[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 137 (Friday, July 17, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 38524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18950]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-50-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -300, -400, 
and -500 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of comment 
period.

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SUMMARY: This document announces a reopening of the comment period for 
the above-referenced NPRM which proposed adoption of a new 
airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all Boeing Model 
737-100, -200, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. That NPRM invites 
comments concerning the proposed requirements for installation of 
components for the suppression of electrical transients, and/or 
installation of components to provide shielding and separation to the 
fuel system wiring that is routed to the fuel tanks from adjacent 
wiring; and installation of flame arrestors and pressure relief valves 
in the fuel vent system. This reopening of the comment period is 
necessary to afford all interested persons an opportunity to present 
their views on the proposed requirements of that NPRM.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 31, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-50-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.
    Information concerning this NPRM may be obtained from or examined 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Hartonas, 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) 227-2864, fax (425) 
227-1181; or Dorr Anderson, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-
140S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056, telephone (425) 227-2684, fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -
300, -400, and -500 series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on April 22, 1998 (63 FR 19852). That action proposed to 
require installation of components for the suppression of electrical 
transients, and/or installation of components to provide shielding and 
separation to the fuel system wiring that is routed to the fuel tanks 
from adjacent wiring; and installation of flame arrestors and pressure 
relief valves in the fuel vent system. That action invites comments on 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the 
proposal.
    That action was prompted by testing results, obtained in support of 
an accident investigation, and by re-examination of possible causes of 
a similar accident. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent possible ignition of fuel vapors in the fuel tanks, 
and external ignition of the fuel vapor exiting the fuel vent system 
and consequent propagation of a flame front into the fuel tanks.
    Since the issuance of that proposal, commenters have raised issues 
regarding the ability to implement corrective action in a timely 
manner, particularly because the manufacturer has yet to issue a 
service bulletin. Based on these and other comments, the FAA has 
determined that further discussion and input may be beneficial prior to 
the adoption of a final rule. As a result, the FAA has decided to 
reopen the comment period for 45 days to receive additional comments.
    The comment period for Rules Docket No. 98-NM-50-AD closes August 
31, 1998.
    Because no other portion of the proposal or other regulatory 
information has been changed, the entire proposal is not being 
republished.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 8, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-18950 Filed 7-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U