AD 95-19-08

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 727-100 and -200 series airplanes, that requires replacing the attaching nutplates on certain engine nose cowls with washers and self-locking nuts. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that nose cowls separated (or nearly separated) from the engines of certain airplanes following failure of the engine fan blade and subsequent vibration of the engine, which caused loosening of the attach bolts on the nose cowl of the engine. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the attach bolts from becoming loose, which could result in subsequent separation of the nose cowl from the engine.

Final rule

95-19-08 BOEING: Amendment 39-9370. Docket 95-NM-35-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model 727-100 and -200 series airplanes equipped with an engine nose cowl for engine numbers 1 and 3, installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA4363NM, 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 use the authority provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo prevent the attach bolts on the nose cowl of the engine from becoming loose, and subsequent separation of the nose cowl from the engine, accomplish the following: \n\n\t(a)\tWithin 12 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the attaching nutplates of the No. 1 and No. 3 engine nose cowls with washers and self-locking nuts in accordance with VALSAN B727-RE Service Bulletin 71-006, Revision 1, dated March 3, 1995. \n\n\t(b)\tAs of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install a nose cowl having VALSAN part number 259-0002-501 or 259-0002-503 on any \n. \n\t(c)\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, Seattle 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, Seattle ACO. \n\n\tNOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Seattle ACO. \n\n\t(d)\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(e)\tThe replacement shall be done in accordance with VALSAN B727-RE Service Bulletin 71-006, Revision 1, dated March 3, 1995, which contains the following effective pages: \n\n\n\nPage Number\nRevision Level\nShown on Page\n Date \nShown on Page\n1\n1\nMarch 3, 1995\n2-9\n Original\nFebruary 3, 1995 \n\nThis 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 VALSAN Partnership Ltd., Aviation Products Management, Product Support Office, 39450 Third Street East, suite 121, Palmdale, California 93550. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. \n\n\t(f)\tThis amendment becomes effective on October 20, 1995.

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 727-100 and -200 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 3, 1995 (60 FR 21774). That action proposed to require replacing the attaching nutplates on certain engine nose cowls with washers and self-locking nuts. \n\n\tInterested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. \n\n Due consideration has been given to the comments received. \n\n\tOne commenter supports the proposed rule. \n\n\tOne commenter requests that the subject title of the proposed rule be revised to indicate that the specific nose cowls affected are those for the No. 1 and No. 3 engines. The FAA concurs. The FAA has revised the final rule as requested by the commenter, and has added this information to the applicability of the AD. \n\n\tThe same commenter requests that paragraph (b) of the proposed rule be revised to specify that the part numbers listed for the nose cowl are VALSAN part numbers. The FAA concurs and has revised the final rule accordingly. \n\n\tAfter careful review of the available data, including the comments noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD. \n\n\tThere are approximately 22 Model 727-100 and -200 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 19 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The cost for required parts will be negligible. Based on these figures, the total cost impactof the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,840, or $360 per airplane. \n\n\tThe total 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\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." List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \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\n PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\t1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701. § 39.13 - (Amended) \n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: