Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 Series Airplanes, 30996-30998 [E7-10755]
Download as PDF
30996
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 107 / Tuesday, June 5, 2007 / Proposed Rules
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC71 with PROPOSALS
additional employees and fixed assets,
and the associated costs;
• A description of the current and
proposed office/branch structure,
including a general description of the
location(s); parking availability, public
transportation availability, drivethrough service, lobby capacity, or any
other service feature illustrating
community access;
• Marketing plan addressing how the
community will be served for the 24month period after the proposed
conversion to a community charter,
including the projected marketing
budget, promotions, and time line;
• Details, terms and conditions of the
credit union’s financial products,
programs, and services to be provided to
the entire community; and
• Maps showing the current and
proposed service facilities, ATMs,
political boundaries, major roads, and
other pertinent information.
An existing federal credit union may
apply to convert to a community
charter. Groups currently in the credit
union’s field of membership, but
outside the new community credit
union’s boundaries, may not be
included in the new community charter.
Therefore, the credit union must notify
groups that will be removed from the
field of membership as a result of the
conversion. Members of record can
continue to be served.
Before approval of an application to
convert to a community credit union,
NCUA must be satisfied that the credit
union will be viable and capable of
providing services to its members.
Community credit unions will be
expected to regularly review and to
follow, to the fullest extent
economically possible, the marketing
and business plans submitted with their
applications.
V.A.7—Community Boundaries
The geographic boundaries of a
community federal credit union are the
areas defined in its charter. The
boundaries can usually be defined using
political borders, streets, rivers, railroad
tracks, etc.
A community that is a recognized
legal entity may be stated in the field of
membership—for example, ‘‘Gus
Township, Texas,’’ ‘‘Isabella City,
Georgia,’’ or ‘‘Fairfax County, Virginia.’’
A community that is a recognized
MSA must state in the field of
membership the political jurisdiction(s)
that comprise the MSA.
V.A.8—Special Community
Charters
A community field of membership
may include persons who work or
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:43 Jun 04, 2007
Jkt 211001
attend school in a particular industrial
park, shopping mall, office complex, or
similar development. The proposed
field of membership must have clearly
defined geographic boundaries.
V.A.9—Sample Community
Fields of Membership
A community charter does not have to
include all four affinities (i.e., live,
work, worship, or attend school in a
community). Some examples of
community fields of membership are:
• nPersons who live, work, worship,
or attend school in, and businesses
located in the area of Johnson City,
Tennessee, bounded by Fern Street on
the north, Long Street on the east,
Fourth Street on the south, and Elm
Avenue on the west;
• Persons who live or work in Green
County, Maine;
• Persons who live, worship, or work
in and businesses and other legal
entities located in Independent School
District No. 1, DuPage County, Illinois;
• Persons who live, worship, work (or
regularly conduct business in), or attend
school on the University of Dayton
campus, in Dayton, Ohio;
• Persons who work for businesses
located in Clifton Country Mall, in
Clifton Park, New York; or
• Persons who live, work, or worship
in the Binghamton, New York, MSA,
consisting of Broome and Tioga
Counties, New York.
Some Examples of insufficiently
defined local communities,
neighborhoods, or rural districts are:
• Persons who live or work within
and businesses located within a tenmile radius of Washington, DC (using a
radius does not establish a well-defined
area);
• Persons who live or work in the
industrial section of New York, New
York. (not a well-defined neighborhood,
community, or rural district); or
• Persons who live or work in the
greater Boston area. (not a well-defined
neighborhood, community, or rural
district).
Some examples of unacceptable local
communities, neighborhoods, or rural
districts are:
• Persons who live or work in the
State of California. (does not meet the
definition of local community,
neighborhood, or rural district).
• Persons who live in the first
congressional district of Florida. (does
not meet the definition of local
community, neighborhood, or rural
district).
