Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes, 19835-19838 [E6-5723]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 74 / Tuesday, April 18, 2006 / Proposed Rules
determined in accordance with § 915.5;
and
*
*
*
*
*
3. Amend § 915.8, by revising
paragraph (a)(1), redesignating
paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) as
paragraphs (c), (d), (e), and (f),
respectively, and adding a new
paragraph (b) to read as follows:
§ 915.8
director, officer, attorney, employee, or
agent of a Bank may:
(1) Communicate in any manner that
a director, officer, attorney, employee,
or agent of a Bank, directly or indirectly,
supports the nomination or election of
a particular person for an elective
directorship; or
(2) Take any other action to influence
votes for a directorship.
Dated: April 12, 2006.
By the Board of Directors of the Federal
Housing Finance Board.
Ronald A. Rosenfeld,
Chairman.
[FR Doc. 06–3690 Filed 4–17–06; 8:45 am]
Election process.
(a) * * *
(1) An alphabetical listing of the
names of each nominee for the
member’s voting state, the name,
location, and FHFB ID number of the
member each nominee serves, the
nominee’s title or position with the
member, the number of elective
directorships to be filled by members in
that voting state in the election, and, at
the election of the Bank, a brief
description of the nominee’s skills and
experience;
*
*
*
*
*
(b) Statement on skills and
experience. A Bank may prepare and
mail with each ballot a brief statement
describing the elective director skills
and experience the Bank has
determined are most likely to add
strength to the board of directors, if the
Bank has made such a determination
pursuant to § 915.9.
*
*
*
*
*
4. Revise § 915.9 to read as follows:
hsrobinson on PROD1PC68 with PROPOSALS
§ 915.9 Actions impacting director
elections.
(a) Banks. Each Bank, acting through
its board of directors, may conduct an
annual assessment of the skills and
experience possessed by the members of
its board of directors as a whole and
may determine whether the capabilities
of the board would be enhanced through
the addition of persons with particular
skills and experience. If the board of
directors determines that the Bank
could benefit by the addition to the
board of directors of persons with
particular qualifications, such as in
financial management/accounting,
hedging, risk management, capital
markets, securities disclosure
requirements, or housing finance, it may
identify those qualifications and so
inform the members as part of the
announcement of elections.
(b) Incumbent Bank directors. A Bank
director acting in his or her personal
capacity may support the nomination or
election of any person for an elective
directorship, provided that no Bank
director purports to represent the views
of the Bank or its board of directors in
doing so.
(c) Prohibition. Except as provided in
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, no
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BILLING CODE 6725–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. FAA–2006–24496; Directorate
Identifier 2005–NM–141–AD]
14 CFR Part 39
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing
Model 737–100, –200, –200C, –300,
–400, and –500 Series Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 737–100, –200,
–200C, –300, –400, and –500 series
airplanes. This proposed AD would
require repetitive inspections to detect
cracks in the vertical beam webs of the
body station (BS) 178 bulkhead, and
corrective actions if necessary. This
proposed AD also would require a
terminating modification for the
repetitive inspections. This proposed
AD results from reports of numerous
cracks in the vertical beam webs. We are
proposing this AD to prevent fatigue
cracks in certain vertical beam webs,
which could result in loss of structural
integrity of the BS 178 bulkhead, and
consequently could impair the
operation of the control cables for the
elevators, speed brakes, and landing
gear, or could cause the loss of cabin
pressure.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by June 2, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
proposed AD.
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
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19835
instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building,
room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
400 Seventh Street SW., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124–2207, for the service
information identified in this proposed
AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Howard Hall, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055–4056; telephone
(425) 917–6430; fax (425) 917–6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant
written data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your
comments to an address listed in the
ADDRESSES section. Include the docket
number ‘‘FAA–2006–24496; Directorate
Identifier 2005–NM–141–AD’’ at the
beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the
overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of
the proposed AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date
and may amend the proposed AD in
light of those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal
information you provide. We will also
post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD.
Using the search function of that web
site, anyone can find and read the
comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual
who sent the comment (or signed the
comment on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78), or you may visit https://
dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov, or in
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 74 / Tuesday, April 18, 2006 / Proposed Rules
person at the Docket Management
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The Docket
Management Facility office (telephone
(800) 647–5227) is located on the plaza
level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after the Docket
Management System receives them.
hsrobinson on PROD1PC68 with PROPOSALS
Discussion
We have received several reports of
numerous cracks in the vertical beam
webs at buttock lines (BL) 5.7 and 17.0
of the body station (BS) 178 bulkhead
on Boeing Model 737–100, –200, –200C,
–300, –400, and –500 series airplanes,
line numbers 1 through 3132 inclusive.
