Proposed Rule: Airworthiness Directives

Federal Register / Vol. 72, No.
226 / Monday, November 26, 2007 / Proposed Rules 65911
(1) If no cracking is detected, repeat the flap actuator aluminum support fitting on aluminum support fitting (actuator support
inspection thereafter at intervals not to each wing with a steel fitting, and modify the assembly) identified in the ‘‘Existing Part
exceed 3,000 flight hours until the actuator aft attachment, in accordance with Number’’ column of paragraph 2.C. of Boeing
terminating action required by paragraph (g) the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737–57–
of this AD is accomplished. Special Attention Service Bulletin 737–57– 1129, Revision 3, dated March 19, 2007.
(2) If any cracking is detected, before 1129, Revision 3, dated March 19, 2007.
Actions Accomplished in Accordance With
further flight, do the replacement and Doing this replacement and modification
Previous Revisions of Service Bulletin
modification specified in paragraph (g) of terminates the repetitive inspection
this AD. requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD. (i) Actions done before the effective date of
this AD in accordance with the service
Terminating Action Parts Replacement bulletins listed in Table 1 of this AD, are
(g) Within 60 months after the effective (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no acceptable for compliance with the
date of this AD: Replace any existing Krueger person may install on any airplane any corresponding requirements of this AD.
TABLE 1.—PREVIOUS REVISIONS OF SERVICE BULLETINS

Boeing service bulletin Revision level Date
737–57–1129 ....................................................................................................................................... 1 ............................... October 30, 1981.

737–57–1129 ....................................................................................................................................... 2 ............................... May 28, 1998.
Alternative Methods of Compliance DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
(AMOCs) Washington, DC 20590.
(j)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Federal Aviation Administration • Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 14 CFR Part 39 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
requested in accordance with the procedures [Docket No. FAA–2007–0224; Directorate W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
found in 14 CFR 39.19. Identifier 2007–NM–188–AD] Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
(2) To request a different method of and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
compliance or a different compliance time RIN 2120–AA64 except Federal holidays.
for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR For service information identified in
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing this AD, contact Boeing Commercial
39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on
Model 737–100, –200, –300, –400, and Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
any airplane to which the AMOC applies,
notify your appropriate principal inspector
–500 Series Airplanes Washington 98124–2207.
(PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District AGENCY: Federal Aviation Examining the AD Docket
Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local Administration (FAA), Department of
FSDO. Transportation (DOT). You may examine the AD docket on
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
the Internet at http://
level of safety may be used for any repair (NPRM). www.regulations.gov; or in person at the
required by this AD, if it is approved by an Docket Management Facility between 9
Authorized Representative for the Boeing SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option new airworthiness directive (AD) for Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
Authorization Organization who has been certain Boeing Model 737–100, –200, docket contains this proposed AD, the
authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to –300, –400, and –500 series airplanes. regulatory evaluation, any comments
make those findings. For a repair method to This proposed AD would require received, and other information. The
be approved, the repair must meet the repetitive inspections for fatigue street address for the Docket Office
certification basis of the airplane, and the cracking in the longitudinal floor beam (telephone 800–647–5527) is in the
approval must specifically refer to this AD. web, upper chord, and lower chord ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
Issued in Renton, Washington, on located at certain body stations, and available in the AD docket shortly after
November 13, 2007. repair if necessary. This proposed AD receipt.
Ali Bahrami, results from several reports of cracks in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
the center wing box longitudinal floor Nancy Marsh, Aerospace Engineer,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
beams, upper chord, and lower chord. Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA,
Aircraft Certification Service.
We are proposing this AD to detect and Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
[FR Doc. E7–22926 Filed 11–23–07; 8:45 am]
correct fatigue cracking of the upper and 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P lower chords and web of the Washington 98057–3356; telephone
longitudinal floor beams, which could (425) 917–6440; fax (425) 917–6590.
result in rapid loss of cabin pressure. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by January 10, 2008. Comments Invited
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by We invite you to send any written
any of the following methods: relevant data, views, or arguments about
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to this proposed AD. Send your comments
ebenthall on PROD1PC69 with PROPOSALS
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the to an address listed under the

