Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, 34879-34881 [2012-14245]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 12, 2012 / Proposed Rules (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; 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. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 31, 2012. Michael Kaszycki, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2012–14252 Filed 6–11–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2012–0591; Directorate Identifier 2012–NM–015–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 supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 737–600, –700, –700C, –800, and –900 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires replacing the drain tube assemblies and support clamps on the aft fairing of the engine struts. Since we issued that AD, we received an additional report of a broken drain tube assembly on the aft fairing of the left engine strut at the clamp support location under the aft fairing compartment, inside the heat shield cavity of the aft fairing. There have also been reports of tube wear at the clamp location on additional airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the drain tube assembly of the left and right engine strut aft fairings with a new one which includes an integral support clamp made of nickel alloy 625. This proposed AD would also add airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the drain tube assemblies and clamps on the aft fairings of the engine struts. Such failure could allow leaked flammable fluids in the drain systems to discharge onto the mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:28 Jun 11, 2012 Jkt 226001 heat shields of the aft fairings of the engine struts, which could result in an undetected and uncontrollable fire. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 27, 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. 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: Ansel James, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; phone: 425– 917–6497; fax: 425–917–6590; email: ansel.james@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 34879 to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2012–0591; Directorate Identifier 2012–NM–015–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 On April 8, 2008, we issued AD 2008– 08–24, Amendment 39–15478 (73 FR 21242, April 21, 2008), for certain Model 737–600, –700, –700C, –800, and –900 series airplanes. That AD requires replacing the drain tube assemblies and support clamps on the aft fairing of the engine struts. That AD resulted from reports of failure of the drain tube assembly and clamp on the aft fairings of an engine strut. We issued that AD to prevent failure of the drain tube assemblies and clamps on the aft fairings of the engine struts. Failure of the drain tube assemblies could allow leaked flammable fluids in the drain systems to discharge onto the heat shields of the aft fairings of the engine struts, which could result in an undetected and uncontrollable fire. Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued AD 2008–08–24, Amendment 39– 15478 (73 FR 21242, April 21, 2008), refers to Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737–54–1043, dated May 2, 2007, as the appropriate source of service information for the required actions. Boeing then issued Special Attention Service Bulletin 737–54–1043, Revision 1, dated October 19, 2009, to replace the drain tube assembly of the engine strut aft fairing and support clamp. Since we issued AD 2008–08–24, Amendment 39–15478 (73 FR 21242, April 21, 2008), an airplane on which the actions specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737–54– 1043, Revision 1, dated October 19, 2009, had been incorporated in production, was reported to have a broken drain tube assembly on the aft fairing of the left engine strut at the clamp support location under the aft fairing compartment, inside the heat shield cavity of the aft fairing (the same location identified in the existing AD). E:\FR\FM\12JNP1.SGM 12JNP1 34880 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 12, 2012 / Proposed Rules This airplane had accumulated 4,127 total flight cycles and 6,845 total flight hours. There have also been reports of tube wear at the clamp location. Boeing subsequently issued Special Attention Service Bulletin 737–54– 1043, Revision 2, dated November 4, 2011, which describes procedures for replacing the drain tube assembly of the engine strut aft fairing with a new one which includes an integral support clamp made of nickel alloy 625. Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737–54–1043, Revision 2, dated November 4, 2011, includes Model 737– 900ER series airplanes, which were not included in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737–54–1043, dated May 2, 2007. 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 these same type designs. Proposed AD Requirements This proposed AD would retain none of the requirements of AD 2008–08–24, Amendment 39–15478 (73 FR 21242, April 21, 2008). This proposed AD would add airplanes to the applicability statement of the existing AD. This proposed AD would also require accomplishing the actions specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737–54–1043, Revision 2, dated November 4, 2011, described in this NPRM. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1,098 airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: ESTIMATED COSTS Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators Replacement ........................... 14 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,190 ................................ $12,326 $13,516 $14,840,568 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS 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. (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. Regulatory Findings We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed regulation: (1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under Executive Order 12866, (2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:28 Jun 11, 2012 Jkt 226001 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: § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD) 2008–08–24, Amendment 39–15478 (73 FR 21242, April 21, 2008), and adding the following new AD: The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 2012–0591; Directorate Identifier 2012– NM–015–AD. (a) Comments Due Date The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 27, 2012. (b) Affected ADs This AD supersedes AD 2008–08–24, Amendment 39–15478 (73 FR 21242, April 21, 2008). PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737–600, –700, –700C, –800, –900, and –900ER series airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737–54–1043, Revision 2, dated November 4, 2011. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 54, Nacelles/pylons. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a broken drain tube assembly on the aft fairing of the left engine strut at the clamp support location under the aft fairing compartment, inside the heat shield cavity of the aft fairing. There have also been reports of tube wear at the clamp location on additional airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the drain tube assemblies and clamps on the aft fairings of the engine struts. Such failure could allow leaked flammable fluids in the drain systems to discharge onto the heat shields of the aft fairings of the engine struts, which could result in an undetected and uncontrollable fire. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Replacement Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the drain tube assemblies and support clamps on the aft fairing of the struts of engines 1 and 2 with new drain tube assemblies and clamps, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737–54– 1043, Revision 2, dated November 4, 2011. (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if E:\FR\FM\12JNP1.SGM 12JNP1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 12, 2012 / Proposed Rules 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, send it to the attention of the person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/ certificate holding district office. (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2008–08–24, Amendment 39–15478 (73 FR 21242, April 21, 2008), are not approved as AMOCs with this AD. proposed AD was prompted by reports of crown frame web cracking at left buttock line (LBL) 15.0, station (STA) 320. This proposed AD would require a measurement of the web at STA 320 and, depending on findings, various inspections for cracks and missing fasteners, web and fastener replacement, and related investigative and corrective actions. We are proposing this AD to prevent complete fracture of the crown frame assembly, and consequent damage to the skin and in-flight decompression of the airplane. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 27, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR (i) Related Information 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: (1) For more information about this AD, contact Ansel James, Aerospace Engineer, • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA, Seattle https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind instructions for submitting comments. Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057– • Fax: 202–493–2251. 3356; phone: 425–917–6497; fax: 425–917– • Mail: U.S. Department of 6590; email: ansel.james@faa.gov. Transportation, Docket Operations, (2) For service information identified in M–30, West Building Ground Floor, this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65, Seattle, Washington 98124–2207; telephone • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 206–544–5000, extension 1; fax 206–766– address above between 9 a.m. and 5 5680; email me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet p.m., Monday through Friday, except https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may Federal holidays. review copies of the referenced service For service information identified in information at the FAA, Transport Airplane this proposed AD, contact Boeing Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data Washington. For information on the & Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, availability of this material at the FAA, call MC 2H–65, Seattle, Washington 98124– 425–227–1221. 2207; telephone 206–544–5000, Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 31, extension 1; fax 206–766–5680; email 2012. me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet Michael Kaszycki, https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You Acting Manager, Transport Airplane may review copies of the referenced Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. service information at the FAA, [FR Doc. 2012–14245 Filed 6–11–12; 8:45 am] Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 BILLING CODE 4910–13–P Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION this material at the FAA, call 425–227– 1221. Federal Aviation Administration Examining the AD Docket 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2012–0498; Directorate Identifier 2011–NM–212–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS 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 747–400, –400D, and –400F series airplanes. This SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:28 Jun 11, 2012 Jkt 226001 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: Bill Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 34881 Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6432; fax: 425–917–6590; email: Bill.Ashforth@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– 2012–0498; Directorate Identifier 2011– NM–212–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 We have received five reports of crown frame web cracking at left buttock line (LBL) 15.0, station (STA) 320. One airplane crack length was not specified and reported at 9,456 flight cycles. Three cracks of 0.65 inch in length were reported after 9,354 flight cycles on one airplane, 12,851 flight cycles on the second airplane, and 29,866 flight cycles on the third airplane. A crack of 0.85 inch was reported at 29,956 flight cycles on another airplane. Investigation revealed that in these airplanes, the web was made from 0.08inch thick material and did not conform to production drawings. Also, an operator reported missing fasteners from locations common to the frame web and lower chord on the first delivered Model 747–400 after 10,317 flight cycles. This airplane also had a web made from 0.08inch thick material and did not conform to production drawings. This condition, if not corrected, could result in complete fracture of the crown frame assembly, and consequent damage to the skin and in-flight decompression of the airplane. Relevant Service Information We reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 747–53A2784, Revision 1, dated September 14, 2011. For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this service information at https:// E:\FR\FM\12JNP1.SGM 12JNP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 12, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34879-34881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14245]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0591; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-015-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 supersede an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -
700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. The existing AD currently 
requires replacing the drain tube assemblies and support clamps on the 
aft fairing of the engine struts. Since we issued that AD, we received 
an additional report of a broken drain tube assembly on the aft fairing 
of the left engine strut at the clamp support location under the aft 
fairing compartment, inside the heat shield cavity of the aft fairing. 
There have also been reports of tube wear at the clamp location on 
additional airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the 
drain tube assembly of the left and right engine strut aft fairings 
with a new one which includes an integral support clamp made of nickel 
alloy 625. This proposed AD would also add airplanes to the 
applicability. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the drain 
tube assemblies and clamps on the aft fairings of the engine struts. 
Such failure could allow leaked flammable fluids in the drain systems 
to discharge onto the heat shields of the aft fairings of the engine 
struts, which could result in an undetected and uncontrollable fire.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 27, 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. 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: Ansel James, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 
425-917-6497; fax: 425-917-6590; email: ansel.james@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0591; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-015-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

