Discussion \n\n\n\tWe issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 14, 2011 (76 FR 13541). That NPRM proposed to require modifying the door latch fittings and witness mark placards of the off-wing escape slide systems; and for certain airplanes, replacing the bearings and lockbase retainer in the door latch assembly, relocating and adjusting the sensor target and the sensor proximity switch, and testing to ensure positive door locking and corrective action if necessary. For certain airplanes, that NPRM also proposed to require installing a bumper assembly and placards. \n\nComments \n\n\n\tWe gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal and the FAA's response to each comment. \n\nAgreement With the Intent of the NPRM \n\n\n\tAmericanAirlines (American) stated it agrees with the intent of the NPRM (76 FR 13541, March 14, 2011). Continental Airlines (Continental) stated that it has no objection to paragraphs (g) and (h) of the NPRM. \n\nRequests To Update Service Information \n\n\n\tAmerican, Boeing, and an anonymous commenter requested the NPRM (76 FR 13541, March 14, 2011) be updated to refer to Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-0298, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2011, which was released during the NPRM comment period. \n\tWe agree. Since the NPRM (76 FR 13541, March 14, 2011) was issued, Boeing has issued Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-0298, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2011, which clarifies door latch engagement information, clarifies kit availability, and adds existing part numbers. We have changed paragraphs (c) and (g) of the AD to refer to Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-0298, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2011; added paragraph (k) of the AD to give credit for actions already accomplished in accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-0298, dated October 16, 2008; and revised subsequent paragraph lettering. \n\nRequest To Delay Publication of the AD \n\n\n\tContinental requested we delay publication of the final rule until Revision 3 to Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0182 is published. Continental justified its request by stating that it noticed some discrepancies in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0182, Revision 2, dated January 11, 2001, and would prefer that Revision 3 of this service bulletin be issued prior to the issuance of the final rule. \n\tWe partially agree. We agree that discrepancies exist in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0182, Revision 2, dated January 11, 2001. We have reviewed Continental's comments with Boeing to obtain technical clarification. Boeing agrees with some of the discrepancies and has noted them for consideration for the next scheduled revision of this service bulletin. We disagree with delaying the issuance of the final rule because these minor discrepancies do not affect the operators' ability to accomplish the tasks specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0182, Revision 2, dated January 11, 2001. We have not changed the AD in this regard. \n\nRequest To Identify the Specific Steps in the Service Information \n\n\n\tAmerican requested we change the NPRM (76 FR 13541, March 14, 2011) to identify the steps in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0182, Revision 2, dated January 11, 2001, that would be required to comply with paragraph (h)(2) of the NPRM. American justified its request by stating that identifying the specific steps will eliminate ambiguity and provide clear interpretation of the proposed AD. \n\tWe agree. Clarifying the required steps will assist operators in accomplishing the required tests and modifications and will not expand the scope of the AD. We have added the steps to paragraph (h)(2) of the AD. \n\nRequest To Allow an Alternative to the Door Open/Door Close Test of the Compartment Door \n\n\n\tAmerican requested we change paragraph (h)(2) of the NPRM (76 FR 13541, March 14, 2011) to allow replacement of the target and remount of the switch on the new bracket in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0182, Revision 2, dated January 11, 2001, as an alternative to performing the door open/door close test of the equipment compartment door. American justified its request by stating it accomplished the door open/door closed test of the compartment door as described in Boeing Service Bulletin \n\n((Page 3581)) \n\n757-25-0182, Revision 2, dated January 11, 2001, in 2002 and 2003, and later experienced multiple off-wing slide deployments in 2006 and 2007. \n\tWe agree that replacing the target and remounting the switch on the new bracket is an alternative to performing the door open/door close test of the equipment compartment door. We have added a statement to paragraph (h)(2) of this AD indicating that replacing the target and remounting the switch on the new bracket terminates the testing requirement in that paragraph. \n\nRequest To Allow Certain Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\tAmerican requested that all AMOCs previously approved