[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 190 (Friday, September 30, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60710-60713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24746]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1199; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-225-AD; 
Amendment 39-16818; AD 2011-20-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for the products listed above. That AD currently requires replacement 
of the power control relays in the P91 and P92 power distribution 
panels for the fuel boost and override pumps with new, improved relays 
having a ground fault interrupter (GFI) feature, or installation and 
maintenance of universal fault interrupters (UFIs) using a certain 
supplemental type certificate. This new AD continues to require the 
actions of the existing AD and also specifies which relays may be 
replaced by GFIs or UFIs. This AD was prompted by a need to clarify 
which relays may be replaced by installation of UFIs. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent pump housing burn-through due to electrical arcing, 
which could create a potential ignition source inside a fuel tank. This 
condition, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a 
fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective November 4, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
22, 2010 (75 FR 50859, August 18, 2010).

ADDRESSES: For Boeing 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. For TDG 
Aerospace information identified in this AD, contact TDG Aerospace, 
Inc., 545 Corporate Drive, Escondido, California 92029; telephone 760-
466-1040; fax 760-466-1038; Internet http://www.tdgaerospace.com; e-
mail [email protected]. 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, 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 supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2010-17-05, Amendment 
39-16395 (75 FR 50859, August 18, 2010). That AD applies to the 
specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
December 20, 2010 (75 FR 79317). That NPRM proposed to continue to 
require replacement of the power control relays in the P91 and P92 
power distribution panels for the fuel boost and override pumps with 
new, improved relays having a ground fault interrupter (GFI) feature, 
or installation and maintenance of universal fault interrupters (UFIs) 
using a certain supplemental type certificate. That NPRM also proposed 
to specify which relays may be replaced by GFIs or UFIs.

Actions Since NPRM Was Issued

    We have been informed that referring to TDG Aerospace UFIs, as 
provided in paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of the NPRM (75 FR 79317, December 20, 
2010), violates Office of the Federal Register (OFR) regulations (1 CFR 
part 51) for approval of optional materials ``incorporated by 
reference'' in rules. We have revised paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this AD 
to specify that installation of TDG Aerospace UFIs, as provided in that 
paragraph, must be done in accordance with a method approved by the 
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. We have also 
added Note 2 to this AD to specify that additional guidance on 
installing TDG Aerospace UFIs can be found in TDG Aerospace 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST02076LA.

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.

 Request To Allow Credit for Accomplishment of STC

    Continental Airlines (CAL) requested that paragraph (h) of the 
proposed AD

[[Page 60711]]

(75 FR 79317, December 20, 2010) be revised to add credit for work done 
according to STC ST02076LA prior to the effective date of the AD. CAL 
claimed that operators who accomplished that STC before the effective 
date of the AD would be required to request an AMOC to show compliance 
with the proposed AD and get credit for those actions. CAL pointed out 
that paragraph (h) of the proposed AD provides credit for 
accomplishment of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, dated 
February 19, 2007.
    We agree to provide clarification. Paragraph (h) of the proposed AD 
(75 FR 79317, December 20, 2010) (paragraph (j) in this final rule) 
provided credit for an earlier revision of the service information 
required in paragraph (g) of this AD. There is no earlier version of 
STC ST02076LA, which was issued on October 26, 2007, that operators 
might have used to accomplish actions required by this AD. Paragraph 
(f) of this AD provides relief to operators that might have 
accomplished the actions required in this AD before the effective date 
of this AD (i.e., used Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, 
Revision 1, dated May 28, 2009, before the effective date of the AD). 
However, because STC ST02076LA is no longer provided as a means of 
compliance within the text of the AD, operators are required to apply 
for an AMOC if they want credit for work done according to that STC. We 
have not changed the AD in this regard.

Request To Revise Previous AD Instead of Supersede

    All Nippon Airways (ANA) suggested that we revise AD 2010-17-05, 
Amendment 39-16395 (75 FR 50859, August 18, 2010), instead of issuing a 
new AD. ANA believed that correcting the STC number from STC ST02079LA 
to STC ST02076LA did not require issuing a new AD.
    We agree to provide clarification. The incorrect STC number was not 
the primary reason to issue a new AD to supersede AD 2010-17-05, 
Amendment 39-16395 (75 FR 50859, August 18, 2010). Paragraph (f) of AD 
2010-17-05 allowed actions accomplished according to STC ST02079LA to 
be acceptable for all power control relays. However, installation and 
maintenance of UFIs using STC ST02076LA may be an acceptable method of 
compliance for the center tank override pumps only. Such a change to 
paragraph (f) of AD 2010-17-05 to restrict the use of STC ST02076LA to 
installation and maintenance of UFIs on only the center tank override 
fuel pumps requires a new AD. We have not changed this AD in this 
regard.

