[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10429-10431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04003]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0057; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-210-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and 
-500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports from 
multiple operators that have found fatigue cracking in the corners of 
the forward galley service doorway. This proposed AD would require 
repetitive inspections for any cracking of the skin and bear strap 
doublers in the corners of the forward galley service doorway, and 
corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD would also provide 
optional terminating actions for certain repetitive inspections. We are 
proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which could 
result in rapid loss of cabin pressure.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 11, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service information 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA. 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0057; 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 proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Pohl, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6450; 
fax: (425) 917-6590; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0057; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-210-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We received reports from multiple operators that have found fatigue 
cracking of the skin and bear strap in the corners of the forward 
galley service doorway. Some of the reported cracks were found outside 
of areas of directed or recommended inspections, or in areas modified 
as specified in previous revisions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
737-53A1116. Some airplanes were found to have multiple cracks in the 
corner areas. This condition, if not corrected, could result in rapid 
loss of cabin pressure.

Related Rulemaking

    AD 90-06-02, Amendment 39-6489 (Docket No. 89-NM-67-AD; 55 FR 8372, 
March 7, 1990); AD 98-11-04 R1, Amendment 39-10984 (64 FR 987, January 
7, 1999); AD 2008-08-23, Amendment 39-15477 (73 FR 21237, April 21, 
2008); and AD 2008-09-13, Amendment 39-15494 (73 FR 24164, May 2, 
2008); are supplemental structural inspection (SSI) program ADs that 
contain inspection requirements that are near or overlap the inspection 
areas that this proposed AD would require. The inspections mandated by 
those exploratory SSI ADs are not sufficient to address the unsafe 
condition identified in this proposed AD.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1116, Revision 4, 
dated September 30, 2013. For information on the procedures and 
compliance times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2014-0057.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 
series airplanes for any cracking of the skin and bear strap doublers 
in the corners of the forward galley service doorway, and corrective 
action if necessary. This proposed AD would also provide optional 
terminating actions for certain repetitive inspections.
    The phrase ``corrective actions'' is used in this proposed AD. 
``Corrective actions'' are actions that correct or address any 
condition found. Corrective actions in an AD could include, for 
example, repairs.

[[Page 10430]]

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The service information specifies to contact the manufacturer for 
instructions on how to repair certain conditions, but this proposed AD 
would require repairing those conditions in one of the following ways:
     In accordance with a method that we approve; or
     Using data that meet the certification basis of the 
airplane, and that have been approved by the Boeing Commercial 
Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) whom we have 
authorized to make those findings.
    Table 11 in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 737-53A1116, Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013, specifies 
post-repair inspections, which may be used in support of compliance 
with section 121.1109(c)(2) or 129.109(b)(2) of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 121.1109(c)(2) or 129.109(b)(2)). However, this 
NPRM does not propose to require those post-repair inspections. This 
difference has been coordinated with Boeing.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 419 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Cost on U.S.
             Action                    Labor cost            Parts cost      Cost per product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.....................  19 work-hours x $85     None.............  $1,615 per         $676,685 per
                                  per hour = $1,615 per                      inspection cycle.  inspection
                                  inspection cycle.                                             cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for any on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
AD. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might 
need this repair.

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 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 this 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),
    (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.

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

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):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2014-0057; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NM-210-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 11, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    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-
53A1116, Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports from multiple operators that 
have found fatigue cracking of the skin and bear strap in the 
corners of the forward galley service doorway. We are issuing this 
AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which could result in 
rapid loss of cabin pressure.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspections and Corrective Actions for Groups 1 through 4 Airplanes

    For Groups 1 through 4 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 737-53A1116, Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013: 
Within the applicable compliance times specified in Tables 1 through 
10 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 737-53A1116, Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013, except 
as provided by paragraph (j)(1) of this AD, do the applicable 
detailed and low frequency eddy current inspections for any cracking 
of the skin and bear straps in the corners of the forward galley 
service door and do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 737-53A1116, Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013, except 
as required by paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Do all applicable 
corrective actions before further flight. Repeat the inspections at 
the applicable time specified in Tables 1 through 10 of paragraph 
1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1116, 
Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013.

