[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 41 (Monday, March 3, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11728-11730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04500]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0122; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-002-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 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 
series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports in which a 
single, undetected, erroneous radio altimeter output caused the 
autothrottle to enter landing flare retard mode prematurely on 
approach. This proposed AD would require removing certain autothrottle 
computers and installing a new or reworked autothrottle computer. We 
are proposing this AD to prevent a single, undetected, erroneous radio 
altimeter output from causing premature autothrottle landing flare 
retard and subsequent loss of automatic speed control, which could 
result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 17, 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 98057. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 425-227-2112.

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-
0122; 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: Marie Hogestad, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
phone: 425-917-6418; 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-2014-0122; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-002-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

[[Page 11729]]

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 in which a single, undetected, erroneous radio 
altimeter output caused the autothrottle to enter landing flare retard 
mode prematurely on approach. The autothrottle computer delivered on 
Boeing Model 737NG airplanes listed in the applicability of this 
proposed AD does not have an autothrottle radio altimeter comparator to 
inhibit landing flare retard mode and, therefore, can enter landing 
flare retard mode prematurely due to a single, undetected, erroneous 
radio altimeter signal. This condition, if not corrected, could result 
in a single, undetected, erroneous radio altimeter output, causing 
premature autothrottle landing flare retard and subsequent loss of 
automatic speed control, which could result in loss of control of the 
airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1215, dated 
November 22, 2013. For information on the procedures, see this service 
information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0122.

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 removing certain autothrottle 
computers and installing a new or reworked autothrottle computer as 
specified in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 497 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Autothrottle computer replacement...  1 work-hour x $85 per                $0              $85          $42,245
                                       hour = $85.
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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. Amend Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2014-0122; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-002-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 17, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    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 737-22A1215, dated 
November 22, 2013.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 22, Auto Flight.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports in which a single, undetected, 
erroneous radio altimeter output caused the autothrottle to enter 
landing flare retard mode prematurely on approach. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent a single, undetected, erroneous radio altimeter 
output from causing premature autothrottle landing flare retard and 
subsequent loss of automatic speed control, which could result in 
loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replacement

    Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 737-22A1215, dated November 22, 2013.

[[Page 11730]]

    (1) Remove any autothrottle computer, part number (P/N) 760SUE1-
1 (Boeing P/N 10-62017-51), 760SUE2-2 (Boeing P/N 10-62017-52), 
760SUE2-3 (Boeing P/N 10-62017-53), or 760SUE2-4 (Boeing P/N 10-
62017-54), from the E1-1 electronics shelf.
    (2) Install a new or reworked autothrottle computer, P/N 
760SUE2-5 (Boeing P/N 10-62017-55) at the E1-1 electronics shelf.

(h) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an 
autothrottle computer, part number 760SUE1-1 (Boeing P/N 10-62017-
51), 760SUE2-2 (Boeing P/N 10-62017-52), 760SUE2-3 (Boeing P/N 10-
62017-53), or 760SUE2-4 (Boeing P/N 10-62017-54), on any airplane.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 
(j)(1) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Marie Hogestad, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6418; 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, WA 98057. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 19, 2014.
Ross Landes,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04500 Filed 2-28-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P