Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C -800, and -900 Series Airplanes, 36920-36925 [E7-13116]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 129 / Friday, July 6, 2007 / Proposed Rules
(m) Perform repetitive inspections as
specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Mandatory Terminating Action
Federal Aviation Administration
(n) No later than December 31, 2011, as
mandatory terminating action to the
repetitive visual inspections or rework
required by paragraphs (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k),
(l), and (m) of this AD, do the following:
(1) Rework the LP compressor case and
install new LP compressor case ice-impact
panels with additional retention features, at
the next shop visit requiring the removal of
any module, except when the work scope
requires only the removal of the high speed
gearbox module.
(2) For Tay 620–15, Tay 650–15, and Tay
651–54 turbofan engines, do the rework and
installation using the Accomplishment
Instructions of RRD Alert SB No. TAY–72–
A1643, Revision 1, dated November 2, 2005.
(3) For Tay 611–8 turbofan engines, do the
rework and installation using the
Accomplishment Instructions of RRD Alert
SB No. TAY–72–A1650, dated November 2,
2005.
Tay 611–8C Turbofan Engines
(o) For Tay 611–8C turbofan engines, no
later than December 31, 2011, do the
following:
(1) Rework the LP compressor case and
install new LP compressor case ice-impact
panels with additional retention features, at
the next shop visit after the effective date of
this AD, requiring the removal of any
module, except when the work scope
requires only the removal of the high speed
gearbox module.
(2) Do the rework and installation using the
Accomplishment Instructions of RRD Alert
SB No. TAY–72–A1650, dated November 2,
2005.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(p) The Manager, Engine Certification
Office, has the authority to approve
alternative methods of compliance for this
AD if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
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(q) German AD D2004–313R5, dated
November 15, 2005, also addresses the
subject of this AD.
(r) Contact Jason Yang, Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA,
Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803–5299; e-mail: Jason.yang@faa.gov;
telephone (781) 238–7747; fax (781) 238–
7199, for more information about this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on
June 29, 2007.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–13090 Filed 7–5–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
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14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28384; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–165–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
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.
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).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kathrine Rask, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Ave SW., Renton,
Washington 98057–3356; telephone
(425) 917–6505; fax (425) 917–6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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
revising the Airworthiness Limitations
(AWLs) section of the Instructions for
Continued Airworthiness by
incorporating new limitations for fuel
tank systems to satisfy Special Federal
Aviation Regulation No. 88
requirements. This proposed AD would
also require the initial inspection of a
certain repetitive AWL inspection to
phase in that inspection, and repair if
necessary. This proposed AD results
from a design review of the fuel tank
systems. We are proposing this AD to
prevent the potential for ignition
sources inside fuel tanks caused by
latent failures, alterations, repairs, or
maintenance actions, which, in
combination with flammable fuel
vapors, could result in a fuel tank
explosion and consequent loss of the
airplane.
We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by August 20, 2007.
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: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room W12–140 on
the ground floor of the West Building,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5
DATES:
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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–2007–28384; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–165–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 Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The Docket Operations office (telephone
(800) 647–5527) is located on the
ground floor of the West 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.
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Discussion
Relevant Service Information
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 proposed AD are
necessary to reduce the potential of
ignition sources inside fuel tanks,
which, in combination with flammable
fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank
explosion and consequent loss of the
airplane.
We have reviewed the following
subsections of Boeing 737–600/700/
700C/700IGW/800/900 Maintenance
Planning Data (MPD) Document,
D626A001–CMR, Section 9, Revision
March 2006 (hereafter referred to as
‘‘Revision March 2006 of the MPD’’):
• Subsection D, ‘‘AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS—SYSTEMS’’
• Subsection E, ‘‘PAGE FORMAT:
SYSTEM AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS’’
• Subsection F, ‘‘AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS—FUEL SYSTEM AWLs’’
Those subsections of Revision March
2006 of the MPD describe new
airworthiness limitations (AWLs) for
fuel tank systems. The new AWLs
include:
• AWL inspections, which are
periodic inspections of certain features
for latent failures that could contribute
to an ignition source; and
• Critical design configuration control
limitations (CDCCLs), which are
limitation requirements to preserve a
critical ignition source prevention
feature of the fuel tank system design
that is necessary to prevent the
occurrence of an unsafe condition. The
purpose of a CDCCL is to provide
instruction to retain the critical ignition
source prevention feature during
configuration change that may be
caused by alterations, repairs, or
maintenance actions. A CDCCL is not a
periodic inspection.
Accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information is intended to
adequately address the unsafe
condition.
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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
revising the AWLs section of the
Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness by incorporating the
information in Subsections D, E, and F
of Revision March 2006 of the MPD.
This proposed AD would also require
the initial inspection of a certain
repetitive AWL inspection to phase in
that inspection, and repair if necessary.
