[Federal Register: December 5, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 234)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 67975-67977]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05de03-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-174-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 737
series airplanes. That AD currently requires a one-time general visual
inspection of the seat locks and seat tracks of the flightcrew seats to
ensure that the seats lock in position and to verify that lock nuts and
bolts of adequate length are installed on the rear track lock bracket,
and corrective action, if necessary. This action would revise the
applicability of the existing AD by adding airplanes. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent uncommanded
movement of the flightcrew seats during acceleration and take-off of
the airplane, which could result in reduced controllability of the
airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe
condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 20, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-174-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-174-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Lennon, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; telephone (425) 917-6435; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall
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identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the
address specified above. All communications received on or before the
closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before
taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this
action may be changed in light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
[sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
[sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2002-NM-174-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped
and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 2002-NM-174-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On May 18, 2000, the FAA issued AD 2000-10-21, amendment 39-11745
(65 FR 34063, May 26, 2000), applicable to certain Boeing Model 737
airplanes, to require a one-time general visual inspection of the seat
locks and seat tracks of the flightcrew seats to ensure that the seats
lock in position and to verify that lock nuts and bolts of adequate
length are installed on the rear track lock bracket, and corrective
action, if necessary. That action was prompted by reports indicating
instances of the pilot seat sliding to the aft-most position during
acceleration and take-off on certain Boeing Model 737 series airplanes.
The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent uncommanded
movement of the flightcrew seats during acceleration and take-off of
the airplane, which could result in reduced controllability of the
airplane.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
Since the issuance of that AD, the airplane manufacturer has
informed the FAA that additional airplanes may be equipped with IPECO
flightcrew seats that are subject to the identified unsafe condition.
Those seats may have been installed on airplanes out of operators'
stock or from an airplane not yet modified per AD 2000-10-21, amendment
39-11745.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
25A1363, Revision 1, dated March 28, 2002, which revises the
effectivity of the initial release (which was referenced as the
appropriate source of service information for the actions required by
AD 2000-10-21) of the service bulletin by adding additional airplanes.
The procedures for a one-time general visual inspection and corrective
actions if necessary specified in Revision 1 are essentially identical
to those described in the initial release of the service bulletin. No
more work is necessary on airplanes changed per the initial release of
this service bulletin. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the
alert service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified
unsafe condition.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1363, Revision 1, dated March
28, 2002, refers to IPECO Service Bulletin A001-25-47, dated January
13, 1992, as an additional source of service information for
accomplishment of the inspection of the seat locks and seat tracks of
the flightcrew seats and corrective action, if necessary.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would supersede AD 2000-10-21 to continue to require a one-
time general visual inspection of the seat locks and seat tracks of the
flightcrew seats to ensure that the seats lock in position and to
verify that lock nuts and bolts of adequate length are installed on the
rear track lock bracket, and corrective action, if necessary. The
proposed AD would also revise the applicability of the existing AD by
adding airplanes. The actions would be required to be accomplished in
accordance with the Boeing alert service bulletin described previously,
except as discussed below.
Difference Between Service Bulletin and Proposed AD
Operators should note that, although the Boeing alert service
bulletin does not recommend a compliance time for accomplishment of the
described actions, the FAA has determined that a 90-day compliance time
would address the identified unsafe condition in a timely manner. In
developing an appropriate compliance time for this proposed AD, we
considered the degree of urgency associated with addressing the subject
unsafe condition, the average utilization of the affected fleet, and
the time necessary to perform the actions. In light of all of these
factors, we find a 90-day compliance time for completion of the actions
to be warranted, in that it represents an appropriate interval of time
allowable for affected airplanes to continue to operate without
compromising safety.
Explanation of Change Made to Existing Requirements
For clarification, we have revised the definition of a ``general
visual inspection'' in this proposed AD.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 1,385 airplanes of the affected design in
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 282 airplanes of U.S.
registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
For Group 1 airplanes listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
25A1363, Revision 1: The actions that are currently required by AD
2000-10-21 take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish,
at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures,
the cost impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $195 per airplane.
For Group 2 airplanes listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
25A1363, Revision 1: The new actions that are proposed in this AD
action would take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed requirements of this AD
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $195 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or proposed
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. The
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cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only
the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by
the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such
as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or
time necessitated by other administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-11745 (65 FR
34063, May 26, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD),
to read as follows:
Boeing: Docket 2002-NM-174-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-10-21, Amendment
39-11745.
Applicability: Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes
equipped with IPECO flightcrew seats, as listed in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737-25A1363, Revision 1, dated March 28, 2002;
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent uncommanded movement of the flightcrew seats during
acceleration and take-off of the airplane, which could result in
reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
One-Time Inspection
(a) Perform a one-time general visual inspection of the seat
locks and seat tracks of the flightcrew seats to ensure that the
seats lock in position and to verify that lock nuts and bolts of
adequate length are installed on the rear track lock bracket, at the
applicable time and per the Work Instructions of the applicable
service bulletin specified in Table 1 of this AD. Table 1 follows:
Table 1.--Compliance Time/Service Bulletin
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Airplanes-- Compliance Time-- Service Bulletin--
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For Group 1 airplanes listed Within 90 days after Boeing Alert Service
in Boeing Alert Service September 26, 2001 Bulletin 737-
Bulletin 737-25A1363, (the effective date 25A1363, dated
Revision 1, dated March 28, AD 2000-10-21, November 5, 1998.
2002. amendment 39-11745).
For Group 2 airplanes listed Within 90 days after Boeing Alert
in Boeing Alert Service the effective date Services Bulletin
Bulletin 737-25A1363, of this AD. 737-25A1363,
Revision 1, dated March 28, Revision 1, dated
2002. March 28, 2002.
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Note 1:
For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is
defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area,
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to
enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the inspection
area. This level of inspection is made under normally available
lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight,
or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain
proximity to the area being checked.''
Corrective Action
(1) If the seat lock pin fully engages in all lock positions of
the seat track, and the rear track lock bracket is correctly
installed: No further action is required by this AD.
(2) If the seat lock pin does not fully engage in all positions
of the seat track, and lock nuts and bolts of adequate length are
not installed on the rear track lock bracket: Prior to further
flight, install lock nuts and bolts of adequate length on the track
lock bracket and verify proper seat movement and seat lock
operation, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
Note 2:
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1363, Revision 1, dated
March 28, 2002, refers to IPECO Service Bulletin A001-25-47, dated
January 13, 1992, as an additional source of service information for
accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
Actions Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin
(b) For Group 2 airplanes: Inspections and corrective actions
accomplished before the effective date of this AD per Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737-25A1363, dated November 5, 1998, are considered
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified
in this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c)(1) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.
(2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously per
AD 2000-10-21, amendment 39-11745, are approved as alternative
methods of compliance with the requirements of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 28, 2003.
Kevin Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-30219 Filed 12-4-03; 8:45 am]
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