Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, 22686-22689 [2012-9177]
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22686
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 77, No. 74
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
12 CFR Part 225
[Regulation Y; Docket No. R–1405]
RIN 7100–AD64
Definition of ‘‘Predominantly Engaged
in Financial Activities’’; Correction
Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (‘‘Board’’).
ACTION: Supplemental notice of
proposed rulemaking and request for
comment; correction.
AGENCY:
On April 10, 2012, the Board
published in the Federal Register a
supplemental notice of proposed
rulemaking and request for comment
that would establish the criteria for
determining whether a company is
‘‘predominantly engaged in financial
activities’’ for purposes of Title I of the
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act of 2010. That
Federal Register notice omitted the
instructions for submitting comments.
This document corrects that omission.
DATES: The comment period closing
date for the proposed rule published
April 10, 2012, at 77 FR 21494 remains
May 25, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on the proposed rule published April
10, 2012, at 77 FR 21494, identified by
Docket No. 1405 and RIN 7100–AD64 by
any of the following methods:
• Agency Web Site: https://
www.federalreserve.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments at
https://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/
foia/proposedregs.aspx.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Email: regs.comments@
federalreserve.gov. Include docket and
RIN numbers in the subject line of the
message.
• Fax: (202) 452–3819 or (202) 452–
3102.
• Mail: Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary,
Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, 20th Street and
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SUMMARY:
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Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,
DC 20551.
All public comments are available
from the Board’s Web site at https://
www.federalreserve.gov/apps/foia/
proposedregs.aspx as submitted, unless
modified for technical reasons.
Accordingly, your comments will not be
edited to remove any identifying or
contact information. Public comments
may also be viewed electronically or in
paper form in Room MP–500 of the
Board’s Martin Building (20th and C
Streets NW.) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
on weekdays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Laurie S. Schaffer, Associate General
Counsel, (202) 452–2272, Paige E.
Pidano, Senior Attorney, (202) 452–
2803 or Christine E. Graham, Senior
Attorney, (202) 452–3005, Legal
Division; Mark Van Der Weide, Senior
Associate Director, (202) 452–2263,
Division of Banking Supervision and
Regulation, Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, 20th Street and
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,
DC 20551. Users of Telecommunication
Device for the Deaf (TDD) only, call
(202) 263–4869.
On April
10, 2012, the Board published in the
Federal Register a supplemental notice
of proposed rulemaking and request for
comment that would establish the
criteria for determining whether a
company is ‘‘predominantly engaged in
financial activities’’ for purposes of Title
I of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform
and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.
That Federal Register notice omitted the
instructions for submitting comments.
This document corrects that omission.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
By order of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, April 12, 2012.
Jennifer J. Johnson,
Secretary of the Board.
[FR Doc. 2012–9210 Filed 4–16–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6210–01–P
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2012–0336; Directorate
Identifier 2011–NM–213–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
The Boeing Company Model 737–500
series airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by reports of chem-mill step
cracking on the aft lower lobe fuselage
skins. This proposed AD would require
inspections of the fuselage skin at the
chem-mill steps, and repair if necessary.
We are proposing this AD to detect and
correct cracking on the aft lower lobe
fuselage skins, which could result in
decompression of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by June 1, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations,
M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data
& Services Management, P.O. Box 3707,
MC 2H–65, Seattle, Washington 98124–
2207; telephone 206–544–5000,
extension 1; fax 206–766–5680; email
me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet
https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You
may review copies of the referenced
service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington.
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 74 / Tuesday, April 17, 2012 / Proposed Rules
For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 425–227–
1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the
Docket Management Facility between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Office
(phone: 800–647–5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Wayne Lockett, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98057–3356; phone: 425–
917–6447; fax: 425–917–6590; email:
wayne.lockett@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposal. Send your comments to
an address listed under the ADDRESSES
section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–
2012–0336; Directorate Identifier 2011–
NM–213–AD’’ at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of this proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this
proposed AD because of those
comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive
about this proposed AD.
Discussion
More than 300 incidents of skin
chem-mill cracks on 26 airplanes have
been reported from body station (STA)
727 to 1016, and from stringer S–14 to
S–25 (left and right sides). The affected
airplanes had accumulated between
29,808 and 53,454 total flight cycles.