Five cracks nearly severed the upper
web of the BL 17.0 vertical beam. One
crack severed the lower web of the BL
17.0 vertical beam. The cracks initiate
from holes in the web of the vertical
beams and at fastener locations common
to the forward and aft chords of the
vertical beams. These airplanes have
accumulated between 15,556 and 64,881
total flight cycles. The cracks occur as
a result of structural fatigue due to cabin
pressure loads. Fatigue cracks in the
vertical beam webs at BL 5.7 and 17.0
of BS 178 bulkhead, if not detected and
corrected, could result in loss of
structural integrity of the bulkhead,
which could impair the operation of the
control cables for the elevators, speed
brakes, and landing gear, or could cause
the loss of cabin pressure.
Other Relevant Rulemaking
We have previously issued AD 2000–
05–29, amendment 39–11639 (65 FR
14834, March 20, 2000), applicable to
Boeing Model 737–100, –200, –300,
–400, and –500 series airplanes, line
numbers 1 through 2,737 inclusive. That
AD requires repetitive inspections to
detect fatigue cracking of the web,
vertical chords, and side chords of the
forward pressure bulkhead, and repair if
necessary. That AD also provides for
certain optional preventative
modifications (reference Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737–53A1173, Revision
3, dated May 6, 1999), which, if done,
ends the repetitive inspection
requirements for the affected areas.
In addition, we have previously
issued AD 2001–02–01, amendment 39–
12085 (66 FR 7576, January 24, 2001),
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applicable to Boeing Model 737–300,
–400, and –500 series airplanes, line
numbers 2,738 through 3,071 inclusive.
That AD requires repetitive inspections
to detect fatigue cracking in the vertical
chords and side chords of the forward
pressure bulkhead, and repair if
necessary. That AD also requires certain
preventative modifications (reference
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737–
53A1208, dated May 6, 1999), which
ends the repetitive inspection
requirements for the affected areas.
For certain airplanes, accomplishing
the preventative modification in this
proposed AD may affect accomplishing
the preventative modifications specified
as optional in AD 2000–05–29 and
required by AD 2001–02–01. See ‘‘Effect
of Accomplishing Concurrent
Requirements’’ section for further
information.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Service
Bulletin 737–53A1225, Revision 1,
dated April 14, 2005. The service
bulletin describes procedures for
repetitive high frequency eddy current
(HFEC) and detailed inspections to
detect cracks in the BS 178 vertical
beam webs, and corrective actions if
necessary. The corrective actions
include repairing or replacing any
cracked vertical beam web and
associated parts with a new vertical
beam web and associated parts. The
service bulletin also describes
procedures for a preventative
modification (i.e., repairing or replacing
the vertical beams at BL 5.7 and 17.0 of
the BS 178 bulkhead), which ends the
repetitive inspections. For certain
airplanes, Boeing Service Bulletin 737–
53A1225 recommends accomplishing
concurrently the terminating
preventative modifications specified in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737–
53A1173 or 737–53A1208, as
applicable, due to common access and
structure.
Accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information is intended to
adequately address the unsafe
condition.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent
information and identified an unsafe
condition that is likely to exist or
develop on other airplanes of this same
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type design. For this reason, we are
proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information described
previously, except as discussed under
‘‘Difference Between the Proposed AD
and Service Information.’’
Difference Between Proposed AD and
Service Information
Boeing Service Bulletin 737–53A1225
specifies to contact the manufacturer for
instructions on how to repair certain
conditions, but this proposed AD would
require repairing those conditions in
one of the following ways:
• Using a method that we approve; or
• Using data that meet the
certification basis of the airplane, and
that have been approved by an
Authorized Representative for the
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Delegation Option Authorization
Organization whom we have authorized
to make those findings.