    On April 8, 2008, we issued AD 2008-08-24, Amendment 39-15478 (73 
FR 21242, April 21, 2008), for certain Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -
800, and -900 series airplanes. That AD requires replacing the drain 
tube assemblies and support clamps on the aft fairing of the engine 
struts. That AD resulted from reports of failure of the drain tube 
assembly and clamp on the aft fairings of an engine strut. We issued 
that AD to prevent failure of the drain tube assemblies and clamps on 
the aft fairings of the engine struts. Failure of the drain tube 
assemblies could allow leaked flammable fluids in the drain systems to 
discharge onto the heat shields of the aft fairings of the engine 
struts, which could result in an undetected and uncontrollable fire.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    AD 2008-08-24, Amendment 39-15478 (73 FR 21242, April 21, 2008), 
refers to Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-54-1043, dated 
May 2, 2007, as the appropriate source of service information for the 
required actions.
    Boeing then issued Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-54-1043, 
Revision 1, dated October 19, 2009, to replace the drain tube assembly 
of the engine strut aft fairing and support clamp.
    Since we issued AD 2008-08-24, Amendment 39-15478 (73 FR 21242, 
April 21, 2008), an airplane on which the actions specified in Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-54-1043, Revision 1, dated 
October 19, 2009, had been incorporated in production, was reported to 
have a broken drain tube assembly on the aft fairing of the left engine 
strut at the clamp support location under the aft fairing compartment, 
inside the heat shield cavity of the aft fairing (the same location 
identified in the existing AD).

