[Federal Register: December 3, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 231)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 67866-67868]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03de07-15]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0264; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-212-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 707 Airplanes and Model
720 and 720B Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Boeing Model 707 airplanes and Model 720 and 720B series
airplanes. This proposed AD would 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. This proposed AD results from reports of in-flight
departure and separation of the flight deck windows. We are proposing
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.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 17,
2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207.
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 proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
917-6577; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-0264;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-212-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We have received one report of in-flight departure of the flight
deck No. 3 window, on a Boeing Model 747 series airplane, which
resulted in rapid loss of cabin pressure and an emergency landing. That
airplane had accumulated 36,131 total flight hours and 5,607 total
flight cycles. We have also received two reports of in-flight
separation of the left side flight deck No. 5 window, on two Boeing
Model 737 series airplanes. One of the Model 737 series airplanes
experienced cabin pressure loss at 12,500 feet due to separation of the
forward, aft, and upper edges of the left side flight deck No. 5
window. That airplane had accumulated 25,673 total flight hours and
15,669 total flight cycles. The other Model 737 series airplane
experienced a pressure leak at 29,000 feet due to partial separation of
the upper aft corner of the left side flight
[[Page 67867]]
deck No. 5 window. That airplane had accumulated 28,139 total flight
hours and 16,566 total flight cycles. Vinyl interlayer cracking of the
flight deck No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 windows could decrease the load
carrying capability of the affected windows during cabin pressurization
if the structural glass pane of the window becomes broken. Vinyl
interlayer cracking could also decrease the bird impact resistance
capability of the flight deck No. 2 and No. 4 windows. 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, if not corrected, 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.
The window construction and operating environment on the Model 737
airplanes and Model 747 airplanes are similar to those on the affected
Boeing Model 707 airplanes and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes.
Therefore, all of these models are also subject to the same unsafe
condition.
Other Related Rulemaking
On July 18, 2007, we issued AD 2007-15-10, amendment 39-15139 (72
FR 41438, July 30, 2007), to address the unsafe condition on all Model
747 airplanes. A correction was issued on September 10, 2007 (72 FR
53923, September 21, 2007), to fix a typographical error in AD 2007-15-
10. That AD requires an inspection of the No. 2 and No. 3 windows on
the left and right sides of the airplane to determine their part
numbers, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary.
On October 5, 2007, 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 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -
500 series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register
on October 17, 2007 (72 FR 58766). 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 and
corrective actions if necessary.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3526, dated
June 4, 2007. The service bulletin describes procedures for doing
repetitive 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, that exceeds the limits given in the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. The service
bulletin specifies an initial compliance time ranging between 6 months
and 24 months, depending on the window location and number of window
flight hours. If a replacement window is not new or has an unknown
number of flight hours, the service bulletin specifies accomplishing
the initial inspections before installation. If a replacement window is
new or has zero flight hours, the service bulletin specifies
accomplishing the initial inspections at the following times: (1) 7,500
window flight hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first, for flight
deck No. 2 windows, and (2) 6,000 window flight hours or 24 months,
whichever occurs first, for flight deck No. 4 and No. 5 windows. The
service bulletin also specifies a repetitive interval of (1) 7,500
window flight hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first, for flight
deck No. 2 windows, and (2) 6,000 window flight hours or 24 months,
whichever occurs first, for flight deck No. 4 and No. 5 windows.
The service bulletin also describes procedures for accomplishing
corrective actions if necessary. The corrective actions include
replacing any cracked or damaged window with a new or serviceable
window. The service bulletin specifies accomplishing the corrective
actions before further flight.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes
of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD,
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 238 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 83 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would 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 proposed 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
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
[[Page 67868]]
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2007-0264; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
212-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by January
17, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 707-100 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 in-flight 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 7, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-23337 Filed 11-30-07; 8:45 am]
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