[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 1, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17368-17371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07436]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0681; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-201-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 all 
The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER 
series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that 
a repetitive test is needed to inspect the components on airplanes 
equipped with a certain air distribution system configuration. This 
proposed AD would require doing repetitive testing for correct 
operation of the equipment cooling system and low pressure 
environmental control system, and corrective actions if necessary. We 
are proposing this AD to detect and correct latent failures of the 
equipment cooling system and low pressure environmental control system, 
which could result in smoke in the flight deck and possible loss of 
aircraft control.

[[Page 17369]]


DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 18, 2015.

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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0681.

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-2015-
0681; 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: Stanley Chen, 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: 425-917-6585; 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-2015-0681; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-201-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 a repetitive test is needed 
for inspection of the components on airplanes equipped with an air 
distribution system that was reconfigured using Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 737-26-1122, Revision 1, dated August 13, 
2009. Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-26-1122, Revision 
1, dated August 13, 2009, provided procedures for installing relays and 
diodes to the J24 junction box assembly and making wiring changes to 
the environmental control system. Without the repetitive test, failures 
of components could possibly be latent for extended periods. A cargo 
fire event, in conjunction with a latent failure of the air 
distribution system, can possibly result in smoke penetration into 
occupied areas. This condition, if not corrected, could result in smoke 
in the flight deck and possible loss of aircraft control.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-26A1137, dated May 
22, 2014. The service information describes procedures for repetitive 
testing for correct operation of the reconfigured equipment cooling 
system and low pressure environmental control system. Refer to this 
service information for information on the procedures and compliance 
times.
    Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-26A1137, dated May 22, 2014, 
specifies, for certain airplanes, prior or concurrent accomplishment of 
Boeing Special Attention 737-26-1122, Revision 1, dated August 13, 
2009. Boeing Special Attention 737-26-1122, Revision 1, dated August 
13, 2009, describes procedures for installing relays and diodes to the 
J24 junction box assembly and making wiring changes to the 
environmental control system.
    This service information is reasonably available; see ADDRESSES for 
ways to access this service information.

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 accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.
    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.

Explanation of Required for Compliance (RC) Steps in Service 
Information

    The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the 
Airworthiness Directives Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee 
(ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement was a new process for 
annotating which steps in the service information are required for 
compliance with an AD. Differentiating these steps from other tasks in 
the service information is expected to improve an owner's/operator's 
understanding of crucial AD requirements and help provide consistent 
judgment in AD compliance. The steps identified as RC (required for 
compliance) in any service information identified previously have a 
direct effect on detecting, preventing, resolving, or eliminating an 
identified unsafe condition.
    Steps that are identified as RC in any service information must be 
done to comply with the proposed AD. However, steps that are not 
identified as RC are recommended. Those steps that are not identified 
as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with 
the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining 
approval of an alternative method of compliance (AMOC), provided the 
steps identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in 
a serviceable condition. Any substitutions or changes to steps 
identified as RC will require approval of an AMOC.

[[Page 17370]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1,372 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operational Test.................  4 work-hours x $85             $0   $340 per operation    $466,480 per
                                    per hour = $340 per                 test cycle.           operation test
                                    operation test                                            cycle.
                                    cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary isolation and 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Cost per
                     Action                                   Labor cost               Parts cost      product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perform system fault isolation and replace        10 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $0          $850
 faulty component.                                 $850.
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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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2015-0681; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-201-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 18, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -
700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 2120, Air 
Distribution System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that a maintenance 
procedure is needed to inspect the components on airplanes equipped 
with a certain air distribution system. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct latent failures of the equipment cooling system 
and low pressure environmental control system, which could result in 
smoke in the flight deck and possible loss of aircraft control.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Operational Test and Corrective Action

    At the applicable times identified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-26A1137, dated 
May 22, 2014, except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD: Do a 
test for correct operation of the smoke clearance mode of the 
equipment cooling system and low pressure environmental control 
system, and do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
737-26A1137, dated May 22, 2014. Do all applicable corrective 
actions before further flight. Repeat the test for correct operation 
of the smoke clearance mode of the equipment cooling system and low 
pressure environmental control system thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 9,000 flight cycles.

[[Page 17371]]

(h) Concurrent Requirements

    For Group 1 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 737-26A1137, dated May 22, 2014: Before or concurrently 
with accomplishing the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD, 
install new relays and do wiring changes to the environmental 
control system, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-26-1122, Revision 
1, dated August 13, 2009.

(i) Exception to the Service Information

    Where paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 737-26A1137, dated May 22, 2014, 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.

(j) 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 (k)(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) If any service information contains steps that are 
identified as RC (Required for Compliance), those steps must be done 
to comply with this AD; any steps that are not identified as RC are 
recommended. Those steps that are not identified as RC may be 
deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the 
operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining 
approval of an AMOC, provided the steps identified as RC can be done 
and the airplane can be put back in a serviceable condition. Any 
substitutions or changes to steps identified as RC require approval 
of an AMOC.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Stanley Chen, 
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: 425-917-6585; 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 March 19, 2015.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-07436 Filed 3-31-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P