Most of the skin cracks were found aft
of STA 747 on the left side. Several of
the reported cracks occurred in multiple
adjacent bays. On the existing skin
panel assembly, the doubler is chemmilled to the skin. At these skin panel
locations on the airplanes, the loads
could cause a condition where skin
cracks could form along the longitudinal
edges of the doubler. This condition, if
not corrected, could result in
decompression of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 737–53–
1315, dated July 29, 2011. For
information on the procedures and
compliance times, see this service
information at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
Docket No. FAA–2012–0336. ‘‘Related
investigative actions’’ and ‘‘corrective
actions’’ are those actions specified in
the service information that are
necessary to address the identified
unsafe condition.
FAA’s Determination
We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all the relevant information
and determined the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop in other products of the same
type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require
various repetitive inspections for
cracking in the fuselage skin at the
chem-mill steps. For airplanes on which
cracking is found, this proposed AD
would require doing one of the
following:
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• A time-limited repair, followed by
related investigative actions (including a
general visual inspection for loose or
missing fasteners; an internal detailed
inspection and a high frequency eddy
current (HFEC) inspection for
disbonding and cracks of the bonded
doubler); corrective actions if necessary
(i.e., replacing any loose or missing
fastener, and contacting Boeing for
repair instructions and doing the
repair); and making the time-limited
repair permanent; or
• A permanent repair, including a
detailed inspection of the bonded
doubler for disbonding, and an HFEC
inspection for cracks in the bonded
doubler; and repair of any cracks and
disbonding. Accomplishment of the
permanent repair would terminate the
repetitive inspections required by this
proposed AD for the area(s) of the repair
only.
Difference Between the Proposed AD
and the Service Information
Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737–53–1315, dated July 29,
2011, specifies to contact the
manufacturer for instructions on how to
repair certain conditions, but this
proposed AD would require repairing
those conditions in one of the following
ways:
• In accordance with a method that
we approve; or
• Using data that meet the
certification basis of the airplane, and
that have been approved by the Boeing
Commercial Airplanes Organization
Designation Authorization (ODA) whom
we have authorized to make those
findings.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
affects 91 airplanes of U.S. registry. We
estimate the following costs to comply
with this proposed AD:
ESTIMATED COSTS
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Action
Labor cost
Inspections .....................
23 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,955 per inspection cycle.
We estimate the following costs to do
any necessary corrective actions that
would be required based on the results
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Cost per
product
Parts cost
$0
$1,955 per inspection
cycle.
of the proposed inspection. We have no
way of determining the number of
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Cost on U.S. operators
$177,905 per inspection
cycle.
aircraft that might need these corrective
actions:
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 74 / Tuesday, April 17, 2012 / Proposed Rules
ON-CONDITION COSTS
Action
Labor cost
Inspection ......................................
Repair ............................................
2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 ..................................................
7 work-hours × $85 per hour = $595 ..................................................
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.
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Regulatory Findings
We determined that this proposed AD
would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This
proposed AD would not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on
the relationship between the national
Government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify this proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under
the DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26,
1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation
in Alaska, and
(4) Will not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
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Parts cost
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 FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA–
2012–0336; Directorate Identifier 2011–
NM–213–AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by June 1,
2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company
Model 737–500 series airplanes, certificated
in any category, as identified in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737–53–
1315, dated July 29, 2011.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America
Code 53, Fuselage.
Cost per product
$0
$0
$170
$595
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin
737–53–1315, dated July 29, 2011.
(h) Repair
If any crack is found during any inspection
required by paragraph (g) of this AD: At the
applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E.,
‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 737–53–1315, dated July 29,
2011, do all the actions specified in either
paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD.
(1) Do a time-limited repair; followed by
applicable related investigative actions,
corrective actions, and making the timelimited repair permanent; in accordance with
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin
737–53–1315, dated July 29, 2011, except as
required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD.
