[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 190 (Friday, September 30, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60710-60713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24746]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-1199; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-225-AD;
Amendment 39-16818; AD 2011-20-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700,
-700C, -800, and -900 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD)
for the products listed above. That AD currently requires replacement
of the power control relays in the P91 and P92 power distribution
panels for the fuel boost and override pumps with new, improved relays
having a ground fault interrupter (GFI) feature, or installation and
maintenance of universal fault interrupters (UFIs) using a certain
supplemental type certificate. This new AD continues to require the
actions of the existing AD and also specifies which relays may be
replaced by GFIs or UFIs. This AD was prompted by a need to clarify
which relays may be replaced by installation of UFIs. We are issuing
this AD to prevent pump housing burn-through due to electrical arcing,
which could create a potential ignition source inside a fuel tank. This
condition, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a
fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective November 4, 2011.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
22, 2010 (75 FR 50859, August 18, 2010).
ADDRESSES: For Boeing 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. For TDG
Aerospace information identified in this AD, contact TDG Aerospace,
Inc., 545 Corporate Drive, Escondido, California 92029; telephone 760-
466-1040; fax 760-466-1038; Internet http://www.tdgaerospace.com; e-
mail [email protected]. 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, 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 supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2010-17-05, Amendment
39-16395 (75 FR 50859, August 18, 2010). That AD applies to the
specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
December 20, 2010 (75 FR 79317). That NPRM proposed to continue to
require replacement of the power control relays in the P91 and P92
power distribution panels for the fuel boost and override pumps with
new, improved relays having a ground fault interrupter (GFI) feature,
or installation and maintenance of universal fault interrupters (UFIs)
using a certain supplemental type certificate. That NPRM also proposed
to specify which relays may be replaced by GFIs or UFIs.
Actions Since NPRM Was Issued
We have been informed that referring to TDG Aerospace UFIs, as
provided in paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of the NPRM (75 FR 79317, December 20,
2010), violates Office of the Federal Register (OFR) regulations (1 CFR
part 51) for approval of optional materials ``incorporated by
reference'' in rules. We have revised paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this AD
to specify that installation of TDG Aerospace UFIs, as provided in that
paragraph, must be done in accordance with a method approved by the
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. We have also
added Note 2 to this AD to specify that additional guidance on
installing TDG Aerospace UFIs can be found in TDG Aerospace
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST02076LA.
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.
Request To Allow Credit for Accomplishment of STC
Continental Airlines (CAL) requested that paragraph (h) of the
proposed AD
[[Page 60711]]
(75 FR 79317, December 20, 2010) be revised to add credit for work done
according to STC ST02076LA prior to the effective date of the AD. CAL
claimed that operators who accomplished that STC before the effective
date of the AD would be required to request an AMOC to show compliance
with the proposed AD and get credit for those actions. CAL pointed out
that paragraph (h) of the proposed AD provides credit for
accomplishment of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, dated
February 19, 2007.
We agree to provide clarification. Paragraph (h) of the proposed AD
(75 FR 79317, December 20, 2010) (paragraph (j) in this final rule)
provided credit for an earlier revision of the service information
required in paragraph (g) of this AD. There is no earlier version of
STC ST02076LA, which was issued on October 26, 2007, that operators
might have used to accomplish actions required by this AD. Paragraph
(f) of this AD provides relief to operators that might have
accomplished the actions required in this AD before the effective date
of this AD (i.e., used Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201,
Revision 1, dated May 28, 2009, before the effective date of the AD).
However, because STC ST02076LA is no longer provided as a means of
compliance within the text of the AD, operators are required to apply
for an AMOC if they want credit for work done according to that STC. We
have not changed the AD in this regard.
Request To Revise Previous AD Instead of Supersede
All Nippon Airways (ANA) suggested that we revise AD 2010-17-05,
Amendment 39-16395 (75 FR 50859, August 18, 2010), instead of issuing a
new AD. ANA believed that correcting the STC number from STC ST02079LA
to STC ST02076LA did not require issuing a new AD.
