AD 2002-26-09

AD Final Rules - 022609.pdf
Copy URL
Document Versions
 Feedback
DetailsAttachments/Public Comments
AD Number:
2002-26-09
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
2000-NM-402-AD
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 Series Airplanes
Subject:
Overhead stowage bin(s)
Status:
Current
Citation:
(Federal Register: January 6, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 3))
Citation Publish Date:
01/06/2003
Effective Date:
02/10/2003
Make:
The Boeing Company
Model:
757-200 Series
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Large Airplane
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39
Comments:
Automatic Zoom
Actual Size
Page Fit
Page Width
⁨50⁩%
⁨75⁩%
⁨100⁩%
⁨125⁩%
⁨150⁩%
⁨200⁩%
⁨300⁩%
⁨400⁩%
125%
of ⁨7⁩
1


[Federal Register: January 6, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 3)]


[Rules and Regulations]


[Page 479-481]


From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]


[DOCID:fr06ja03-8]


–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION


Federal Aviation Administration


14 CFR Part 39


[Docket No. 2000-NM-402-AD; Amendment 39-12997; AD 2002-26-09]


RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 Series Airplanes


AGENCY:
 
Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.


ACTION:
 
Final rule.


–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


SUMMARY:
 
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain


Boeing Model 757-200 series airplanes with stowage bins installed forward of door 2 at Station 680.


This AD requires a one-time inspection to determine if a certain intercostal is installed for support of


the overhead stowage bin(s) at Station 680, and follow-on actions, if necessary. This action is


necessary to prevent failure of the stowage bin attachment fitting at Station 680, which could result in


the overhead stowage bin falling onto the passenger seats below and injuring passengers or impeding


the evacuation of passengers in an emergency. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe


condition.


DATES:
 
Effective February 10, 2003.


The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the


Director of the Federal Register as of February 10, 2003.


ADDRESSES:
 
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Boeing


Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. This information may


be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules


Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800


North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
 
David Crotty, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe


Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,


Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1675; fax (425) 227-1181.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
 
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 series airplanes with stowage bins installed forward of door 2 at Station 680
2


was published in the Federal Register on May 15, 2002 (67 FR 34639). That action proposed to


require a one-time inspection to determine if a certain intercostal is installed for support of the


overhead stowage bin(s) at Station 680, and follow-on actions, if necessary.


Comments


Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this


amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comments received. One commenter states that


it offers no comments because it does not operate any affected airplanes.


Extend Compliance Time for Installation of Intercostal(s)


Several commenters request that the FAA extend the compliance time for installation of the


intercostal(s), if necessary, from 24 months to 60 months after the effective date of the AD. The


commenters point out that the time required to gain access for installing the intercostal(s) is


significant (the commenters estimate 65 work hours is needed to gain access, install, and close up),


and the proposed 24-month compliance time would not allow most operators to accomplish the


proposed actions during a heavy maintenance visit. The commenters also state that, based on


preliminary inspections, a significant portion of the airplane fleet may be without the subject


intercostal. To ensure that an acceptable level of safety is maintained if the compliance time is


extended to 60 months, the commenters recommend accomplishment of repetitive inspections for


cracking every 18 months.


The FAA concurs that extending the compliance time for the installation of the intercostal(s) is


an acceptable alternative to requiring installation of the intercostal(s) within 24 months after the


effective date of this AD, provided that repetitive inspections for cracking are performed until the


intercostal is installed. Therefore, we have revised paragraph (b) in this final rule to add


subparagraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2), which specify the compliance alternatives.


Reduce Compliance Time for One-Time Inspection


The same commenters who request extension of the compliance time for installing the intercostal


also request that we reduce the compliance time from 24 months to 12 months for the one-time


inspection to determine if the subject intercostal is installed. One of the commenters explains that


reducing the compliance time in this way would ensure that any structural damage is found and fixed


in a timely manner.


We do not concur with the request to reduce the compliance time for the one-time inspection. In


developing an appropriate compliance time for this AD, we considered not only the manufacturer's


recommendation, but the degree of urgency associated with addressing the subject unsafe condition,


and the time necessary to perform the inspection. In light of all of these factors, we find a 24-month


compliance time for completing the required inspection to be warranted, in that it represents an


appropriate interval of time allowable for affected airplanes to continue to operate without


compromising safety. No change is necessary in this regard.


Request To Allow Stop-Drilling of Cracks


Two commenters request that we revise paragraph (c) of the proposed AD to allow stop-drilling


of any crack that is found, instead of requiring repair before further flight. The commenters state that,


following stop-drilling of the crack, the affected overhead stowage bin could be blocked out until an


interim repair is installed within 90 days. The commenters state no justification for


this request, but one commenter notes that the stowage bins at Station 680 on its airplanes are above a


galley, so no passenger sits under the subject stowage bins.