Federal Register: February 22, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 36)
DOCID: fr22fe08-7 FR Doc E8-2994
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
CFR Citation: 14 CFR Part 39
Docket ID: [Docket No. FAA-2007-0264; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-212-AD; Amendment 39-15378; AD 2008-04-06]
RIN ID: RIN 2120-AA64
NOTICE: RULES
DOCID: fr22fe08-7
ACTION: Airworthiness Directives:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Final rule.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 707 Airplanes and Model 720 and 720B Series Airplanes
DATES: This AD is effective March 28, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 28, 2008.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 707 airplanes and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for any cracking of or damage to the left side and right side flight deck No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 windows, as necessary, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from reports of inflight departure and separation of the flight deck windows. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the vinyl interlayer or damage to the structural inner glass panes of the flight deck No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 windows, which could result in loss of a window and rapid loss of cabin pressure. Loss of cabin pressure could cause crew communication difficulties or crew incapacitation.
SUMMARY:
Boeing Model 707 Airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B Series Airplanes,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to all Boeing Model 707 airplanes and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 3, 2007 (72 FR 67866). That NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections for any cracking of or damage to the left side and right side flight deck No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 windows, as necessary, and corrective actions if necessary.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We considered the single comment received. Boeing supports the NPRM.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 238 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 83 airplanes of U.S. registry. The required actions take about 2 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $13,280, or $160 per airplane, per 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), 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.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of compliance in the AD Docket.
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 39AIRWORTHINESS 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
20080406 Boeing: Amendment 3915378. Docket No. FAA20070264; Directorate Identifier 2007NM212AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 28, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 707100 long body, 200,
100B long body, and 100B short body series airplanes; Model 707
300, 300B, 300C, and 400 series airplanes; and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes, certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of inflight departure and
separation of the flight deck windows. We are issuing this AD to
detect and correct cracking in the vinyl interlayer or damage to the
structural inner glass panes of the flight deck No. 2, No. 4, and
No. 5 windows, which could result in loss of a window and rapid loss
of cabin pressure. Loss of cabin pressure could cause crew communication difficulties or crew incapacitation.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Repetitive Inspections and Replacement
(f) At the applicable times specified in Tables 1, 2, and 3 of
paragraph 1.E. of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3526, dated
June 4, 2007, except as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD: Do the
internal and external detailed inspections for any cracking of or
damage to the left side and right side flight deck No. 2, No. 4, and
No. 5 windows, as applicable, and do the applicable corrective
actions before further flight, by accomplishing all of the
applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3526, dated June 4, 2007. Repeat
the inspections thereafter at the applicable interval specified in
paragraph 1.E. of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3526, dated June 4, 2007.
Exception to Compliance Times
(g) Where Tables 1, 2, and 3 of paragraph 1.E. of Boeing 707
Alert Service Bulletin A3526, dated June 4, 2007, specify counting the compliance time from ``* * * the date on this service
bulletin,'' this AD requires counting the compliance time from the effective date of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
(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 an
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who 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.
[[Page 9672]]
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3526, dated
June 4, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 981242207.
(3) You may review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information
on the availability of this material at NARA, call 2027416030, or
go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_ regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 11, 2008. Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E82994 Filed 22108; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 491013P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer, [[Page 9671]]
Airframe Branch, ANM120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 980573356; telephone (425)
9176577; fax (425) 9176590.