We agree to provide clarification. The incorrect STC number was not
the primary reason to issue a new AD to supersede AD 2010-17-05,
Amendment 39-16395 (75 FR 50859, August 18, 2010). Paragraph (f) of AD
2010-17-05 allowed actions accomplished according to STC ST02079LA to
be acceptable for all power control relays. However, installation and
maintenance of UFIs using STC ST02076LA may be an acceptable method of
compliance for the center tank override pumps only. Such a change to
paragraph (f) of AD 2010-17-05 to restrict the use of STC ST02076LA to
installation and maintenance of UFIs on only the center tank override
fuel pumps requires a new AD. We have not changed this AD in this
regard.
Request To Modify Panels While the Panels Are Off the Airplane
American Airlines (AA) requested that the proposed AD be revised to
allow modification of the P91 and P92 panels (replacing the power
control relays for the fuel boost pumps and override pumps) while the
panels are removed and reworked outside the airplane. AA noted that the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
28A1201, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2009, specify accomplishing the
modification of the panels while the panels are still installed on the
airplane. AA explained that allowing the panels to be modified or
reworked outside the airplane will allow better access to the relay
installation locations.
We agree. The P91 and P92 power distribution panels are ``line
replaceable units,'' and reworking those panels in a shop environment
instead of on the airplane may provide better access to the panels and
control of the applicable modifications. We have added paragraph (h) to
this AD to provide this alternative.
Request To Allow Alternative Means To Identify Modified Panels
AA requested that we allow use of a locally manufactured label that
includes an indelible means of marking the modified P91 and P92 panels
in lieu of the part marking process specified in Note (a) in Figures 1
and 2 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision 1, dated
May 28, 2009. AA explained that the note describes a process to use
laser-etched identification labels, which involves submitting a digital
photograph of the existing identification label and ordering a new
label from Honeywell.
We agree. The intent of this AD is to provide procedures to verify
the changes to the panels, not to specify the part marking method.
While part marking of the panels is needed for configuration control,
the AD was not intended to specify the exact method of part marking. We
have added paragraph (i) to this AD to specify that any industry-
accepted method of marking the part number is acceptable for
compliance.
Request To Clarify Note 1
Delta Air Lines (DAL) requested that the Note specified in the
proposed AD (75 FR 79317, December 20, 2010) be revised to clarify that
the Honeywell service bulletins have no bearing on the installation of
the TDG Aerospace UFI relays. DAL noted that the note is not applicable
if an operator complies with paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of the proposed AD.
DAL suggested that the following phrase be added to the end of the
sentence: ``as given in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2)(i).''
We agree that Note 1 of this AD does not apply to the TDG Aerospace
installation of UFI relays using STC ST02076LA referenced in paragraph
(g)(2)(ii) of the proposed AD (75 FR 79317, December 20, 2010)
(referenced in Note 2 of this AD). However, we do not agree to revise
Note 1 of this AD as suggested. As it is written, Note 1 of this AD
already states that Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision
1, dated May 28, 2009, references Honeywell Service Bulletins 1151932-
24-61 and 1151934-24-62, both Revision 5, both dated May 25, 2009, as
additional sources of guidance for replacing the power control relays
in the P91 and P92 panels. There is no mention of STC ST02076LA in that
note. Because that STC is not referenced in that note, that STC does
not provide for Honeywell Service Bulletins 1151932-24-61 and 1151934-
24-62, both Revision 5, both dated May 25, 2009, to be used as
additional sources of guidance, and Note 1 of this AD does not apply to
paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this AD. We have not revised this AD in this
regard.
Request To Provide Contact Information for STC Holder
DAL requested that the contact information for TDG Aerospace be
included in paragraph (k) of the proposed AD (75 FR 79317, December 20,
2010) because STC ST02076LA is an acceptable method of compliance for
certain requirements of this AD. DAL noted that paragraph (k) of the
proposed AD provides contact information for Boeing service
information, but did not provide contact information for the TDG
Aerospace STC ST02076LA.
We agree partially. We do not agree to revise paragraph (k) of the
proposed AD (75 FR 79317, December 20, 2010), because that paragraph is
not restated in this final rule. However, we do agree to provide
contact information for TDG Aerospace. We have revised the ADDRESSES
section of this AD to include this contact information.
Request To Revise a Word
Boeing requested a change to a word in paragraph (h) of the
proposed AD (75 FR 79317, December 20, 2010) (paragraph (j) in this
final rule) from ``is'' to ``were'' in the phrase `` is used as an
additional * * *.''
