[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 130 (Thursday, July 8, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41207-41208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15518]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-18562; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-147-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -
800, and -900 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series 
airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the bracket for 
wire bundle of the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS), performing a 
general visual inspection of the FQIS wire bundle for damage, and doing 
corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by a 
report of an incorrectly installed FQIS wire bundle. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent chafing of the FQIS wire(s) in the center fuel tank, 
which, when combined with a lightning strike or a power wire short to 
the FQIS wire(s), could result in arcing in the center fuel tank and 
consequent fuel tank explosion.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 23, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     By fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 
98124-2207.
    You may examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, on 
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Pegors, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone 
(425) 917-6504; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 200-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-18562; 
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-147-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket in person at the Docket Management 
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office 
(telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building at the DOT street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS 
receives them.

Discussion

    During an FAA audit at the manufacturer's facility, a support 
bracket for the wire bundle of the fuel quantity indicating system 
(FQIS) was found incorrectly installed in the center fuel tank on a 
Boeing Model 737-800 series airplane. An FQIS wire bundle

[[Page 41208]]

attached to a wire support bracket installed in an inverted position 
could lead to an FQIS wire(s) chafing against the structure. This 
condition, if not corrected, when combined with a lightning strike or a 
power wire short to the FQIS wire(s), could result in arching in the 
center fuel tank and consequent fuel tank explosion.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-28-
1190, Revision 1, dated March 27, 2003. The service bulletin describes 
procedures for replacing the bracket for the FQIS wire bundle with a 
new, improved bracket; performing a general visual inspection of the 
FQIS wire bundle for damage; and performing corrective actions, if 
necessary. The corrective actions include repairing the FQIS wire 
bundle or replacing the FQIS wire bundle with a new FQIS wire bundle. 
We have determined that accomplishing the actions specified in the 
service bulletin will adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require replacing the bracket for the FQIS wire bundle, 
performing a general visual inspection of the FQIS wire bundle for 
damage, and doing corrective actions if necessary. The proposed AD 
would require you to use the service information described previously 
to perform these actions.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 1,063 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This Ad would affect about 518 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    Replacing the bracket would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at 
an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
about $186 per airplane. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost 
of the proposed replacement on U.S. operators to be $130,018, or $251 
per airplane.
    Inspecting the FQIS wire bundle would take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed inspection on 
U.S. operators to be $33,670, or $65 per airplane.

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); 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2004-1852; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-
147-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by August 23, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -
900 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 737-28-1190, Revision 1, dated March 27, 2003; certificated 
in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of an incorrectly installed 
wire bundle of the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS). We are 
issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the FQIS wire(s) in the center 
fuel tank, which, when combined with a lightning strike or a power 
wire short to the FQIS wire(s), could result in arcing in the center 
fuel tank and consequent fuel tank explosion.

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.

Replacement and Inspection

    (f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the bracket for the FQIS wire bundle with a new improved 
bracket, perform a general visual inspection of the FQIS wire bundle 
for damage, and perform any applicable corrective actions, by 
accomplishing all of the actions specified in the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-28-
1190, Revision 1, dated March 27, 2003. Do any applicable corrective 
actions before further flight.

    Note 1:  For the purposes of this AD, a general visual 
inspection is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or 
exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, 
failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from 
within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

Actions Accomplished in Accordance with Previous Issue of Service 
Bulletin

    (g) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-28-
1190, dated January 16, 2003, are considered acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding action specified in this AD.

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
bracket, part number 287A9111-3, for the FQIS wire bundle, on any 
airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 30, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-15518 Filed 7-7-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M