[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 131 (Thursday, July 9, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37072-37074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18159]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 131 / Thursday, July 9, 1998 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-72-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100 and -200 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-
100 and -200 series airplanes, that currently requires replacement of
certain outboard and inboard wheel halves with improved wheel halves;
cleaning and inspecting certain outboard and inboard wheel halves for
corrosion, missing paint in large areas, and cracks; and repair or
replacement of the wheel halves with serviceable wheel halves, if
necessary. That AD was prompted by a review of the design of the flight
control systems on Model 737 series airplanes. This action would
require that the actions be accomplished in accordance with revised
service information. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to prevent failure of the wheel flanges, which could result in
damage to the hydraulics systems, jammed flight controls, loss of
electrical power, or other combinations of failures; and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 24, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-72-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Allied Signal Aerospace Company, Bendix Wheels and Brakes
Division, South Bend, Indiana 46624; and Bendix, Aircraft Brake and
Strut Division, 3520 Westmoor Street, South Bend, Indiana 46628-1373.
This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Herron, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2672; fax (425)
227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 98-NM-72-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-NM-72-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On August 4, 1997, the FAA issued AD 97-17-01, amendment 39-10102
(62 FR 43067, August 12, 1997), applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-
100 and -200 series airplanes, to require replacement of certain
outboard and inboard wheel halves with improved wheel halves; cleaning
and inspecting certain outboard and inboard wheel halves for corrosion,
missing paint in large areas, and cracks; and repair or replacement of
the wheel halves with serviceable wheel halves, if necessary. That
action was prompted by a review of the design of the flight control
systems on Model 737 series airplanes. The requirements of that AD are
intended to prevent failure of the wheel flanges, which could result in
damage to the hydraulics systems, jammed flight controls, loss of
electrical power, or other combinations of failures; and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Revised Service Information
Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has been advised that Allied
Signal Service Bulletin No. 737-32-026, dated April 26, 1988, which was
referenced as the appropriate source of service information for
accomplishment of the actions specified in that original AD, was
incorrect. Subsequently, the FAA has reviewed and approved Allied
Signal Service Bulletin No. 737-32-026, dated June 27, 1988. The
procedures described in that revision are similar to those described in
the earlier version of the service bulletin. However, among other
things, this new version of the service bulletin differs from the
original version in the following respects:
1. The effectivity listing in the revised service bulletin includes
a new part number for inboard wheel halves.
2. The revised service bulletin provides a new option for
repainting the wheels.
3. The revised service bulletin identifies specific serial numbers
of wheel halves on which ``beef-ups'' were
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accomplished, but inspections are still necessary.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would supersede AD 97-17-01 to continue to require
replacement of certain outboard and inboard wheel halves with improved
wheel halves; cleaning and inspecting certain outboard and inboard
wheel halves for corrosion, missing paint in large areas, and cracks;
and repair or replacement of the wheel halves with serviceable wheel
halves, if necessary. The actions would be required to be accomplished
in accordance with the revised service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 634 Boeing Model 737-100 and -200 series
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA
estimates that 241 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this
proposed AD.
Because this proposed AD would merely require that the actions
currently required by AD 97-17-01 be accomplished in accordance with
revised service information, the proposed AD would add no additional
costs, and would require no additional work to be performed by affected
operators. The current costs associated with this amendment are
reiterated in their entirety (as follows) for the convenience of
affected operators.
The FAA estimates that it will take approximately 4 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required replacement of wheel halves at an
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $20,212 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the required replacement on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$4,928,932, or $20,452 per airplane.
The FAA also estimates that it will take approximately 2 work hours
per airplane to accomplish the required cleaning and inspection at an
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the required cleaning and inspection on U.S. operators
is estimated to be $28,920, or $120 per airplane.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-10102 (62 FR
43067, August 12, 1997), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), to read as follows:
Boeing: Docket 98-NM-72-AD. Supersedes AD 97-17-01, amendment 39-
10102.
Applicability: Model 737-100 and -200 series airplanes equipped
with Bendix main wheel assemblies having part number (P/N) 2601571-
1, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the wheel flanges, which could result in
damage to the hydraulics systems, jammed flight controls, loss of
electrical power, or other combinations of failures; and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane; accomplish the following:
Note 2: Allied Signal, Aircraft Landing Systems, Service
Information Letter (SIL) #619, dated February 26, 1997, is an
additional source of service information for appropriate wheel half
serial numbers.
(a) For airplanes equipped with a Bendix main wheel assembly
having P/N 2601571-1 with an inboard wheel half with serial number
(S/N) B-5898 or lower, or S/N H-1721 or lower; or with an outboard
wheel half with S/N B-5898 or lower, or S/N H-0863 or lower;
accomplish the following:
(1) Within 180 days after September 16, 1997 (the effective date
of AD 97-17-01, amendment 39-10102, 62 FR 43067), and thereafter at
each tire change until the replacement required by paragraph (b) of
this AD is accomplished: Accomplish the actions specified in
paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) of this AD, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Allied Signal
Service Bulletin No. 737-32-026, dated June 27, 1988.
(i) Clean any inboard and outboard wheel half specified in
paragraph (a) of this AD. And
(ii) Inspect the wheel halves for corrosion or missing paint. If
any corrosion is found, or if any paint is missing in large areas,
prior to further flight, strip or remove paint, and remove any
corrosion. And
(iii) Perform an eddy current inspection to detect cracks of the
bead seat area.
(2) If any cracking is found during the inspections required by
this paragraph, prior to further flight, repair or replace the wheel
halves with serviceable wheel halves in accordance with procedures
specified in the Component Maintenance Manual.
(b) For airplanes equipped with a Bendix main wheel assembly
having P/N 2601571-1 with an inboard wheel half with S/N B-5898 or
lower, or S/N H-1721 or lower; or with an outboard wheel half with
S/N B-5898 or lower, or S/N H-0863 or lower; accomplish the
following: Within 2 years after September 16, 1997, accomplish the
actions specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD, in
accordance with Bendix SIL 392, Revision 1, dated November 15, 1979.
Accomplishment of the replacement constitutes terminating action for
the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
(1) Remove any inboard wheel half specified in paragraph (b) of
this AD, and
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replace it with an inboard wheel half having P/N 2607046, S/N 5899
or greater, or S/N H-1722 or greater. And
(2) Remove any outboard wheel half specified in paragraph (b) of
this AD, and replace it with an outboard wheel half having P/N
2607047, S/N B-5899 or greater, or S/N H-0864 or greater.
(c)(1) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Seattle ACO.
(c)(2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in
accordance with AD 97-17-01, amendment 39-10102, are approved as
alternative methods of compliance with this AD.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 1, 1998.
Stewart R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-18159 Filed 7-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U