[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 130 (Friday, July 6, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31507-31509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14397]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0580; Product Identifier 2018-NM-025-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 737-300, -400, and -500 series 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating that 
the primary latch securing the passenger service unit (PSU) to the 
airplane structure is not adequate for the higher loads experienced 
during survivable accidents. This proposed AD would require installing 
lanyard assemblies on the PSU and, for certain airplanes, on the life 
vest panel. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 20, 2018.

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 NPRM, 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 referenced service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., 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-2018-0580.

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-2018-
0580; 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 NPRM, 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: Scott Craig, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3566; 
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-2018-0580; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-025-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 a report indicating that the primary latch 
securing the PSU to the airplane structure is not adequate for the 
higher loads experienced during survivable accidents. In addition, 
there is no secondary means of retention (lanyards) for the PSU to the 
airplane structure. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
the PSU becoming detached and falling into the cabin, which could lead 
to passenger injuries and impede egress during an evacuation.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1728, dated October 10, 
2016. The service information describes procedures for installing 
lanyard assemblies on the PSU and life vest panels.
    We reviewed Boeing Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1758 RB, dated 
November 8, 2017. The service information describes procedures for 
installing lanyard assemblies on the PSU.
    These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane 
models in different configurations.
    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.

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 accomplishment of the actions 
identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1728, dated October 10, 
2016, described previously, except for any differences identified as 
exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
    This proposed AD would also require accomplishment of the actions 
identified in the Boeing Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1758 RB, dated 
November 8, 2017, described previously, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
    For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this 
service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for

[[Page 31508]]

and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0580.

Explanation of Requirements Bulletin

    The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the 
Airworthiness Directives Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee 
(AD ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement is a process for 
annotating which steps in the service information are ``required for 
compliance'' (RC) with an AD. Boeing has implemented this RC concept 
into Boeing service bulletins.
    In an effort to further improve the quality of ADs and AD-related 
Boeing service information, a joint process improvement initiative was 
worked between the FAA and Boeing. The initiative resulted in the 
development of a new process in which the service information more 
clearly identifies the actions needed to address the unsafe condition 
in the ``Accomplishment Instructions.'' The new process results in a 
Boeing Requirements Bulletin, which contains only the actions needed to 
address the unsafe condition (i.e., only the RC actions).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 227 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per product        operators
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Installation of lanyard           76 work-hour x $85  Up to $11,000.....  Up to $17,460.....  Up to $3,963,420.
 assemblies.                       per hour = $6,460.
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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.
    This proposed 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 to the Director of the System Oversight 
Division.

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-2018-0580; Product Identifier 
2018-NM-025-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 20, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -
500 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
the service information specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of 
this AD.
    (1) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1728, dated October 10, 2016.
    (2) Boeing Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1758 RB, dated November 
8, 2017.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the primary 
latch securing the passenger service unit (PSU) to the airplane 
structure is not adequate for the higher loads experienced during 
survivable accidents. We are issuing this AD to address the PSU 
becoming detached and falling into the cabin, which could lead to 
passenger injuries and impede egress during an evacuation.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-
1728, dated October 10, 2016: Except as required by paragraph (h)(1) 
of this AD, at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1728, dated 
October 10, 2016, do all applicable actions identified as ``RC'' 
(required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1728, 
dated October 10, 2016.
    (2) For airplanes identified in Boeing Requirements Bulletin 
737-25-1758 RB, dated November 8, 2017: Except as required by 
paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, at the applicable times specified in 
the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Requirements Bulletin 737-25-
1758 RB, dated November 8, 2017, do all applicable actions 
identified in, and in accordance with,

[[Page 31509]]

the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Requirements Bulletin 737-
25-1758 RB, dated November 8, 2017.


    Note 1 to paragraph (g)(2) of this AD: Guidance for 
accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 737-25-1758, dated November 8, 2017, which is 
referred to in Boeing Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1758 RB, dated 
November 8, 2017.


(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements 
of this AD: Where Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1728, dated October 
10, 2016, uses the phrase ``the original issue date of this service 
bulletin,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of this 
AD.''
    (2) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements 
of this AD: Where Boeing Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1758 RB, dated 
November 8, 2017, uses the phrase ``the original issue date of the 
Requirements Bulletin (RB),'' this AD requires using ``the effective 
date of this AD.''

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle 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 (j)(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, 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, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, 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) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as RC, the provisions of paragraphs (i)(4)(i) and (i)(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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Scott Craig, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, 
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
phone and fax: 206-231-3566; email: [email protected].
    (2) For 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. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th 
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on June 21, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-14397 Filed 7-5-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P