Effect of Accomplishing Concurrent
Requirements
Operators who have not done the
preventative modifications specified in
AD 2000–05–29 (reference Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737–53A1173, Revision
3, dated May 6, 1999) or required by AD
2001–02–01 (reference Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737–53A1208, dated
May 6, 1999), as applicable, as of the
effective date of this AD, must do those
preventative modifications concurrently
with the preventative modification of
this proposed AD in accordance with
Boeing Service Bulletin 737–53A1225,
Revision 1. We realize that the
concurrent requirements of this
proposed AD will force some operators
to do the preventative modifications
required by AD 2001–02–01 early and to
do the optional preventative
modification specified in AD 2000–05–
29. However, accomplishing the
applicable preventative modifications
together is necessary to avoid repeated
disassembly and re-assembly of
common parts, which increases the
likelihood of additional assembly errors.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 3,132 airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet.
The following table provides the
estimated costs for U.S. operators to
comply with this proposed AD.
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 74 / Tuesday, April 18, 2006 / Proposed Rules
19837
ESTIMATED COSTS
Action
Work hours
Inspection, per inspection cycle.
Preventative Modification.
Average
labor rate
per hour
Parts
4
$80
240
80
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:
None ........................
$320, per inspection
cycle.
Between $20,160
and $32,820 depending on configuration.
Number of
U.S.-registered
airplanes
Cost per airplane
Between $960 and
$13,620 depending on kit purchased.
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); and
3. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this proposed AD and placed it in the
AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section
for a location to examine the regulatory
evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, 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
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
1,172 .......................
1,172 (720 airplanes
have had the preventative modification incorporated).
Fleet cost
$375,040, per inspection cycle.
Between
$14,515,200 and
$23,630,400.
Boeing: Docket No. FAA–2006–24496;
Directorate Identifier 2005–NM–141–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
this AD action by June 2, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737–
100, –200, –200C, –300, –400, –500 series
airplanes, certificated in any category; as
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737–
53A1225, Revision 1, dated April 14, 2005.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of
numerous cracks in the vertical beam webs.
We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue
cracks in certain vertical beam webs, which
could result in loss of structural integrity of
the body station (BS) 178 bulkhead, and
consequently could impair the operation of
the control cables for the elevators, speed
brakes, and landing gear, or could cause the
loss of cabin pressure.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the
actions required by this AD performed within
the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Repetitive Inspections
(f) At the applicable times specified in
Table 1 of this AD, do a high frequency eddy
current (HFEC) inspection and detailed
inspection to detect cracks in the BS 178
vertical beam webs, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Service Bulletin 737–53A1225, Revision 1,
dated April 14, 2005.
TABLE 1.—COMPLIANCE TIMES
And repeat the HFEC and
detailed inspections thereafter at—
hsrobinson on PROD1PC68 with PROPOSALS
For airplanes on which—
Inspect—
(1) An HFEC or a detailed inspection specified in Boeing
Service Bulletin 737–53A1225, dated October 19,
2000, has not been done as of the effective date of
this AD.
(2) An HFEC or detailed inspection specified in Boeing
Service Bulletin 737–53A1225, dated October 19,
2000, has been done before the effective date of this
AD.
Before the accumulation of 15,000 total flight cycles, or
within 4,500 flight cycles after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs later.
Intervals not to exceed
6,000 flight cycles.
Within 6,000 flight cycles since the last HFEC inspection, or within 1,200 flight cycles since the last detailed inspection, whichever occurs later.
Intervals not to exceed
6,000 flight cycles.
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 74 / Tuesday, April 18, 2006 / Proposed Rules
Corrective Actions
(g) If any crack is detected during any
inspection required by paragraph (f) of this
AD, before further flight, repair or replace the
vertical beam web and associated parts with
a new vertical beam web, in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Service Bulletin 737–53A1225, Revision 1,
dated April 14, 2005, except as provided by
paragraph (h) of this AD.
(h) If any damage is beyond the scope of
the service bulletin or structural repair
manual, before further flight, repair the
damaged vertical beam web in accordance
with a method approved by the Manager,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA; or using a method approved in
accordance with paragraph (l) of this AD.
Terminating Preventative Modification
(i) Before the accumulation of 50,000 total
flight cycles, or within 25,000 flight cycles
after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later, repair or replace the vertical
beams at buttock lines (BL) 5.7 and 17.0 of
the BS 178 bulkhead, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Service Bulletin 737–53A1225, Revision 1,
dated April 14, 2005. Accomplishing the
repair or replacement ends the repetitive
inspections required by paragraph (f) of this
AD.
