[Federal Register: March 4, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 43)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 11527-11528]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04mr08-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0202; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-185-AD;
Amendment 39-15399; AD 2008-05-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, 737-700, 737-
700C, 737-800, and 737-900 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 737-600, 737-700, 737-700C, 737-800, and 737-900 series
airplanes. This AD requires an inspection of the vertical fin lugs,
skin, and skin edges for discrepancies; an inspection of the flight
control cables, fittings, and pulleys in section 48 for signs of
corrosion; an inspection of the horizontal stabilizer jackscrew, ball
nut, and gimbal pins for signs of corrosion; and corrective actions if
necessary. This AD results from reports indicating that moisture was
found within the section 48 cavity. We are issuing this AD to ensure
that the correct amount of sealant was applied around the vertical fin
lugs, skin and the skin edges. Missing sealant could result in icing of
the elevator cables, which could cause a system jam and corrosion of
structural and flight control parts, resulting in reduced
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective April 8, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 8,
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 Document 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 directive (AD) that would apply to
certain Boeing Model 737-600, 737-700, 737-700C, 737-800, and 737-900
series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on
November 19, 2007 (72 FR 64955). That NPRM proposed to require an
inspection of the vertical fin lugs, skin, and skin edges for
discrepancies; an inspection of the flight control cables, fittings,
and pulleys in section 48 for signs of corrosion; an inspection of the
horizontal stabilizer jackscrew, ball nut, and gimbal pins for signs of
corrosion; and corrective actions if necessary.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We considered the comment received. Boeing, the single
commenter, 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 829 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide
fleet. This AD affects about 372 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
required actions take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average
labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated
cost of this AD for U.S. operators is $29,760, or $80 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.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
Requirements.'' Under that
[[Page 11528]]
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:
2008-05-05 Boeing: Amendment 39-15399. Docket No. FAA-2007-0202;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-185-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 8,
2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to certain Boeing Model 737-600, 737-700,
737-700C, 737-800, and 737-900 series airplanes, certificated in any
category; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1242,
Revision 2, dated April 23, 2007.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports indicating that moisture was
found within the section 48 cavity. We are issuing this AD to ensure
that the correct amount of sealant was applied around the vertical
fin lugs, skin and the skin edges. Missing sealant could result in
icing of the elevator cables, which could cause a system jam and
corrosion of structural and flight control parts, resulting in
reduced controllability of the airplane.
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) Within 2,500 flight cycles or 18 months after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do the detailed inspections
specified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), and (f)(3) of this AD in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service
Bulletin 737-53A1242, Revision 2, dated April 23, 2007.
(1) Do a detailed inspection of the vertical fin lugs, skin, and
skin edges for discrepancies (i.e., water ingress; corrosion damage;
and missing, insufficient, or cracked sealant).
(2) Do a detailed inspection of the flight control cables,
fittings, and pulleys in section 48 for signs of corrosion.
(3) Do a detailed inspection of the horizontal stabilizer
jackscrew, ball nut, and gimbal pins for signs of corrosion.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is:
``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 (i.e., the person performing the inspection).
Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be
used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be
required.''
Corrective Actions
(g) If any discrepancy or corrosion is found during any
inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD, before further
flight, do the applicable corrective actions in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1242,
Revision 2, dated April 23, 2007; except where the service bulletin
specifies to contact Boeing, repair using a method approved in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this
AD.
Credit for Actions Done Using the Previous Service Information
(h) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1242, dated October
17, 2002; or Revision 1, dated April 28, 2005; are considered
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified
in paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(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
(j) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1242, Revision
2, dated April 23, 2007, 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 February 20, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-3821 Filed 3-3-08; 8:45 am]
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