(2) Do a permanent repair, including a
detailed inspection of the bonded doubler for
disbonding and a high frequency eddy
current inspection for cracks of the bonded
doubler, in accordance with Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 737–53–1315,
dated July 29, 2011. Repair any cracks and
disbonding before further flight, in
accordance with Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 737–53–1315, dated July 29,
2011, except as required by paragraph (i)(2)
of this AD. Accomplishment of the
permanent repair terminates the repetitive
inspections required by this AD for the
area(s) of the repair only.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(i) Exceptions to Service Bulletin
Specifications
The exceptions specified in paragraphs
(i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD apply to this AD.
(1) Where Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737–53–1315, dated July 29, 2011,
specifies a compliance time after the date on
this service bulletin, this AD requires
compliance within the specified compliance
time after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737–53–1315, dated July 29, 2011,
specifies to contact Boeing for repair
instructions: Before further flight, repair
using a method approved in accordance with
the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of
this AD.
(g) Inspection
At the applicable time specified in
paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737–53–
1315, dated July 29, 2011, except as required
by paragraph (i)(1) of this AD: Do an external
detailed inspection; and, as applicable, do an
external or internal subsurface eddy current,
magneto optic imager, or C-scan inspection;
to detect cracks in the fuselage skin at the
chem-mill steps; in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737–53–
1315, dated July 29, 2011. Repeat the
inspections thereafter at the applicable times
specified in paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested using the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector
or local Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly
to the manager of the ACO, it may be emailed
to 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOCRequests@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of chemmill step cracking on the aft lower lobe
fuselage skins. We are issuing this AD to
detect and correct step cracking on the aft
lower lobe fuselage skins, which could result
in decompression of the airplane.
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 74 / Tuesday, April 17, 2012 / Proposed Rules
of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable
level of safety may be used for any repair
required by this AD if it is approved by the
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization
Designation Authorization (ODA) that has
been authorized by the Manager, Seattle
ACO, to make those findings. For a repair
method to be approved, the repair must meet
the certification basis of the airplane, and the
approval must specifically refer to this AD.
Authorization Validated End-User
(VEU) to send written notice of such
shipments to the recipient VEU. BIS
further proposes to amend the EAR to
clarify that when items subject to itemspecific conditions under Authorization
VEU no longer require a license for
export or reexport or become eligible for
shipment under a license exception, as
set forth in the EAR, VEUs are no longer
bound by the conditions associated with
such items.
(k) Related Information
DATES: Comments must be received by
(1) For more information about this AD,
contact Wayne Lockett, Aerospace Engineer,
no later than June 18, 2012.
Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle
ADDRESSES: Comments on this rule may
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind
be submitted to the Federal rulemaking
Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057–
portal (https://www.regulations.gov). The
3356; phone: 425–917–6447; fax: 425–917–
regulations.gov ID for this rule is: BIS–
6590; email: wayne.lockett@faa.gov.
2012–0005. Comments may also be
(2) For service information identified in
submitted via email to
this AD, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services
publiccomments@bis.doc.gov or on
Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65,
paper to Regulatory Policy Division,
Seattle, Washington 98124–2207; telephone
Bureau of Industry and Security, Room
206–544–5000, extension 1; fax 206–766–
2099B, U.S. Department of Commerce,
5680; email me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet
14th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,
https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may
Washington, DC 20230. Please refer to
also review the referenced service
RIN 0694–AF19 in all comments and in
information in the docket at
the subject line of email comments.
www.regulations.gov (refer to Docket No.
FAA–2012–0336). You may review copies of
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
the referenced service information at the
Karen H. Nies-Vogel, Chair, End-User
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Review Committee, Bureau of Industry
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington
and Security, U.S. Department of
98057–3356. For information on the
Commerce, 14th St. and Pennsylvania
availability of this material at the FAA, call
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230; by
425–227–1221.
telephone: (202) 482–5991, fax: (202)
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 5,
482–3911, or email: ERC@bis.doc.gov.