(j) Actions done before the effective date of
this AD in accordance with Boeing BOECOM
M–7200–01–00546, dated March 1, 2001, are
acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD.
hsrobinson on PROD1PC68 with PROPOSALS
Concurrent Requirements
(k) For Group 1 airplanes identified in
Boeing Service Bulletin 737–53A1225,
Revision 1, dated April 14, 2005:
Concurrently with the requirements of
paragraph (i) of this AD, unless already done
before the effective date of this AD, do the
preventative modifications of the center web,
vertical chords, and side chord areas,
including the side chord areas at water line
207, of the forward pressure bulkhead,
specified in paragraph (c) of AD 2000–05–29,
amendment 39–11639 (reference Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 737–53A1173,
Revision 3, dated May 6, 1999).
(l) For Group 2 airplanes identified in
Boeing Service Bulletin 737–53A1225,
Revision 1, dated April 14, 2005:
Concurrently with the requirements of
paragraph (i) of this AD, but no later than the
time specified in AD 2001–02–01,
amendment 39–12085, do the preventative
modifications of the vertical and side chord
areas of the forward pressure bulkhead
required by paragraph (c) of AD 2001–02–01
(reference Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737–
53A1208, dated May 6, 1999).
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(m)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested in accordance with the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in
accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to
which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA
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15:02 Apr 17, 2006
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Flight Standards 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 an
Authorized Representative for the Boeing
Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option
Authorization Organization who 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 4,
2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6–5723 Filed 4–17–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
[Docket No. OST–2006–23999]
14 CFR Part 382
RIN 2105–AD41
Nondiscrimination on the Basis of
Disability in Air Travel—
Accommodations for Individuals Who
Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind
Office of the Secretary (OST),
U.S. Department of Transportation
(DOT).
ACTION: Extension of comment period on
proposed rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Department is extending
through June 24, 2006, the period for
interested persons to submit comments
to its proposed rule on accommodations
for individuals who are deaf, hard of
hearing, or deaf-blind.
DATES: Comments must be received by
June 24, 2006. Comments received after
this date will be considered to the
extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by the docket number [OST–
2005–23999] by any of the following
methods: (1) Federal eRulemaking
Portal: https://www.regulations.gov
(follow the instructions for submitting
comments); (2) Web site: https://
dms.dot.gov (follow the instructions for
submitting comments on the DOT
electronic docket site); (3) Fax: 1–202–
493–2251; (4) Mail: Docket Management
System; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Nassif Building, Room PL–401,
Washington, DC 20590–001; or (5) Hand
Delivery: To the Docket Management
System; Room PL–401 on the plaza level
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of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, DC between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal Holidays.
You must include the agency name
and docket number [OST–2005–23999]
or the Regulatory Identification Number
(RIN) for this notice at the beginning of
your comment. Note that all comments
received will be posted without change
to https://dms.dot.gov including any
personal information provided. Please
see the Privacy Act section of this
document. You may view the public
docket through the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket
Management System office at the above
address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Blane A. Workie, Office of Assistant
General Counsel for Aviation
Enforcement and Proceedings, 400 7th
Street, SW., Room 4116, Washington,
DC 29590. Phone: 202–366–9342. TTY:
202–366–0511. Fax: 202–366–7152. Email: blane.workie@dot.go.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
February 23, 2006, the Department of
Transportation (DOT or Department)
issued a notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) that proposed to amend 14 CFR
Part 382 (Part 382), the rule that
implements the Air Carrier Access Act
(ACAA), to provide for additional
accommodations for air travelers who
are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind.
See 71 FR 9285. The NPRM would
apply to U.S. air carriers, to foreign air
carriers for their flights into and out of
the United States, to airport facilities
located in the U.S. that are owned,
controlled or leased by carriers, and to
aircraft that serve a U.S. airport.
On March 16, 2006, the European
Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC)
requested an extension of the comment
period, in order to permit it to gather
expert opinion from many sources on
the ‘‘complex’’ issues addressed in the
NPRM. It requested an extension of at
least a few weeks from the original
comment closing date of April 24, 2006.
This request was supported by the Air
Carrier Association of America (ACAA),
the Air Transport Association (ATA),
the National Air Carrier Association
(NACA), and the Regional Airline
Association (RAA). The carrier
associations further requested that the
comment period for the NPRM be
extended to June 24, 2006, to consider
‘‘the multiple and complicated technical
and operational issues raised by the
NPRM (for domestic and international
operations) and the accompanying
initial regulatory assessment.’’
