[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 8, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26993-26996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11019]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0426; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-087-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -800, -900, and -900ER
series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that certain
seat
[[Page 26994]]
track bolts were found with severed head bolts due to fatigue. This
proposed AD would require replacing titanium seat track bolts with
corrosion resistant steel (CRES) bolts, repetitive inspections for
cracking of the splice strap and forward seat track holes, and related
investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD
also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive
inspections. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct missing or
severed bolt heads, which, if not corrected, could result in the
inability of the seat track to carry passenger loads, which could cause
the seats to detach from the seat track, resulting in possible injury
to passengers during an emergency landing.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 22, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed 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; email [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 proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Gillespie, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6429; fax: 425-917-6590; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0426;
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-087-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We received reports indicating that the seat track bolts at Station
727B, buttock lines (BL) 24.75 and 45.50 left and right sides, were
found with severed bolt heads due to fatigue. Missing or severed bolt
heads, if not detected and corrected, could result in the inability of
the seat track to carry passenger loads, which could cause the seats to
detach from the seat track, resulting in possible injury to passengers
during an emergency landing.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296,
dated January 11, 2011. That service information describes procedures
for replacing titanium seat track bolts with CRES bolts, repetitive
inspections for cracking of the splice strap and forward seat track
holes, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary.
Related investigative action includes detailed inspection and high
frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for cracking in holes common
to the splice strap and forward seat track.
Corrective actions include contacting Boeing for repair
instructions, repairing, replacing missing or severed titanium seat
track bolts with CRES bolts, and replacing a cracked splice strap with
a new slice strap. Replacing the missing or severed seat track bolts
and installing the new splice strap eliminates the need for the
repetitive splice strap inspections at Station 727B, BL 24.75 and
45.50, left and right sides, on all airplanes.
For the inspections for cracking of the splice strap and forward
seat track holes and replacement of missing or severed seat track
bolts, the service information specifies an initial compliance time of
before 7,000 total flight cycles or within 24 months after the issue
date of the service bulletin, and a repetitive interval of 7,000 flight
cycles.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type
designs.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously, except as discussed
below.
Differences Between Proposed AD and Service Bulletin
Although Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296,
dated January 11, 2011, specifies that operators may contact the
manufacturer for disposition of certain repair conditions, this
proposed AD would require operators to repair those conditions using a
method approved by the FAA.
Although Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296,
dated January 11, 2011, specifies the sequence of steps performed in
that service bulletin can be changed, this proposed AD would require
operators to perform the repair using the sequence of steps in that
service bulletin.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 168 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
[[Page 26995]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replace bolts and install new splice 18 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,991 $3,521 $591,528
strap. $1,530.
Repetitive Inspection................. 3 work-hours x $85 per hour = 0 255 42,840
$255.
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We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed
AD.
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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-0426; Directorate Identifier
2011-NM-087-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by June 22, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -800,
-900, and -900ER series airplanes, with passenger seats installed;
certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296, dated January 11, 2011.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 53: Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports that certain seat track bolts
were found with severed bolt heads due to fatigue. We are issuing
this AD to detect and correct missing or severed bolt heads, which,
if not corrected, could result in the inability of the seat track to
carry passenger loads, which could cause the seats to detach from
the seat track, resulting in possible injury to passengers during an
emergency landing.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Seat Track Bolt Replacement and Splice Strap Installation
Before the accumulation of 7,000 total flight cycles, or within
24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later, replace titanium seat track bolts with corrosion resistant
steel (CRES) bolts at both the left and right sides of buttock lines
24.75 and 45.50, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions
of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296, dated
January 11, 2011. If a titanium seat track bolt is found missing
from the structure during the accomplishment of the tasks required
by this paragraph: Before further flight, do a high frequency eddy
current (HFEC) inspection for cracking in the fastener holes and do
a general visual inspection of the area, including the splice strap
and forward seat track for damage, and replace missing bolts with
new or serviceable CRES bolts, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-
1296, dated January 11, 2011. If cracking or damage is found: Before
further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by the
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For a
repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification
basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to
this AD.
(h) Detailed and High Frequency Eddy Current Inspections
Before the accumulation of 7,000 total flight cycles, or within
24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later: Do a detailed inspection and an HFEC inspection for cracking
in the holes common to the splice strap and forward seat track at
both the left and right sides of buttock lines 24.75 and 45.50, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296, dated January 11, 2011.
Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 7,000
flight cycles, until the actions specified in paragraph (i) of this
AD have been done.
(1) If a crack is found in the splice strap during any
inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Before further
flight, replace the seat track bolts and install a new splice strap
part number (P/N) 146A5342-26 and retained angle at the affected
location, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296, dated January
11, 2011.
(2) If a crack is found in the seat track during any inspection
required by paragraph (h) of this AD, and Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 737-53-1296, dated January 11, 2011, specifies to
contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair
the seat track in accordance with a method approved by the Manager,
Seattle ACO, FAA. For a repair method to be approved, the repair
must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval
must specifically refer to this AD.
[[Page 26996]]
(i) Optional Terminating Action
Replacing the titanium seat track bolts with CRES bolts on both
the left and right sides of buttock lines 24.75 and 45.50 at Station
727B, and installing a new splice strap P/N 146A5342-26, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296, dated January 11, 2011,
terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (h) of
this AD.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle 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 emailed
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.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by Boeing
Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA)
that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those
findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must meet
the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Patrick
Gillespie, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental
Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone:
425-917-6429; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
(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; email
[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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 29, 2012.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-11019 Filed 5-7-12; 8:45 am]
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