2012.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Ali Bahrami,
Background
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
Authorization Validated End-User
(VEU)
[FR Doc. 2012–9177 Filed 4–16–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Industry and Security
15 CFR Part 748
[Docket No. 110331231–1608–02]
RIN 0694–AF19
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Revisions to Authorization Validated
End-User Provisions: Requirement for
Notice of Export, Reexport, or Transfer
(In-Country) and Clarification
Regarding Termination of Conditions
on VEU Authorizations
Bureau of Industry and
Security, Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
In this rule, the Bureau of
Industry and Security (BIS) proposes to
amend the Export Administration
Regulations (EAR) by adding a
requirement for persons shipping under
SUMMARY:
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BIS amended the EAR in a final rule
on June 19, 2007 (72 FR 33646), to
create a new authorization for
‘‘validated end-users’’ (VEUs) located in
eligible destinations to which eligible
items may be exported, reexported, or
transferred (in-country) under a general
authorization instead of a license.
VEUs may obtain eligible items that
are on the Commerce Control List,
which are identified in Supplement No.
7 to part 748 of the EAR, without having
to wait for their suppliers to obtain
export licenses from BIS. Eligible items
may include commodities, software, and
technology, except those controlled for
missile technology or crime control
reasons.
The VEUs listed in Supplement No. 7
to part 748 of the EAR were reviewed
and approved by the U.S. Government
in accordance with the provisions of
section 748.15 and Supplement Nos. 8
and 9 to part 748 of the EAR. The EndUser Review Committee (ERC),
composed of representatives from the
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22689
Departments of State, Defense, Energy,
and Commerce, and other agencies, as
appropriate, is responsible for
administering the VEU program. A
unanimous vote by the ERC is required
to authorize VEU status for a candidate
or to add any eligible items to an
existing authorization. A majority vote
of the ERC is required to remove VEU
authorization or to remove eligible items
from an existing authorization.
In addition to U.S. exporters,
Authorization VEU may be used in
accordance with the provisions of the
EAR by foreign reexporters and by
persons transferring in-country. VEUs
are subject to regular reviews by the
U.S. Government to ensure that items
shipped under Authorization VEU are
used for civilian purposes. In addition,
VEUs are subject to on-site reviews as
warranted.
As of the date of this rule, pursuant
to section 748.15(b) of the EAR, VEUs
are located in the People’s Republic of
China (PRC) and India.
Amendments to Section 748.15 of the
EAR
Prior Notification Requirement
Through this rule, BIS proposes
amending the EAR by adding paragraph
(g)—Notification requirement—to
section 748.15—Authorization
Validated End-User. The new paragraph
(g) would require persons exporting,
reexporting, or transferring (in-country)
under Authorization VEU to send
written notification to the recipient VEU
with details about their shipment within
seven days of the shipment. Details that
would be required in the notification
include a list of the contents of the
shipment and the quantity of such items
that have been or will be shipped to the
respective VEUs under Authorization
VEU, as well as a list of the applicable
Export Control Classification Numbers
(ECCNs) for items included in the
shipment under Authorization VEU.
The purpose of this proposed new
requirement is to enhance the ability of
VEUs to comply with the requirements
of the VEU program. This amendment to
the EAR is not the result of noncompliance with VEU requirements by
existing VEUs. Rather, BIS proposes
making this change at the request of
VEUs. Some VEUs have informed BIS
that compliance is challenging when
they receive items under multiple
authorizations, but are unable to
determine which authorization is used
for each shipment, and thus determine
which set of conditions applies to the
items received in each shipment.
Because items may be shipped to VEUs
under different forms of authorization
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 17, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22686-22689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9177]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0336; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-213-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-500 series airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of chem-mill step cracking on the
aft lower lobe fuselage skins. This proposed AD would require
inspections of the fuselage skin at the chem-mill steps, and repair if
necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking on
the aft lower lobe fuselage skins, which could result in decompression
of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 1, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; email me.boecom@boeing.com;
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington.
