Rule2023-11085
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
May 25, 2023
Effective
June 29, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, and certain Model 737-8 and -9 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded escape slide deployments in the passenger compartment, caused by too much tension in the inflation cable and the movement of the escape slide assembly in the escape slide compartment. This AD requires inspecting all escape slide assemblies to identify affected parts, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33817-33820]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11085]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1410; Project Identifier AD-2022-00198-T;
Amendment 39-22427; AD 2023-09-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and
-900ER series airplanes, and certain Model 737-8 and -9 airplanes. This
AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded escape slide deployments in
the passenger compartment, caused by too much tension in the inflation
cable and the movement of the escape slide assembly in the escape slide
compartment. This AD requires inspecting all escape slide assemblies to
identify affected parts, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 29, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 29,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1410; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket
[[Page 33818]]
contains this final rule, any comments received, and other information.
The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA
90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; website <a href="http://myboeingfleet.com">myboeingfleet.com</a>.
<bullet> You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2022-1410.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandon Lucero, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-
3569; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7614041718121918581a03151304193610171758111900"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e88a9a89868c8786c6849d8b8d9a87a88e8989c68f879e">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing
Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series
airplanes, and certain Model 737-8 and -9 airplanes. The NPRM published
in the Federal Register on November 30, 2022 (87 FR 73507). The NPRM
was prompted by reports from Boeing of uncommanded escape slide
deployments in the passenger compartment while the airplane was on the
ground, caused by too much tension in the inflation cable (introduced
during packing of the slide) and the movement of the escape slide
assembly in the escape slide compartment during normal airplane
operations. The escape slide is used in the door-mounted escape system
of the forward and aft entry doors, and the forward and aft galley
service doors on the affected airplanes. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed
to require inspecting all escape slide assemblies to identify affected
parts, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address inflation of the escape slide while it is in the escape
slide compartment, which could result in injury to passengers and crew
during normal operation, or impede an emergency evacuation by rendering
the exit unusable.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from The Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) and an individual, who supported the NPRM without
change.
The FAA received additional comments from Aviation Partners Boeing,
AIRDO, Singapore Airlines (SIA), American Airlines (AAL), Southwest
Airlines (SWA), and an individual. The following presents the comments
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Effect of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions
Aviation Partners Boeing stated that the installation of winglets
per Supplemental Type Certificate STC ST00830SE does not affect the
accomplishment of the actions in the proposed AD.
The FAA agrees with the commenter that the installation of STC
ST00830SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions
required by this AD. The FAA has not changed this AD in this regard.
Request To Allow Maintenance Records Review To Determine Slide Part
Numbers
AIRDO, SIA, and SWA requested the proposed AD be revised to allow
using maintenance records in lieu of inspecting the part number of the
escape slide assembly as required by the service information specified
in paragraph (g) of the proposed AD. SWA noted that escape slides are
time limited parts and can easily be identified by a maintenance
records review. AIRDO added that the escape slide is controlled by the
operator's maintenance system, so it will be easier to use a
maintenance record to identify the part number.
The FAA agrees to allow for a maintenance record review to
determine the part number of the escape slide assembly, provided the
part number can be conclusively determined from the records review. The
FAA has added paragraph (h)(3) of this AD to allow a records review in
lieu of an inspection.
Request To Add a Parts Prohibition Paragraph
AAL suggested adding a parts prohibition paragraph to the proposed
AD. AAL noted that the proposed AD, Boeing Special Attention
Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022,
and Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB,
Revision 1, dated April 11, 2022, do not explicitly prohibit the
installation of slide P/N 5A3307-7 after the actions have been
accomplished. AAL requested that the FAA add a paragraph prohibiting
the installation of an escape slide part number (P/N) 5A3307-7 after
the actions in paragraph (g) of the proposed AD have been accomplished.
The FAA agrees to clarify. 14 CFR 39.7 specifies that once an AD is
issued, no person may operate a product to which the AD applies except
in accordance with the requirements of that AD. Further, 14 CFR 39.9
imposes a continuing obligation to maintain compliance with an AD by
establishing a separate violation for each time an aircraft is operated
that fails to meet AD requirements. Thus, operators have an ongoing
obligation to ensure that the AD-mandated configuration is maintained.
The FAA has not changed this AD as a result of the request.
Request To Add Information Notice 737-25-1855 IN 01
SIA requested Boeing Information Notice 737-25-1855 IN 01, dated
April 22, 2022, to be referenced along with Boeing Special Attention
Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022.
SIA noted that Boeing Information Notice 737-25-1855 IN 01, dated April
22, 2022, changed the weight and balance information to ``none.''