Explanation of Compliance Time
In most ADs, we adopt a compliance
time allowing a specified amount of
time after the AD’s effective date. In this
case, however, the FAA has already
issued regulations that require operators
to revise their maintenance/inspection
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36921
programs to address fuel tank safety
issues. The compliance date for these
regulations is December 16, 2008. To
provide for efficient and coordinated
implementation of these regulations and
this proposed AD, we are using this
same compliance date in this proposed
AD, instead of the 18-month compliance
time recommended by Boeing.
Rework Required When Implementing
AWLs Into an Existing Fleet
The AWLs revision for the fuel tank
systems specified in paragraph (g) of
this proposed AD, which involves
incorporating the information specified
in Revision March 2006 of the MPD,
would affect how operators maintain
their airplanes. After doing that AWLs
revision, operators would need to do
any maintenance on the fuel tank
system as specified in the CDCCLs.
Maintenance done before the AWLs
revision specified in paragraph (g)
would not need to be redone in order to
comply with paragraph (g). For
example, the AWL that requires fuel
pumps to be repaired and overhauled
per an FAA-approved component
maintenance manual (CMM) applies to
fuel pumps repaired after the AWLs are
revised; spare or on-wing fuel pumps do
not need to be reworked. For AWLs that
require repetitive inspections, the initial
inspection interval (threshold) starts
from the date the AWL revision
specified in paragraph (g) is done,
except as provided by paragraph (h) of
this proposed AD. This proposed AD
would require only the AWLs revision
specified in paragraph (g), and initial
inspections specified in paragraph (h).
No other fleet-wide inspections need to
be done.
Changes to Fuel Tank System AWLs
Paragraph (g) of this proposed AD
would require revising the AWLs
section of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness by incorporating certain
information specified in Revision March
2006 of the MPD into the MPD.
Paragraph (g) allows accomplishing the
AWL revision in accordance with later
revisions of the MPD as an acceptable
method of compliance if they are
approved by the Manager, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA. Paragraph (h) allows
accomplishing the initial inspections
and repair in accordance with later
revisions of the MPD as an acceptable
method of compliance if they are
approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO.
In addition, Subsection D of Revision
March 2006 of the MPD specifies that
any deviations from the published AWL
instructions, including AWL intervals,
in that MPD must be approved by the
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Manager, Seattle ACO. Therefore, after
the AWLs revision, any further revision
to an AWL or AWL interval should be
done as an AWL change, not as an
alternative method of compliance
(AMOC). For U.S.-registered airplanes,
operators must make requests through
an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector (PMI) or
Principal Avionics Inspector (PAI) for
approval by the Manager, Seattle ACO.
A non-U.S. operator should coordinate
changes with its governing regulatory
agency.
Exceptional Short-Term Extensions
Subsection D of Revision March 2006
of the MPD has provisions for an
exceptional short-term extension of 30
days. An exceptional short-term
extension is an increase in an AWL
interval that may be needed to cover an
uncontrollable or unexpected situation.
For U.S.-registered airplanes, the FAA
PMI or PAI must concur with any
exceptional short-term extension before
it is used, unless the operator has
identified another appropriate
procedure with the local regulatory
authority. The FAA PMI or PAI may
grant the exceptional short-term
extensions described in Subsection D
without consultation with the Manager,
Seattle ACO. A non-U.S. operator
should coordinate changes with its
governing regulatory agency. As
explained in Revision March 2006 of the
MPD, exceptional short-term extensions
must not be used for fleet AWL
extensions. An exceptional short-term
extension should not be confused with
an operator’s short-term escalation
authorization approved in accordance
with the Operations Specifications or
the operator’s reliability program.
Ensuring Compliance With Fuel Tank
System AWLs
Boeing has revised applicable
maintenance manuals and task cards to
address AWLs and to include notes
about CDCCLs. Operators that do not
use Boeing’s revision service should
revise their maintenance manuals and
task cards to highlight actions tied to
CDCCLs to ensure that maintenance
personnel are complying with the
CDCCLs. Appendix 1 of this proposed
AD contains a list of Air Transport
Association (ATA) sections for the
revised maintenance manuals.
Operators might wish to use the
appendix as an aid to implement the
AWLs.
Recording Compliance With Fuel Tank
System AWLs
The applicable operating rules of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
parts 91, 121, 125, and 129) require
operators to maintain records with the
identification of the current inspection
status of an airplane. Some of the AWLs
contained in Subsection F of Revision
March 2006 of the MPD are inspections
for which the applicable sections of the
operating rules apply. Other AWLs are
CDCCLs, which are tied to conditional
maintenance actions. An entry into an
operator’s existing maintenance record
system for corrective action is sufficient
for recording compliance with CDCCLs,
as long as the applicable maintenance
manual and task cards identify actions
that are CDCCLs.
