[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 247 (Monday, December 28, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68501-68505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29963]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0911; Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-12-AD; 
Amendment 39-16138; AD 2009-26-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-300, -400, -500, -600, 
-700, -700C, -800, and -900, and 747-400 Series Airplanes; and Model 
757, 767, and 777 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, and 
-900, and 747-400 series airplanes; and Model 757, 767, and 777 
airplanes. This AD requires modifying the static inverter by replacing 
resistor R170 with a new resistor and relocating the new resistor. This 
AD results from evaluation of the carbon resistor, which revealed a 
failure

[[Page 68502]]

mode that can cause the resistor to ignite, involving adjacent 
capacitors as well. We are issuing this AD to prevent a standby static 
inverter from overheating, which could result in smoke in the flight 
deck and cabin and loss of the electrical standby power system.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 1, 2010.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of February 1, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P. 
O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1, fax 206-766-5680; e-mail [email protected]; 
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Binh V. Tran, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 917-6485; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a second supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to 
certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, and 
-900, and 747-400 series airplanes; and Model 757, 767, and 777 
airplanes. That second supplemental NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on January 12, 2009 (74 FR 1159). That second supplemental 
NPRM proposed to require modifying the static inverter by replacing 
resistor R170 with a new resistor and relocating the new resistor.

Actions Since Issuance of Second Supplemental NPRM

    Since issuance of the second supplemental NPRM, Boeing has issued 
the revised service bulletins listed in the following table:

                        Revised Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Model--                              Boeing--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
737-300, -400, -500 series     Alert Service Bulletin 737-24A1166,
 airplanes.                     Revision 4, dated May 21, 2009.
757-200, -200CB, -200PF        Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-
 series airplanes.              0110, Revision 1, dated August 6, 2009.
757-300 series airplanes.....  Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-
                                0111, Revision 1, dated August 6, 2009.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    No additional work is necessary for airplanes on which the 
modification specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-24A1166, 
Revision 3, dated July 25, 2007, has been done. Revision 4 clarifies 
certain sections, moves airplanes from Group 2 to Group 1 in the 
effectivity, and removes the Group 2 work instructions.
    Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0110, Revision 1, 
dated August 6, 2009, adds an inspection of certain static inverter 
part numbers to make sure only approved part numbers are installed; 
however, the proposed modification requires modifying the static 
inverter by replacing the resistor with a new resistor having an 
approved part number. Revision 1 also moves airplanes from Group 2 to 
Group 1 in the effectivity, and the Group 2 work instructions were 
deleted. Therefore, no additional work is necessary for airplanes 
modified in accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
757-24-0110, dated April 28, 2005.
    Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0111, Revision 1, 
dated August 6, 2009, also adds an inspection of certain static 
inverter part numbers to make sure only approved part numbers are 
installed; however, the proposed modification requires modifying the 
static inverter by replacing the resistor with a new resistor having an 
approved part number. Revision 1 also moves airplanes from Group 2 to 
Group 1 in the effectivity, and the Group 2 work instructions were 
deleted. No additional work is necessary for airplanes modified in 
accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0111, 
dated April 28, 2005.
    We have revised Table 1 of this AD to refer to the latest revisions 
of the service bulletins and added a new paragraph (h) to this AD to 
give credit for actions done in accordance with the earlier revisions 
that were referenced in Table 1 of the NPRM.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received on the 
second supplemental NPRM.

Support for the Second Supplemental NPRM

    Northwest Airlines has no objection to the second supplemental 
NPRM; Boeing concurs with the content of the second supplemental NPRM.

Request To Permit Installation of Static Inverters Having Certain Part 
Numbers

    American Airlines (AAL) and FedEx Express request that we allow 
installation of static inverters having certain part numbers.
    AAL asks that we permit installation of static inverters having 
part numbers (P/Ns) S282T004-2, -3, and -4. AAL states that those 
static inverters do not have an overheating safety concern, which is 
the unsafe condition addressed in the second supplemental NPRM. AAL 
adds that static inverters that have P/Ns S282T004-2, -3, and -4 are 
fully interchangeable on the Model 757 fleet.
    FedEx Express asks that Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
757-24-0110, dated April 28, 2005, be revised to include Avionics 
Instruments static inverters having P/Ns S282T004-28 and S282T004-30 as 
acceptable to remain on Model 757 airplanes. FedEx Express adds that 
since issuance of the original issue of Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 757-24-0110, those static inverters have been 
installed on some Model 757 airplanes and have been added to the Boeing 
Illustrated Parts Catalog. FedEx Express notes that P/Ns S282T004-2, -
3, -4, -28, and -30 should be the P/Ns for the static inverters 
installed in accordance with the requirements in the second