4. Section III.A of Chapter 3 of IRPS
03–1, as amended by IRPS 06–1 and
IRPS 07–1, is revised by removing the
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
second and third full paragraphs and
the bulleted paragraphs in between
them and adding in their place two
paragraphs to read as follows:
For an underserved area, the welldefined local community,
neighborhood, or rural district
requirement is met if the area to be
served meets the definition of a local
community contained in Chapter 2
V.A.2.
If the area to be served does not meet
the single political jurisdiction or
statistical definition contained in
Chapter 2 V.A.2, the application must
include documentation to support that
it is a well-defined local community,
neighborhood, or rural district.
[FR Doc. E7–10398 Filed 6–4–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7535–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28348; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–060–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing
Model 737–600, –700, –700C, –800 and
–900 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 737–600, –700,
–700C, –800 and –900 series airplanes.
This proposed AD would require sealing
the fasteners on the front and rear spar
inside the main fuel tank and on the
lower panel of the center fuel tank,
inspecting the wire bundle support
installation in the equipment cooling
system bays to identify the type of
clamp installed and determine whether
the Teflon sleeve is installed, and doing
related corrective actions if necessary.
This proposed AD results from a design
review of the fuel tank systems. We are
proposing this AD to prevent arcing at
certain fuel tank fasteners, in the event
of a lightning strike or fault current
event, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could result in a
fuel tank explosion and consequent loss
of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by July 20, 2007.
E:\FR\FM\05JNP1.SGM
05JNP1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 107 / Tuesday, June 5, 2007 / Proposed Rules
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:
Kathrine Rask, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057–3356; telephone
(425) 917–6505; fax (425) 917–6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ADDRESSES:
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC71 with PROPOSALS
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–2007–28348; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–060–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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:34 Jun 04, 2007
Jkt 211001
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
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
The FAA has examined the
underlying safety issues involved in fuel
tank explosions on several large
transport airplanes, including the
adequacy of existing regulations, the
service history of airplanes subject to
those regulations, and existing
maintenance practices for fuel tank
systems. As a result of those findings,
we issued a regulation titled ‘‘Transport
Airplane Fuel Tank System Design
Review, Flammability Reduction and
Maintenance and Inspection
Requirements’’ (67 FR 23086, May 7,
2001). In addition to new airworthiness
standards for transport airplanes and
new maintenance requirements, this
rule included Special Federal Aviation
Regulation No. 88 (‘‘SFAR 88,’’
Amendment 21–78, and subsequent
Amendments 21–82 and 21–83).
Among other actions, SFAR 88
requires certain type design (i.e., type
certificate (TC) and supplemental type
certificate (STC)) holders to substantiate
that their fuel tank systems can prevent
ignition sources in the fuel tanks. This
requirement applies to type design
holders for large turbine-powered
transport airplanes and for subsequent
modifications to those airplanes. It
requires them to perform design reviews
and to develop design changes and
maintenance procedures if their designs
do not meet the new fuel tank safety
standards. As explained in the preamble
to the rule, we intended to adopt
airworthiness directives to mandate any
changes found necessary to address
unsafe conditions identified as a result
of these reviews.
In evaluating these design reviews, we
have established four criteria intended
to define the unsafe conditions
associated with fuel tank systems that
require corrective actions. The
percentage of operating time during
which fuel tanks are exposed to
flammable conditions is one of these
criteria. The other three criteria address
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
30997
the failure types under evaluation:
single failures, single failures in
combination with another latent
condition(s), and in-service failure
experience. For all four criteria, the
evaluations included consideration of
previous actions taken that may mitigate
the need for further action.
We have determined that the actions
identified in this AD are necessary to
reduce the potential of ignition sources
inside fuel tanks, which, in combination
with flammable fuel vapors, could result
in fuel tank explosions and consequent
loss of the airplane.