Changes to CMMs Cited in Fuel Tank
System AWLs
Some of the AWLs in Subsection F of
Revision March 2006 of the MPD refer
to specific revision levels of the CMMs
as additional sources of service
information for doing the AWLs. Boeing
is referring to the CMMs by revision
level in the applicable AWL for certain
components rather than including
information directly in the MPD because
of the volume of that information. As a
result, the Manager, Seattle ACO, must
approve the CMMs. Any later revision
of those CMMs will be handled like a
change to the AWL itself. Any use of
parts (including the use of parts
manufacturer approval (PMA) approved
parts), methods, techniques, and
practices not contained in the CMMs
need to be approved by the Manager,
Seattle ACO, or governing regulatory
authority. For example, certain pump
repair/overhaul manuals must be
approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO.
Changes to AMMs Referenced in Fuel
Tank System AWLs
In other AWLs in Subsection F of
Revision March 2006 of the MPD, the
AWLs contain all the necessary data.
The applicable section of the
maintenance manual is usually
included in the AWLs. Boeing intended
this information to assist operators in
maintaining the maintenance manuals.
A maintenance manual change to these
tasks may be made without approval by
the Manager, Seattle ACO, through an
appropriate FAA PMI or PAI, by the
governing regulatory authority, or by
using the operator’s standard process for
revising maintenance manuals. An
acceptable change would have to
maintain the information specified in
the AWL such as the pass/fail criteria or
special test equipment.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 1960 airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet.
The following table provides the
estimated costs, at an average labor rate
of $80 per hour, for U.S. operators to
comply with this proposed AD.
ESTIMATED COSTS
Action
Work hours
AWLs revision .......................................................................
Inspection ..............................................................................
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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.
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Parts
8
8
None ............
None ............
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
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Cost per
airplane
Sfmt 4702
Number of
U.S.-registered
airplanes
$640
640
682
682
Fleet cost
$436,480
436,480
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
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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.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA–2007–28384;
Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–165–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
this AD action by August 20, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
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Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737–
600, –700, –700C –800, and –900 series
airplanes, certificated in any category, with
an original standard airworthiness certificate
or original export certificate of airworthiness
issued before March 31, 2006.
Note 1: Airplanes with an original standard
airworthiness certificate or original export
certificate of airworthiness issued on or after
March 31, 2006, must already be in
compliance with the airworthiness
limitations specified in this AD because
those limitations were applicable as part of
the airworthiness certification of those
airplanes.
Note 2: This AD requires revisions to
certain operator maintenance documents to
include new inspections and maintenance
actions. Compliance with these limitations is
required by 14 CFR 43.16 and 91.403(c). For
airplanes that have been previously
modified, altered, or repaired in the areas
addressed by these limitations, the operator
may not be able to accomplish the actions
described in the revisions. In this situation,
to comply with 14 CFR 43.16 and 91.403(c),
the operator must request approval for
revision to the airworthiness limitations
(AWLs) in the Boeing 737–600/700/700C/
700IGW/800/900 Maintenance Planning Data
(MPD) Document, D626A001–CMR,
according to paragraph (g) or (i) of this AD,
as applicable.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a design review
of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this
AD to prevent the potential for ignition
sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent
failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance
actions, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel
tank explosion 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.
Service Information Reference
(f) The term ‘‘Revision March 2006 of the
MPD’’ as used in this AD, means Boeing 737–
600/700/700C/700IGW/800/900 Maintenance
Planning Data (MPD) Document, D626A001–
CMR, Section 9, Revision March 2006.
Revision to AWLs Section
(g) Before December 16, 2008, revise the
AWLs section of the Instructions for
Continued Airworthiness by incorporating
into the MPD the information in the
subsections specified in paragraphs (g)(1),
(g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD; except that the
initial inspection required by paragraph (h)
of this AD must be done at the applicable
compliance time specified in that paragraph.
Accomplishing the revision in accordance
with a later revision of the MPD is an
acceptable method of compliance if the
revision is approved by the Manager, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.
(1) Subsection D, ‘‘AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS—SYSTEMS,’’ of Revision
March 2006 of the MPD.
(2) Subsection E, ‘‘PAGE FORMAT:
SYSTEM AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,’’
of Revision March 2006 of the MPD.
(3) Subsection F, ‘‘AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS—FUEL SYSTEM AWLs,’’ of
Revision March 2006 of the MPD.
Initial Inspection and Repair if Necessary
(h) At the later of the compliance times
specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of
this AD, do a special detailed inspection of
the lightning shield to ground termination on
the out-of-tank fuel quantity indication
system (FQIS) wiring to verify functional
integrity, in accordance with AWL Number
28–AWL–03 of Subsection F of Revision
March 2006 of the MPD. If any discrepancy
is found during the inspection, repair the
discrepancy before further flight in
accordance with AWL Number 28–AWL–03
of Subsection F of Revision March 2006 of
the MPD. Accomplishing the actions required
by this paragraph in accordance with a later
revision of the MPD is an acceptable method
of compliance if the revision is approved by
the Manager, Seattle ACO.
Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a
special detailed inspection is: ‘‘An intensive
examination of a specific item, installation,
or assembly to detect damage, failure, or
irregularity. The examination is likely to
make extensive use of specialized inspection
techniques and/or equipment. Intricate
cleaning and substantial access or
disassembly procedure may be required.’’
(1) Prior to the accumulation of 36,000
total flight hours, or within 120 months since
the date of issuance of the original standard
airworthiness certification or the date of
issuance of the original export certificate of
airworthiness, whichever occurs first.
(2) Within 24 months after the effective
date of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(i)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, 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.
APPENDIX 1.—IMPLEMENTING FUEL TANK SYSTEM AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS ON MODEL 737–600, –700, –700C
–800, AND –900 SERIES AIRPLANES
AWL No.
ALI/CDCCL
ATA section or CMM
document
Task title
28–AWL–01 .............................
ALI ...............
AMM 28–11–00/601 ...............
External Wires Over the Center Fuel Tank Inspection.
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Task No.
06JYP1
28–11–00–211–801.
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APPENDIX 1.—IMPLEMENTING FUEL TANK SYSTEM AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS ON MODEL 737–600, –700, –700C
–800, AND –900 SERIES AIRPLANES—Continued
AWL No.
ALI/CDCCL
ATA section or CMM
document
Task title
28–AWL–02 .............................
CDCCL ........
SWPM 20–10–11 ...................
28–AWL–03 .............................
ALI ...............
AMM 05–55–54/601 ...............
28–AWL–04 .............................
CDCCL ........
SWPM 20–10–15 ...................
28–AWL–05 .............................
CDCCL ........
SWPM 20–10–11 ...................
Wiring Assembly and Installation Configuration.
FQIS Wiring and Bonding—Inspection.
Assembly of Shield Ground
Wires.
Wiring Assembly and Installation Configuration.
28–AWL–06 .............................
CDCCL ........
28–AWL–07 .............................
CDCCL ........
CMM 28–41–87, Revision 1,
or subsequent revisions.
AMM 28–41–24/401 ...............
28–AWL–08 .............................
CDCCL ........
28–AWL–09 .............................
CDCCL ........
CMM 28–41–76, Revision 1;
CMM 28–41–75, Revision
0; CMM 28–40–59, Revision E; CMM 28–41–62,
Revision 1; CMM 28–41–
63, Revision 1; or subsequent revisions.
SWPM 20–14–12 ...................
AMM 28–41–44/401 ...............
AMM 28–41–42/401 ...............
28–AWL–10 .............................
28–AWL–11 .............................
CDCCL ........
CDCCL ........
AMM 29–11–04/401 ...............
AMM 28–22–15/401 ...............
28–AWL–12 .............................
28–AWL–13 .............................
CDCCL
CDCCL ........
28–AWL–14 .............................
28–AWL–15 .............................
CDCCL ........
CDCCL ........
CMM 28–22–08, Revision 0;
CMM 28–22–09, Revision
2; CMM 28–20–02, Revision 9; or subsequent revisions.
AMM 28–22–41/401 ...............
AMM 28–21–71/401 ...............
28–AWL–16 .............................
CDCCL ........
AMM 28–11–11/401 ...............
AMM 28–11–31/401 ...............
CDCCL ........
28–AWL–18 .............................
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALS
28–AWL–17 .............................
CDCCL ........
AMM 28–13–41/401 ...............
AMM 28–13–31/401 ...............
FIM 28–22–00/201 .................
28–AWL–19 .............................
ALI ...............
AMM 28–22–00/501 ...............
28–AWL–20
28–AWL–21 .............................
CDCCL ........
AMM 28–22–11/401 ...............
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:25 Jul 05, 2007
Jkt 211001
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Task No.
Densitometer Hot Short Protector—Installation.
Repair of Fuel Quantity Indicator System (FQIS) Wire
Harness.
FQIS Wire Harness Replacement.
FQIS Spar Penetration Connector—Installation.
Heat Exchanger Installation ...
Fuel Line, Fitting, and Coupling Installation.
Install the Motor Impeller ........
Float Switch Installation .........
Float Switch Removal ............
Main Tank Access Door Installation.
Surge Tank Access Door—Installation.
Center Tank Access Door—
Installation.
Relief Valve Installation ..........
Flame Arrestor Installation .....
No. 1 Tank, Forward Boost
Pump Circuit Breaker
Open—Fault Isolation.
No. 1 Tank, Aft Boost Pump
Circuit Breaker Open—Fault
Isolation.
No. 2 Tank, Forward Boost
Pump Circuit Breaker
Open—Fault Isolation.
No. 2 Tank, Aft Boost Pump
Circuit Breaker Open—Fault
Isolation.
Center Tank, Left Boost Pump
Circuit Breaker Open—Fault
Isolation.
