[Federal Register: November 19, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 223)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 65157-65159]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19no03-1]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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[[Page 65157]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NE-22-AD; Amendment 39-13369; AD 2003-23-05-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Titeflex Corporation
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Titeflex Corporation hoses installed on Boeing 737-300, -400, -
500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, 747-400, 757-200, -300, 767-200, -
300, and -300F airplanes. This AD requires, within 24 months after the
effective date of the AD, inspection of certain Titeflex Corporation
hoses for proper date and paint code, replacement if necessary, and
inspection for proper heat treatment of aluminum B-nuts, if necessary.
This AD is prompted by certain Titeflex Corporation hoses discovered
with incorrect heat treatment of B-nuts. We are issuing this AD to
prevent fire extinguishing system and fuel system hose failure due to
improperly heat treated aluminum B-nuts.
DATES: This AD becomes effective December 24, 2003. The Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain
publications listed in the regulations as of December 24, 2003.
ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD
from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, PO Box 3703, Seattle, Washington
98124-2207; telephone (206) 544-5000.
You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA. You may examine the service
information, by appointment, at the FAA, New England Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,
suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Fahr, Aerospace Engineer, Boston
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate,
12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone
(781) 238-7155; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR Part 39
with a proposed airworthiness directive (AD). The proposed AD applies
to certain Titeflex Corporation hoses installed on Boeing 737-300, -
400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, 747-400, 757-200, -300, 767-
200, -300, and -300F airplanes. We published the proposed AD in the
Federal Register on March 13, 2003 (68 FR 11999). That action proposed
to require within 24 months after the effective date of the AD,
inspection of hoses for proper date and paint code, replacement if
necessary, and inspection for proper heat treatment of aluminum B-nuts,
if necessary.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.
List Only Specific Aircraft
One commenter requests that only specific aircraft be listed in the
applicability, and requests that we eliminate the statement ``used on,
but not limited to'' from the applicability statement.
The FAA does not agree. Since the hoses can be used on many
airplanes, the FAA uses the statement ``used on, but not limited to''
to include any operator who may have installed a hose on an airplane
other than the ones called out in the service bulletins.
Entire Fleet's Effectivity
One commenter requests that the AD include the entire fleet's
effectivity, because hoses may have been exchanged between aircraft.
The FAA agrees that hoses may have been exchanged between aircraft.
However, as detailed above, no change to the AD is needed because the
statement ``installed on, but not limited to'' already includes the
entire fleet.
Ensure Adequacy of Service Bulletins
One commenter notes that the service bulletins should contain
adequate information to do the inspection requirements, and that an
adequate number of spare hoses should be made available.
The FAA agrees. The alert service bulletins contain adequate
information to do the inspection requirements, and the FAA has been
advised by Titeflex Corporation that an adequate supply of spare hoses
is available.
Correct a Reference to Service Bulletins
One commenter requests that the reference to service bulletins
listed in Table 1, be removed from the compliance paragraph preceding
Table 1 because those service bulletins are not referenced in Table 1.
The FAA does not agree. The compliance paragraph mandates the
inspection of the manufacture date code on all hoses listed in Table 1
of this AD, using the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable
Boeing alert service bulletins (ASBs) contained in Table 1 of this AD.
Table 1 lists six different Alert Service Bulletins. Therefore, no
change will be made to the AD.
Allow Use of Aircraft Records For AD Compliance
One commenter requests that the use of aircraft records be
permitted as an alternate means of compliance (AMOC) with the
inspections requirements of this AD.
The FAA agrees. The operator can request an AMOC and the FAA will
review the operator's records to determine AMOC acceptability.
New Revision to Service Bulletin
The proposed AD incorporated by reference Boeing ASB 737-26A1109,
Revision 1, dated November 7, 2002. The final rule has replaced that
ASB with Boeing ASB 737-26A1109, Revision 2, dated May 8, 2003.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described
[[Page 65158]]
previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD
On July 10, 2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. That
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products,
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. The
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since the
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in
future AD actions.
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); and
(3) 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket No. 2002-NE-22-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the Federal Aviation Administration 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):
2003-23-05 Titeflex Corporation: Amendment 39-13369. Docket No.
2002-NE-22-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective December 24, 2003.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to certain Titeflex Corporation hoses that
are identified by Boeing part number (P/N), or for certain hoses, by
Titeflex parts manufacturer approval (PMA) P/N in this AD. These
hoses are used on, but not limited to, Boeing 737-300, -400, -500, -
600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900; 757-200 and -300; 767-200, -300,
and -300F; and 747-400 airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD is prompted by certain Titeflex Corporation hoses
discovered with incorrect heat treatment of B-nuts. The actions
specified in this AD are intended to prevent fire extinguishing
system and fuel system hose failure due to improperly heat treated
aluminum B-nuts.
