[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 79317-79320]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31828]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-1199; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-225-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700,
-700C, -800, and -900 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive
(AD) that applies to the products listed above. The existing AD
currently requires replacement of the power control relays in the P91
and P92 power distribution panels for the fuel boost and override pumps
with new, improved relays having a ground fault interrupter (GFI)
feature, or installation and maintenance of universal fault
interrupters (UFIs) using a certain supplemental type certificate.
Since we issued that AD, we have determined that we need to clarify
which relays may be replaced by installation of UFIs. This proposed AD
would continue to require the actions of the existing AD and also
specify which relays may be replaced by GFIs or UFIs. We are proposing
this AD to prevent pump housing burn-through due to electrical arcing,
which could create a potential ignition source inside a fuel tank. This
condition, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a
fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 3,
2011.
[[Page 79318]]
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: Deliver to Mail address above 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, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box
3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-5000,
extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail [email protected]; Internet
https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the referenced
service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 917-6482; 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-2010-1199;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-225-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
On July 27, 2010, we issued AD 2010-17-05, Amendment 39-16395 (75
FR 50859, August 18, 2010), for certain Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -
800, and -900 series airplanes. That AD requires replacement of the
power control relays in the P91 and P92 power distribution panels for
the fuel boost and override pumps with new, improved relays having a
ground fault interrupter (GFI) feature, or installation and maintenance
of universal fault interrupters (UFIs) using a certain supplemental
type certificate. That AD resulted from fuel system reviews conducted
by the manufacturer. We issued that AD to prevent pump housing burn-
through due to electrical arcing, which could create a potential
ignition source inside a fuel tank. This condition, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and
consequent loss of the airplane.
Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2010-17-05, we have determined that there are
errors in paragraph (f) of that AD. Paragraph (f)(2) of AD 2010-17-05
contained a typographical error in the reference to the STC number;
that AD refers to ``STC ST02079LA'' instead of the intended
``ST02076LA.'' That paragraph also permits, in error, installation of
the STC as an acceptable means of compliance for replacing relays R18,
R19, R20, R21, R54, and R55. STC ST02076LA is a method of compliance
only for relays R54 and R55.
Since the STC number was referenced incorrectly, no operator could
have used STC ST02076LA as a method of compliance for relays R18, R19,
R20, or R21, unless an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) was
approved. No AMOCs were approved for AD 2010-17-05.
Paragraph (g)(1) of this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) has
been revised to specify that Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201,
Revision 1, dated May 28, 2009, must be used to accomplish replacement
of relays R18, R19, R20, and R21. Paragraph (g)(2) of this NPRM has
been revised to specify that relays R54 and R55 must be replaced in
accordance with either the service bulletin or by installing and
maintaining UFIs using STC ST02076LA.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2010-17-05
with new compliance times. This proposed AD would also correct the
reference to the STC and specify which relays may be replaced with UFIs
by installing STC ST02076LA.
Change to Existing AD
Since AD 2010-17-05 was issued, the AD format has been revised, and
certain paragraphs have been rearranged. As a result, the corresponding
paragraph identifiers have changed in this proposed AD, as listed in
the following table:
Revised Paragraph Identifiers
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Corresponding requirement
Requirement in AD 2010-17-05 in this proposed AD
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Paragraph (f)............................. Paragraph (g).
Paragraph (g)............................. Paragraph (h).
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Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 754 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
[[Page 79319]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Installation of GFI relays (retained 8 work-hours x $85 per $11,010 $11,690 $8,814,260
actions from existing AD--which are hour = $680.
restated as a convenience for
operators).
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The new requirements of this proposed AD add no additional economic
burden.
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 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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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 removing airworthiness directive
(AD) 2010-17-05, Amendment 39-16395 (75 FR 50859, August 18, 2010), and
adding the following new AD:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-1199; Directorate Identifier
2010-NM-225-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by February
3, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2010-17-05, Amendment 39-16395.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -
700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes, certificated in any category;
as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision
1, dated May 28, 2009.
Subject
(d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent pump housing burn-
through due to electrical arcing, which could create a potential
ignition source inside a fuel tank. This condition, in combination
with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion
and consequent loss of the airplane.
Compliance
(f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
Replacement or Installation
(g) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, do the
actions required in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.
(1) Replace the power control relays that are located in the
R18, R19, R20, and R21 positions in the P91 and P92 power
distribution panels for the fuel boost pumps with new, improved
relays, part number KDAG-X4F-001, having a ground fault interrupter
(GFI) feature, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision 1, dated May 28,
2009.
(2) Replace the power control relays that are located in the R54
and R55 positions in the P91 and P92 power distribution panels for
the fuel override pumps, in accordance with the actions required in
paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (g)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Replace with new, improved relays, part number KDAG-X4F-001,
having a GFI feature, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision
1, dated May 28, 2009.
(ii) Install and maintain TDG Aerospace universal fault
interrupters (UFIs) using Supplemental Type Certificate ST02076LA,
issued October 26, 2007.
Note: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision 1,
dated May 28, 2009, refers to Honeywell Service Bulletin 1151932-24-
61 and Honeywell Service Bulletin 1151934-24-62, both Revision 5,
both dated May 25, 2009, as additional sources of guidance for
replacement of the power control relays in the P91 and P92 power
distribution panels.
Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service
Information
(h) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, dated
February 19, 2007, are acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2)(i) of this AD, provided
that Revision 5 of Honeywell Service Bulletins 1151932-24-61 and
1151934-24-62, both dated May 25, 2009, is used as an additional
source of guidance.
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
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the
attention of the person identified in the Related Information
section of this AD. Information may be e-mailed to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your Principal
Maintenance Inspector
[[Page 79320]]
or Principal Avionics Inspector, as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
Related Information
(j) For more information about this AD, contact Georgios
Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S,
FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6482; fax (425)
917-6590.
(k) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 10, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-31828 Filed 12-17-10; 8:45 am]
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