[[Page 34880]]

This airplane had accumulated 4,127 total flight cycles and 6,845 total 
flight hours. There have also been reports of tube wear at the clamp 
location.
    Boeing subsequently issued Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-
54-1043, Revision 2, dated November 4, 2011, which describes procedures 
for replacing the drain tube assembly of the engine strut aft fairing 
with a new one which includes an integral support clamp made of nickel 
alloy 625.
    Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-54-1043, Revision 2, 
dated November 4, 2011, includes Model 737-900ER series airplanes, 
which were not included in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
737-54-1043, dated May 2, 2007.

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 these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain none of the requirements of AD 2008-
08-24, Amendment 39-15478 (73 FR 21242, April 21, 2008). This proposed 
AD would add airplanes to the applicability statement of the existing 
AD. This proposed AD would also require accomplishing the actions 
specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-54-1043, 
Revision 2, dated November 4, 2011, described in this NPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1,098 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement.......................  14 work-hours x $85 per           $12,326          $13,516      $14,840,568
                                     hour = $1,190.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (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 removing airworthiness directive 
(AD) 2008-08-24, Amendment 39-15478 (73 FR 21242, April 21, 2008), and 
adding the following new AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-0591; Directorate Identifier 
2012-NM-015-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 27, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2008-08-24, Amendment 39-15478 (73 FR 
21242, April 21, 2008).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -
700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes; certificated in any 
category; as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
737-54-1043, Revision 2, dated November 4, 2011.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 54, Nacelles/pylons.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a broken drain tube assembly 
on the aft fairing of the left engine strut at the clamp support 
location under the aft fairing compartment, inside the heat shield 
cavity of the aft fairing. There have also been reports of tube wear 
at the clamp location on additional airplanes. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the drain tube assemblies and clamps on the 
aft fairings of the engine struts. Such failure could allow leaked 
flammable fluids in the drain systems to discharge onto the heat 
shields of the aft fairings of the engine struts, which could result 
in an undetected and uncontrollable fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replacement

    Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the drain tube assemblies and support clamps on the aft fairing of 
the struts of engines 1 and 2 with new drain tube assemblies and 
clamps, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-54-1043, Revision 2, dated 
November 4, 2011.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if

[[Page 34881]]

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, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in the Related Information 
section of this AD. Information 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 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.
    (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2008-08-24, 
Amendment 39-15478 (73 FR 21242, April 21, 2008), are not approved 
as AMOCs with this AD.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Ansel James, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6497; fax: 425-917-6590; 
email: ansel.james@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 review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 31, 2012.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-14245 Filed 6-11-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.