[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 127 (Wednesday, July 2, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37676-37678]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14799]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0344; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-034-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-24-
13, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -
200C, -300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series 
airplanes. AD 2013-24-13 currently requires replacing the pivot link 
assembly for certain airplanes, replacing the seat track link 
assemblies or modifying the existing seat track link assembly for 
certain airplanes, or modifying the existing seat track link assembly 
fastener for certain airplanes. AD 2013-24-13 also requires inspecting, 
changing, or repairing the seat track link assembly for certain other 
airplanes. Since we issued AD 2013-24-13, a paragraph reference was 
found to be mis-identified. This proposed AD would correct this 
paragraph reference. We are proposing this AD to prevent seat 
detachment in an emergency landing, which could cause injury to 
occupants of the passenger compartment and affect emergency egress.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 18, 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-
0344; 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: Sarah Piccola, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6483; 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 proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0344; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-034-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

    On November 19, 2013, we issued AD 2013-24-13, Amendment 39-17687 
(78 FR 72558, December 3, 2013), for certain The Boeing Company Model 
737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, and -
900 series

[[Page 37677]]

airplanes. AD 2013-24-13 requires replacing the pivot link assembly for 
certain airplanes, replacing the seat track link assemblies or 
modifying the existing seat track link assembly for certain airplanes, 
or modifying the existing seat track link assembly fastener for certain 
airplanes. AD 2013-24-13 also requires inspecting, changing, or 
repairing the seat track link assembly for certain other airplanes. AD 
2013-24-13 resulted from a report that the seat track attachment of 
body station 520 flexible joint is structurally deficient in resisting 
a 9g forward emergency load condition in certain seating 
configurations. We issued AD 2013-24-13 to prevent seat detachment in 
an emergency landing, which could cause injury to occupants of the 
passenger compartment and affect emergency egress.

Actions Since AD 2013-24-13, Amendment 39-17687 (78 FR 72558, December 
3, 2013) Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2013-24-13, Amendment 39-17687 (78 FR 72558, 
December 3, 2013), a paragraph reference was found to be mis-identified 
in paragraph (i) of that AD. Paragraph (i) of AD 2013-24-13 states that 
before or concurrently with the accomplishment of the actions specified 
in paragraph (g)(2) or (g)(3) of this AD, install a new seat track link 
assembly. Where paragraph (i) of AD 2013-24-13 referred to paragraph 
(g)(3) of that AD, this AD refers to paragraph (g)(4) of this AD.
    We have also revised the terminology of the Summary and Discussion 
sections of this AD to clarify the actions required by this AD.

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 retain all requirements of AD 2013-24-13, 
Amendment 39-17687 (78 FR 72558, December 3, 2013). This proposed AD 
would revise the second sentence of paragraph (i) of this proposed AD 
to replace the reference to paragraph (g)(3) with reference to 
paragraph (g)(4) of this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1,281 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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              Action                        Labor cost               Parts cost         Cost per product    U.S. airplanes     Cost on U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement or modification         Up to 41 work-hours x $85   Up to $15,478.......  Up to $18,963.......           1,281  Up to $24,291,603.
 [retained actions from AD 2013-24-  per hour = $3,485.
 13, Amendment 39-17687 (78 FR
 72558, December 3, 2013)].
Concurrent installation or          Up to 60 work-hours x $85   Up to $18,089.......  Up to $23,189.......             214  Up to $4,962,446.
 modification (Groups 1, 2, 4, and   per hour = $5,100.
 5 airplanes) [retained actions
 from AD 2013[dash]24[dash]13,
 Amendment 39-17687 (78 FR 72558,
 December 3, 2013)] \1\.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide a cost estimate for the actions required for airplanes in Group 6 identified in
  Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1260, Revision 1, dated May 23, 2013.

    This new proposed AD adds no new costs to affected operators.

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 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 that the 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.

