[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 112 (Friday, June 10, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33988-33990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14203]
[[Page 33988]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0028; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-228-AD;
Amendment 39-16716; AD 2011-12-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200,
-200C, -300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This AD requires, depending on airplane
configuration, doing certain wiring changes, replacing the fuel pump
power control relays for the main, center, and auxiliary tanks, as
applicable, with new relays having a ground fault interrupter (GFI)
feature, performing certain bonding resistance measurements, and
modifying relay module assemblies. This AD also requires revising the
maintenance program to incorporate certain Airworthiness Limitations.
This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the fuel
pumps caused by electrical arcing that could introduce an ignition
source in the fuel tank, which, in combination with flammable fuel
vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of
the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective July 15, 2011.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 15, 2011.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, PO
Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail [email protected];
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6482; fax: 425-917-6590; e-mail:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to
the specified products. That NPRM published in the Federal Register on
January 21, 2011 (76 FR 3856). That NPRM proposed to require, depending
on airplane configuration, doing certain wiring changes, replacing the
fuel pump power control relays for the main, center, and auxiliary
tanks, as applicable, with new relays having a GFI feature, performing
certain bonding resistance measurements, and modifying relay module
assemblies. That NPRM also proposed to require revising the maintenance
program to incorporate Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) 28-AWL-23 (for
Model 737-100, 737-200, and 737-200C series airplanes) and 28-AWL-22
(for Model 737-300, 737-400, and 737-500 series airplanes).
Comments
We 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. Boeing concurs with the content
of this AD.
Request To Correct Typographical Errors
Alaska Airlines requested that corrections be made to certain
accomplishment instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2010. Alaska Airlines requested
that Boeing Information Notice 737-28A1212 IN 01, dated October 7,
2010, which specifies those corrections, be incorporated into the AD.
We agree that typographical errors in that service bulletin need to
be corrected. Where paragraph 3.B.1.s. of Part 1 of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision 1,
dated August 27, 2010, states that the affected airplanes are ``Group
11, Configuration 1,'' that paragraph also applies to ``Group 13,
Configuration 1.'' The action specified in paragraph 3.B.1.s. of that
service bulletin (changing a wire bundle) is a logical outgrowth of the
actions specified in that service bulletin. Paragraph (j) of this AD
addresses this change. Also, the figure in Appendix A, paragraph 1., of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27,
2010, is not identified, but should be identified as ``Figure 1.''
Paragraph (k) of this AD addresses this change. That information notice
includes additional changes to that service bulletin; however, they are
not part of the accomplishment instructions, and therefore are not
addressed in our response.
Additional Change
Boeing has issued Section 9 of Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500
Airworthiness Limitations (AWL) and Certification Maintenance
Requirements (CMRs), Document D6-38278-CMR, Revision August 2010, to
update certain AWLs other than those specified in this AD. The document
reference has been updated in paragraph (l) of this AD.
We have also clarified the intent of paragraph (n) of this AD by
revising the heading.
We have also added paragraph (o) of this AD to give credit for
revising the maintenance program by incorporating AWLs 28-AWL-22 (for
Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes) and 28-AWL-23 (for
Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes), in accordance with
Section 9 of Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness
Limitations (AWL) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),
Document D6-38278-CMR, Revision May 2009.
Conclusion
We 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. We have determined that
these changes:
[Agr]re consistent with the intent that was proposed in
the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
[[Page 33989]]
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 750 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Table--Estimated costs
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Number of U.S.-
Action Work hours Average labor Parts Cost per product registered Fleet cost
rate per hour airplanes
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Replacement of power control relays.. 4 to 9 \1\ $85 $14,500 $14,840 to $15,265 \1\.. 750 $11,130,000 to
$11,448,750 \1\
Modification......................... 5 $85 $0 $425.................... 750 $318,750
Maintenance program revision......... 1 $85 $0 $85..................... 750 $63,750
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\1\ Depending on airplane configuration.
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.
We 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.
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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of 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 (AD):
2011-12-09 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16716; Docket No. FAA-
2011-0028; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-228-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD is effective July 15, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -
200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any
category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2010.
Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must
request approval for an alternative method of compliance according
to paragraph (p) of this AD. The request should include a
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure
the continued operational safety of the airplane.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD
to prevent damage to the fuel pumps caused by electrical arcing that
could introduce an ignition source in the fuel tank, which, in
combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank
explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Part 1: Wiring Changes, Relay Replacements, and Certain Bonding
Resistance Measurements for Certain Airplanes
(g) For airplanes on which Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
28A1212, dated July 23, 2009, has not been incorporated as of the
effective date of this AD: Within 60 months after the effective date
of this AD, do the applicable actions required by paragraph (g)(1)
or (g)(2) of this AD.