Center Tank, Right Boost
Pump Circuit Breaker
Open—Fault Isolation.
Center Tank Boost Pump
Auto Shutoff Functional
Test.
Install the Actuator of the
Spar Valve.
E:\FR\FM\06JYP1.SGM
06JYP1
05–55–54–200–801.
28–41–24–400–801.
28–41–44–400–801.
28–41–42–420–801.
29–11–04–400–801.
28–22–15–400–801.
28–22–41–400–801.
28–21–71–400–802.
28–21–71–020–801.
28–11–11–400–801.
28–11–11–400–802.
28–11–31–400–801.
28–13–41–400–801.
28–13–31–400–801.
28–22 Task 813.
28–22 Task 814.
28–22 Task 815.
28–22 Task 816.
28–22 Task 817.
28–22 Task 818.
28–22–00–720–805.
28–22–11–400–804.
36925
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 129 / Friday, July 6, 2007 / Proposed Rules
APPENDIX 1.—IMPLEMENTING FUEL TANK SYSTEM AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS ON MODEL 737–600, –700, –700C
–800, AND –900 SERIES AIRPLANES—Continued
28–AWL–22 .............................
CDCCL ........
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28619; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–004–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air
Limited Model DHC–7 Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALS
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Viking Air Limited Model DHC–7
airplanes. This proposed AD would
require an inspection of certain SM–200
servo drive units (power servo motor
and housing assemblies) for certain
markings, related investigative action if
necessary, and modification if
necessary. This proposed AD results
from a report that some SM–200 servo
drive units that were not in
configuration MOD H are installed on
Model DHC–7 airplanes. MOD H
prevents the internal clutch fasteners
from backing out. We are proposing this
AD to prevent the possibility of internal
clutch fasteners from backing out,
which could cause an inadvertent servo
engagement and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by August 6, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
proposed AD.
15:25 Jul 05, 2007
Task title
Install the Valve Adapter of
the Spar Valve.
Install the Actuator of the Engine Fuel Crossfeed Valve.
Install the Engine Fuel
Crossfeed Valve Adapter.
ALI/CDCCL
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 22,
2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–13116 Filed 7–5–07; 8:45 am]
VerDate Aug<31>2005
ATA section or CMM
document
AMM 28–22–21/401 ...............
AWL No.
Jkt 211001
Task No.
28–22–11–400–805.
28–22–21–400–804.
28–22–21–400–805.
CMM 28–20–21.
• 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: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room W12–140 on
the ground floor of the West Building,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
Contact Viking Air Limited, 9574
Hampden Road, Sidney, British
Columbia V8L 5V5, Canada, for service
information identified in this proposed
AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ezra
Sasson, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
and Propulsion Branch, ANE–171, FAA,
New York Aircraft Certification Office,
1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, New York 11590; telephone
(516) 228–7320; fax (516) 794–5531.
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–2007–28619; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–004–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
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
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 the 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 Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The Docket Operations office (telephone
(800) 647–5527) is located on the
ground floor of the West Building at the
street address stated in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after the Docket
Management System receives them.
Discussion
Transport Canada Civil Aviation
(TCCA), which is the airworthiness
authority for Canada, notified us that an
unsafe condition might exist on all
Viking Air Limited Model DHC–7
airplanes. TCCA advises that
investigation revealed that some SM–
200 servo drive units (power servo
motor and housing assemblies) within
certain date codes installed on the
automatic flight control system of the de
Havilland DHC–7 aircraft were
mislabeled as having been
manufactured to MOD H configuration
when, in fact, they did not have MOD
H installed. MOD H prevents the
possibility of internal clutch fasteners
from backing out. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in the internal
clutch fasteners backing out, which
could cause an inadvertent servo
engagement and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane.
E:\FR\FM\06JYP1.SGM
06JYP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 129 (Friday, July 6, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36920-36925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13116]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28384; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-165-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 revising the Airworthiness
Limitations (AWLs) section of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness by incorporating new limitations for fuel tank systems to
satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 requirements. This
proposed AD would also require the initial inspection of a certain
repetitive AWL inspection to phase in that inspection, and repair if
necessary. This proposed AD results from a design review of the fuel
tank systems. We are proposing this AD to prevent the potential for
ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures,
alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, 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 August 20, 2007.
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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 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 Ave 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-
28384; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-165-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 Operations office between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the
ground floor of the West 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.
