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CFR Citation: 14 CFR Part 39

Docket ID: [Docket No. FAA-2007-0227; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-159-AD; Amendment 39-15454; AD 2008-08-02]

RIN ID: RIN 2120-AA64

NOTICE: RULES

ACTION: Airworthiness Directives:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Final rule.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727 Airplanes

DATES: This AD is effective May 19, 2008.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 19, 2008.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking or corrosion of the threaded end of the lower segment of the main landing gear (MLG) side strut, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires prior or concurrent inspection for cracking or corrosion of the threads and thread relief area of the lower segment, corrective action if necessary, and reassembly using corrosion inhibiting compound. This AD results from reports of the threads cracking on the MLG side strut lower segment. We are issuing this AD to
[[Page 19969]]
prevent a fractured side strut, which could result in collapse of the MLG.

SUMMARY: Boeing Model 727 Airplanes,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

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 727 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 26, 2007 (72 FR 65913). That NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections for cracking or corrosion of the threaded end of the lower segment of the main landing gear (MLG) side strut, and corrective actions if necessary. That NPRM also proposed to require prior or concurrent inspection for cracking or corrosion of the threads and thread relief area of the lower segment, corrective action if necessary, and reassembly using corrosion inhibiting compound. 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 comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

There are about 842 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 459 airplanes of U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work hour. Estimated Costs Average labor Action Work hours rate per hour Cost per airplane Fleet cost Inspection...................... 12.................. $80 $960, per $440,640, per inspection cycle. inspection cycle. Prior/concurrent actions........ Up to 6............. 80 Up to $480......... Up to $220,320. 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: 20080802 Boeing: Amendment 3915454. Docket No. FAA20070227; Directorate Identifier 2007NM159AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 19, 2008. Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Model 727, 727C, 727100, 727100C, 727200, and 727200F series airplanes, certificated in any
category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of the threads cracking on the main landing gear (MLG) side strut lower segment. We are issuing this AD to prevent a fractured side strut, which could result in collapse of the MLG.
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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.
Inspections and Corrective Actions
(f) At the latest applicable time in paragraph (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD: Do detailed and magnetic particle inspections for cracking or corrosion of the threaded end of the lower segment of the MLG side strut and do all applicable corrective actions as specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727320338, Revision 4, dated April 7, 2007. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 120 months.
(1) Within 48 months after the last MLG overhaul.
(2) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD. (3) Within 120 months after the last MLG overhaul for airplanes on which the actions in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727320338, Revision 4, dated April 7, 2007, have been accomplished before the effective date of this AD.
Prior/Concurrent Requirements
(g) Prior to or concurrently with the actions required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Do all applicable actions specified in the service bulletins listed in Table 1 of this AD. Where the
lubrication and corrosion protection procedures in any service bulletin listed in Table 1 of this AD differ from those in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727320338, Revision 4, dated April 7, 2007, use the procedures in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727320338, Revision 4.
Table 1.Prior/Concurrent Requirements
Describes procedures For Service Bulletin for these prior or concurrent actions (1) All airplanes........... Boeing Special Inspecting for Attention 72732 corrosion or 0411, Revision 1, cracking of the dated February 19, threads and thread 2007. relief area of the swivel clevis, and improving the corrosion protection of the swivel clevis fitting threads in commonly affected airplanes. (2) Airplanes specified as Boeing 727 Service Modifying the MLG Options III, IV and V Bulletin 3279, side strut configurations in Boeing Revision 1, dated universal joint. Special Attention Service February 27, 1967.
Bulletin 727320338,
Revision 4.
Boeing 727 Service Replacing the MLG Bulletin 32157, side strut swivel dated August 30, bushing, 1968. incorporating only parts kit 6589855 1, and not installing the lube fitting in the lower segment. (3) Airplanes specified as Boeing Service Inspecting and Option V configuration in Bulletin 72732 modifying the MLG Boeing Special Attention 268, Revision 2, side strut. Service Bulletin 72732 dated February 20,
0338, Revision 4. 1981.
Boeing Service Resolving the Bulletin 72757 interference 163, dated between the MLG September 17, 1982. gear beam and the MLG side strut. 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use the applicable service information listed in Table 2 of this AD 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 that is 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.
Table 2.Material Incorporated by Reference Service Bulletin Revision Date Boeing Special Attention Service 4.................................. April 7, 2007. Bulletin 727320338.
Boeing Special Attention Service 1.................................. February 19, 2007. Bulletin 727320411.
Boeing 727 Service Bulletin 32157.... Original........................... August 30, 1968. Boeing 727 Service Bulletin 3279..... 1.................................. February 27, 1967. Boeing Service Bulletin 72732268.... 2.................................. February 20, 1981. Boeing Service Bulletin 72757163.... Original........................... September 17, 1982. [[Page 19971]]

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 28, 2008. Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E87176 Filed 41108; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 491013P

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 980573356; telephone (425) 9176577; fax (425) 9176590.