Document ID: FAA-2014-0141-0004
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: The Boeing Company Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-06-23T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 120 (Monday, June 23, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35479-35481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-13830]

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  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 120 / Monday, June 23, 2014 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 35479]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0141; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-024-AD; 
Amendment 39-17871; AD 2014-12-10]
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 certain 
The Boeing Company Model 727-100 series airplanes. This AD is intended 
to complete certain mandated programs intended to support the airplane 
reaching its limit of validity (LOV) of the engineering data that 
support the established structural maintenance program. For certain 
airplanes, this AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking in 
stringers or frames until modification, and repair if necessary. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in stringers or frames 
originating at or near stringer-to-frame attachment fastener holes, 
which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane, and 
decompression of the cabin.

DATES: This AD is effective July 28, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 28, 
2014.

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 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.

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-2014-
0141; 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: Chandra Ramdoss, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 
562-627-5239; fax: 562-627-5210; email: chandraduth.ramdoss@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 727-100 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on March 12, 2014 (79 FR 13931). The NPRM proposed actions 
intended to complete certain mandated programs intended to support the 
airplane reaching its limit of validity (LOV) of the engineering data 
that support the established structural maintenance program. For 
certain airplanes, the NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections 
for cracking in stringers or frames until modification, and repair if 
necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in 
stringers or frames originating at or near stringer-to-frame attachment 
fastener holes, which could result in reduced structural integrity of 
the airplane, and decompression of the cabin.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 13931, March 12, 
2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data 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 (79 FR 13931, March 12, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 13931, March 12, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 2 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections................  60 work-hours x $85            $0   $5,100 per           $10,200 per inspection
                              per hour = $5,100                   inspection cycle.    cycle.
                              per inspection
                              cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 35480]]

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary modifications 
that would be required based on the results of the inspections. We have 
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these 
modifications:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Action                     Labor cost               Parts cost               Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification..................  600 work-hours x $85     Up to $11,481..........  Up to $62,481 per
                                 per hour = $51,000 per                            modification.
                                 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

    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):

2014-12-10 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17871; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0141; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-024-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 28, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 727-100 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 727-53-0041, Revision 6, dated September 5, 1991, 
unless previously modified using the service information specified 
in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), or (c)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Boeing Service Bulletin 727-53-0041, Revision 4, dated July 
27, 1973.
    (2) Boeing Service Bulletin 727-53-0041, Revision 5, dated 
January 25, 1990.
    (3) Boeing Service Bulletin 727-53-0041, Revision 6, dated 
September 5, 1991.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD:  Boeing Service Bulletin 
727-53-0041, Revision 4, dated July 27, 1973, is specified in Boeing 
Document D6-54860 ``Aging Airplane Service Bulletin Structural 
Modification Program--Model 727,'' Revision C, dated December 11, 
1989, as mandated by AD 90-06-09, Amendment 39-6488 (55 FR 8370, 
March 7, 1990).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD is intended to complete certain mandated programs 
intended to support the airplane reaching its limit of validity 
(LOV) of the engineering data that support the established 
structural maintenance program. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct cracking in stringers or frames originating at or near 
stringer-to-frame attachment fastener holes, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the airplane, and decompression of 
the cabin.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspections

    Before the accumulation of 16,000 total flight cycles, or within 
3,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, do a high frequency eddy current inspection and a 
general visual inspection for cracking in stringers and frames 
originating at or near stringer-to-frame attachment fastener holes, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 727-53-0041, Revision 6, dated September 5, 1991. Repeat 
the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight 
cycles until the modification specified by paragraph (h) of this AD 
is accomplished. If any crack is found during any inspection 
required by this paragraph: Before further flight, repair or modify 
the affected stringer-to-frame attachment locations, in accordance 
with Part V, ``Repair Data,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 727-53-0041, Revision 6, dated September 5, 
1991.

(h) Modification

    Modifying the affected stringer-to-frame attachment locations, 
in accordance with Part IV, ``Preventive Modification Data,'' of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 727-53-0041, 
Revision 6, dated September 5, 1991, terminates the repetitive 
inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles 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 (j) of this AD. 
Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-LAACO-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.

[[Page 35481]]

    (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 the 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization 
(ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Los Angeles 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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Chandra Ramdoss, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles ACO, 
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-
5239; fax: 562-627-5210; email: chandraduth.ramdoss@faa.gov.

(k) 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 727-53-0041, Revision 6, dated 
September 5, 1991.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (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/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 4, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-13830 Filed 6-20-14; 8:45 am]
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