakes), 

consequently leading to a fuel-fed fire. 

DATES: This AD is effective December 5, 

2013. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of December 5, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: 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 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. 

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 AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The address for the 

Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is 

Document 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: 

Suzanne Lucier, Aerospace Engineer, 

Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 

98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6438; fax: 

425–917–6590; email: suzanne.lucier@

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 the specified products. The 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on August 1, 2013 (78 FR 

46538). The NPRM proposed to require 

an inspection of the left- and right-hand 

wing fuel tank access doors to 

determine that impact-resistant access 

doors are installed in the correct 

locations, and to replace any door with 

an impact-resistant access door if 

necessary. The NPRM also proposed to 

require an inspection for stencils and 

index markers on impact-resistant 

access doors, and application of new 

stencils or index markers if necessary. 

The NPRM also proposed to require 

revising the maintenance program to 

incorporate changes to the airworthiness 

limitations section. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

have considered the comment received. 

The Boeing Company supported the 

NPRM (78 FR 46538, August 1, 2013). 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting this AD 

as proposed—except for minor editorial 

changes. We have determined that these 

minor changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 

46538, August 1, 2013) for correcting 

the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 46538, 

August 1, 2013). 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 139 

airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate 

the following costs to comply with this 

AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Inspection ............................................ Up to 3 work-hours × $85 per hour = $255 ...................... $0 $255 $35,445 

Maintenance program revision ............ 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 .................................... 0 85 11,815 

We estimate the following costs to do 

any necessary replacements that would 

be required based on the results of the 

inspection. We have no way of 

determining the number of aircraft that 

might need these replacements: 


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65194 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 211 / Thursday, October 31, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product 

Replacement per door ................................ 3 work-hours × $85 per hour = $255 ............................................ $8,000 $8,255 

Stencil and index marker ............................ Up to 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 .................................. 0 170 

According to the manufacturer, some 

of the costs of this AD may be covered 

under warranty, thereby reducing the 

cost impact on affected individuals. We 

do not control warranty coverage for 

affected individuals. As a result, we 

have included all costs in our cost 

estimate. 

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 

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 

■ 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): 

2013–22–03 The Boeing Company: 

Amendment 39–17635; Docket No. 

FAA–2013–0666; Directorate Identifier 

2013–NM–060–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective December 5, 2013. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all The Boeing 

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

100C, 727–200, and 727–200F series 

airplanes; certificated in any category. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 28, Fuel. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports 

indicating that a standard fuel tank access 

door was located where an impact-resistant 

access door was required, and stencils were 

missing from some impact-resistant access 

doors. We are issuing this AD to prevent 

foreign object penetration of the fuel tank, 

which could cause a fuel leak near an 

ignition source (e.g., hot brakes), 

consequently leading to a fuel-fed fire. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Inspections 

Within 72 months after the effective date 

of this AD, do the actions specified in 

paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 727– 

28–0134, dated January 12, 2012. 

(1) Do either a general visual inspection or 

ultrasonic non-destructive test of the left- and 

right-hand wing fuel tank access doors to 

determine whether impact-resistant access 

doors are installed in the correct locations. If 

any standard access door is found, before 

further flight, replace with an impactresistant access door, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 

Service Bulletin 727–28–0134, dated January 

12, 2012. 

(2) Do a general visual inspection of the 

left- and right-hand wing fuel tank impactresistant access doors to verify stencils and 

index markers are applied. If a stencil or 

index marker is missing, before further flight, 

apply stencil or index marker, as applicable, 

in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 727– 

28–0134, dated January 12, 2012. 

(h) Maintenance Program Revision 

Within 60 days after the effective date of 

this AD, revise the maintenance program to 

incorporate Critical Design Configuration 

Control Limitation (CDCCL) Task 57–AWL– 

01, ‘‘Impact-Resistant Fuel Tank Access 

Door,’’ of Section 1, Airworthiness 

Limitations (AWLs) of Boeing 727–100/200 

Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) Document 

D6–8766–AWL, Revision September 2012. 

(i) No Alternative CDCCLs 

After accomplishing the revision required 

by paragraph (h) of this AD, no alternative 

CDCCLs may be used unless the CDCCLs are 

approved as an alternative method of 

compliance in accordance with the 

procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this 

AD. 

(j) 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 (k) of this AD. Information may be 

emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOCRequests@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. 

