[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35464-35467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-12517]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-19-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727, 737-100, 737-200, and 
737-200C Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 727, 737-100, 
737-200, and 737-200C series airplanes. This proposal would require a 
one-time inspection to determine the part number of hydraulic 
accumulators installed in various areas of the airplane, and follow-on 
corrective actions, if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent 
high-velocity separation of a barrel, piston, or end cap from a 
hydraulic accumulator. Such separation could result in injury to 
personnel in the accumulator area; loss of cabin pressurization; loss 
of affected hydraulic systems; or damage to plumbing, electrical 
installations, or structural members. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 5, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-19-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-19-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Technical Information: Barbara Mudrovich, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 227-2983; fax (425) 227-1181.
    Other Information: Judy Golder, Airworthiness Directive Technical 
Editor/Writer; telephone (425) 
227-1119, fax (425) 227-1232. Questions or comments may also be sent 
via the Internet using the following address: [email protected]. 
Questions or comments sent via the Internet as attached electronic 
files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.

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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2002-NM-19-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. 2002-NM-19-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of several incidents on various Boeing 
Model 747 series airplanes, and one incident on a Boeing Model 737-200 
series airplane, in which aluminum end caps on hydraulic accumulators 
have fractured. One incident resulted in an injury to a maintenance 
worker. Fracture of the aluminum end caps has been attributed to 
fatigue cracking caused by stress corrosion or tooling marks. Fracture 
of an end cap could lead to a rupture of a hydraulic accumulator, which 
could result in high-velocity separation of a barrel, piston, or end 
cap from a hydraulic accumulator. Such separation could result in 
injury to personnel in the accumulator area; loss of cabin 
pressurization; loss of affected hydraulic systems; or damage to 
plumbing, electrical installations, or structural members.
    Certain Boeing Model 727 and Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series 
airplanes have hydraulic accumulators with aluminum end caps installed 
in various areas of the airplane. Therefore, all of these airplanes 
could be subject to the same unsafe condition described previously.

[[Page 35465]]

Other Relevant Rulemaking

    The FAA previously has issued AD 2000-14-01, amendment 39-11810 (65 
FR 44670, July 19, 2000). That AD applies to certain Boeing Model 747 
series airplanes and requires replacement of any brake system 
accumulator that has aluminum end caps with an accumulator that has 
stainless steel end caps. That AD is intended to prevent high-velocity 
separation of a brake system accumulator barrel, piston, or end cap, 
which could result in injury to personnel in the wheel well area, loss 
of cabin pressurization, loss of certain hydraulic systems, or damage 
to the fuel line of the auxiliary power unit.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved the following Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletins:
     727-29-0064, Revision 1, dated May 3, 2001, which concerns 
hydraulic accumulators in hydraulic systems ``A'' and ``B'' of certain 
Model 727 series airplanes.
     727-32-0410, Revision 2, dated January 24, 2002, which 
concerns a hydraulic accumulator in the landing gear brake system of 
certain Model 727 series airplanes.
     727-52-0148, Revision 2, dated January 24, 2002, which 
concerns a hydraulic accumulator in the aft airstairs of certain Model 
727-200 series airplanes.
     737-32-1334, Revision 1, dated March 1, 2001, which 
concerns a hydraulic accumulator in the landing gear brake system of 
certain Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes.
    These service bulletins describe procedures for a one-time 
inspection to determine the part number of installed hydraulic 
accumulators, and follow-on corrective actions. Corrective actions in 
Service Bulletins 727-29-0064, Revision 1, and 737-32-1334, Revision 1, 
include replacement of hydraulic accumulators that have aluminum end 
caps with new or modified accumulators that have stainless steel end 
caps. For airplanes equipped with hydraulic accumulators with certain 
part numbers, corrective actions in Service Bulletins 727-32-0410, 
Revision 2, and 727-52-0148, Revision 2, include replacement of 
existing mounting clamps and hardware for the hydraulic accumulators 
with stronger clamps and hardware. For airplanes equipped with 
hydraulic accumulators with certain other part numbers, corrective 
actions in Service Bulletins 727-32-0410, Revision 2, and 727-52-0148, 
Revision 2, include replacement of hydraulic accumulators that have 
aluminum end caps with new or modified accumulators that have stainless 
steel end caps, in addition to replacement of existing mounting clamps 
and hardware.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the applicable service 
bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition.
    Boeing Service Bulletin 727-29-0064, Revision 1, refers to Parker 
Service Bulletin 1356-603303-29-60, dated January 9, 2001, as the 
appropriate source of service information for modification of the 
hydraulic accumulators that are subject to replacement per Boeing 
Service Bulletin 727-29-0064. Similarly, Revision 2 of Boeing Service 
Bulletins 727-32-0410 and 727-52-0148 refer to Parker Service Bulletins 
1356-603399-29-61 and 2660472-29-63, both dated December 12, 2000, as 
the appropriate sources of service information for modification of the 
hydraulic accumulators that are subject to replacement per those Boeing 
service bulletins. Also, Revision 1 of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-32-
1334 refers to Parker Service Bulletin 2660472-29-63, dated December 
12, 2000, as the appropriate source of service information for 
modification of the hydraulic accumulators that are subject to 
replacement per that Boeing service bulletin.