instructions for submitting comments. ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
• Fax: 202–493–2251. FAA–2007–0224; Directorate Identifier
• Mail: U.S. Department of 2007–NM–188–AD’’ at the beginning of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M– your comments. We specifically invite
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room comments on the overall regulatory,
VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:37 Nov 23, 2007 Jkt 214001 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\26NOP1.SGM 26NOP1
65912 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 226 / Monday, November 26, 2007 / Proposed Rules
economic, environmental, and energy LBL 24.8, RBL 24.8, LBL 45.5, and RBL 652 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
aspects of this proposed AD. We will 45.5, between STA 705 and STA 715. proposed inspection would take
consider all comments received by the • Detailed inspections for any crack approximately 13 work hours per
closing date and may amend this in the horizontal flange of the upper airplane, at an average labor rate of $80
proposed AD because of those chord of the longitudinal floor beam at per work hour. Based on these figures,
comments. LBL 24.8, RBL 24.8, LBL 45.5, and RBL the estimated cost of the proposed
We will post all comments we 45.5, at STA 727B. inspection for U.S. operators is
receive, without change, to http:// The compliance times specified are as $678,080, or $1,040 per airplane, per
www.regulations.gov, including any follows: inspection cycle.
personal information you provide. We For Groups 1 and 2 airplanes: Before
the accumulation of 20,000 total flight Authority for This Rulemaking
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive cycles, or within 6,000 flight cycles after Title 49 of the United States Code
about this proposed AD. the service bulletin date, whichever specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
occurs later. Repeat the inspections rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
Discussion thereafter at intervals not to exceed Section 106, describes the authority of
We have received several reports of 6,000 flight cycles. the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
fatigue cracks in the center wing box For Group 3 airplanes: Before the Aviation Programs, describes in more
longitudinal floor beams on certain accumulation of 20,000 total flight detail the scope of the Agency’s
Boeing Model 737–100, –200, –300, cycles, or within 7,000 flight cycles after authority.
–400, and –500 series airplanes. The the service bulletin date, whichever We are issuing this rulemaking under
cracks were found in the longitudinal occurs later. Repeat the inspections the authority described in Subtitle VII,
floor beam web, upper chord, and lower thereafter at intervals not to exceed Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701,
chord at left buttock line (LBL) 24.8, 7,000 flight cycles. ‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that
right buttock line (RBL) 24.8, LBL 45.5 If a crack is found, the service bulletin section, Congress charges the FAA with
and RBL 45.5, between Station (STA) recommends contacting Boeing before promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in
656 and STA 727B. The airplanes had further flight for repair instructions. If air commerce by prescribing regulations
accumulated between 17,000 and 70,000 no crack is found, the procedures in the for practices, methods, and procedures
total flight cycles. These fatigue cracks service bulletin specify repeating the the Administrator finds necessary for
are attributed to cyclic pressurization inspections. Accomplishing the actions safety in air commerce. This regulation
loads, fuel loads, and passenger loads. specified in the service information is is within the scope of that authority
Fatigue cracking of the upper and lower intended to adequately address the because it addresses an unsafe condition
chords and web of the longitudinal floor unsafe condition. that is likely to exist or develop on
beams, if not corrected, could result in FAA’s Determination and Requirements products identified in this rulemaking
rapid loss of cabin pressure. of the Proposed AD action.
Related Rulemaking We have evaluated all pertinent Regulatory Findings
On December 30, 1998, we issued AD information and identified an unsafe We have determined that this
98–11–04 R1, amendment 39–10984 (64 condition that is likely to exist or proposed AD would not have federalism
FR 987) applicable to Boeing Model develop on other airplanes of this same implications under Executive Order
737–100 and –200 series airplanes. That type design. For this reason, we are 13132. This proposed AD would not
AD requires revising the FAA–approved proposing this AD, which would require have a substantial direct effect on the
maintenance program to include accomplishing the actions specified in States, on the relationship between the
inspections that will give no less than the service information described national Government and the States, or
the required damage tolerance rating for previously, except as discussed under on the distribution of power and
each structural significant item (SSI) if ‘‘Difference Between the Proposed AD responsibilities among the various
they are not effective for the SSI, and and Service Information.’’ levels of government.
repair of cracked structure. Certain Difference Between the Proposed AD For the reasons discussed above, I
actions in this proposed AD are and Service Information certify that the proposed regulation:
considered alternative methods of The service bulletin specifies to 1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
compliance (AMOCs) for paragraphs (b) contact the manufacturer for action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
and (c) of AD 98–11–04 R1. instructions on how to repair certain 2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the
Relevant Service Information conditions, but this proposed AD would DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
require repairing those conditions in (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
We have reviewed Boeing Service 3. Will not have a significant
one of the following ways:
Bulletin 737–57–1296, dated June 13, • Using a method that we approve; or economic impact, positive or negative,
2007. The service bulletin describes • Using data that meet the on a substantial number of small entities
procedures for the following: certification basis of the airplane, and under the criteria of the Regulatory
• Detailed inspections for any crack that have been approved by an Flexibility Act.
in the upper chord of the longitudinal Authorized Representative for the We prepared a regulatory evaluation
floor beam at LBL 24.8 and RBL 24.8, Boeing Commercial Airplanes of the estimated costs to comply with
between STA 656 and STA 685. Delegation Option Authorization this proposed AD and placed it in the
• High frequency eddy current AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section
Organization whom we have authorized

