[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 7, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12410-12411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4378]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-153-AD; Amendment 39-9160; AD 95-04-08]


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-300 and -400 Series 
Airplanes Equipped With BFGoodrich Stretched Upper Deck Evacuation 
Slides, Part Number 7A1323-(  )

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Boeing Model 747-300 and -400 series airplanes equipped 
with certain stretched upper deck evacuation slides manufactured by 
BFGoodrich series airplanes. This amendment requires modification of 
the slide's main restraint strap, regulator assembly, and turbo fan 
flapper retaining roll pins. This amendment is prompted by reports of 
loss of air pressure and non-inflation of the inflatable tubes of the 
slide due to problems associated with the restraint strap, regulator 
assembly, and turbo fan flapper retaining roll pins. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of air pressure or 
non-inflation of the inflatable tubes of the slide, which could impede 
the successful evacuation of passengers from the airplane during an 
emergency.

DATES: Effective April 6, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 6, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation Systems, Dept. 
7916, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. This information may be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, 
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Gfrerer, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems & Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (310) 
627-5338; fax (310) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Boeing Model 747-300 and -400 
series airplanes equipped with BFGoodrich stretched upper deck 
evacuation slides, Part Number 7A1323-( ), was published in the Federal 
Register on November 30, 1994 (59 FR 61296). That action proposed to 
require modification of the slide's main restraint strap, regulator 
assembly, and turbo fan flapper retaining roll pins.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    Three commenters support the proposal.
    One commenter requests that the description of the report that 
prompted the proposal be clarified. The preamble to the notice stated 
that the proposed action was based, in part, on a report indicating 
that, ``during deployment of the slide, the turbo fan flapper retaining 
roll pin broke, allowing the flapper to fall out.'' The commenter 
wishes to clarify that the reported incident occurred during the 
deployment of a slide that was equipped with roll pins that are common 
to those used on the stretched upper deck escape slide; however, there 
have been no reports of roll pins breaking during deployment of 
stretched upper deck slides that are the subject of the proposed rule. 
The FAA acknowledges this clarification.
    As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general, 
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes 
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that 
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA 
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision 
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered 
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance 
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval 
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with 
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has 
been added to this final rule to clarify this long-standing 
requirement.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed, with the 
addition of the clarifying note previously described. The FAA has 
determined that the addition of the clarifying note will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.
    There are approximately 900 BFGoodrich stretched upper deck 
evacuation slides of the affected design installed on Boeing Model 747 
series airplanes worldwide. The FAA estimates that 100 of these slides 
are installed on airplanes of U.S. registry that are affected by this 
AD. It will take approximately 4.5 work hours per slide to accomplish 
the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost approximately $1,402 per slide assembly. Based 
on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $167,200, or $1,672 per slide.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES. [[Page 12411]] 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

95-04-08  Boeing: Amendment 39-9160. Docket 94-NM-153-AD

    Applicability: Model 747-300 and -400 series airplanes equipped 
with BFGoodrich stretched upper deck evacuation slides, part number 
(P/N) 7A1323-1, -2, -3, -4, -105, -106, -107, -108, -109, or -110; 
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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loss of air pressure or non-inflation of the 
inflation tubes of an evacuation slide, which could impede the 
evacuation of passengers from the airplane during an emergency, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the BFGoodrich stretched upper deck evacuation slide, P/N 7A1323-( 
), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BFGoodrich 
Service Bulletin 7A1323-25-266, Revision 1, dated September 30, 
1994.

    Note 2: Installation of the ``product improvements,'' specified 
in paragraph 2.J. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service 
bulletin, is not required by this AD.

    (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, Los Angeles 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, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles 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.
    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with BFGoodrich 
Service Bulletin 7A1323-25-266, Revision 1, dated September 30, 
1994. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director 
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies may be obtained from BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft 
Evacuation Systems, Dept. 7916, Phoenix , Arizona 85040. Copies may 
be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on April 6, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 16, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-4378 Filed 3-6-95; 8:45 am]
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