(1) Airplanes without the M181, M182, and M183 supplier relay
modules installed: Do the wiring changes; replace the fuel pump
power control relays for the main, center, and auxiliary tanks, as
applicable, with new relays having a ground fault interrupter (GFI)
feature; and do certain bonding resistance measurements to verify
that certain bonding requirements are met; in accordance with Part 1
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737-28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2010, except as provided
by paragraphs (j) and (k) of this AD.
(2) Airplanes with the M181, M182, and M183 supplier relay
modules installed: Modify the M181, M182, and M183 relay module
assemblies, and do certain bonding resistance measurements to verify
that certain bonding requirements are met, in accordance with Part 1
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
[[Page 33990]]
Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2010,
except as provided by paragraphs (j) and (k) of this AD.
Note 2: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision 1,
dated August 27, 2010, refers to BAE Systems Service Bulletin 65-
49808-24-01, Revision 1, dated July 19, 2010, as an additional
source of guidance for doing the modification and certain bonding
resistance measurements on the M181, M182, and M183 supplier relay
modules.
Part 2: Wiring Changes and Certain Bonding Measurements for Certain
Airplanes
(h) For airplanes on which Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
28A1212, dated July 23, 2009, has been incorporated as of the
effective date of this AD, and on which the M181, M182, and M183
supplier relay modules are not installed: Within 60 months after the
effective date of this AD, do the wiring changes and certain bonding
measurements to verify that certain bonding requirements are met, in
accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27,
2010, except as provided by paragraphs (j) and (k) of this AD.
Part 3: Certain Bonding Measurements for Certain Airplanes
(i) For airplanes on which Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
28A1212, dated July 23, 2009, has been incorporated as of the
effective date of this AD, and on which the M181, M182, and M183
supplier relay modules are installed: Within 60 months after the
effective date of this AD, do certain bonding measurements to verify
that certain bonding requirements are met, in accordance with Part 3
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737-28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2010, except as provided
by paragraphs (j) and (k) of this AD.
Note 3: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision 1,
dated August 27, 2010, refers to BAE Systems Service Bulletin 65-
49808-24-01, Revision 1, dated July 19, 2010, as an additional
source of guidance for doing the modification and certain bonding
resistance measurements on the M181, M182, and M183 supplier relay
modules.
Exceptions to the Service Information
(j) Where paragraph 3.B.1.s. of Part 1 of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision
1, dated August 27, 2010, states the applicability as ``Group 11,
Configuration 1,'' that paragraph also applies to ``Group 13,
Configuration 1.''
(k) The figure in Appendix A, paragraph 1., of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2010,
should be identified as Figure 1 (immediately following the text).
Maintenance Program Revisions
(l) Concurrently with accomplishing the actions required by
paragraph (g), (h), or (i) of this AD, as applicable, or within 30
days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later,
revise the maintenance program by incorporating the applicable
airworthiness limitation (AWL) specified in paragraph (l)(1) or
(l)(2) of this AD.
(1) For Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes: AWL 28-
AWL-23 of Section 9 of Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance
Requirements (CMRs), Document D6-38278-CMR, Revision August 2010.
The initial compliance time for the actions specified in AWL 28-AWL-
23 is within 1 year after accomplishing the installation required by
paragraph (g), (h), or (i) of this AD, or within 1 year after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(2) For Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes: AWL 28-
AWL-22 of Section 9 of Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 AWL and
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), Document D6-38278-
CMR, Revision August 2010. The initial compliance time for the
actions specified in AWL 28-AWL-22 is within 1 year after
accomplishing the installation required by paragraph (g), (h), or
(i) of this AD, or within 1 year after the effective date of this
AD, whichever occurs later.
No Alternative Inspections or Inspection Intervals
(m) After accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph
(g), (h), or (i) of this AD, as applicable, no alternative
inspections or inspection intervals may be used, unless the
inspections or intervals are approved as an alternative method of
compliance in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph
(p) of this AD.
Optional Terminating Action
(n) Revising the maintenance program to incorporate AWLs 28-AWL-
22 (for Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes) and 28-AWL-
23 (for Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes) in
accordance with paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of AD 2008-10-09 R1,
amendment 39-16148, terminates the requirements of paragraph (l) of
this AD.
Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Earlier Revisions of
AWLs
(o) Revising the maintenance program to incorporate AWLs 28-AWL-
22 (for Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes) and 28-AWL-
23 (for Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes) before the
effective date of this AD, in accordance with Section 9 of Boeing
737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), Document D6-38278-
CMR, Revision May 2009, is acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of paragraph (l) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(p)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 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 local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the ACO, sent it to ATTN: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace
Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6482; fax: 425-917-6590; e-
mail: [email protected]. Or, e-mail information to [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically
reference this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(q) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1212,
Revision 1, dated August 27, 2010; and Section 9 of the Boeing 737-
100/200/200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), Document D6-38278-
CMR, Revision August 2010; as applicable; to do the actions required
by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. This document is
identified as Section 9 only on the List of Effective Pages.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the service information under 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information that
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 27, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-14203 Filed 6-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P