[[Page 68503]]

supplemental NPRM. FedEx Express adds that combining Groups 1 and 2 
into one group would accomplish this task.
    We agree with the commenters' requests and provide the following 
explanation. As noted previously, Boeing has issued Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 757-24-0110, Revision 1, dated August 6, 2009. The 
effectivity specified in Revision 1 is changed to move airplanes from 
Group 2 to Group 1, and to remove the Group 2 work instructions by 
combining Group 2 work instructions with Group 1. The work instructions 
specified in Revision 1 also add an inspection for certain static 
inverter part numbers that allows for installation of static inverters 
having P/Ns S282T004-2, -3, -4, -25, -28, and -30. Inspection of the 
static inverter P/Ns will prevent unnecessary replacement of approved 
static inverters. We have changed the applicability in paragraph (c) of 
this AD to identify Revision 1 of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 757-24-0110.

Request To Include Revised Service Information

    AAL states that it found a discrepancy in Figure 1 of Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-24-0160, dated June 30, 2005 
(referred to in the second supplemental NPRM), and asks that this 
service bulletin be revised to correct the discrepancy. AAL adds that 
the discrepancy is in Figure 1, which specifies an inspection of the 
static inverter on Groups 1 and 3 airplanes. Figure 2 also contains an 
error which specifies the actions are applicable to Group 3 airplanes. 
However, Group 2 airplanes are not identified in either of these 
figures. AAL also notes that in Boeing Service Message 1-1156909141-2, 
Boeing specifies that static inverters having P/Ns S282T004-2, -3, -4 
are acceptable for installation across the Model 757 airplane fleet 
since the Model 767 airplane fleet uses the same static inverter.
    We acknowledge the commenter's concern and agree that the error in 
Figure 1 of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-24-0160, 
dated June 30, 2005, should be corrected in a revision; but we do not 
consider that delaying the final rule until after the release of a 
future revision is warranted. The original issue of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 767-24-0160 includes sufficient information 
to accomplish the modification of the static inverter. However, we have 
added new paragraph (g) to this AD to exclude Group 2 airplanes that 
have a static inverter with part number S282T004-2, S282T004-3, or 
S282T004-4, from the modification requirement. We have re-identified 
subsequent paragraphs accordingly.

Request To Change Cost Impact Section

    AAL states that the cost estimate for material and labor necessary 
for accomplishing the modification on its airplanes is more than the 
estimate in the second supplemental NPRM.
    We infer that AAL is asking that the work hours and cost specified 
in the Cost Impact section of the AD be increased. We do not agree. The 
cost information below describes only the direct costs of the specific 
actions required by this AD. Based on the best data available, the 
manufacturer provided the number of work hours (up to 2 hours, 
depending on airplane configuration) necessary to do the required 
actions. This number represents the time necessary to perform only the 
actions actually required by this AD. We recognize that, in doing the 
actions required by an AD, operators might incur incidental costs in 
addition to the direct costs. The cost analysis in AD rulemaking 
actions, however, typically does not include incidental costs such as 
the time required to gain access and close up, time necessary for 
planning, or time necessitated by other administrative actions. Those 
incidental costs, which might vary significantly among operators, are 
almost impossible to calculate. We have not changed the AD in this 
regard.

Request for Clarification

    Cargolux Airlines International S.A. states that it has followed 
the history of the proposed rule since 2003, and is not aware of any 
new event reported on the static inverters since that time. Cargolux 
asks for clarification that only one airplane was affected prior to 
2003, and no airplanes were affected after 2003. Cargolux also asks for 
the number of occurrences of R170 resistors overheating, and the number 
of units manufactured.
    We acknowledge the commenter's request and provide the following 
clarification. Prior to 2003 there were 39 static inverter failures on 
39 airplanes; since 2003 there have been 15 inverters on 15 airplanes 
that failed due to the R170 resistor overheating, and approximately 
9,400 units have been manufactured.