(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable 

level of safety may be used for any repair 


wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 211 / Thursday, October 31, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 65195 

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. 

(k) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Suzanne Lucier, Aerospace Engineer, 

Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA, Seattle 

Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; 

phone: 425–917–6438; fax: 425–917–6590; 

email: suzanne.lucier@faa.gov. 

(l) 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) Boeing Service Bulletin 727–28–0134, 

dated January 12, 2012. 

(ii) Critical Design Configuration Control 

Limitation (CDCCL) Task 57–AWL–01, 

‘‘Impact-Resistant Fuel Tank Access Door,’’ 

of Section 1, Airworthiness Limitations 

(AWLs) of Boeing 727–100/200 

Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) Document 

D6–8766–AWL, Revision September 2012. 

(3) 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. 

(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/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 

15, 2013. 

Jeffrey E. Duven, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–25132 Filed 10–30–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0486; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–SW–031–AD; Amendment 

39–17622; AD 2013–20–16] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; MD 

Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for MDHI 

Model MD900 helicopters with certain 

main rotor blade (MRB) retention bolts 

(bolts) installed. This AD requires a 

daily check of the position of each bolt, 

a daily check and a repetitive inspection 

for a gap in each bolt, and, if necessary, 

removing and inspecting the bolt for a 

crack and replacing any cracked bolt 

with an airworthy bolt. This AD was 

prompted by multiple reports of inservice bolt failures. The actions are 

intended to prevent failure of a bolt, 

which could lead to loss of MRB 

structural integrity and subsequent loss 

of control of the helicopter. 

DATES: This AD is effective December 5, 

2013. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this AD, contact MDHI, 

Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 

E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615, 

Mesa, AZ 85215–9734, telephone (800) 

388–3378, fax (480) 346–6813, or at 

http://www.mdhelicopters.com. You 

may review a copy of the referenced 

service information at the FAA, Office 

of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 

Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 

663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov or in person at the 

Docket Operations Office between 9 

a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 

docket contains this AD, the economic 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

the Docket Operations Office (phone: 

800–647–5527) is U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations 

Office, M–30, West Building Ground 

Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Roger Durbin, Aerospace Engineer, 

FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 

Office, Airframe Branch, ANM–120L, 

3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 

90712, telephone (562) 627–5233, fax 

(562) 627–5210, email roger.durbin@

faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

On June 14, 2013, at 78 FR 35773, the 

Federal Register published our notice of 

proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which 

proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 

add an AD that would apply to MDHI 

Model MD900 helicopters with certain 

bolts installed. The NPRM proposed to 

require a daily check of the position of 

each bolt, a daily check and a repetitive 

inspection for a gap in each bolt, and, 

if necessary, removing and inspecting 

the bolt for a crack and replacing any 

cracked bolt with an airworthy bolt. The 

NPRM was prompted by multiple 

reports of in-service bolt failures. The 

proposed requirements were intended to 

prevent failure of a bolt, which could 

lead to loss of MRB structural integrity 

and subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD, but 

we did not receive any comments on the 

NPRM (78 FR 35773, June 14, 2013). 

FAA’s Determination 

We have reviewed the relevant 

information and determined that an 

unsafe condition exists and is likely to 

exist or develop on other helicopters of 

the same type designs and that air safety 

and the public interest require adopting 

the AD requirements as proposed. 

Related Service Information 

MDHI issued Alert Service Bulletin 

SB900–116R1, dated April 9, 2010 (ASB 

SB900–116R1), which supersedes ASB 

SB900–116, dated February 24, 2010 

(ASB SB900–116). 

ASB SB900–116 specifies a repetitive 

check of the blade retention bolts, part 

number (P/N) 900R3100001–103 and 

900R3100001–105, for a gap and, 

depending on the outcome of the 

inspection, removing and inspecting the 

bolt for damage. The ASB also specifies 

a repetitive force check of each bolt, P/ 

N 900R3100001–103, and a torque 

check of each bolt, P/N 900R3100001– 

105. Lastly, the ASB specifies a daily 

preflight check of each bolt to examine 

the position of the bolt and for a gap, 

and, if any bolt has moved up or down 

or if there was no gap, removing and 

inspecting the bolt. 

Superseding ASB SB900–116R1 

retains the same specifications as ASB 

SB90016, except that it revises the 


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