We agree. We revised paragraph (j) of this AD as requested.
[[Page 60712]]
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 minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (75 FR 79317, December 20, 2010) for correcting the unsafe
condition; and
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 754 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate 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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Installation of GFI relays (retained 8 work-hours x $85 per $11,010 $11,690 $8,814,260
actions from existing AD). hour = $680.
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The new requirements of this AD add no additional economic burden.
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
We have determined that 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 removing airworthiness directive (AD)
2010-17-05, Amendment 39-16395 (75 FR 50859, August 18, 2010), and
adding the following new AD:
2011-20-07 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16818; Docket No. FAA-
2010-1199; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-225-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 4,
2011.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2010-17-05, Amendment 39-16395 (75 FR
50859, August 18, 2010).
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -
700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes, certificated in any category;
as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision
1, dated May 28, 2009.
Subject
(d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent pump housing burn-
through due to electrical arcing, which could create a potential
ignition source inside a fuel tank. This condition, in combination
with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion
and consequent loss of the airplane.
Compliance
(f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
Replacement or Installation
(g) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, do the
actions required in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.
(1) Replace the power control relays that are located in the
R18, R19, R20, and R21 positions in the P91 and P92 power
distribution panels for the fuel boost pumps with new, improved
relays, part number KDAG-X4F-001, having a ground fault interrupter
(GFI) feature, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision 1, dated May 28,
2009, except as provided in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD.
(2) Replace the power control relays that are located in the R54
and R55 positions in the P91 and P92 power distribution panels for
the fuel override pumps, in accordance with the actions required in
paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (g)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Replace with new, improved relays, part number KDAG-X4F-001,
having a GFI feature, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision
1, dated May 28, 2009, except as provided in paragraphs (h) and (i)
of this AD.
(ii) Install and maintain TDG Aerospace universal fault
interrupters (UFIs) in accordance with a method approved by the
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA.
Note 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision 1,
dated May 28, 2009, refers to Honeywell Service Bulletin 1151932-24-
61 and Honeywell Service Bulletin 1151934-24-62, both Revision 5,
both dated May 25, 2009, as additional sources of guidance for
replacement of the
[[Page 60713]]
power control relays in the P91 and P92 power distribution panels.
Note 2: Guidance on installing TDG Aerospace universal fault
interrupters (UFIs) can be found in Supplemental Type Certificate
ST02076LA.
(h) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision 1,
dated May 28, 2009, specifies accomplishing actions in the P91 and
P92 power distribution panels while those panels are installed on
the airplane, this AD does not require that the panels are on the
airplane while the actions are accomplished. This AD allows the
actions on the P91 and P92 panels to be accomplished while those
panels are removed from the airplane.
Note 3: Section 24-21-21, ``Power Distribution Panel,'' of the
Practices and Procedures section of the Boeing 737-600-700-800-900
Aircraft Maintenance Manual may be used as an additional source of
guidance on removing and reinstalling the P91 and P92 power
distribution panels.
(i) Where Note (a) in Figures 1 and 2 of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision
1, dated May 28, 2009, specifies procedures for marking the part
numbers of the panels, this AD does not require a specific method
for marking. Operators are allowed to use any industry-accepted
method.
Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service
Information
(j) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, dated
February 19, 2007, are acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2)(i) of this AD, provided
that Revision 5 of Honeywell Service Bulletins 1151932-24-61 and
1151934-24-62, both dated May 25, 2009, were used as an additional
source of guidance.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(k)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
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 manager of the ACO, send it to the
attention of the person identified in the Related Information
section of this AD. Information may be e-mailed to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your Principal
Maintenance Inspector or Principal Avionics Inspector, as
appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight
Standards District Office.
Related Information
(l) For more information about this AD, contact Georgios
Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S,
FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6482; fax: 425-917-
6590; e-mail: [email protected].
Material Incorporated by Reference
(m) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201,
Revision 1, dated May 28, 2009, to do the actions required by this
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information on September
22, 2010 (75 FR 50859, August 18, 2010).
(2) For Boeing 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 September 20, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-24746 Filed 9-29-11; 8:45 am]
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