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 require accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the Boeing service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact: Required Actions

    There are approximately 1,832 Model 727 series airplanes and 1,033 
Model 737 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide 
fleet. The FAA estimates that 1,294 Model 727 series airplanes and 376 
Model 737 series airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this 
proposed AD.
    We estimate that it would take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed one-time inspection, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed one-time inspection on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $100,200, or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of 
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in 
the future if this proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact 
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time 
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. 
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the 
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions.

Cost Impact: On-Condition Actions

    For an airplane subject to the replacement per Boeing Service 
Bulletin 727-29-0064, we estimate that it would take approximately 5 
work hours per accumulator (two hydraulic system accumulators per 
airplane), at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required 
parts would cost between $1,400 (new part) and $2,810 (vendor-modified 
part) per accumulator. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this 
replacement, if necessary, would be between $1,700 and $3,110 per 
accumulator.
    For an airplane subject to the replacement of both the mounting 
clamps and hardware and the hydraulic accumulator per Boeing Service 
Bulletin 727-32-0410, we estimate that it would take approximately 6 
work hours per airplane to accomplish (one landing gear brake 
accumulator per airplane), at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Required parts would cost between $2,500 (new part) and $3,975 
(vendor-modified part) per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of this replacement, if necessary, would be between $2,860 and 
$4,335 per airplane.
    For an airplane subject to the replacement of both the mounting 
clamps and hardware and the hydraulic accumulator per Boeing Service 
Bulletin 727-52-0148, we estimate that it would take approximately 6 
work hours per airplane (one aft airstairs hydraulic accumulator per 
airplane) to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost between $2,500 (new part) and $3,975 (vendor-
modified part) per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
this replacement, if necessary, would be between $2,860 and $4,335 per 
airplane.
    For an airplane subject to the replacement per Boeing Service 
Bulletin 737-32-1334, we estimate that it would take approximately 5 
work hours per accumulator (two landing gear hydraulic brake 
accumulators per airplane) to accomplish, at an average labor rate of 
$60 per work hour.

[[Page 35466]]

Required parts would cost between $2,175 (operator-modified part) and 
$2,410 (vendor-modified part) per accumulator. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of this replacement, if necessary, would be between 
$2,475 and $2,710 per accumulator.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Boeing: Docket 2002-NM-19-AD.

    Applicability: Model 727 series airplanes, line numbers (L/N) 1 
through 1832 inclusive; and Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series 
airplanes, L/N 1 through 1033 inclusive; 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 (f) 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 high-velocity separation of a barrel, piston, or end 
cap from a hydraulic accumulator; which could result in injury to 
personnel in the accumulator area; loss of cabin pressurization; 
loss of affected hydraulic systems; or damage to plumbing, 
electrical installations, or structural members; accomplish the 
following:

Inspection/Corrective Action: Service Bulletin 727-29-0064

    (a) For airplanes listed in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 727-29-0064, Revision 1, dated May 3, 2001: Within 18 
months or 6,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever is first, do a one-time inspection to determine the part 
numbers (P/Ns) of hydraulic accumulators in hydraulic systems ``A'' 
and ``B,'' per the service bulletin.
    (1) If no hydraulic accumulator with Parker P/N 1356-603303 is 
installed: No further action is required by this paragraph.
    (2) If any hydraulic accumulator with Parker P/N 1356-603303 is 
installed: Within 18 months or 6,000 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever is first, replace the subject 
hydraulic accumulator with a new or modified accumulator, per the 
service bulletin.

    Note 2: Inspections and replacements done prior to the effective 
date of this AD per Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-
29-0064, dated June 8, 2000, are considered acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding actions in this AD.