[[Page 22687]]
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Lockett, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-
917-6447; fax: 425-917-6590; email: wayne.lockett@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0336;
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-213-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
More than 300 incidents of skin chem-mill cracks on 26 airplanes
have been reported from body station (STA) 727 to 1016, and from
stringer S-14 to S-25 (left and right sides). The affected airplanes
had accumulated between 29,808 and 53,454 total flight cycles. Most of
the skin cracks were found aft of STA 747 on the left side. Several of
the reported cracks occurred in multiple adjacent bays. On the existing
skin panel assembly, the doubler is chem-milled to the skin. At these
skin panel locations on the airplanes, the loads could cause a
condition where skin cracks could form along the longitudinal edges of
the doubler. This condition, if not corrected, could result in
decompression of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1315,
dated July 29, 2011. For information on the procedures and compliance
times, see this service information at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for Docket No. FAA-2012-0336. ``Related investigative
actions'' and ``corrective actions'' are those actions specified in the
service information that are necessary to address the identified unsafe
condition.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require various repetitive inspections for
cracking in the fuselage skin at the chem-mill steps. For airplanes on
which cracking is found, this proposed AD would require doing one of
the following:
A time-limited repair, followed by related investigative
actions (including a general visual inspection for loose or missing
fasteners; an internal detailed inspection and a high frequency eddy
current (HFEC) inspection for disbonding and cracks of the bonded
doubler); corrective actions if necessary (i.e., replacing any loose or
missing fastener, and contacting Boeing for repair instructions and
doing the repair); and making the time-limited repair permanent; or
A permanent repair, including a detailed inspection of the
bonded doubler for disbonding, and an HFEC inspection for cracks in the
bonded doubler; and repair of any cracks and disbonding. Accomplishment
of the permanent repair would terminate the repetitive inspections
required by this proposed AD for the area(s) of the repair only.
Difference Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1315, dated July
29, 2011, specifies to contact the manufacturer for instructions on how
to repair certain conditions, but this proposed AD would require
repairing those conditions in one of the following ways:
In accordance with a method that we approve; or
Using data that meet the certification basis of the
airplane, and that have been approved by the Boeing Commercial
Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) whom we have
authorized to make those findings.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 91 airplanes of U.S.
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections...................... 23 work-hours x $85 per $0 $1,955 per $177,905 per
hour = $1,955 per inspection cycle. inspection cycle.
inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We estimate the following costs to do any necessary corrective
actions that would be required based on the results of the proposed
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that
might need these corrective actions:
[[Page 22688]]
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection............................... 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $170
$170.
Repair................................... 7 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $595
$595.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-0336; Directorate Identifier
2011-NM-213-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by June 1, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-500 series
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1315, dated July 29, 2011.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of chem-mill step cracking on
the aft lower lobe fuselage skins. We are issuing this AD to detect
and correct step cracking on the aft lower lobe fuselage skins,
which could result in decompression of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection
At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-
1315, dated July 29, 2011, except as required by paragraph (i)(1) of
this AD: Do an external detailed inspection; and, as applicable, do
an external or internal subsurface eddy current, magneto optic
imager, or C-scan inspection; to detect cracks in the fuselage skin
at the chem-mill steps; in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-
1315, dated July 29, 2011. Repeat the inspections thereafter at the
applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1315, dated July
29, 2011.
(h) Repair
If any crack is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (g) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737-53-1315, dated July 29, 2011, do all the actions
specified in either paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD.
(1) Do a time-limited repair; followed by applicable related
investigative actions, corrective actions, and making the time-
limited repair permanent; in accordance with Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1315, dated July 29, 2011, except
as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD.
(2) Do a permanent repair, including a detailed inspection of
the bonded doubler for disbonding and a high frequency eddy current
inspection for cracks of the bonded doubler, in accordance with
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1315, dated July
29, 2011. Repair any cracks and disbonding before further flight, in
accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-
1315, dated July 29, 2011, except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of
this AD. Accomplishment of the permanent repair terminates the
repetitive inspections required by this AD for the area(s) of the
repair only.
(i) Exceptions to Service Bulletin Specifications
The exceptions specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this
AD apply to this AD.
(1) Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1315,
dated July 29, 2011, specifies a compliance time after the date on
this service bulletin, this AD requires compliance within the
specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1315,
dated July 29, 2011, specifies to contact Boeing for repair
instructions: Before further flight, repair using a method approved
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this
AD.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the ACO, it may be emailed to
9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
[[Page 22689]]
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by the
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization
(ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make
those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must
meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Wayne Lockett,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6447; fax: 425-917-6590; email:
wayne.lockett@faa.gov.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; email
me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You
may also review the referenced service information in the docket at
www.regulations.gov (refer to Docket No. FAA-2012-0336). You may
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 5, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-9177 Filed 4-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