The Department concurs that an
extension of the comment period is
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19835-19838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5723]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. FAA-2006-24496; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-141-AD]
14 CFR Part 39
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -
300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500
series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections
to detect cracks in the vertical beam webs of the body station (BS) 178
bulkhead, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also
would require a terminating modification for the repetitive
inspections. This proposed AD results from reports of numerous cracks
in the vertical beam webs. We are proposing this AD to prevent fatigue
cracks in certain vertical beam webs, which could result in loss of
structural integrity of the BS 178 bulkhead, and consequently could
impair the operation of the control cables for the elevators, speed
brakes, and landing gear, or could cause the loss of cabin pressure.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 2, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this
proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Howard Hall, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
917-6430; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
24496; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-141-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit https://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov, or in
[[Page 19836]]
person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket
Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the
plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT street address stated in
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after the Docket Management System receives them.
Discussion
We have received several reports of numerous cracks in the vertical
beam webs at buttock lines (BL) 5.7 and 17.0 of the body station (BS)
178 bulkhead on Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500
series airplanes, line numbers 1 through 3132 inclusive. Five cracks
nearly severed the upper web of the BL 17.0 vertical beam. One crack
severed the lower web of the BL 17.0 vertical beam. The cracks initiate
from holes in the web of the vertical beams and at fastener locations
common to the forward and aft chords of the vertical beams. These
airplanes have accumulated between 15,556 and 64,881 total flight
cycles. The cracks occur as a result of structural fatigue due to cabin
pressure loads. Fatigue cracks in the vertical beam webs at BL 5.7 and
17.0 of BS 178 bulkhead, if not detected and corrected, could result in
loss of structural integrity of the bulkhead, which could impair the
operation of the control cables for the elevators, speed brakes, and
landing gear, or could cause the loss of cabin pressure.
Other Relevant Rulemaking
We have previously issued AD 2000-05-29, amendment 39-11639 (65 FR
14834, March 20, 2000), applicable to Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -300,
-400, and -500 series airplanes, line numbers 1 through 2,737
inclusive. That AD requires repetitive inspections to detect fatigue
cracking of the web, vertical chords, and side chords of the forward
pressure bulkhead, and repair if necessary. That AD also provides for
certain optional preventative modifications (reference Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737-53A1173, Revision 3, dated May 6, 1999), which, if
done, ends the repetitive inspection requirements for the affected
areas.
In addition, we have previously issued AD 2001-02-01, amendment 39-
12085 (66 FR 7576, January 24, 2001), applicable to Boeing Model 737-
300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, line numbers 2,738 through 3,071
inclusive. That AD requires repetitive inspections to detect fatigue
cracking in the vertical chords and side chords of the forward pressure
bulkhead, and repair if necessary. That AD also requires certain
preventative modifications (reference Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737-53A1208, dated May 6, 1999), which ends the repetitive inspection
requirements for the affected areas.
For certain airplanes, accomplishing the preventative modification
in this proposed AD may affect accomplishing the preventative
modifications specified as optional in AD 2000-05-29 and required by AD
2001-02-01. See ``Effect of Accomplishing Concurrent Requirements''
section for further information.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1225, Revision 1,
dated April 14, 2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for
repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) and detailed inspections
to detect cracks in the BS 178 vertical beam webs, and corrective
actions if necessary. The corrective actions include repairing or
replacing any cracked vertical beam web and associated parts with a new
vertical beam web and associated parts. The service bulletin also
describes procedures for a preventative modification (i.e., repairing
or replacing the vertical beams at BL 5.7 and 17.0 of the BS 178
bulkhead), which ends the repetitive inspections. For certain
airplanes, Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1225 recommends accomplishing
concurrently the terminating preventative modifications specified in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1173 or 737-53A1208, as
applicable, due to common access and structure.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes
of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD,
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously, except as discussed under
``Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Information.''
Difference Between Proposed AD and Service Information
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1225 specifies to contact the
manufacturer for instructions on how to repair certain conditions, but
this proposed AD would require repairing those conditions in one of the
following ways:
Using a method that we approve; or
Using data that meet the certification basis of the
airplane, and that have been approved by an Authorized Representative
for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option Authorization
Organization whom we have authorized to make those findings.
Effect of Accomplishing Concurrent Requirements
Operators who have not done the preventative modifications
specified in AD 2000-05-29 (reference Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737-53A1173, Revision 3, dated May 6, 1999) or required by AD 2001-02-
01 (reference Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1208, dated May 6,
1999), as applicable, as of the effective date of this AD, must do
those preventative modifications concurrently with the preventative
modification of this proposed AD in accordance with Boeing Service
Bulletin 737-53A1225, Revision 1. We realize that the concurrent
requirements of this proposed AD will force some operators to do the
preventative modifications required by AD 2001-02-01 early and to do
the optional preventative modification specified in AD 2000-05-29.