The FAA disagrees with the commenter's request. The weight and
balance information is only contained in Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 737-25-1855, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022, and is
not required for compliance with this AD. Additionally, the information
in Boeing Information Notice 737-25-1855 IN 01, dated April 22, 2022,
is not necessary to address the unsafe condition or comply with this
AD. The FAA has not changed this AD regarding this issue.
Request To Add Airplanes of Similar Type Design
An individual requested the FAA require inspecting other aircraft
of similar type design. The individual expressed concern that an
emergency evacuation would render the exit unusable.
The FAA agrees to clarify. An emergency evacuation slide is often
designed for a particular aircraft. In this case, the escape slide
assembly in question is a unique installation to the 737, and the same
design does not exist
[[Page 33819]]
on other aircraft. Therefore, no change to this AD is necessary.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, and
any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed
in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on
any operator.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin
737-25-1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022, and Boeing Special
Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB, Revision 1, dated April
11, 2022. This service information specifies procedures for inspecting
all escape slide assemblies to identify affected parts, and applicable
on-condition actions. The on-condition actions include replacing any
escape slide assembly having part number (P/N) 5A3307-7 with a new
assembly having P/N 5A3307-9 or P/N 5A3307-701 (an escape slide
assembly having P/N 5A3307-701 is one on which a firing cable retention
modification has been done and the assembly has been reidentified).
These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane
models.
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2,502 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspection or maintenance records 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $425,340
review. hour = $85.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft
that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Replacement................ Up to 1 work hours x $85 Up to $19,000.................. Up to $19,085 per
per hour = up to $85. escape slide
assembly.
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Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 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.
The FAA is 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.
Regulatory Findings
This 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2023-09-04 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22427; Docket No. FAA-
2022-1410; Project Identifier AD-2022-00198-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 29, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD.
(1) Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series
airplanes, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Requirements
Bulletin 737-25-1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022.
(2) Model 737-8 and -9 airplanes, as identified in Boeing
Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB, Revision 1,
dated April 11, 2022.
[[Page 33820]]
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded escape slide
deployments in the passenger compartment, caused by too much tension
in the inflation cable and the movement of the escape slide assembly
in the escape slide compartment. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address inflation of the escape slide while it is in the escape
slide compartment, which could result in injury to passengers and
crew during normal operation, or impede an emergency evacuation by
rendering the exit unusable.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing
Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1855 RB, Revision 1,
dated April 13, 2022, and Boeing Special Attention Requirements
Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB, Revision 1, dated April 11, 2022, do all
applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Requirements
Bulletin 737-25-1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022 (for Model
737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes), and
Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB,
Revision 1, dated April 11, 2022 (for Model 737-8 and -9 airplanes);
as applicable.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737-25-1855, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022, which is
referred to in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-
25-1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022.
Note 2 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737-25-1866, Revision 1, dated April 11, 2022, which is
referred to in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-
25-1866 RB, Revision 1, dated April 11, 2022.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Special Attention Requirements
Bulletin 737-25-1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022, use the
phrase ``the Original Issue date of Requirements Bulletin 737-25-
1855 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Special Attention Requirements
Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB, Revision 1, dated April 11, 2022, use the
phrase ``the Original Issue date of Requirements Bulletin 737-25-
1866 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(3) Where Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-
1855 RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022, and Boeing Special
Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB specify doing an
inspection of the escape slide assembly to determine whether P/N
5A3307-7 is installed, for this AD a review of airplane maintenance
records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection, provided the part
number of the escape slide assembly can be conclusively determined
from that review.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Boeing Special Attention
Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1855 RB, dated August 31, 2021, or
Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1866 RB, dated
September 27, 2021, as applicable.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office,
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of
the certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2b12066a656606784e4a5f5f474e066a6864066a66646806794e5a5e4e585f586b4d4a4a054c445d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c1f8ec808f8cec92a4a0b5b5ada4ec80828eec808c8e82ec93a4b0b4a4b2b5b281a7a0a0efa6aeb7">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD
if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle
ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair
method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet
the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Brandon Lucero,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section,
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone: 206-231-3569; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#096b7b68676d666727657c6a6c7b66496f6868276e667f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="503222313e343f3e7e3c253335223f103631317e373f26">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1855
RB, Revision 1, dated April 13, 2022.
(ii) Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1866
RB, Revision 1, dated April 11, 2022.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; website <a href="http://myboeingfleet.com">myboeingfleet.com</a>.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(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, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b6d0c498dfd8c5c6d3d5c2dfd9d8f6d8d7c4d798d1d9c0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a9cfdb87c0c7dad9cccaddc0c6c7e9c7c8dbc887cec6df">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on April 28, 2023.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-11085 Filed 5-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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