[[Page 37678]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2013-24-13, Amendment 39-17687 (78 FR 72558, December 3, 2013), and 
adding the following new AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2014-0344; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-034-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August 18, 
2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2013-24-13, Amendment 39-17687 (78 FR 
72558, December 3, 2013).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, 
and -500 series airplanes, as identified in Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 737-53-1260, Revision 1, dated May 23, 2013.
    (2) The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -
900 series airplanes, as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-
53-1244, Revision 5, dated July 27, 2011.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that a Boeing study found that 
the seat track attachment of body station 520 flexible joint is 
structurally deficient in resisting a 9g forward emergency load 
condition in certain seating configurations. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent seat detachment in an emergency landing, which could 
cause injury to occupants of the passenger compartment and affect 
emergency egress.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Repair or Replacement of Seat Track Link Assembly or Seat 
Track Link Assembly Fastener, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2013-24-13, Amendment 39-17687 (78 FR 72558, December 3, 2013), with 
no changes. Within 60 months after January 7, 2014 (the effective 
date of AD 2013-24-13), do the actions specified in paragraph 
(g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), or (g)(4) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series 
airplanes: Install new, improved pivot link assemblies, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 737-53-1244, Revision 5, dated July 27, 2011.
    (2) For airplanes in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, as identified in 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1260, Revision 1, 
dated May 23, 2013: Replace the seat track link assembly, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1260, Revision 1, dated May 23, 
2013.
    (3) For airplanes in Group 6, as identified in Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1260, Revision 1, dated May 23, 
2013: Inspect, change, or repair the seat track link assembly, as 
applicable, using a method approved in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
    (4) For airplanes in Group 5, as identified in Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1260, Revision 1, dated May 23, 
2013: Modify the existing seat track link assembly fastener, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1260, Revision 1, dated May 23, 
2013.

(h) Retained Optional Modification of Seat Track Link Assembly, With No 
Changes

    This paragraph restates the provisions of paragraph (h) of AD 
2013-24-13, Amendment 39-17687 (78 FR 72558, December 3, 2013), with 
no changes. In lieu of the replacement specified in paragraph (g)(2) 
of this AD, doing the optional modification of the seat track link 
assembly, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1260, Revision 1, 
dated May 23, 2013, is acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, provided the 
modification is done within the compliance time specified in the 
introductory text of paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) Retained Concurrent Actions, With New Concurrent Action for Group 5 
Airplanes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2013-24-13, Amendment 39-17687 (78 FR 72558, December 3, 2013), with 
a corrected paragraph reference that results in a new concurrent 
action for Group 5 airplanes. For airplanes in Groups 1, 2, 4, and 
5, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-
53-1260, Revision 1, dated May 23, 2013: Before or concurrently with 
the accomplishment of the actions specified in paragraph (g)(2) or 
(g)(4) of this AD, install a new seat track link assembly or modify 
the seat track link assembly, as applicable, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1120, 
Revision 1, dated May 13, 1993.

(j) Retained Credit for Previous Actions With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the credit specified in paragraph (j) of 
AD 2013-24-13, Amendment 39-17687 (78 FR 72558, December 3, 2013), 
with no changes.
    (1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
January 7, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2013-24-13, Amendment 39-
17687 (78 FR 72558, December 3, 2013)), using Boeing Service 
Bulletin 737-53-1244, dated April 17, 2003; Revision 1, dated May 
29, 2003; Revision 2, dated March 15, 2007; or Revision 3, dated 
December 4, 2008; which are not incorporated by reference in this 
AD.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraphs (g)(2) and (g)(4) of this AD, if those actions were 
performed before January 7, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2013-24-
13, Amendment 39-17687 (78 FR 72558, December 3, 2013)), using 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1260, dated May 7, 
2007, which is not incorporated by reference in 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) 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 14 CFR 25.571, 
Amendment 45, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Sarah Piccola, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, 
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6483; 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 June 18, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-14799 Filed 7-1-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P