(h) Inspections and Corrective Actions for Group 5 Airplanes

    For Group 5 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 737-53A1116, Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013: Within 
120 days after the effective date of

[[Page 10431]]

this AD, do inspections of the skin and bear straps and all 
applicable corrective actions using a method approved in accordance 
with the procedures specified in paragraph (m) of this AD.

(i) Optional Terminating Actions

    (1) For Groups 1 and 2 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 737-53A1116, Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013: 
Accomplishment of a repair before the effective date of this AD in 
the upper aft corner of the forward galley service doorway, in 
accordance with any service information specified in paragraphs 
(i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iv) of this AD, terminates the requirement 
for the repetitive inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD 
for that repaired doorway corner only.
    (i) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1116, dated July 21, 1988.
    (ii) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1116, Revision 1, dated 
September 7, 1989.
    (iii) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1116, Revision 2, dated 
September 30, 1993.
    (iv) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1116, Revision 3, dated July 
27, 1995.
    (2) For Group 2 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 737-53A1116, Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013, on which 
no repair or modification was done using any of the service 
information identified in paragraphs (i)(2)(i) through (i)(2)(iv) of 
this AD; and for Group 3 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 737-53A1116, Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013: 
Repairing or modifying the upper aft corner of the forward galley 
service doorway, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1116, Revision 4, dated 
September 30, 2013, terminates the repetitive inspections required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD for that repaired or modified doorway 
corner only.
    (i) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1116, dated July 21, 1988.
    (ii) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1116, Revision 1, dated 
September 7, 1989.
    (iii) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1116, Revision 2, dated 
September 30, 1993.
    (iv) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1116, Revision 3, dated July 
27, 1995.
    (3) For Groups 2 and 3 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 737-53A1116, Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013: 
Repairing or modifying the lower forward or lower aft corner of the 
forward galley service doorway, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
53A1116, Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013, terminates the 
repetitive inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that 
repaired or modified doorway corner only.

(j) Exceptions to the Service Information

    (1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1116, Revision 4, 
dated September 30, 2013, specifies a compliance time ``after the 
Revision 4 date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires 
compliance within the specified compliance time ``after the 
effective date of this AD.''
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1116, Revision 4, 
dated September 30, 2013, specifies to contact Boeing for repair 
instructions: Before further flight, repair the cracking using a 
method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in 
paragraph (m) of this AD.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the inspections of the upper 
corners of the forward galley service doors specified in paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using any of the service information identified in 
paragraphs (k)(1) through (k)(4) of this AD (which are not 
incorporated by reference in this AD), provided that any 
preventative modification installed using this service information 
is inspected in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (1) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1116, dated July 21, 1988.
    (2) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1116, Revision 1, dated 
September 7, 1989.
    (3) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1116, Revision 2, dated 
September 30, 1993.
    (4) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1116, Revision 3, dated July 
27, 1995.

(l) Post-Repair Inspections

    The post-repair inspections specified in Table 11 of paragraph 
1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1116, 
Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013, are not required by this AD.
    Note 1 to paragraph (l) of this AD: The post-repair inspections 
specified in Table 11 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1116, Revision 4, dated September 30, 
2013, may be used in support of compliance with section 
121.1109(c)(2) or 129.109(b)(2) of the Federal Aviation Regulations 
(14 CFR 121.1109(c)(2) or 14 CFR 129.109(b)(2)).

(m) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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 paragraph (m) of this AD. 
Information may be emailed 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.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by the 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization 
(ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make 
those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must 
meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.

(n) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Alan Pohl, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
phone: (425) 917-6450; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 14, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04003 Filed 2-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P