Compliance
(e) Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, unless
already done.
(f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD,
inspect the manufacture date code on all hoses listed in Table 1 of
this AD. Use the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable
Boeing alert service bulletins (ASB) contained in the following
Table 1.
Table 1.--Applicable Hose P/Ns
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Boeing hose P/ Titeflex PMA P/ Applicable alert
Airplane model N N Used for service bulletin
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(1) 737-300, -400, and -500 S312N512-5 113701-5 Engine and cargo 737-26A1108, Revision
airplanes. S312N512-6 113701-6 compartment fire 1, dated June 27,
BACH5R0110YP extinguishing 2002.
BACH5S0110XN bottles.
(2) 737-600, -700,-700C, -800, - S316A001-1 115398-1 Engine, auxiliary 737-26A1109, Revision
900 airplanes. S316A001-2 115398-2 power unit (APU), 12, dated May 8,
S312N512-15 113701-15 and cargo 2003.
S312N512-17 113701-17 compartment and fire
S312N512-18 113701-18 extinguishing
BACH5R0110YP bottles, and wing-to-
BACH5S0110XN strut fuel hoses.
(3) 747-400 airplanes............. BACH5R0080YY .............. Forward cargo and 747-26A2269, Revision
BACH5R0140YU main deck cargo 1, dated June 6,
BACH5S0140XT compartment fire 2002.
BACH5R0186YY extinguishing
BACH5R0186XX bottles..
BACH5S0080XX
BACH5S0080YY
BACH5S0110XN
(4) 757-200 airplanes............. S312N512-1 113701-1 Engine, APU, and 757-26A0043, Revision
S312N512-2 113701-2 cargo compartment 1, dated November
S312N512-3 113701-3 fire extinguishing 14, 2002.
S312N512-4 113701-4 bottles.
BACH5R0110YP
BACH5S0110XN
[[Page 65159]]
(5) 757-300 airplanes............. S312N512-1 113701-1 Engine and cargo 757-26A0044, Revision
S312N512-2 .............. compartment fire 1, dated November
S312N512-3 113701-2 extinguishing 14, 2002.
S312N512-4 113701-3 bottles.
BACH5R0110YP 113701-4
BACH5S0074XN
(6) 767-200, -300, and -300F BACH5R0085YU .............. Cargo compartment 767-26A0121, dated
airplanes. BACH5R0140YU fire extinguishing December 19, 2001.
BACH5S0077XT bottles.
BACH5S0140XT
BACH5S0184XX
BACH5R0127YY
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(g) If the hose manufacture date code is before 11/99 or after
1/01, or if the manufacture date is 11/99 through 1/01 and there is
a permanent white dot on the ID band, no further action is required
for that hose.
(h) If the hose manufacture date code is 11/99 through 1/01
inclusive and there is no permanent white dot on the ID band,
replace the hose with a serviceable hose or perform an indirect
conductive inspection/test for proper heat treat. Use the
accomplishment instructions of the applicable ASB listed in Table 1
of this AD.
(i) Replace the hose with a serviceable hose if any B-nut is
improperly heat treated.
Credit For Previous Inspections
(j) Previous inspections performed using ASB 737-26A1108, dated
November 15, 2001, ASB 737-26A1109, dated November 15, 2001, ASB
737-26A1109, Revision 1, dated November 7, 2002, ASB 747-26A2269,
dated November 1, 2001, ASB 757-26A0043, dated November 15, 2001,
and ASB 757-26A0044, dated November 15, 2001, comply with the
inspection requirements of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(k) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, has the
authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(l) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the documents listed in the following
Table 2 in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You
can get a copy from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, PO Box 3707,
Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. You can review copies at the FAA,
New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
Table 2.--Incorporation by Reference
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Alert service bulletin Page number(s) Revision Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
737-26A1108.......................... ALL.................... 1...................... June 27, 2002.
Total Pages: 48
737-26A1109.......................... ALL.................... 2...................... May 8, 2003.
Total Pages: 68
747-26A2269.......................... ALL.................... 1...................... June 6, 2002.
Total Pages: 36
757-26A0043.......................... ALL.................... 1...................... November 14, 2002.
Total Pages: 40
757-26A0044.......................... ALL.................... 1...................... November 14, 2002.
Total Pages: 34
767-26A0121.......................... ALL.................... Original............... December 19, 2001.
Total Pages: 20
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Related Information
(m) None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 10, 2003.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-28730 Filed 11-18-03; 8:45 am]
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