Request To Modify Panels While the Panels Are Off the Airplane

    American Airlines (AA) requested that the proposed AD be revised to 
allow modification of the P91 and P92 panels (replacing the power 
control relays for the fuel boost pumps and override pumps) while the 
panels are removed and reworked outside the airplane. AA noted that the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
28A1201, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2009, specify accomplishing the 
modification of the panels while the panels are still installed on the 
airplane. AA explained that allowing the panels to be modified or 
reworked outside the airplane will allow better access to the relay 
installation locations.
    We agree. The P91 and P92 power distribution panels are ``line 
replaceable units,'' and reworking those panels in a shop environment 
instead of on the airplane may provide better access to the panels and 
control of the applicable modifications. We have added paragraph (h) to 
this AD to provide this alternative.

Request To Allow Alternative Means To Identify Modified Panels

    AA requested that we allow use of a locally manufactured label that 
includes an indelible means of marking the modified P91 and P92 panels 
in lieu of the part marking process specified in Note (a) in Figures 1 
and 2 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision 1, dated 
May 28, 2009. AA explained that the note describes a process to use 
laser-etched identification labels, which involves submitting a digital 
photograph of the existing identification label and ordering a new 
label from Honeywell.
    We agree. The intent of this AD is to provide procedures to verify 
the changes to the panels, not to specify the part marking method. 
While part marking of the panels is needed for configuration control, 
the AD was not intended to specify the exact method of part marking. We 
have added paragraph (i) to this AD to specify that any industry-
accepted method of marking the part number is acceptable for 
compliance.

Request To Clarify Note 1

    Delta Air Lines (DAL) requested that the Note specified in the 
proposed AD (75 FR 79317, December 20, 2010) be revised to clarify that 
the Honeywell service bulletins have no bearing on the installation of 
the TDG Aerospace UFI relays. DAL noted that the note is not applicable 
if an operator complies with paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of the proposed AD. 
DAL suggested that the following phrase be added to the end of the 
sentence: ``as given in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2)(i).''
    We agree that Note 1 of this AD does not apply to the TDG Aerospace 
installation of UFI relays using STC ST02076LA referenced in paragraph 
(g)(2)(ii) of the proposed AD (75 FR 79317, December 20, 2010) 
(referenced in Note 2 of this AD). However, we do not agree to revise 
Note 1 of this AD as suggested. As it is written, Note 1 of this AD 
already states that Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision 
1, dated May 28, 2009, references Honeywell Service Bulletins 1151932-
24-61 and 1151934-24-62, both Revision 5, both dated May 25, 2009, as 
additional sources of guidance for replacing the power control relays 
in the P91 and P92 panels. There is no mention of STC ST02076LA in that 
note. Because that STC is not referenced in that note, that STC does 
not provide for Honeywell Service Bulletins 1151932-24-61 and 1151934-
24-62, both Revision 5, both dated May 25, 2009, to be used as 
additional sources of guidance, and Note 1 of this AD does not apply to 
paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this AD. We have not revised this AD in this 
regard.

Request To Provide Contact Information for STC Holder

    DAL requested that the contact information for TDG Aerospace be 
included in paragraph (k) of the proposed AD (75 FR 79317, December 20, 
2010) because STC ST02076LA is an acceptable method of compliance for 
certain requirements of this AD. DAL noted that paragraph (k) of the 
proposed AD provides contact information for Boeing service 
information, but did not provide contact information for the TDG 
Aerospace STC ST02076LA.
    We agree partially. We do not agree to revise paragraph (k) of the 
proposed AD (75 FR 79317, December 20, 2010), because that paragraph is 
not restated in this final rule. However, we do agree to provide 
contact information for TDG Aerospace. We have revised the ADDRESSES 
section of this AD to include this contact information.