    Note 3: Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-29-0064, 
Revision 1, refers to Parker Service Bulletin 1356-603303-29-60, 
dated January 9, 2001, as the appropriate source of service 
information for modification of the hydraulic accumulators that are 
subject to replacement per Service Bulletin 727-29-0064.

Inspection/Corrective Action: Service Bulletin 727-32-0410

    (b) For airplanes listed in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 727-32-0410, Revision 2, dated January 24, 2002: Within 18 
months or 6,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever is first, do a one-time inspection to determine the 
P/N of the hydraulic accumulator in the landing gear brake system, 
per the service bulletin.
    (1) If no hydraulic accumulator with P/N 1356-603399, 3780078-
104, BACA11E4S, BACA11E4SA, 60857-4-1, or BACA11E4 (vendor P/N 
2660472-4 or 2660472M4) is installed: No further action is required 
by this paragraph.
    (2) If any hydraulic accumulator with P/N 1356-603399, 3780078-
104, BACA11E4S, BACA11E4SA, 60857-4-1, or BACA11E4 (vendor P/N 
2660472-4 or 2660472M4) is installed: Within 18 months or 6,000 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever is 
first, replace existing accumulator clamps and mounting hardware 
with new, stronger accumulator clamps and mounting hardware; and 
replace the subject hydraulic accumulator with a new or modified 
accumulator; as applicable; per the service bulletin.

    Note 4: Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-32-0410, 
Revision 2, refers to Parker Service Bulletins 1356-603399-29-61 and 
2660472-29-63, both dated December 12, 2000, as the appropriate 
sources of service information for modification of the hydraulic 
accumulators that are subject to replacement per Service Bulletin 
727-32-0410.

Inspection/Corrective Action: Service Bulletin 727-52-0148

    (c) For airplanes listed in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 727-52-0148, Revision 2, dated January 24, 2002: Within 18 
months or 6,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever is first, do a one-time inspection to determine the 
P/N of the hydraulic accumulator in the aft airstairs, per the 
service bulletin.
    (1) If no hydraulic accumulator with P/N 1356-603399, 3780078-
104, BACA11E4S, BACA11E4SA, 60857-4-1, or BACA11E4 (vendor P/N 
2660472-4 or 2660472M4) is installed: No further action is required 
by this paragraph.
    (2) If any hydraulic accumulator with P/N 1356-603399, 3780078-
104, BACA11E4S, BACA11E4SA, 60857-4-1, or BACA11E4 (vendor P/N 
2660472-4 or 2660472M4) is installed: Within 18 months or 6,000 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever is 
first, replace existing accumulator clamps and mounting hardware 
with new, stronger accumulator clamps and mounting hardware; and 
replace the subject hydraulic accumulator with a new or modified 
accumulator; as applicable; per the service bulletin.

    Note 5: Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-52-0148, 
Revision 2, refers to Parker Service Bulletins 1356-603399-29-61 and 
2660472-29-63, both dated December 12, 2000, as the appropriate 
sources of service information for modification of the hydraulic 
accumulators that are subject to replacement per Service Bulletin 
727-52-0148.

Inspection/Corrective Action: Service Bulletin 737-32-1334

    (d) For airplanes listed in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 737-32-1334, Revision 1, dated March 1, 2001: Within 18 
months or 6,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever is first, do a one-time inspection to determine the 
P/Ns of the hydraulic accumulators in the

[[Page 35467]]

landing gear brake system, per the service bulletin.
    (1) If no hydraulic accumulator with P/N BACA11E2 (vendor P/N 
2660472-2 or 2660472M2) is installed: No further action is required 
by this paragraph.
    (2) If any hydraulic accumulator with P/N BACA11E2 (vendor P/N 
2660472-2 or 2660472M2) is installed: Within 18 months or 6,000 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever is 
first, replace the subject hydraulic accumulator with a new or 
modified accumulator, per the service bulletin.

    Note 6: Inspections and replacements done prior to the effective 
date of this AD per Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-
32-1334, dated May 11, 2000, are considered acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding actions in this AD.


    Note 7: Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-32-1334, 
Revision 1, refers to Parker Service Bulletin 2660472-29-63, dated 
December 12, 2000, as the appropriate source of service information 
for modification of the hydraulic accumulators that are subject to 
replacement per Service Bulletin 737-32-1334, Revision 1.

Spares

    (e) As of the effective date of this AD, no one may install a 
hydraulic accumulator with a P/N listed in paragraph (a)(2), (b)(2), 
(c)(2), or (d)(2) of this AD on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (f) 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. 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.

    Note 8: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (g) 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 May 13, 2002.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-12517 Filed 5-17-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P