[Federal Register: December 17, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 241)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 71216-71218]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17de07-8]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28942; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-093-AD;
Amendment 39-15306; AD 2007-26-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -
300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series
airplanes. This AD requires repetitive detailed and high-frequency eddy
current inspections for cracking around the heads of the fasteners on
the forward fastener row of certain areas of the station (STA) 259.5
circumferential butt splice, and repair if necessary. This AD also
requires a preventive modification, which eliminates the need for the
repetitive inspections. This AD results from a report that an operator
found multiple cracks in the fuselage skin of a Model 737-200 airplane,
at the forward fastener row of the STA 259.5 circumferential butt
splice between stringers 19 and 24. We are issuing this AD to prevent
cracking of the STA 259.5 circumferential butt splice, which could
result in loss of structural integrity of the fuselage skin and
possible loss of cabin pressure.
DATES: This AD is effective January 22, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 22,
2008.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,
West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Lockett, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
917-6447; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an airworthiness
[[Page 71217]]
directive (AD) that would apply to certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200,
-200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. That NPRM was published
in the Federal Register on August 16, 2007 (72 FR 45949). That NPRM
proposed to require repetitive detailed and high-frequency eddy current
inspections for cracking around the heads of the fasteners on the
forward fastener row of certain areas of the station (STA) 259.5
circumferential butt splice, and repair if necessary. That NPRM also
proposed to require a preventive modification, which would eliminate
the need for the repetitive inspections.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We considered the comment received. Boeing supports the NPRM.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the
AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 2,150 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this AD, at an average labor rate of $80
per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the operator.
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of U.S.-
Action Work hours Cost per airplane registered Fleet cost
airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection........................ 5 $400, per inspection 654 $261,600, per
cycle. inspection cycle.
Preventive modification........... 24 $1,920............... 654 $1,255,680.
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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.
Regulatory Findings
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.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
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 FAA 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 AD:
2007-26-04 Boeing: Amendment 39-15306. Docket No. FAA-2007-28942;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-093-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 22,
2008.
Affected ADs
(b) Accomplishing repairs and modifications described in
paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD is considered acceptable for
compliance with repair requirements of paragraphs (f) and (g) of AD
92-25-09, amendment 39-8424, for the areas of the station (STA)
259.5 circumferential butt splice only.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300,
-400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1267,
dated November 28, 2006.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report that an operator found
multiple cracks in the fuselage skin of a Model 737-200 airplane, at
the forward fastener row of the STA 259.5 circumferential butt
splice between stringers 19 and 24. We are issuing this AD to
prevent cracking of the STA 259.5 circumferential butt splice, which
could result in loss of structural integrity of the fuselage skin
and possible loss of cabin pressure.
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.
Inspections
(f) At the applicable initial compliance time specified in
paragraph 1.E. ``Compliance'' of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737-53-1267, dated November 28, 2006, except as provided by
paragraph (j) of this AD: Do detailed and high-frequency eddy
current inspections for cracking around the heads of the fasteners
on the forward fastener row of certain areas of the STA 259.5
circumferential butt splice, by doing all of the actions specified
in Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin, except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD. Repeat the
inspections thereafter at the intervals specified in paragraph 1.E.
of the service bulletin. Doing the preventive modification specified
in paragraph (h) of this AD terminates the repetitive inspection
requirements of this paragraph.
Repair
(g) If any crack is found during any inspection required by this
AD, before further flight, repair in accordance with Part 1 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
[[Page 71218]]
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1267, dated November 28,
2006.
Preventive Modification
(h) At the compliance time specified in paragraph 1.E. of Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1267, dated November 28,
2006, except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD: Do the
preventive modification in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-
1267, dated November 28, 2006. Doing the preventive modification
terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f) of
this AD.
Modification or Repair Done in Accordance With AD 92-25-09
(i) Inspections described in paragraph (f) of this AD are not
required for areas of the STA 259.5 circumferential butt splice that
have been modified in accordance with the service information
specified in Table 1 of this AD. (Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-
1076, Revision 2, dated February 8, 1990; and Revision 4, dated
September 26, 1991; are cited as appropriate sources of service
information for doing certain requirements of AD 92-25-09.)
Table 1.--Service Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing Service Bulletin-- Revision level-- Date--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
737-53-1076............................ 4......................... September 26, 1991.
737-53-1076............................ 3......................... September 20, 1990.
737-53-1076............................ 2......................... February 8, 1990.
737-53-1076............................ 1......................... November 23, 1988.
737-53-1076............................ Original.................. October 30, 1986.
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Compliance Times
(j) Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1267,
dated November 28, 2006, specifies compliance times relative to the
release date of the service bulletin, this AD requires compliance at
compliance times relative to the effective date of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(k)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized
by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair
method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis
of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this
AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(l) You must use Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-
53-1267, dated November 28, 2006, to do the actions required by this
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington
98124-2207.
(3) You may review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information
on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or
go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 10, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-24335 Filed 12-14-07; 8:45 am]
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