However, accomplishing the applicable preventative modifications
together is necessary to avoid repeated disassembly and re-assembly of
common parts, which increases the likelihood of additional assembly
errors.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 3,132 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.
[[Page 19837]]
Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Action Work hours labor rate Parts Cost per airplane Number of U.S.- Fleet cost
per hour registered airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection, per inspection cycle.. 4 $80 None................. $320, per inspection 1,172................ $375,040, per
cycle. inspection cycle.
Preventative Modification......... 240 80 Between $960 and Between $20,160 and 1,172 (720 airplanes Between $14,515,200
$13,620 depending on $32,820 depending on have had the and $23,630,400.
kit purchased. configuration. preventative
modification
incorporated).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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); and
3. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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
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]
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2006-24496; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
141-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by June 2,
2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300,
-400, -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category; as
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1225, Revision 1, dated
April 14, 2005.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of numerous cracks in the
vertical beam webs. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracks
in certain vertical beam webs, which could result in loss of
structural integrity of the body station (BS) 178 bulkhead, and
consequently could impair the operation of the control cables for
the elevators, speed brakes, and landing gear, or could cause the
loss of cabin pressure.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Repetitive Inspections
(f) At the applicable times specified in Table 1 of this AD, do
a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection and detailed
inspection to detect cracks in the BS 178 vertical beam webs, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service
Bulletin 737-53A1225, Revision 1, dated April 14, 2005.
Table 1.--Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
And repeat the
HFEC and
For airplanes on which-- Inspect-- detailed
inspections
thereafter at--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) An HFEC or a detailed Before the Intervals not to
inspection specified in accumulation of exceed 6,000
Boeing Service Bulletin 737- 15,000 total flight flight cycles.
53A1225, dated October 19, cycles, or within
2000, has not been done as of 4,500 flight cycles
the effective date of this AD. after the effective
date of this AD,
whichever occurs
later.
(2) An HFEC or detailed Within 6,000 flight Intervals not to
inspection specified in cycles since the last exceed 6,000
Boeing Service Bulletin 737- HFEC inspection, or flight cycles.
53A1225, dated October 19, within 1,200 flight
2000, has been done before cycles since the last
the effective date of this AD. detailed inspection,
whichever occurs
later.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 19838]]
Corrective Actions
(g) If any crack is detected during any inspection required by
paragraph (f) of this AD, before further flight, repair or replace
the vertical beam web and associated parts with a new vertical beam
web, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Service Bulletin 737-53A1225, Revision 1, dated April 14, 2005,
except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD.
(h) If any damage is beyond the scope of the service bulletin or
structural repair manual, before further flight, repair the damaged
vertical beam web in accordance with a method approved by the
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or using
a method approved in accordance with paragraph (l) of this AD.
Terminating Preventative Modification
(i) Before the accumulation of 50,000 total flight cycles, or
within 25,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later, repair or replace the vertical beams at
buttock lines (BL) 5.7 and 17.0 of the BS 178 bulkhead, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service
Bulletin 737-53A1225, Revision 1, dated April 14, 2005.
Accomplishing the repair or replacement ends the repetitive
inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD.
(j) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Boeing BOECOM M-7200-01-00546, dated March 1, 2001,
are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (i)
of this AD.
Concurrent Requirements
(k) For Group 1 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin
737-53A1225, Revision 1, dated April 14, 2005: Concurrently with the
requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD, unless already done before
the effective date of this AD, do the preventative modifications of
the center web, vertical chords, and side chord areas, including the
side chord areas at water line 207, of the forward pressure
bulkhead, specified in paragraph (c) of AD 2000-05-29, amendment 39-
11639 (reference Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1173, Revision
3, dated May 6, 1999).
(l) For Group 2 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin
737-53A1225, Revision 1, dated April 14, 2005: Concurrently with the
requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD, but no later than the time
specified in AD 2001-02-01, amendment 39-12085, do the preventative
modifications of the vertical and side chord areas of the forward
pressure bulkhead required by paragraph (c) of AD 2001-02-01
(reference Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1208, dated May 6,
1999).
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(m)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
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 an
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 4, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-5723 Filed 4-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