Explanation of Additional Paragraph in the Final Rule

    We have added a new paragraph (d) to this AD to provide the Air 
Transport Association (ATA) of America code 24: Electrical power. This 
code is added to make this AD parallel with other new AD actions. We 
have reidentified subsequent paragraphs accordingly.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    There are approximately 3,856 airplanes of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 1,882 airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD. The following table provides the 
estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                           Number of U.S.-
             Action                  Work hours       Average labor        Parts        Cost per airplane     registered             Fleet cost
                                                      rate per hour                                           airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification...................  Up to 2 hours,                 $80               $0   Between $80 and              1,882   Up to $301,120.
                                  depending on                                          $160.
                                  airplane
                                  configuration.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 the AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures 
discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the

[[Page 68504]]

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.

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 and placed it in the AD docket. 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, 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2009-26-03 Boeing: Amendment 39-16138. Docket No. FAA-2009-0911; 
Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-12-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective February 1, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following airplanes, certificated in 
any category, as identified in the applicable Boeing service 
bulletin specified in Table 1 of this AD:

                         Table 1--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Model--                              Boeing--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -  Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-24-
 900 series airplanes.          1165, Revision 1, dated October 20,
                                2005.
737-300, -400, -500 series     Alert Service Bulletin 737-24A1166,
 airplanes.                     Revision 4, dated May 21, 2009.
747-400, -400D, -400F series   Service Bulletin 747-24-2254, Revision 1,
 airplanes.                     dated March 5, 2007.
757-200, -200CB, -200PF        Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-
 series airplanes.              0110, Revision 1, dated August 6, 2009.
757-300 series airplanes.....  Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-
                                0111, Revision 1, dated August 6, 2009.
767-200, -300, -300F series    Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-24-
 airplanes.                     0160, dated June 30, 2005.
767-400ER series airplanes...  Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-24-
                                0161, dated June 30, 2005.
777-200, -300, -300ER series   Service Bulletin 777-24-0095, Revision 1,
 airplanes.                     dated January 3, 2007.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24: 
Electrical power.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from evaluation of the carbon resistor, 
which revealed a failure mode that can cause the resistor to ignite, 
involving adjacent capacitors as well. The Federal Aviation 
Administration is issuing this AD to prevent a standby static 
inverter from overheating, which could result in smoke in the flight 
deck and cabin and loss of the electrical standby power system.

Modification

    (f) At the time specified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this 
AD, as applicable: Modify the static inverter by removing resistor 
R170 from the logic control card assembly and replacing it with a 
new resistor, and relocating the new resistor to the solder side of 
the printed circuit board, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable service bulletin specified in Table 1 
of this AD, except as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (1) For Model 737, 757, and 767 airplanes: Within 42 months 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For Model 747 and 777 airplanes: Within 60 months after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (g) For Group 2 airplanes identified Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 767-24-0160, dated June 30, 2005: Airplanes having 
a static inverter with part number S282T004-2, S282T004-3, or 
S282T004-4, are not required to do the modification specified in 
paragraph (f) of this AD.
    (h) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with the applicable Boeing service bulletin specified in 
Table 2 of this AD, are considered acceptable for compliance with 
the corresponding actions specified in this AD.

[[Page 68505]]



                                 Table 2--Previously Issued Service Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Boeing --                            Revision--                           Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alert Service Bulletin 737-24A1166......  3..............................  July 25, 2007.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-   Original.......................  April 28, 2005.
 24-0110.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-   Original.......................  April 28, 2005.
 24-0111.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Note 1:  The Boeing service bulletins specified in Table 1 of 
this AD refer to Avionic Instruments Inc. Service Bulletins 1-002-
0102-1000-24-28, Revision A, dated June 22, 2005; and Revision B, 
dated July 24, 2006; as additional sources of guidance for 
accomplishing the modification required by paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to 
ATTN: Binh V. Tran, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment 
Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
917-6485; fax (425) 917-6590. Or, e-mail information to [email protected].
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use the applicable Boeing service information 
contained in Table 3 of this AD to do the actions required by this 
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

                                   Table 3--Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Boeing--                             Revision--                           Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alert Service Bulletin 737-24A1166......  4..............................  May 21, 2009.
Service Bulletin 747-24-2254............  1..............................  March 5, 2007.
Service Bulletin 777-24-0095............  1..............................  January 3, 2007.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-   1..............................  October 20, 2005.
 24-1165.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-   1..............................  August 6, 2009.
 24-0110.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-   1..............................  August 6, 2009.
 24-0111.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-   Original.......................  June 30, 2005.
 24-0160.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-   Original.......................  June 30, 2005.
 24-0161.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P. O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 
206-544-5000, extension 1, fax 206-766-5680; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 4, 2009.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-29963 Filed 12-24-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P