AD 2014-13-11

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of scribe-line-related fatigue cracks on Model 727 airplanes, which are similar in design to Model 707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. This AD requires inspections for scribe lines in the skin lap joints, external approved repairs, external features, skin butt joints, and decals; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires surface finish restoration. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct scribe lines, which can develop into fatigue cracks in the skin and cause rapid decompression of the airplane.

Final rule.

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): \n\n2014-13-11 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17887; Docket No. FAA- 2014-0009; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-123-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective August 19, 2014. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD. \n\n((Page 41095)) \n\n\n\t(1) All Model 707-100 long body, -200, -100B long body, and - 100B short body series airplanes; and Model 707-300, -300B, -300C, and -400 series airplanes. \n\t(2) All Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tAir Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. \n\n(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by reports of scribe-line-related fatigue cracks on Model 727 airplanes, which are similar in design to the Model 707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct scribe lines, which can develop into fatigue cracks in the skin and cause rapid decompression of the airplane. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Scribe Line Inspection \n\n\n\t(1) Except as specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of this AD, at the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013: Do a detailed inspection of the fuselage skin for scribe lines, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013. If no scribe line is found: Before further flight, do surface finish restoration, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013. \n\t(2) The inspection exceptions described in paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013, apply to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. \n\n(h) Related Investigative and Corrective Actions \n\n\n\tIf any scribe line is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD: At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013, except as specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of this AD, do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions, by doing all applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013, except as specified inparagraph (j)(3) of this AD. \n\n(i) Surface Finish Restoration \n\n\n\tAfter completing any actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Before further flight, do surface finish restoration, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013. \n\n(j) Exceptions to Paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD \n\n\n\t(1) Where paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013, specifies a compliance time ''after the original issue date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD. \n\t(2) Where the Condition column of paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013, refers to total flight cycles ''as of the original issue date of this service bulletin,'' this AD applies to the airplanes with the specified total flight cycles as of the effective date of thisAD. \n\t(3) Where Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013, specifies to contact Boeing for additional inspections or repair instructions: Before further flight, repair the scribe line or cracking using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD. \n\n(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-LAACO-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. \n\t(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. \n\t(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 the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Los Angeles 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. \n\n(l) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Chandraduth Ramdoss, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Suite 100, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137, phone: 562-627-5239; fax: 562-627- 5210; email: chandraduth.ramdoss@faa.gov. \n\n(m) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation byreference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3539, dated April 26, 2013. \n\t(ii) Reserved. \n\t(3) For Boeing service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. \n\t(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. \n\t(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Discussion \n\n\n\tWe issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all The Boeing Company Model 707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 10, 2014 (79 FR 7598). The NPRM was prompted by reports of scribe-line-related fatigue cracks on Model 727 airplanes, which are similar in design to Model 707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. The NPRM proposed to require inspections for scribe lines in the skin lap joints, external approved repairs, external features, skin butt joints, and decals; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to require surface finish restoration. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct scribe lines, which can develop into fatigue cracks in the skin and cause rapid decompression of the airplane. \n\nComments \n\n\n\tWe gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 7598, February 10, 2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public. \n\nChanges to This AD \n\n\n\tWe revised paragraphs (k)(1) and (k)(3) of this AD to update the aircraft certification office (ACO) information from the Seattle ACO to the Los Angeles ACO. The Los Angeles ACO is now the office of primary responsibility for the airplane models affected by this final rule. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tWe reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD with the changes described previously except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes: \n\tAre consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 7598, February 10 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition; and \n\tDo not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 7598, February 10 2014). \n\nCosts of ComplianceWe estimate that this AD affects 11 airplanes of U.S. registry. \n\tWe estimate the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\n\n\tEstimated Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost per Cost on U.S. \n\tAction Labor cost Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inspection........................ 96 work-hours x $85 per $0 $8,160 $89,760 \n\thour = $8,160. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\n\n\tWe have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority toissue 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. \n\tWe 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. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tThis 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, oron the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\t(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, \n\t(2) Is not a ''significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), \n\t(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and \n\t(4) 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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.