[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 112 (Friday, June 10, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33988-33990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14203]



[[Page 33988]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0028; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-228-AD; 
Amendment 39-16716; AD 2011-12-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD requires, depending on airplane 
configuration, doing certain wiring changes, replacing the fuel pump 
power control relays for the main, center, and auxiliary tanks, as 
applicable, with new relays having a ground fault interrupter (GFI) 
feature, performing certain bonding resistance measurements, and 
modifying relay module assemblies. This AD also requires revising the 
maintenance program to incorporate certain Airworthiness Limitations. 
This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the fuel 
pumps caused by electrical arcing that could introduce an ignition 
source in the fuel tank, which, in combination with flammable fuel 
vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of 
the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective July 15, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 15, 2011.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, PO 
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. You may review copies of the 
referenced 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.

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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is 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: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6482; fax: 425-917-6590; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to 
the specified products. That NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
January 21, 2011 (76 FR 3856). That NPRM proposed to require, depending 
on airplane configuration, doing certain wiring changes, replacing the 
fuel pump power control relays for the main, center, and auxiliary 
tanks, as applicable, with new relays having a GFI feature, performing 
certain bonding resistance measurements, and modifying relay module 
assemblies. That NPRM also proposed to require revising the maintenance 
program to incorporate Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) 28-AWL-23 (for 
Model 737-100, 737-200, and 737-200C series airplanes) and 28-AWL-22 
(for Model 737-300, 737-400, and 737-500 series airplanes).

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to each comment. Boeing concurs with the content 
of this AD.

Request To Correct Typographical Errors

    Alaska Airlines requested that corrections be made to certain 
accomplishment instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2010. Alaska Airlines requested 
that Boeing Information Notice 737-28A1212 IN 01, dated October 7, 
2010, which specifies those corrections, be incorporated into the AD.
    We agree that typographical errors in that service bulletin need to 
be corrected. Where paragraph 3.B.1.s. of Part 1 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision 1, 
dated August 27, 2010, states that the affected airplanes are ``Group 
11, Configuration 1,'' that paragraph also applies to ``Group 13, 
Configuration 1.'' The action specified in paragraph 3.B.1.s. of that 
service bulletin (changing a wire bundle) is a logical outgrowth of the 
actions specified in that service bulletin. Paragraph (j) of this AD 
addresses this change. Also, the figure in Appendix A, paragraph 1., of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27, 
2010, is not identified, but should be identified as ``Figure 1.'' 
Paragraph (k) of this AD addresses this change. That information notice 
includes additional changes to that service bulletin; however, they are 
not part of the accomplishment instructions, and therefore are not 
addressed in our response.

Additional Change

    Boeing has issued Section 9 of Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 
Airworthiness Limitations (AWL) and Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMRs), Document D6-38278-CMR, Revision August 2010, to 
update certain AWLs other than those specified in this AD. The document 
reference has been updated in paragraph (l) of this AD.
    We have also clarified the intent of paragraph (n) of this AD by 
revising the heading.
    We have also added paragraph (o) of this AD to give credit for 
revising the maintenance program by incorporating AWLs 28-AWL-22 (for 
Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes) and 28-AWL-23 (for 
Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes), in accordance with 
Section 9 of Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness 
Limitations (AWL) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), 
Document D6-38278-CMR, Revision May 2009.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered 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:
     [Agr]re consistent with the intent that was proposed in 
the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and

[[Page 33989]]

     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 750 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                                 Table--Estimated costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                 Number of U.S.-
                Action                   Work hours     Average labor       Parts          Cost per product        registered           Fleet cost
                                                        rate per hour                                               airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of power control relays..      4 to 9 \1\             $85         $14,500  $14,840 to $15,265 \1\..             750  $11,130,000 to
                                                                                                                                  $11,448,750 \1\
Modification.........................               5             $85              $0  $425....................             750  $318,750
Maintenance program revision.........               1             $85              $0  $85.....................             750  $63,750
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Depending on airplane configuration.

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

    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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    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):

2011-12-09 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16716; Docket No. FAA-
2011-0028; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-228-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective July 15, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -
200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2010.

    Note 1:  This AD requires revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with 
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes 
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the 
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must 
request approval for an alternative method of compliance according 
to paragraph (p) of this AD. The request should include a 
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure 
the continued operational safety of the airplane.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD 
to prevent damage to the fuel pumps caused by electrical arcing that 
could introduce an ignition source in the fuel tank, which, in 
combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank 
explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Part 1: Wiring Changes, Relay Replacements, and Certain Bonding 
Resistance Measurements for Certain Airplanes

    (g) For airplanes on which Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
28A1212, dated July 23, 2009, has not been incorporated as of the 
effective date of this AD: Within 60 months after the effective date 
of this AD, do the applicable actions required by paragraph (g)(1) 
or (g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Airplanes without the M181, M182, and M183 supplier relay 
modules installed: Do the wiring changes; replace the fuel pump 
power control relays for the main, center, and auxiliary tanks, as 
applicable, with new relays having a ground fault interrupter (GFI) 
feature; and do certain bonding resistance measurements to verify 
that certain bonding requirements are met; in accordance with Part 1 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
737-28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2010, except as provided 
by paragraphs (j) and (k) of this AD.
    (2) Airplanes with the M181, M182, and M183 supplier relay 
modules installed: Modify the M181, M182, and M183 relay module 
assemblies, and do certain bonding resistance measurements to verify 
that certain bonding requirements are met, in accordance with Part 1 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert

[[Page 33990]]

Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2010, 
except as provided by paragraphs (j) and (k) of this AD.

