AD 96-15-08 ACTIVE

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes, that requires modification of door 5 evacuation slide/rafts. This amendment is prompted by reports that the door 5 evacuation slide/raft failed to deploy properly due to adverse loads caused by the geometry of this evacuation slide/raft. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the door 5 evacuation slide/raft to deploy properly, which could contribute to injury of passengers on the slide and could delay or impede the evacuation of passengers during an emergency.

Final rule

96-15-08 BOEING: Amendment 39-9698. Docket 95-NM-218-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model 747-400 series airplanes equipped with BFGoodrich Evacuation Slide/Rafts at door 5; having slide/raft assembly part number 7A1469-1, -2, -3, -4, -7, -8, -9, -10, -11, or -12 (all unit serial numbers); certificated in any category. \n\n\tNOTE 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 request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo prevent failure of the door 5 evacuation slide/raft to deploy properly, which could contribute to injury of passengers on the slide and could delay or impede the evacuation of passengers during an emergency, accomplish the following: \n\n\t(a)\tWithin 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the door 5 evacuation slide/rafts in accordance with BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 7A1469-25-283, dated November 6, 1995. \n\n\tNOTE 2: Modification previous to the effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3096, which references BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 7A1469-25-283, dated November 6, 1995, is considered acceptable for compliance with the modification requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD. \n\n\t(b)\tAn 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. \n\n\tNOTE 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO. \n\n\t(c)\tSpecial 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. \n\n\t(d)\tThe modification shall be done in accordance with BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 7A1469- 25-283, dated November 6, 1995. 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, Department 7916, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. \n\n\t(e)\tThis amendment becomes effective on September 3, 1996.

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 certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 29, 1996 (61 FR 18705). That action proposed to require modification of the door 5 evacuation slide/rafts. \n\n\tInterested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the single comment received. \n\n\tThe commenter supports the proposed rule.\n\n Conclusion \n\n\tAfter careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed. \n\nCost Impact \n\n\tThe FAA estimates that 150 BFGoodrich evacuation slide/rafts installed on 75 Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes (2 slides per airplane) of U.S. registry will be affected bythis AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per slide to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $84 per slide. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $21,600, or $144 per slide. \n\n\tThe 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.\n\n Regulatory Impact \n\n\tThe 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. \n\n\tFor 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."\n\n List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. \n\nAdoption of the Amendment \n\n\tAccordingly, 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: \n\nPART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n\t1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 - (Amended) \n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation Systems, Department 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, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Andrew Gfrerer, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (310) 627-5338; fax (310) 627-5210.