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 757-200, - 200CB, and -300 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 26, 2002 (67 FR 8741). That action proposed to require determining the part numbers of the master control valve on the pressure bottles that activate the off-wing escape slides, and corrective action, if necessary. \n\nComments \n\n\tInterested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comments received. \n\nSupport for the Proposal \n\n\tTwo commenters concur with the proposed AD. One additional commenter states that it does not operate any affected airplanes. \n\nRevise Applicability Statement \n\n\tOne commenter requests that the FAA revise the applicability statement to specify "Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes, line numbers 1 through 905, equipped with an off-wing escape slide system, . . . ." The applicability statement of the proposed AD specifies "Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-0214 or 757-25- 0216, both dated April 6, 2000, . . . ." The commenter states that revising the applicability statement would make it easier to identify affected airplanes without referring to the service information. \n\n\tThe FAA concurs and has revised the applicability statement of this final rule accordingly. \n\nIdentify Manufacturers \n\n\tOne commenter requests that we revise paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (b) of the proposed AD to identify the manufacturers associated with each of the part numbers listed in those paragraphs. The commenter states that this change would eliminate any confusion about the correct part number of the airplane manufacturer or vendor. \n\n\tWe concur and have revised paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (b) of this final rule accordingly. \n\nInclude Instructions to Deactivate Cargo Loading System \n\n\tOne commenter requests that Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-0216, dated April 6, 2000, include instructions to deactivate the aft cargo loading system on Boeing Model 757-300 series airplanes, if such a system is installed, before doing the proposed inspections and corrective actions. \n\n\tThough the commenter provides no justification for the change, we infer that the commenter makes this recommendation in the interest of the safety of maintenance personnel. While this AD is not intended to address safety concerns related to cargo loading systems, we find that the commenter's recommendation represents a sound precaution that operators may want to consider when accomplishing the actions required by this AD. Therefore, we have added Note 2 to this final rule (and renumbered a subsequent note accordingly) to state that operators may want to deactivate any installedcargo handling system before undertaking the actions required by paragraph (a) of this AD. \n\nExtend Compliance Time \n\n\tOne commenter, the airplane manufacturer, requests that we extend the proposed compliance time from 18 months to 36 months. The commenter states that a 36-month compliance time would allow operators to accomplish the necessary actions at a regularly scheduled maintenance interval. The commenter justifies its request by stating that, in the unlikely event an off-wing escape slide fails to automatically inflate, the escape slide can still be inflated using the manual inflation handle. Thus, the escape slide would still be available if needed for an emergency evacuation. The FAA acknowledges that the manual inflation handle provides a reduction of risk. Therefore, we concur that the compliance time for paragraph (a) of this AD may be extended to 36 months and yet still maintain an adequate level of safety in the fleet. We have revised paragraph (a) of this final ruleaccordingly. \n\nRevise Cost Impact Estimate \n\n\tOne commenter disagrees with our estimate of the cost impact of the proposed AD. The commenter notes that the estimate only considers direct labor costs for removal and reinstallation of the valves and does not assess the costs that operators may incur for replacement or modification of the valves. The commenter states that, while the parts manufacturer has been exchanging the subject valves at no cost to operators, once the exchange program ends, operators will be charged for valve modification or exchange. \n\n\tWe infer that the commenter is requesting that we revise the cost estimate in this final rule to include an estimate of the cost of required parts if the parts are not covered by the parts manufacturer's exchange program. We concur. If an operator must purchase a replacement valve, we estimate that it will cost $15,000. We have revised the Cost Impact section of this final rule accordingly. We also have included a statement that the "parts manufacturer may cover the cost of replacement parts associated with this AD, subject to the conditions of its exchange program," and, thus, the costs attributable to this AD may be less than stated. \n\nConclusion \n\n\tAfter careful review of the available data, including the comments noted above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously described. We have determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD. \n\nCost Impact \n\n\tThere are approximately 435 Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 360 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $21,600, or $60 per airplane. \n\n\tShould an operator be required to accomplish the replacement of the valve and placard, it will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $15,000. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the replacement is estimated to be $15,120 per airplane. The parts manufacturer may cover the cost of replacement parts associated with this AD, subject to the conditions of its exchange program. As a result, the costs attributable to this AD may be less than stated above. \n\n\tThe cost impact figures discussed above are 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. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions. \n\nRegulatory Impact \n\n\tThe regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. \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\nList 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: \n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: