[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 87 (Friday, May 4, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19615-19617]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09218]



[[Page 19615]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0776; Product Identifier 2017-NM-062-AD; Amendment 
39-19264; AD 2018-09-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -300, -400, and -500 series 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the frame web 
common to the stringer ties adjacent to the air-conditioning support 
brackets. This AD requires an inspection of the frame for any air-
conditioning bracket assembly or intercostal, and, depending on the 
results, repetitive inspections of the frame web for cracking of 
certain locations, and applicable on-condition actions. We are issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 8, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 8, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data 
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 
90740-5600; telephone: 562-797-1717; internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this service information at the 
FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, 
WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 206-231-3195. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0776.

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-2017-
0776; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket Operations, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Garrido, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5232; fax: 562-627-
5210; email: [email protected].


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company 
Model 737-200, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on August 15, 2017 (82 FR 38623). The 
NPRM was prompted by reports of cracks in the frame web common to the 
stringer ties adjacent to the air-conditioning support brackets. The 
NPRM proposed to require an inspection for any air-conditioning bracket 
assembly or intercostal, and, depending on the results, repetitive 
inspections for cracking of certain locations, and applicable on-
condition actions.
    We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the frame 
web common to the stringer ties adjacent to the air-conditioning 
support brackets, which could result in a severed frame, and, in 
combination with potential multiple site damage (MSD) at the stringer 
S-10 lap splice or chem-milled skin cracks, could result in possible 
rapid decompression and loss of structural integrity of the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Effect of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions

    Aviation Partners Boeing stated that accomplishing the supplemental 
type certificate (STC) ST01219SE does not affect the actions specified 
in the NPRM.
    We concur with the commenter. We have redesignated paragraph (c) of 
the proposed AD as paragraph (c)(1) of this AD and added paragraph 
(c)(2) to this AD to state that installation of STC ST01219SE does not 
affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. 
Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01219SE is installed, a 
``change in product'' alternative method of compliance (AMOC) approval 
request is not necessary to comply with the requirements of 14 CFR 
39.17.

Request for Clarification of the Unsafe Condition and Inspection Area

    Boeing requested that we revise the preamble of the NPRM and 
paragraph (e) of the proposed AD to clarify the unsafe condition. 
Boeing also requested that we revise paragraph (i) of the proposed AD 
to clarify the type of cracking (frame web cracking) and the inspection 
area (frame web common to the stringer ties). The commenter mentioned 
that without these clarifications the specific wording could be 
misleading.
    We agree that clarification is necessary for the reasons provided 
by the commenter and have revised this AD accordingly.

Request To Update Responsible ACO Branch

    Boeing requested that we change all references to the Seattle ACO 
Branch to refer to the Los Angeles ACO Branch. Boeing pointed out that 
responsibility for The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -300, -400, and -
500 series airplanes has changed to the Los Angeles ACO Branch.
    We agree for the reasons provided by the commenter and have revised 
this AD accordingly.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule with the changes described previously and minor 
editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final 
rule.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1363, dated April 
7, 2017. This service information describes procedures for an 
inspection of the frame for any air-conditioning bracket assembly or 
intercostal, repetitive inspections of the frame web for

[[Page 19616]]

cracking of certain locations, and applicable on-condition actions. 
This service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 302 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Cost on U.S.
            Action                   Labor cost         Parts cost      Cost per product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections..................  27 work-hours x $85                $0  $2,295 per            $693,090 per
                                per hour = $2,295                      inspection cycle.     inspection cycle.
                                per inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes and 
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2018-09-08 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-19264; Docket No. FAA-
2017-0776; Product Identifier 2017-NM-062-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective June 8, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -300, -
400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1363, dated April 
7, 2017.
    (2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
ST01219SE (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/EBD1CEC7B301293E86257CB30045557A?OpenDocument&Highlight=st01219se) 
does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by 
this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01219SE is 
installed, a ``change in product'' alternative method of compliance 
(AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with the 
requirements of 14 CFR 39.17.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the frame web 
common to the stringer ties adjacent to the air-conditioning support 
brackets. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the 
frame web common to the stringer ties adjacent to the air-
conditioning support brackets, which could result in a severed 
frame, and, in combination with potential multiple site damage (MSD) 
at the stringer S-10 lap splice or chem-milled skin cracks, could 
result in possible rapid decompression and loss of structural 
integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1363, dated April 7, 2017, do 
all applicable actions identified as ``RC'' (required for 
compliance) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1363, dated 
April 7, 2017.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1363, dated April 
7, 2017, uses the phrase ``after the original issue date of this 
service bulletin,'' for purposes of determining compliance with the 
requirements of this AD, the phrase ``after the effective date of 
this AD'' applies.

[[Page 19617]]

    (2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1363, dated April 
7, 2017, specifies contacting Boeing, and specifies that action as 
RC: This AD requires using a method approved in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.

(i) Terminating Action for Repetitive Inspections

    Accomplishment of a reinforcement repair for a frame web crack 
at the stringer tie location using a method approved in accordance 
with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD terminates 
the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD for 
the repaired stringer tie location only, provided the crack is 
removed or trimmed out from the stringer tie holes.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (k) 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, modification, or alteration required by this AD 
if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization 
Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the 
Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, to make those findings. To be 
approved, the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration 
deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the 
approval must specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) Except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD: For 
service information that contains steps that are labeled as RC, the 
provisions of paragraphs (j)(4)(i) and (j)(4)(ii) of this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the 
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is 
required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and 
identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled 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 RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact George Garrido, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-
5232; fax: 562-627-5210; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1363, dated April 7, 
2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Boeing service information identified in this AD, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data 
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 
90740-5600; telephone: 562-797-1717; internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
206-231-3195.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on April 20, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-09218 Filed 5-3-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P