Boeing determined during the SFAR
88 review that certain non-conductive
fasteners, which penetrate the main and
center fuel tanks, could be subject to
lightning strikes or fault currents
induced by short circuits. During a
lightning strike or fault current event,
electrical current may be conducted to
those non-conductive fasteners, which if
unsealed could create arcing inside the
fuel tanks. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in a fuel tank
explosion and consequent loss of the
airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737–57A1279, dated
January 24, 2007. The service bulletin
describes procedures for the following
actions (depending on airplane
configuration):
• Sealing the fasteners on the front
and rear spar inside the main fuel tank
and on the lower panel of the center fuel
tank;
• Inspecting the wire bundle support
installation in the equipment cooling
system bays to identify the type of
clamp installed and determine whether
the Teflon sleeve is installed;
• Replacing any incorrect clamp with
a new correct clamp; and
• Installing any missing Teflon
sleeving.
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.
E:\FR\FM\05JNP1.SGM
05JNP1
30998
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 107 / Tuesday, June 5, 2007 / Proposed Rules
Costs of Compliance
There are about 1,754 airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet;
of these, 645 airplanes are U.S.
registered. The following table provides
the estimated costs for U.S. operators to
comply with this proposed AD, at an
average hourly labor rate of $80.
ESTIMATED COSTS
Group
Action
Work
hours
Average
hourly labor
rate
1
2
3
1
2
3
62
28
28
3
3
2
$80
80
80
80
80
80
Sealant application ...............................................................................
Inspection .............................................................................................
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.
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC71 with PROPOSALS
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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:43 Jun 04, 2007
Jkt 211001
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:
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA–2007–28348;
Directorate Identifier 2007–NM–060–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
this AD action by July 20, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model 737–600,
–700, –700C, –800 and –900 series airplanes,
certificated in any category; as identified in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737–57A1279,
dated January 24, 2007.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a design review
of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this
AD to prevent arcing at certain fuel tank
fasteners, in the event of a lightning strike or
fault current event, which, in combination
with flammable fuel vapors, could result in
fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of
the airplane.
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Number of
U.S.registered
airplanes
$4,960
2,240
2,240
240
240
160
586
44
15
586
44
15
Fleet cost
$2,906,560
98,560
33,600
140,640
10,560
2,400
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.
Fastener Sealant
(f) Within 60 months after the effective
date of this AD: Seal the fasteners on the
front and rear spar inside the main fuel tank
and on the lower panel of the center fuel
tank, as applicable, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737–57A1279, dated January
24, 2007.
Inspection
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
§ 39.13
Cost per
airplane
(g) Within 60 months after the effective
date of this AD: Perform a general visual
inspection of the wire bundle support
installation in the equipment cooling system
bays to identify the type of clamp installed,
and determine whether the Teflon sleeve is
installed. Do these actions in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737–57A1279,
dated January 24, 2007. Do all applicable
corrective actions within 60 months after the
effective date of this AD in accordance with
the service bulletin.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (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) To request a different method of
compliance or a different compliance time
for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR
39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on
any airplane to which the AMOC applies,
notify your appropriate principal inspector
(PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District
Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 25,
2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–10755 Filed 6–4–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
E:\FR\FM\05JNP1.SGM
05JNP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 5, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30996-30998]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-10755]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28348; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-060-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800
and -900 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 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series
airplanes. This proposed AD would require sealing the fasteners on the
front and rear spar inside the main fuel tank and on the lower panel of
the center fuel tank, inspecting the wire bundle support installation
in the equipment cooling system bays to identify the type of clamp
installed and determine whether the Teflon sleeve is installed, and
doing related corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results
from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are proposing this AD
to prevent arcing at certain fuel tank fasteners, in the event of a
lightning strike or fault current event, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and
consequent loss of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 20, 2007.