for AD 99-17- 20, Amendment 39-11266 (64 FR 45436, August 20, 1999), be applicable to the pertinent paragraphs of the NPRM (76 FR 13541, March 14, 2011). American justified its request by stating that since these AMOCs have previously demonstrated they provide the necessary equivalent level of safety to the original rule, transferring the applicability will prevent duplication of efforts already undertaken by both operators and the FAA. \n\tWe agree. AMOCs previously evaluated and approved as providing the necessary level of safety for AD 99-17-20, Amendment 39-11266 (64 FR 45436, August 20, 1999), would also provide the necessary level of safety for the corresponding requirements of this AD. We have added paragraph (l)(3) to the AD, which specifies that AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 99-17-20, Amendment 39-11266, are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph (h) of this AD. \n\nRequest To Allow the Replacement of Kept Parts With New Parts of the Same Part Number \n\n\n\tAmerican requested we change the NPRM (76 FR 13541, March 14, 2011) to allow replacement of kept parts with new parts of the same part number. American justified its request by stating that during the course of modification, parts may become damaged or lost, therefore rendering the kept hardware unserviceable or unavailable for installation. \n\tWe agree with using new parts where the service information calls for installation of kept parts because a part having the identical part number is acceptable for use whether it is kept or new. We have added new paragraph (h)(5) to this final rule to allow using new parts. \n\nRequest To Allow Operator Use of Approved Substitutes of Common Hardware \n\n\n\tAmerican requested we change the NPRM (76 FR 13541, March 14, 2011) to allow operators to use substitutes of common hardware (e.g., washers, nuts, bolts, and adhesives) that have been determined to be equivalent in accordance with the operator's parts management system to comply with hardware specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-0298, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2011, Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0182, Revision 2, dated January 11, 2001, Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0200, Revision 1, dated August 3, 2000, and Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-0219, dated August 3, 2000. \n\tWe disagree. Parts management is an operator-specific process and needs to be evaluated on an individual basis. We will consider requests for approval of an AMOC under the provisions of paragraph (l) of this AD. Sufficient data must be submitted to substantiate that the operator's use of substitutes of common hardware would provide an acceptable level of safety. We have not changed the AD in this regard. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tWe reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. \n\tWe also determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tWe estimate that this AD will affect 451 airplanes of U.S. registry. \n\tWe estimate the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\n\n\tEstimated Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost per \n\tAction Labor cost Parts cost product Cost on U.S. operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Modification of fittings and 7 work-hours x $1,365 $1,960 $883,960. \n\tplacards: Boeing Special $85 per hour = \n\tAttention Service Bulletin $595. \n\t757-25-0298, Revision 1, \n\tdated April 12, 2011. Modification: Boeing Service 40 work-hours x 2,786 6,186 $1,880,544 (304 airplanes). \n\tBulletin 757-25-0182, $85 per hour = \n\tRevision 2, dated January $3,400. \n\t11, 2001. Test: Service Boeing Service 2 work-hours x 0 170 $76,670. \n\tBulletin $85 per hour = \n\t757(dash)25(dash)0182, $170. \n\tRevision 2, dated January \n\t11, 2001. Bumper assembly and placards 4 work-hours x 457 797 $272,574 (342 airplanes). \n\tinstallation: Boeing $85 per hour = \n\tService Bulletin 757-25- $340. \n\t0200, Revision 1, dated \n\tAugust 3, 2000. Bumper assembly and placards 4 work-hours x 457 797 $0 (0 airplanes). \n\tinstallation: Boeing $85 per hour = \n\tSpecial Attention Service $340. \n\tBulletin 757-25-0219, dated \n\tAugust 3, 2000. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\n\n\tWe estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements that would be required based on the results of the test. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these replacements. \n\n\n\tOn-Condition Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tAction Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Replacement and remount; Boeing Service 4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,786 $3,126 \n\tBulletin 757-25-0182, Revision 2, dated $340. \n\tJanuary 11, 2001. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\n\n\n((Page 3582)) \n\nAuthorityfor This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 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. \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, or on 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.