[Federal Register: March 16, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 50)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 12815-12816]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16mr05-17]
[[Page 12815]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20626; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-243-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -
800, and -900 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series
airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the fuel shutoff
valve wires and conduit assemblies in the left and right engine strut
aft fairing areas. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that an
operator discovered many small chafe marks and exposed shield braid on
fuel shutoff wires routed through a conduit in the wing. We are
proposing this AD to prevent exposed wires that could provide an
ignition source in a flammable leakage zone and possibly lead to an
uncontrolled fire or explosion.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 2, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-
401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This
docket number is FAA-2005-20626; the directorate identifier for this
docket is 2004-NM-243-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Pegors, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone
(425) 917-6504; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20626;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-243-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that website, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
We have received a report that an operator discovered many small
chafe marks and exposed shield braid on fuel shutoff valve wires routed
through a conduit in the wing of a Boeing Model 737-700 series
airplane. Most of the chafing occurred at each bend of the conduit,
although chafing was also found at the conduit end fitting.
Investigation revealed that high vibration causes wire movement in the
conduit which can lead to chafing. If sharp edges are present inside
the conduit, chafing can result in damage to the wire jacket and can
expose the shield braid. This condition, if not corrected, could result
in exposed wires that could provide an ignition source in a flammable
leakage zone and possibly lead to an uncontrolled fire or explosion.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-28-
1199, dated September 9, 2004. The service bulletin describes
procedures for replacing the fuel shutoff valve wires and conduit
assemblies in the left and right engine strut aft fairing areas with
new fuel shutoff valve wires and conduit assemblies. Accomplishing the
actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately
address the unsafe condition.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which
would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 1,338 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 529 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 42 work hours per
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts
would cost about $2,418 per airplane. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $2,723,292, or
$5,148 per airplane.
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.
[[Page 12816]]
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
We have 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 that the 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. 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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
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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2005-20626; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
243-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by May 2, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800,
and -900 series airplanes; as listed in Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 737-28-1199, dated September 9, 2004; certificated
in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report that an operator discovered
many small chafe marks and exposed shield braid on fuel shutoff
valve wires routed through a conduit in the wing. We are issuing
this AD to prevent exposed wires that could provide an ignition
source in a flammable leakage zone and possibly lead to an
uncontrolled fire or explosion.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Action Heading
(f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the fuel shutoff valve wires and conduit assemblies in the
left and right engine strut aft fairing areas with new fuel shutoff
valve wires and conduit assemblies; by accomplishing all the actions
in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 737-28-1199, dated September 9, 2004.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 8, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5137 Filed 3-15-05; 8:45 am]
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