[[Page 30997]]
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: Kathrine Rask, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 917-6505; 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-2007-
28348; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-060-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 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
The FAA has examined the underlying safety issues involved in fuel
tank explosions on several large transport airplanes, including the
adequacy of existing regulations, the service history of airplanes
subject to those regulations, and existing maintenance practices for
fuel tank systems. As a result of those findings, we issued a
regulation titled ``Transport Airplane Fuel Tank System Design Review,
Flammability Reduction and Maintenance and Inspection Requirements''
(67 FR 23086, May 7, 2001). In addition to new airworthiness standards
for transport airplanes and new maintenance requirements, this rule
included Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 (``SFAR 88,''
Amendment 21-78, and subsequent Amendments 21-82 and 21-83).
Among other actions, SFAR 88 requires certain type design (i.e.,
type certificate (TC) and supplemental type certificate (STC)) holders
to substantiate that their fuel tank systems can prevent ignition
sources in the fuel tanks. This requirement applies to type design
holders for large turbine-powered transport airplanes and for
subsequent modifications to those airplanes. It requires them to
perform design reviews and to develop design changes and maintenance
procedures if their designs do not meet the new fuel tank safety
standards. As explained in the preamble to the rule, we intended to
adopt airworthiness directives to mandate any changes found necessary
to address unsafe conditions identified as a result of these reviews.
In evaluating these design reviews, we have established four
criteria intended to define the unsafe conditions associated with fuel
tank systems that require corrective actions. The percentage of
operating time during which fuel tanks are exposed to flammable
conditions is one of these criteria. The other three criteria address
the failure types under evaluation: single failures, single failures in
combination with another latent condition(s), and in-service failure
experience. For all four criteria, the evaluations included
consideration of previous actions taken that may mitigate the need for
further action.
We have determined that the actions identified in this AD are
necessary to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel
tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result
in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.
Boeing determined during the SFAR 88 review that certain non-
conductive fasteners, which penetrate the main and center fuel tanks,
could be subject to lightning strikes or fault currents induced by
short circuits. During a lightning strike or fault current event,
electrical current may be conducted to those non-conductive fasteners,
which if unsealed could create arcing inside the fuel tanks. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in a fuel tank explosion and
consequent loss of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-57A1279, dated
January 24, 2007. The service bulletin describes procedures for the
following actions (depending on airplane configuration):
Sealing the fasteners on the front and rear spar inside
the main fuel tank and on the lower panel of the center fuel tank;
Inspecting the wire bundle support installation in the
equipment cooling system bays to identify the type of clamp installed
and determine whether the Teflon sleeve is installed;
Replacing any incorrect clamp with a new correct clamp;
and
Installing any missing Teflon sleeving.
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.
[[Page 30998]]
Costs of Compliance
There are about 1,754 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet; of these, 645 airplanes are U.S. registered. The
following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to
comply with this proposed AD, at an average hourly labor rate of $80.
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Work Average Cost per U.S.-
Action Group hours hourly airplane registered Fleet cost
labor rate airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sealant application......................... 1 62 $80 $4,960 586 $2,906,560
2 28 80 2,240 44 98,560
3 28 80 2,240 15 33,600
Inspection.................................. 1 3 80 240 586 140,640
2 3 80 240 44 10,560
3 2 80 160 15 2,400
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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-2007-28348; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
060-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 20,
2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900
series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-57A1279, dated January 24, 2007.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank
systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent arcing at certain fuel
tank fasteners, in the event of a lightning strike or fault current
event, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could
result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.
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.
Fastener Sealant
(f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: Seal
the fasteners on the front and rear spar inside the main fuel tank
and on the lower panel of the center fuel tank, as applicable, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737-57A1279, dated January 24, 2007.
Inspection
(g) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD:
Perform a general visual inspection of the wire bundle support
installation in the equipment cooling system bays to identify the
type of clamp installed, and determine whether the Teflon sleeve is
installed. Do these actions in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-57A1279, dated
January 24, 2007. Do all applicable corrective actions within 60
months after the effective date of this AD in accordance with the
service bulletin.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (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) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 25, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-10755 Filed 6-4-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P