[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 102 (Wednesday, May 28, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30490-30492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12244]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0286; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-004-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 and -700 series airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking in a bulkhead 
lower frame. This proposed AD would require a detailed and open hole 
high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection of the left- and right-
side lower frame webs and inner chords for cracking, if necessary, and 
corrective actions and preventative modifications, if necessary. This 
proposed AD would also provide for optional terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections under certain conditions. We are proposing this 
AD to detect and correct cracking in a bulkhead lower frame web and 
inner chord, which could result in a severed frame and induced skin 
cracks, and lead to rapid decompression of the fuselage.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 14, 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-
0286; 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-2014-0286; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-004-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy

[[Page 30491]]

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 have received reports of cracking in the STA 727 bulkhead lower 
frame. This condition, if not corrected, could result in a severed 
frame and induced skin cracks, and lead to rapid decompression of the 
fuselage.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1325, dated 
December 3, 2013. For information on the procedures and compliance 
times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for Docket No. FAA-2014-0286.

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 a detailed and open hole HFEC 
inspection of the left- and right-side lower frame webs and inner 
chords for cracking, if necessary, and corrective actions and 
preventative modifications, if necessary; except as discussed under 
``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service Information.''
    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.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The service information specifies to contact the manufacturer for 
instructions on how to do certain inspections and repair certain 
conditions, but this proposed AD would require accomplishing those 
actions 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 489 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per      Cost on  U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections.......................  37 work-hours x $85 per                $0           $3,145       $1,537,905
                                     hour = $3,145.
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    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs that 
would be required based on the results of the proposed inspections. We 
have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these 
repairs:

                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair (per side)..........................  11 work-hours x $85 per hour = $935          $2,820          $3,755
Modification...............................  17 work-hours x $85 per hour =                1,132           2,577
                                              $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:

[[Page 30492]]

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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-2014-0286; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-004-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 14, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600 and -700 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1325, dated December 3, 2013.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the body station 
(STA) 727 bulkhead lower frame. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct cracking in a bulkhead lower frame web and inner chord, 
which could result in a severed framed and induced skin cracks, and 
lead to rapid decompression of the fuselage.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspections

    At the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1325, dated 
December 3, 2013, except as provided by paragraph (i)(1) of this AD: 
Do a detailed and open hole high frequency eddy current (HFEC) 
inspection of the left- and right-side lower frame webs and inner 
chords for cracking, as applicable, and do all applicable corrective 
actions and preventative modifications, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
53A1325, dated December 3, 2013, except as required by paragraph 
(i)(2) of this AD. Repeat the applicable inspections required by 
this paragraph thereafter at the applicable intervals specified in 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
737-53A1325, dated December 3, 2013. Do all applicable corrective 
actions and preventative modifications before further flight.

(h) Terminating Action

    Accomplishment of a modification or a repair in accordance with 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1325, dated December 3, 2013, 
terminates the repetitive inspections in this AD for the repaired or 
modified side only.

(i) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1325, dated 
December 3, 2013, specifies a compliance time ``after the original 
issue 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 737-53A1325, dated 
December 3, 2013, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate 
action: Before further flight, accomplish the corresponding action 
using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (k) of this AD.

(j) Post-Repair Inspections

    The post-repair inspections, specified in tables 4, 5, and 6 of 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
737-53A1325, dated December 3, 2013, are not required by this AD.

    Note 1 to paragraph (j) of this AD: The damage tolerance 
inspections specified in tables 4, 5, and 6 of paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1325, dated 
December 3, 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)). The corresponding 
actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 737-53A1325, dated December 3, 2013, are not 
required by this AD.

(k) 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 (l)(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.
    (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.

(l) 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, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 15, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-12244 Filed 5-27-14; 8:45 am]
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