AD 95-19-08

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 727-100 and -200 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 3, 1995 (60 FR 21774). That action proposed to require replacing the attaching nutplates on certain engine nose cowls with washers and self-locking nuts.

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 supports the proposed rule.

One commenter requests that the subject title of the proposed rule be revised to indicate that the specific nose cowls affected are those for the No. 1 and No. 3 engines. The FAA concurs. The FAA has revised the final rule as requested by the commenter, and has added this information to the applicability of the AD.

The same commenter requests that paragraph (b) of the proposed rule be revised to specify that the part numbers listed for the nose cowl are VALSAN part numbers. The FAA concurs and has revised the final rule accordingly.

After careful review of the available data, including the comments noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

There are approximately 22 Model 727-100 and -200 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 19 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The cost for required parts will be negligible. Based on these figures, the total cost impactof the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,840, or $360 per airplane.

The total cost impact figure discussed above is 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 regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For 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." List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, 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:

PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701. § 39.13 - (Amended) 2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: