[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 78 (Wednesday, April 23, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22599-22602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-09250]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0252; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-213-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 The 
Boeing Company Model 707 airplanes, Model 720 and 720B series 
airplanes, Model 727 airplanes, and Model 737-

[[Page 22600]]

100, -200, and -200C series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by 
a report of a fire which originated near the first officer's area and 
caused extensive damage to the flight deck on a different airplane 
model. This proposed AD would require replacing the low-pressure oxygen 
hoses with non-conductive low-pressure oxygen hoses in the flight 
compartment. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadvertent electrical 
current from passing through an internal, anti-collapse spring of the 
low-pressure oxygen hose, which can cause the low-pressure oxygen hose 
to melt or burn, leading to an oxygen-fed fire and/or smoke in the 
flight deck.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 9, 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-
0252; 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 
Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan L. Monroe, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6457; 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-2014-0252; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-213-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 a report indicating that, on certain The Boeing Company 
Model 757 airplanes, a fire originated near the first officer's area, 
which caused extensive damage to the flight deck. A Boeing 
investigation found that the low pressure flexible hoses in the 
pressurized flightcrew oxygen system can potentially be conductive 
because of the anti-kink metallic spring inside the hose. The flight 
crew oxygen system on The Boeing Company Model 707 airplanes, Model 720 
and 720B series airplanes, Model 727 airplanes, and Model 737-100, -
200, and -200C series airplanes is almost identical to the system 
installed on certain Model 757 airplanes. Therefore, Model 707 
airplanes, Model 720 and 720B series airplanes, Model 727 airplanes, 
and Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes may be subject to 
the unsafe condition revealed on certain Model 757 airplanes. This 
proposed AD is being issued to prevent inadvertent electrical current, 
which can cause the low-pressure flex-hose of a flight crew or 
supernumerary oxygen system to melt or burn, resulting in oxygen system 
leakage and smoke or fire.

Related Rulemaking

    On March 29, 2010, we issued AD 2010-06-17, Amendment 39-16242 (75 
FR 15328, March 29, 2010), applicable to certain Model 757 airplanes. 
AD 2010-06-17 currently requires inspecting to verify the part number 
of the low-pressure flex-hoses of the flightcrew and supernumerary 
oxygen system installed under the oxygen mask stowage box at a 
flightcrew and supernumerary oxygen mask location and replacing with a 
new non-conductive low-pressure flex-hose of the oxygen system if 
necessary. AD 2010-06-17 was prompted by reports of a low-pressure 
flex-hose of a flightcrew oxygen system that burned through due to 
inadvertent electrical current from a short circuit in an adjacent 
audio select panel.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin A3538, dated October 2, 
2013; Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-35A0031, dated July 18, 2013; 
and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-35A1140, dated August 28, 2013. 
For information on the procedures, see this service information at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA 2014-0252.

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 these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information identified previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 530 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

[[Page 22601]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                              Parts                             Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost          cost      Cost per product          operators
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Replace oxygen hoses..............  Up to 17 work-hours x      $297   Up to $1,742........  Up to $923,260.
                                     $85 per hour = $1,445.
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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-2014-0252; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NM-213-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 9, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model 707-100 long body, -200, -100B long body, and -100B 
short body airplanes; Model 707-300, -300B, -300C, and -400 series 
airplanes; and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes; as identified in 
Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3538, dated October 2, 2013.
    (2) Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727 -100C, 727-200, and 727-200F 
series airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
727-35A0031, dated July 18, 2013.
    (3) Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes, as 
identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-35A1140, dated 
August 28, 2013.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a fire which originated near 
the first officer's area and caused extensive damage to the flight 
deck on a different airplane model. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent inadvertent electrical current from passing through an 
internal, anti-collapse spring of the low-pressure oxygen hose, 
which can cause the low-pressure oxygen hose to melt or burn, 
leading to an oxygen-fed fire and/or smoke in the flight deck.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Oxygen Hose Replacement

    Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace 
the low-pressure oxygen hoses in the flight compartment with non-
conductive low-pressure oxygen hoses, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin specified in 
paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(3) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For Model 707-100 long body, -200, -100B long body, and -
100B short body series airplanes; Model 707-300, -300B, -300C, and -
400 series airplanes; and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes: 
Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3538, dated October 2, 2013.
    (2) For Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-
200F series airplanes: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-35A0031, 
dated July 18, 2013.
    (3) For Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes: Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 737-35A1140, dated August 28, 2013.

(h) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
low-pressure oxygen hose specified in Table 1 to paragraph (h) of 
this AD, on any airplane.

                      Table 1 to Paragraph (h) of This AD--Low-Pressure Oxygen Hoses (P/N)
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                                                                                                 RE darling (aka
          Boeing specification No.                Hydroflow              B/E aerospace               REDAR)
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10-60174-24.................................         37001-642  Not applicable (n/a)..........             (n/a)
10-60174-26.................................         37001-640  (n/a).........................             (n/a)
10-60174-25.................................         37001-641  (n/a).........................             (n/a)
10-60174-36.................................          37001-36  (n/a).........................             (n/a)

[[Page 22602]]

 
10-60174-35.................................          37001-35  173470-35.....................     40830-505-018
                                                      37001-36  173470-36.....................
                                                                ZH833-35......................
                                                                ZH833-36......................
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(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for The Boeing Company Model 
737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes, covered by 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) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for The Boeing 
Company Model 707 airplanes, Model 720 and 720B series airplanes, 
and Model 727 airplanes, covered by 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].
    (3) 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, Susan L. Monroe, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, 
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6457; 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. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 14, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-09250 Filed 4-22-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P