[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 48 (Monday, March 14, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12401-12402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4827]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 48 / Monday, March 14, 2005 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 12401]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19891; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-136-AD; 
Amendment 39-14006; AD 2005-05-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 
Series Airplanes Modified In Accordance With Supplemental Type 
Certificate (STC) ST00127BO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes modified in 
accordance with STC ST00127BO. This AD requires installation of bonding 
straps to the safe side harnesses of the digital transient suppression 
device of the fuel quantity indicating system. This AD is prompted by 
the results of fuel system reviews conducted by the STC holder. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent unsafe levels of current or energy from 
entering the fuel tank, due to hot short faults or threat conditions 
associated with the safe side harness assembly, which could result in a 
fire or explosion of the fuel tank.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 18, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of Goodrich Service Bulletin 737-
300766-28-2, Revision 2, dated July 28, 2004, as listed in the AD, is 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of April 18, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Goodrich Fuel & Utility Systems, Goodrich Corporation, 100 Panton Road, 
Vergennes, Vermont 05491.
    Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any 
final disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or 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 U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2004-19891; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-136-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Spencer, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, ANE-150, FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 238-7184; fax (781) 238-7170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR Part 39 
with an AD for Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes 
modified in accordance with STC ST00127BO. That action, published in 
the Federal Register on December 16, 2004 (69 FR 75280), proposed to 
require installation of bonding straps to the safe side harnesses of 
the digital transient suppression device of the fuel quantity 
indicating system.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed 
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 404 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 2 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The actions take about 9 work hours per airplane, at an average labor 
rate of $65 per work hour. For airplanes equipped with a Cinch 
rectangular connector, required parts will cost about $1,650 per 
airplane. For all other airplanes, required parts will cost about 
$1,500 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the 
AD for U.S. operators is between $2,085 and $2,235 per airplane.

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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to 
examine the regulatory evaluation.

[[Page 12402]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2005-05-17 Boeing: Amendment 39-14006. Docket No. FAA-2004-19891; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-136-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective April 18, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 
series airplanes; certificated in any category; modified in 
accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00127BO.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by the results of fuel system reviews 
conducted by the STC holder. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
unsafe levels of current or energy from entering the fuel tank, due 
to hot short faults or threat conditions associated with the safe 
side harness assembly, which could result in a fire or explosion of 
the fuel tank.

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.

Modification

    (f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the safe side harness connectors at the tank penetrations and the 
digital transient suppression devices, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Goodrich Service Bulletin 737-300766-
28-2, Revision 2, dated July 28, 2004.

Parts Installation

    (g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
safe side harness, Part Number 50357-01XX, on any airplane, unless 
that safe side harness has been modified in accordance with Goodrich 
Service Bulletin 737-300766-28-2, Revision 2, dated July 28, 2004.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, Boston 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Goodrich Service Bulletin 737-300766-28-2, 
Revision 2, dated July 28, 2004, to perform the actions that are 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director 
of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of 
this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
For copies of the service information, contact Goodrich Fuel & 
Utility Systems, Goodrich Corporation, 100 Panton Road, Vergennes, 
Vermont 05491. For information on the availability of this material 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), call 
(202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    You may view the AD docket at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-
401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 2, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-4827 Filed 3-11-05; 8:45 am]
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