[[Page 36921]]
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 proposed AD
are necessary to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel
tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result
in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed the following subsections of Boeing 737-600/700/
700C/700IGW/800/900 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, D626A001-
CMR, Section 9, Revision March 2006 (hereafter referred to as
``Revision March 2006 of the MPD''):
Subsection D, ``AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--SYSTEMS''
Subsection E, ``PAGE FORMAT: SYSTEM AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS''
Subsection F, ``AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--FUEL SYSTEM
AWLs''
Those subsections of Revision March 2006 of the MPD describe new
airworthiness limitations (AWLs) for fuel tank systems. The new AWLs
include:
AWL inspections, which are periodic inspections of certain
features for latent failures that could contribute to an ignition
source; and
Critical design configuration control limitations
(CDCCLs), which are limitation requirements to preserve a critical
ignition source prevention feature of the fuel tank system design that
is necessary to prevent the occurrence of an unsafe condition. The
purpose of a CDCCL is to provide instruction to retain the critical
ignition source prevention feature during configuration change that may
be caused by alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions. A CDCCL is
not a periodic inspection.
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 revising the AWLs section of the Instructions for
Continued Airworthiness by incorporating the information in Subsections
D, E, and F of Revision March 2006 of the MPD. This proposed AD would
also require the initial inspection of a certain repetitive AWL
inspection to phase in that inspection, and repair if necessary.
Explanation of Compliance Time
In most ADs, we adopt a compliance time allowing a specified amount
of time after the AD's effective date. In this case, however, the FAA
has already issued regulations that require operators to revise their
maintenance/inspection programs to address fuel tank safety issues. The
compliance date for these regulations is December 16, 2008. To provide
for efficient and coordinated implementation of these regulations and
this proposed AD, we are using this same compliance date in this
proposed AD, instead of the 18-month compliance time recommended by
Boeing.
Rework Required When Implementing AWLs Into an Existing Fleet
The AWLs revision for the fuel tank systems specified in paragraph
(g) of this proposed AD, which involves incorporating the information
specified in Revision March 2006 of the MPD, would affect how operators
maintain their airplanes. After doing that AWLs revision, operators
would need to do any maintenance on the fuel tank system as specified
in the CDCCLs. Maintenance done before the AWLs revision specified in
paragraph (g) would not need to be redone in order to comply with
paragraph (g). For example, the AWL that requires fuel pumps to be
repaired and overhauled per an FAA-approved component maintenance
manual (CMM) applies to fuel pumps repaired after the AWLs are revised;
spare or on-wing fuel pumps do not need to be reworked. For AWLs that
require repetitive inspections, the initial inspection interval
(threshold) starts from the date the AWL revision specified in
paragraph (g) is done, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this
proposed AD. This proposed AD would require only the AWLs revision
specified in paragraph (g), and initial inspections specified in
paragraph (h). No other fleet-wide inspections need to be done.
Changes to Fuel Tank System AWLs
Paragraph (g) of this proposed AD would require revising the AWLs
section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by
incorporating certain information specified in Revision March 2006 of
the MPD into the MPD. Paragraph (g) allows accomplishing the AWL
revision in accordance with later revisions of the MPD as an acceptable
method of compliance if they are approved by the Manager, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Paragraph (h) allows
accomplishing the initial inspections and repair in accordance with
later revisions of the MPD as an acceptable method of compliance if
they are approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO. In addition, Subsection
D of Revision March 2006 of the MPD specifies that any deviations from
the published AWL instructions, including AWL intervals, in that MPD
must be approved by the
[[Page 36922]]
Manager, Seattle ACO. Therefore, after the AWLs revision, any further
revision to an AWL or AWL interval should be done as an AWL change, not
as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC). For U.S.-registered
airplanes, operators must make requests through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) or Principal Avionics Inspector
(PAI) for approval by the Manager, Seattle ACO. A non-U.S. operator
should coordinate changes with its governing regulatory agency.
Exceptional Short-Term Extensions
Subsection D of Revision March 2006 of the MPD has provisions for
an exceptional short-term extension of 30 days. An exceptional short-
term extension is an increase in an AWL interval that may be needed to
cover an uncontrollable or unexpected situation. For U.S.-registered
airplanes, the FAA PMI or PAI must concur with any exceptional short-
term extension before it is used, unless the operator has identified
another appropriate procedure with the local regulatory authority. The
FAA PMI or PAI may grant the exceptional short-term extensions
described in Subsection D without consultation with the Manager,
Seattle ACO. A non-U.S. operator should coordinate changes with its
governing regulatory agency. As explained in Revision March 2006 of the
MPD, exceptional short-term extensions must not be used for fleet AWL
extensions. An exceptional short-term extension should not be confused
with an operator's short-term escalation authorization approved in
accordance with the Operations Specifications or the operator's
reliability program.
Ensuring Compliance With Fuel Tank System AWLs
Boeing has revised applicable maintenance manuals and task cards to
address AWLs and to include notes about CDCCLs. Operators that do not
use Boeing's revision service should revise their maintenance manuals
and task cards to highlight actions tied to CDCCLs to ensure that
maintenance personnel are complying with the CDCCLs. Appendix 1 of this
proposed AD contains a list of Air Transport Association (ATA) sections
for the revised maintenance manuals. Operators might wish to use the
appendix as an aid to implement the AWLs.
Recording Compliance With Fuel Tank System AWLs
The applicable operating rules of the Federal Aviation Regulations
(14 CFR parts 91, 121, 125, and 129) require operators to maintain
records with the identification of the current inspection status of an
airplane. Some of the AWLs contained in Subsection F of Revision March
2006 of the MPD are inspections for which the applicable sections of
the operating rules apply. Other AWLs are CDCCLs, which are tied to
conditional maintenance actions. An entry into an operator's existing
maintenance record system for corrective action is sufficient for
recording compliance with CDCCLs, as long as the applicable maintenance
manual and task cards identify actions that are CDCCLs.
Changes to CMMs Cited in Fuel Tank System AWLs
Some of the AWLs in Subsection F of Revision March 2006 of the MPD
refer to specific revision levels of the CMMs as additional sources of
service information for doing the AWLs. Boeing is referring to the CMMs
by revision level in the applicable AWL for certain components rather
than including information directly in the MPD because of the volume of
that information. As a result, the Manager, Seattle ACO, must approve
the CMMs. Any later revision of those CMMs will be handled like a
change to the AWL itself. Any use of parts (including the use of parts
manufacturer approval (PMA) approved parts), methods, techniques, and
practices not contained in the CMMs need to be approved by the Manager,
Seattle ACO, or governing regulatory authority. For example, certain
pump repair/overhaul manuals must be approved by the Manager, Seattle
ACO.
Changes to AMMs Referenced in Fuel Tank System AWLs
In other AWLs in Subsection F of Revision March 2006 of the MPD,
the AWLs contain all the necessary data. The applicable section of the
maintenance manual is usually included in the AWLs. Boeing intended
this information to assist operators in maintaining the maintenance
manuals. A maintenance manual change to these tasks may be made without
approval by the Manager, Seattle ACO, through an appropriate FAA PMI or
PAI, by the governing regulatory authority, or by using the operator's
standard process for revising maintenance manuals. An acceptable change
would have to maintain the information specified in the AWL such as the
pass/fail criteria or special test equipment.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 1960 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs, at
an average labor rate of $80 per hour, for U.S. operators to comply
with this proposed AD.
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Cost per U.S.-
Action Work hours Parts airplane registered Fleet cost
airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AWLs revision................ 8 None............. $640 682 $436,480
Inspection................... 8 None............. 640 682 436,480
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
[[Page 36923]]
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-2007-28384; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
165-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August
20, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C -800,
and -900 series airplanes, certificated in any category, with an
original standard airworthiness certificate or original export
certificate of airworthiness issued before March 31, 2006.
Note 1: Airplanes with an original standard airworthiness
certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued
on or after March 31, 2006, must already be in compliance with the
airworthiness limitations specified in this AD because those
limitations were applicable as part of the airworthiness
certification of those airplanes.
Note 2: This AD requires revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new inspections and maintenance
actions. Compliance with these limitations is required by 14 CFR
43.16 and 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously
modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these
limitations, the operator may not be able to accomplish the actions
described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR
43.16 and 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for revision
to the airworthiness limitations (AWLs) in the Boeing 737-600/700/
700C/700IGW/800/900 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document,
D626A001-CMR, according to paragraph (g) or (i) of this AD, as
applicable.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank
systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential for
ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures,
alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination
with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion
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.
Service Information Reference
(f) The term ``Revision March 2006 of the MPD'' as used in this
AD, means Boeing 737-600/700/700C/700IGW/800/900 Maintenance
Planning Data (MPD) Document, D626A001-CMR, Section 9, Revision
March 2006.
Revision to AWLs Section
(g) Before December 16, 2008, revise the AWLs section of the
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating into the
MPD the information in the subsections specified in paragraphs
(g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD; except that the initial
inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD must be done at the
applicable compliance time specified in that paragraph.
Accomplishing the revision in accordance with a later revision of
the MPD is an acceptable method of compliance if the revision is
approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), FAA.
(1) Subsection D, ``AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--SYSTEMS,'' of
Revision March 2006 of the MPD.
(2) Subsection E, ``PAGE FORMAT: SYSTEM AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS,'' of Revision March 2006 of the MPD.
(3) Subsection F, ``AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--FUEL SYSTEM
AWLs,'' of Revision March 2006 of the MPD.
Initial Inspection and Repair if Necessary
(h) At the later of the compliance times specified in paragraphs
(h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, do a special detailed inspection of
the lightning shield to ground termination on the out-of-tank fuel
quantity indication system (FQIS) wiring to verify functional
integrity, in accordance with AWL Number 28-AWL-03 of Subsection F
of Revision March 2006 of the MPD. If any discrepancy is found
during the inspection, repair the discrepancy before further flight
in accordance with AWL Number 28-AWL-03 of Subsection F of Revision
March 2006 of the MPD. Accomplishing the actions required by this
paragraph in accordance with a later revision of the MPD is an
acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the
Manager, Seattle ACO.
Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a special detailed
inspection is: ``An intensive examination of a specific item,
installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or
irregularity. The examination is likely to make extensive use of
specialized inspection techniques and/or equipment. Intricate
cleaning and substantial access or disassembly procedure may be
required.''
(1) Prior to the accumulation of 36,000 total flight hours, or
within 120 months since the date of issuance of the original
standard airworthiness certification or the date of issuance of the
original export certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs
first.
(2) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, 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.
Appendix 1.--Implementing Fuel Tank System Airworthiness Limitations on Model 737-600, -700, -700C -800, and -
900 Series Airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATA section or CMM
AWL No. ALI/CDCCL document Task title Task No.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28-AWL-01...................... ALI................ AMM 28-11-00/601.. External Wires 28-11-00-211-801.
Over the Center
Fuel Tank
Inspection.
[[Page 36924]]
28-AWL-02...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-10-11..... Wiring Assembly
and Installation
Configuration.
28-AWL-03...................... ALI................ AMM 05-55-54/601.. FQIS Wiring and 05-55-54-200-801.
Bonding--Inspecti
on.
28-AWL-04...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-10-15..... Assembly of Shield
Ground Wires.
28-AWL-05...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-10-11..... Wiring Assembly
and Installation
Configuration.
28-AWL-06...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-41-87,
Revision 1, or
subsequent
revisions.
28-AWL-07...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-41-24/401.. Densitometer Hot 28-41-24-400-801.
Short Protector--
Installation.
28-AWL-08...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-41-76,
Revision 1; CMM
28-41-75,
Revision 0; CMM
28-40-59,
Revision E; CMM
28-41-62,
Revision 1; CMM
28-41-63,
Revision 1; or
subsequent
revisions.
28-AWL-09...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-14-12..... Repair of Fuel
Quantity
Indicator System
(FQIS) Wire
Harness.
AMM 28-41-44/401.. FQIS Wire Harness 28-41-44-400-801.
Replacement.
AMM 28-41-42/401.. FQIS Spar 28-41-42-420-801.
Penetration
Connector--Instal
lation.
28-AWL-10...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 29-11-04/401.. Heat Exchanger 29-11-04-400-801.
Installation.
28-AWL-11...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-22-15/401.. Fuel Line, 28-22-15-400-801.
Fitting, and
Coupling
Installation.
28-AWL-12...................... CDCCL
28-AWL-13...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-22-08,
Revision 0; CMM
28-22-09,
Revision 2; CMM
28-20-02,
Revision 9; or
subsequent
revisions.
28-AWL-14...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-22-41/401.. Install the Motor 28-22-41-400-801.
Impeller.
28-AWL-15...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-21-71/401.. Float Switch 28-21-71-400-802.
Installation.
Float Switch 28-21-71-020-801.
Removal.
28-AWL-16...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-11-11/401.. Main Tank Access 28-11-11-400-801.
Door Installation. 28-11-11-400-802.
Surge Tank Access
Door--Installatio
n.
AMM 28-11-31/401.. Center Tank Access 28-11-31-400-801.
Door--Installatio
n.
28-AWL-17...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-13-41/401.. Relief Valve 28-13-41-400-801.
Installation.
AMM 28-13-31/401.. Flame Arrestor 28-13-31-400-801.
Installation.
28-AWL-18...................... CDCCL.............. FIM 28-22-00/201.. No. 1 Tank, 28-22 Task 813.
Forward Boost
Pump Circuit
Breaker Open--
Fault Isolation.
No. 1 Tank, Aft 28-22 Task 814.
Boost Pump
Circuit Breaker
Open--Fault
Isolation.
No. 2 Tank, 28-22 Task 815.
Forward Boost
Pump Circuit
Breaker Open--
Fault Isolation.
No. 2 Tank, Aft 28-22 Task 816.
Boost Pump
Circuit Breaker
Open--Fault
Isolation.
Center Tank, Left 28-22 Task 817.
Boost Pump
Circuit Breaker
Open--Fault
Isolation.
Center Tank, Right 28-22 Task 818.
Boost Pump
Circuit Breaker
Open--Fault
Isolation.
28-AWL-19...................... ALI................ AMM 28-22-00/501.. Center Tank Boost 28-22-00-720-805.
Pump Auto Shutoff
Functional Test.
28-AWL-20
28-AWL-21...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-22-11/401.. Install the 28-22-11-400-804.
Actuator of the
Spar Valve.
[[Page 36925]]
Install the Valve 28-22-11-400-805.
Adapter of the
Spar Valve.
AMM 28-22-21/401.. Install the 28-22-21-400-804.
Actuator of the
Engine Fuel
Crossfeed Valve.
Install the Engine 28-22-21-400-805.
Fuel Crossfeed
Valve Adapter.
28-AWL-22...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-20-21......
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 22, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-13116 Filed 7-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
