[Federal Register: February 19, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 33)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 7706-7707]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19fe04-15]
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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.
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[[Page 7706]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-208-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-200C Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Boeing Model 737-200C series
airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive inspections of the
Station 348.2 frame to detect cracking under the stop fittings and
intercostal flanges at Stringers 14L, 15L, and 16L; and corrective
action if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent rapid
decompression of the airplane, and possible separation of the forward
entry door from the airplane. This action is intended to address the
identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by April 5, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-208-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. 2003-NM-208-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 Airplanes, 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: Howard Hall, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
917-6430; 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 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 2003-NM-208-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. 2003-NM-208-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report of cracks in the Station 348.2 frame
on a Boeing Model 737-200C series airplane. The Station 348.2 frame is
located immediately aft of the forward entry door cutout. The cracks
were located under the door stop fittings at Stringers 15L and 16L.
Undetected fatigue cracks in the frame could propagate due to normal
cyclic cabin pressure loading. If these fatigue cracks continue to
propagate, the stop fittings can become ineffective. This condition, if
not corrected, could result in a rapid decompression of the airplane,
and possible separation of the forward entry door from the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737-53A1240, dated April 10, 2003, which describes procedures for
performing repetitive detailed and eddy current inspections of the
Station 348.2 frame for cracks under the stop fittings and intercostal
flanges at Stringers 14L, 15L, and 16L. (Stringer 14L is similar to
Stringers 15L and 16L.) The inspection procedures at these locations
consist of: A detailed inspection of the entire area; an eddy current
inspection of the forward surface of the Station 348.2 frame inner
chord over a 4.0-inch length centered on the removed stop fittings at
Stringers 15L and 16L; an eddy current rotary probe inspection of the
frame at the fastener holes for the removed stop fittings at Stringers
14L, 15L, and 16L; an eddy current inspection of the intercostal
forward flanges common to the aft side of the Station 348.2 frame at
Stringers 14L, 15L, and 16L; and an eddy current inspection of the
intercostal aft flange common to the forward side of the Station 360
frame at Stringer 15L. The alert service bulletin
[[Page 7707]]
also specifies contacting Boeing for repair instructions if cracks are
found.
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 require accomplishment of the actions specified in
the alert service bulletin described previously, except as discussed
below.
Differences Between Proposed Rule and Alert Service Bulletin
Although the alert service bulletin specifies that operators may
contact the manufacturer for disposition of certain cracking
conditions, this proposed AD would require operators to repair those
conditions per a method approved by the FAA, or per data meeting the
type certification basis of the airplane approved by a Boeing Company
Designated Engineering Representative who has been authorized by the
FAA to make such findings.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 78 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 15 airplanes of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately
18 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspections, and
that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $17,550, or $1,170 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this proposed AD were not adopted. The 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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Boeing: Docket 2003-NM-208-AD.
Applicability: All Model 737-200C series airplanes; certificated
in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent rapid decompression of the airplane, and possible
separation of the forward entry door from the airplane, accomplish
the following:
Initial and Repetitive Inspections
(a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD: Prior to the
accumulation 46,000 total flight cycles, or within 2,250 flight
cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later,
do detailed and eddy current inspections of the Station 348.2 frame
for cracking under the stop fittings and intercostal flanges at
Stringers 14L, 15L, and 16L by accomplishing paragraphs 3.A. and
3.B.1. through 3.B.7. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1240, dated April 10, 2003. Do the
actions per the service bulletin. Any applicable repair must be
accomplished prior to further flight. Repeat the inspections
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,500 flight cycles.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage,
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror,
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate
access procedures may be required.''
Corrective Action
(b) If any crack is found during any inspection required by this
AD, and the bulletin specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate
action: Before further flight, repair per a method approved by the
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or per
data meeting the type certification basis of the airplane approved
by a Boeing Company Designated Engineering Representative who has
been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make such findings.
For a repair method to be approved, the approval must specifically
reference this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle ACO,
FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance
(AMOCs) for this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 9, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-3493 Filed 2-18-04; 8:45 am]
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