[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 26, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44744-44746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20545]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 26, 2017 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 44744]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-0900; Product Identifier 2017-NM-055-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500
series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of wire
damage on a fuel boost pump power cable, and a separate report of a
fuel tank explosion on a similarly equipped airplane. This proposed AD
would require the installation of new shielded wire bundles and
convoluted liners within fuel tank conduits, and revision of the
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate
certain airworthiness limitations (AWLs). We are proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 13,
2017.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, 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 NPRM, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS),
2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600;
telephone 562-797-1717; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport
Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is
also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0900.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0900; 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: Christopher Baker, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6498; 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-2017-0900;
Product Identifier 2017-NM-055-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
This proposed AD is further rulemaking following the interim action
of AD 2007-24-02, Amendment 39-15268 (72 FR 65446, November 21, 2007)
(``AD 2007-24-02''), which applies to all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -
200C, -300, -400, -500 series airplanes. AD 2007-24-02 was prompted by
reports of a fuel tank explosion on a Boeing Model 727-200F airplane
and chafed wires and a damaged wiring sleeve on a fuel boost pump power
cable in a Boeing Model 737-300 airplane. AD 2007-24-02 requires
repetitive detailed inspections for damage of the electrical wire and
sleeve that run to the fuel boost pump through a conduit in the fuel
tank, to address potential electrical arcing between the wiring and the
surrounding conduit that could result in arc-through of the conduit,
consequent fire or explosion of the fuel tank, and subsequent loss of
the airplane. The preamble to AD 2007-24-02 explains that its
requirements are considered ``interim action'' and that we might
consider further rulemaking. We now have determined that further
rulemaking is necessary, and this proposed AD follows from that
determination.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed the following service information.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1273, Revision 1,
dated March 14, 2017. This service information describes procedures for
the installation of new shielded wire bundles and convoluted liners
within fuel tank conduits.
Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness
Limitations (AWLs)/Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D6-
38278-CMR, dated May 2016. This service information describes new AWLs
for inspecting the fuel tank wiring and conduits.
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal
[[Page 44745]]
course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
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 the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
We considered a number of factors in determining whether to issue a
new AD or to supersede AD 2007-24-02, including the size of the
affected fleet and the consequent workload added by Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737-28A1273, Revision 1, dated March 14, 2017. In
light of this, the FAA has determined that the less burdensome approach
is to issue a separate AD that includes only Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 737-28A1273, Revision 1, dated March 14, 2017. This proposed
AD would not supersede AD 2007-24-02. Airplanes identified in the
applicability of AD 2007-24-02 are required to continue to comply with
the requirements of that AD until the corrective actions of this
proposed AD are done, which would terminate the inspection and
reporting requirements of AD 2007-24-02. This proposed AD is a separate
AD action and would therefore require accomplishment of only those
actions identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
28A1273, Revision 1, dated March 14, 2017, described previously, except
for differences between this proposed AD and the service information
that are identified in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this
service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0900.
This proposed AD would also require revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new Critical Design Configuration
Control Limitations (CDCCLs). Compliance with these CDCCLs is required
by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified,
altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the
operator may not be able to accomplish the actions 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 (l) of this proposed AD. The request should
include a description of changes to the required inspections that will
ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.
Explanation of Applicability
Model 737 airplanes having line numbers 1 through 291 have a limit
of validity (LOV) of 34,000 total flight cycles, and the actions
proposed in this NPRM, as specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737-28A1273, Revision 1, dated March 14, 2017, would be required at a
compliance time occurring after that LOV. Although operation of an
airplane beyond its LOV is prohibited by 14 CFR 121.1115 and 129.115,
this NPRM includes those airplanes in the applicability so that they
are tracked in the event the LOV is extended in the future.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 499 airplanes of U.S.
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation.......................... 154 work-hours x $85 per $5,561 $18,651 $9,306,849
hour = $13,090.
Incorporation of Airworthiness 1 work-hour x $85 per 0 85 42,415
Limitations. hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order,
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable
to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight
Division.
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
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
[[Page 44746]]
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):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2017-0900; Product Identifier
2017-NM-055-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by November 13, 2017.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD affects AD 2007-24-02, Amendment 39-15268 (72 FR 65446,
November 21, 2007) (``AD 2007-24-02'').
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -
200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any
category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of chafed wires and a damaged
wiring sleeve on a fuel boost pump power cable, and an on-ground
fuel tank explosion. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical
arcing between the fuel boost pump power cable wiring and the
surrounding conduit, which could lead to arc-through of the conduit,
consequent fire or explosion of the fuel tank, and subsequent loss
of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) For Group 1 and Group 2 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737-28A1273, Revision 1, dated March 14, 2017:
Except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, at the applicable
times specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737-28A1273, Revision 1, dated March 14, 2017, do
all applicable actions identified as required for compliance
(``RC'') in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1273, Revision 1, dated
March 14, 2017.
(2) For airplanes identified as Group 3 in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 737-28A1273, Revision 1, dated March 14, 2017: Within 120
days after the effective date of this AD, inspect the airplane and
do all applicable corrective actions using a method approved in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this
AD.
(h) Revision of Maintenance or Inspection Program
Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the
applicable Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) from Boeing 737-100/200/
200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs)/Certification
Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D6-38278-CMR, dated May 2016, as
identified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD.
(1) 28-AWL-18 and 28-AWL-26, ``Fuel Boost Pump Wires In Conduit
Installation--In Fuel Tank,'' for Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C
series airplanes.
(2) 28-AWL-18 and 28-AWL-25, ``Fuel Boost Pump Wires In Conduit
Installation--In Fuel Tank,'' for Boeing Model 737-300, -400, -500
series airplanes.
(i) No Alternative Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations
(CDCCLs)
After the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, has
been revised as required by paragraph (h) of this AD, no alternative
CDCCLs may be used unless the CDCCLs are approved as an alternative
method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures
specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.
(j) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1273, Revision 1,
dated March 14, 2017, uses the phrase ``after the original issue
date of this service bulletin,'' for purposes of determining
compliance with the requirements of this AD, the phrase ``after the
effective date of this AD'' must be used.
(k) Terminating Action for Requirements of AD 2007-24-02
Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (g) of this
AD terminates all requirements of AD 2007-24-02.
(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of
the person identified in paragraph (m)(2) 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, modification, or alteration required by this AD
if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization
Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the
Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, to make those findings. To be
approved, the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration
deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the
approval must specifically refer to this AD.
(4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs
(l)(4)(i) and (l)(4)(ii) of this AD apply.
(i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply
with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is
required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and
identified figures.
(ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy
condition.
(m) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Christopher
Baker, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6498; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
(2) For information about AMOCs, contact Serj Harutunian,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch,
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-
5254; fax: 562-627-5210; email: [email protected].
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue
SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 20, 2017.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-20545 Filed 9-25-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P