    Note 2:  Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision 1, 
dated August 27, 2010, refers to BAE Systems Service Bulletin 65-
49808-24-01, Revision 1, dated July 19, 2010, as an additional 
source of guidance for doing the modification and certain bonding 
resistance measurements on the M181, M182, and M183 supplier relay 
modules.

Part 2: Wiring Changes and Certain Bonding Measurements for Certain 
Airplanes

    (h) For airplanes on which Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
28A1212, dated July 23, 2009, has been incorporated as of the 
effective date of this AD, and on which the M181, M182, and M183 
supplier relay modules are not installed: Within 60 months after the 
effective date of this AD, do the wiring changes and certain bonding 
measurements to verify that certain bonding requirements are met, in 
accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27, 
2010, except as provided by paragraphs (j) and (k) of this AD.

Part 3: Certain Bonding Measurements for Certain Airplanes

    (i) For airplanes on which Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
28A1212, dated July 23, 2009, has been incorporated as of the 
effective date of this AD, and on which the M181, M182, and M183 
supplier relay modules are installed: Within 60 months after the 
effective date of this AD, do certain bonding measurements to verify 
that certain bonding requirements are met, in accordance with Part 3 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
737-28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2010, except as provided 
by paragraphs (j) and (k) of this AD.

    Note 3:  Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision 1, 
dated August 27, 2010, refers to BAE Systems Service Bulletin 65-
49808-24-01, Revision 1, dated July 19, 2010, as an additional 
source of guidance for doing the modification and certain bonding 
resistance measurements on the M181, M182, and M183 supplier relay 
modules.

Exceptions to the Service Information

    (j) Where paragraph 3.B.1.s. of Part 1 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision 
1, dated August 27, 2010, states the applicability as ``Group 11, 
Configuration 1,'' that paragraph also applies to ``Group 13, 
Configuration 1.''
    (k) The figure in Appendix A, paragraph 1., of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2010, 
should be identified as Figure 1 (immediately following the text).

Maintenance Program Revisions

    (l) Concurrently with accomplishing the actions required by 
paragraph (g), (h), or (i) of this AD, as applicable, or within 30 
days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, 
revise the maintenance program by incorporating the applicable 
airworthiness limitation (AWL) specified in paragraph (l)(1) or 
(l)(2) of this AD.
    (1) For Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes: AWL 28-
AWL-23 of Section 9 of Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMRs), Document D6-38278-CMR, Revision August 2010. 
The initial compliance time for the actions specified in AWL 28-AWL-
23 is within 1 year after accomplishing the installation required by 
paragraph (g), (h), or (i) of this AD, or within 1 year after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (2) For Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes: AWL 28-
AWL-22 of Section 9 of Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 AWL and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), Document D6-38278-
CMR, Revision August 2010. The initial compliance time for the 
actions specified in AWL 28-AWL-22 is within 1 year after 
accomplishing the installation required by paragraph (g), (h), or 
(i) of this AD, or within 1 year after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs later.

No Alternative Inspections or Inspection Intervals

    (m) After accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph 
(g), (h), or (i) of this AD, as applicable, no alternative 
inspections or inspection intervals may be used, unless the 
inspections or intervals are approved as an alternative method of 
compliance in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph 
(p) of this AD.

Optional Terminating Action

    (n) Revising the maintenance program to incorporate AWLs 28-AWL-
22 (for Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes) and 28-AWL-
23 (for Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes) in 
accordance with paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of AD 2008-10-09 R1, 
amendment 39-16148, terminates the requirements of paragraph (l) of 
this AD.

Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Earlier Revisions of 
AWLs

    (o) Revising the maintenance program to incorporate AWLs 28-AWL-
22 (for Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes) and 28-AWL-
23 (for Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes) before the 
effective date of this AD, in accordance with Section 9 of Boeing 
737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), Document D6-38278-
CMR, Revision May 2009, is acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of paragraph (l) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (p)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the ACO, sent it to ATTN: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace 
Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6482; fax: 425-917-6590; e-
mail: [email protected]. Or, e-mail information to [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically 
reference this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (q) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1212, 
Revision 1, dated August 27, 2010; and Section 9 of the Boeing 737-
100/200/200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), Document D6-38278-
CMR, Revision August 2010; as applicable; to do the actions required 
by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. This document is 
identified as Section 9 only on the List of Effective Pages.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the 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.
    (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 an NARA facility, 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 May 27, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-14203 Filed 6-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P