[Federal Register: February 8, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 27)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 7488-7489]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08fe08-16]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0149; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-319-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -
300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series
airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the existing
straight-to-90-degree hose assembly for the Lavatory ``A'' water
supply. The replacement is a new straight hose assembly and a separate
90-degree elbow fitting. This proposed AD results from a report of a
separated hose assembly for the passenger water system. We are
proposing this AD to prevent a water leak into the flight deck ceiling,
which could result in an electrical short and possible loss of several
functions essential to safe flight.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 24, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
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 proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcia Smith, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6484; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0149;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-319-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We have received a report of a separated hose assembly for the
passenger water system. The hose assembly supplies potable water
through a 90-degree end fitting to Lavatory ``A.'' The break occurred
at the 90-degree end fitting when the elbow separated at a soldered
joint adjacent to the hose assembly sleeve. The break was located just
above and inside the flight deck entry door, and resulted in water
spilling into the flight deck ceiling, which affected various radios
and the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS)
and caused them to become inoperative. These affected parts had to be
replaced due to water damage. An analysis of the broken hose assembly
showed signs of previous small leaks. It was concluded that an
incompletely soldered joint failed and consequently separated. A broken
hose assembly in this location, if not corrected, could leak into the
flight deck ceiling and result in an electrical short and possible loss
of several functions essential to safe flight.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-38A1054, dated
August 23, 2007. The service bulletin describes procedures for
replacing the existing straight-to-90-degree hose assembly for the
Lavatory ``A'' water supply. The replacement is a new straight hose
assembly and a separate 90-degree elbow fitting.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other airplanes of the same type design.
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 779 airplanes of
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take between 4 and 7
work-hours per airplane to comply with this proposed AD, depending on
the airplane configuration. The average labor rate is $80 per work-
hour. Required parts would cost about $400 per product. Based on these
figures, we estimate the
[[Page 7489]]
cost of this proposed AD to the U.S. operators to be between $560,880
and $747,840, or between $720 and $960 per product.
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
We 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 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. 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, 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 AD:
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2008-0149; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
319-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by March 24, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400,
and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category; as
identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-38A1054, dated
August 23, 2007.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report of a separated hose assembly
for the passenger water system. We are issuing this AD to prevent a
water leak into the flight deck ceiling, which could result in an
electrical short and possible loss of several functions essential to
safe flight.
Compliance
(e) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
Replacement
(f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the existing straight-to-90-degree hose assembly for the
Lavatory ``A'' water supply with a new straight hose assembly and a
separate 90-degree elbow fitting, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
38A1054, dated August 23, 2007.
Parts Installation
(g) As of the effective date of this AD, any hose assembly part
having a part number identified in Table 1 of this AD must not be
used in any location that is subject to the requirements of this AD.
However, those parts may be used in other locations if not otherwise
prohibited.
Table 1.--Spare Parts Prohibited for This AD
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Airplane group identified in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 737-38A1054, Existing part Nos.
dated August 23, 2007
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1 and 2................................ 10-61998-430, AS4471-08-0401,
or AS4471-08-0404.
3...................................... 10-61998-25 or 10-60871-125.
4...................................... 10-61998-31 or 10-60871-139.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, ATTN: Marcia Smith, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and
Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6484; fax (425)
917-6590; has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested using 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 31, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-2353 Filed 2-7-08; 8:45 am]
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