[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 17, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63714-63716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24949]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0801; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-106-AD;
Amendment 39-17212; AD 2012-20-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
The Boeing Company Model 737-200 and -200C series airplanes. This AD
was prompted by a report of elevator vibration and bearing swage
failures. This AD requires, for certain airplanes, repetitive
inspections for any discrepancies (such as a gap or a loose spacer) of
the aft attach lugs for the elevator tab control mechanism, and
replacement if necessary; and, for other airplanes, contacting the FAA
for inspection or repair instructions and doing the work specified in
those instructions. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
discrepancies in the aft attach lugs for the elevator tab control
mechanism, which could result in elevator and tab vibration. Consequent
structural failure of the elevator or horizontal stabilizer could
result in loss of structural integrity and loss of airplane control.
DATES: This AD is effective November 21, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of November 21,
2012.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; 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, WA. 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: Kelly McGuckin, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356;
phone: (425) 917-6490; fax: (425) 917-6590; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 1, 2012 (77 FR
45513). That NPRM proposed to require, for certain airplanes,
repetitive inspections for any discrepancies (such as a gap or a loose
spacer) of the aft attach lugs for the elevator tab control mechanism,
and replacement if necessary; and, for other airplanes, contacting the
FAA for inspection or repair instructions and doing the work specified
in those instructions.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We have considered the comment received. Boeing supports the
NPRM (77 FR 45513, August 1, 2012).
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
the AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have
determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (77 FR 45513, August 1, 2012) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 45513, August 1, 2012).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 200 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection for Group 2 airplanes. 7 work-hours x $85 $0 $595 per inspection $119,000 per
per hour = $595 cycle. inspection cycle.
per inspection
cycle.
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For Group 1 airplanes, we do not have definitive data that would
enable us to provide cost estimates for the action specified in this
AD.
We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these
replacements:
[[Page 63715]]
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of a mechanism.................... 7 work-hours x $85 per hour = $29,289 $29,884
$595.
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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):
2012-20-06 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17212; Docket No. FAA-
2012-0801; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-106-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective November 21, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-200 and -200C
series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1302, dated April 24, 2012.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 27, Flight Controls.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of elevator vibration and
bearing swage failures. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
discrepancies in the aft attach lugs for the elevator tab control
mechanism, which could result in elevator and tab vibration.
Consequent structural failure of the elevator or horizontal
stabilizer could result in loss of structural integrity and loss of
airplane control.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Actions for Group 1 Airplanes
For Group 1 airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 737-27A1302, dated April 24, 2012: Within 1,500 flight
cycles or 2,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first, inspect the left and right elevator tab
control mechanisms, and repair or replace as applicable, 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) Inspection for Group 2 Airplanes
For Group 2 airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 737-27A1302, dated April 24, 2012: Within 1,500 flight
cycles or 2,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first, do a detailed inspection for any
discrepancies of the inboard and outboard aft attach lugs of the
left and right elevator tab control mechanisms, in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737-27A1302, dated April 24, 2012. Repeat the detailed inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight cycles or 2,000
flight hours, whichever occurs first.
(i) Corrective Actions for Paragraph (h) of This AD
If any discrepancy is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (h) of this AD, before further flight, replace the
discrepant elevator tab control mechanism with a non-discrepant
mechanism by doing the actions specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and
(i)(2) of this AD.
(1) Do a detailed inspection for discrepancies of the
replacement elevator tab control mechanism; and, if no discrepancy
is found, before further flight, install the replacement elevator
tab control mechanism; in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1302, dated
April 24, 2012. If any discrepancy is found in that mechanism, then
that mechanism may not be installed.
(2) Repeat the inspection on the installed replacement elevator
tab control mechanism in accordance with the requirements of
paragraph (h) of this AD.
(j) Inspection Report
Submit a report of the findings (both positive and negative) of
the initial inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD to
Boeing Commercial Airlines Group, Attention: Manager, Airline
Support, email: [email protected]; at the applicable time
specified in paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD. The report must
include the inspection results, a description of any discrepancies
found, the airplane serial number, and the number of landings and
flight hours on the airplane.
(1) If the inspection was done after the effective date of this
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(2) If the inspection was accomplished prior to the effective
date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the
effective date of this AD.
(k) Parts Installation Limitations
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an
elevator tab control mechanism assembly, part number 65-79425-2, -3,
-4, -5, or -6, on any airplane, unless the assembly has been
inspected in
[[Page 63716]]
accordance with paragraph (i) of this AD both before and after
installation.
(l) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn:
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
(m) 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.
(n) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Kelly McGuckin,
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6490; fax: (425) 917-6590; email:
[email protected].
(o) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1302, dated April 24,
2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate; 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
425-227-1221.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 28, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplanes Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-24949 Filed 10-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P