Request To Revise a Word

    Boeing requested a change to a word in paragraph (h) of the 
proposed AD (75 FR 79317, December 20, 2010) (paragraph (j) in this 
final rule) from ``is'' to ``were'' in the phrase `` is used as an 
additional * * *.''
    We agree. We revised paragraph (j) of this AD as requested.

[[Page 60712]]

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 minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (75 FR 79317, December 20, 2010) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     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 754 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
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Installation of GFI relays (retained  8 work-hours x $85 per          $11,010          $11,690       $8,814,260
 actions from existing AD).            hour = $680.
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    The new requirements of this AD add no additional economic burden.

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),
    (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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2010-17-05, Amendment 39-16395 (75 FR 50859, August 18, 2010), and 
adding the following new AD:

2011-20-07 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16818; Docket No. FAA-
2010-1199; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-225-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 4, 
2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2010-17-05, Amendment 39-16395 (75 FR 
50859, August 18, 2010).

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -
700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes, certificated in any category; 
as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision 
1, dated May 28, 2009.

Subject

    (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent pump housing burn-
through due to electrical arcing, which could create a potential 
ignition source inside a fuel tank. This condition, in combination 
with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion 
and consequent loss of the airplane.

Compliance

    (f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

Replacement or Installation

    (g) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions required in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Replace the power control relays that are located in the 
R18, R19, R20, and R21 positions in the P91 and P92 power 
distribution panels for the fuel boost pumps with new, improved 
relays, part number KDAG-X4F-001, having a ground fault interrupter 
(GFI) feature, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision 1, dated May 28, 
2009, except as provided in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD.
    (2) Replace the power control relays that are located in the R54 
and R55 positions in the P91 and P92 power distribution panels for 
the fuel override pumps, in accordance with the actions required in 
paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (g)(2)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Replace with new, improved relays, part number KDAG-X4F-001, 
having a GFI feature, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision 
1, dated May 28, 2009, except as provided in paragraphs (h) and (i) 
of this AD.
    (ii) Install and maintain TDG Aerospace universal fault 
interrupters (UFIs) in accordance with a method approved by the 
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA.

    Note 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision 1, 
dated May 28, 2009, refers to Honeywell Service Bulletin 1151932-24-
61 and Honeywell Service Bulletin 1151934-24-62, both Revision 5, 
both dated May 25, 2009, as additional sources of guidance for 
replacement of the

[[Page 60713]]

power control relays in the P91 and P92 power distribution panels.


    Note 2: Guidance on installing TDG Aerospace universal fault 
interrupters (UFIs) can be found in Supplemental Type Certificate 
ST02076LA.

    (h) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision 1, 
dated May 28, 2009, specifies accomplishing actions in the P91 and 
P92 power distribution panels while those panels are installed on 
the airplane, this AD does not require that the panels are on the 
airplane while the actions are accomplished. This AD allows the 
actions on the P91 and P92 panels to be accomplished while those 
panels are removed from the airplane.

    Note 3:  Section 24-21-21, ``Power Distribution Panel,'' of the 
Practices and Procedures section of the Boeing 737-600-700-800-900 
Aircraft Maintenance Manual may be used as an additional source of 
guidance on removing and reinstalling the P91 and P92 power 
distribution panels.

    (i) Where Note (a) in Figures 1 and 2 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, Revision 
1, dated May 28, 2009, specifies procedures for marking the part 
numbers of the panels, this AD does not require a specific method 
for marking. Operators are allowed to use any industry-accepted 
method.

Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    (j) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, dated 
February 19, 2007, are acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2)(i) of this AD, provided 
that Revision 5 of Honeywell Service Bulletins 1151932-24-61 and 
1151934-24-62, both dated May 25, 2009, were used as an additional 
source of guidance.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k)(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. 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 manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in the Related Information 
section of this AD. Information may be e-mailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your Principal 
Maintenance Inspector or Principal Avionics Inspector, as 
appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight 
Standards District Office.

Related Information

    (l) For more information about this AD, contact Georgios 
Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, 
FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6482; fax: 425-917-
6590; e-mail: [email protected].

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (m) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, 
Revision 1, dated May 28, 2009, to do the actions required by this 
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information on September 
22, 2010 (75 FR 50859, August 18, 2010).
    (2) For Boeing 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 September 20, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-24746 Filed 9-29-11; 8:45 am]
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