inspections for any crack in the lower to make those findings. for a location to examine the regulatory
chord of the longitudinal floor beam at evaluation.
LBL 24.8 and RBL 24.8, between STA Costs of Compliance
660 and STA 666. There are about 2,852 airplanes of the List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
• Detailed inspections for any crack affected design in the worldwide fleet. Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
in the longitudinal floor beam web at This proposed AD would affect about safety, Safety.
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 226 / Monday, November 26, 2007 / Proposed Rules 65913
The Proposed Amendment specified in paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of Notice of proposed rulemaking
ACTION:
the service bulletin. (NPRM).
Accordingly, under the authority (2) For Group 3 airplanes as identified in
delegated to me by the Administrator, the service bulletin: Do the inspections at the SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part applicable initial compliance time listed in new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
39 as follows: paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of the service Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This
bulletin; except, where the service bulletin proposed AD would require repetitive
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS specifies a compliance time after the date on
DIRECTIVES the service bulletin, this AD requires
inspections for cracking or corrosion of
compliance within the specified compliance the threaded end of the lower segment
1. The authority citation for part 39 time after the effective date of this AD. of the main landing gear (MLG) side
continues to read as follows: Repeat the inspections thereafter at the strut, and corrective actions if
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. intervals specified in paragraph 1.E., necessary. This proposed AD also
‘‘Compliance,’’ of the service bulletin. would require prior or concurrent
§ 39.13 [Amended] (g) If any crack is found during any inspection for cracking or corrosion of
2. The Federal Aviation inspection required by this AD, and Boeing the threads and thread relief area of the
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13 Service Bulletin 737–57–1296, dated June 13, lower segment, corrective action if
2007, specifies contacting Boeing for repair
by adding the following new necessary, and re-assembly using
instructions: Before further flight, repair
airworthiness directive (AD): using a method approved in accordance with corrosion inhibiting compound. This
Boeing: Docket No. FAA–2007–0224; the procedures specified in paragraph (h) of proposed AD results from reports of the
Directorate Identifier 2007–NM–188–AD. this AD. threads cracking on the MLG side strut
lower segment. We are proposing this
Comments Due Date Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
AD to prevent a fractured side strut,
(a) The FAA must receive comments on which could result in collapse of the
this AD action by January 10, 2008. (h)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA, has MLG.
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD,
Affected ADs
if requested in accordance with the DATES: We must receive comments on
(b) None. procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. this proposed AD by January 10, 2008.
Applicability (2) To request a different method of ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
compliance or a different compliance time
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737– any of the following methods:
for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR
100, –200, –300, –400, and –500 series 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
airplanes, certificated in any category; as any airplane to which the AMOC applies, http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737–57– notify your appropriate principal inspector instructions for submitting comments.
1296, dated June 13, 2007. (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District • Fax: 202–493–2251.
Unsafe Condition Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local • Mail: U.S. Department of
FSDO. Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
(d) This AD results from several reports of
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
cracks in the center wing box longitudinal
level of safety may be used for any repair W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
floor beams, upper chord, and lower chord.
required by this AD, if it is approved by an Washington, DC 20590.
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
Authorized Representative for the Boeing
fatigue cracking of the upper and lower
Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
chords and web of the longitudinal floor Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
Authorization Organization who has been
beams, which could result in rapid loss of 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
cabin pressure. authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to
make those findings. For a repair method to W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Compliance be approved, the repair must meet the Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
(e) You are responsible for having the certification basis of the airplane. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
actions required by this AD performed within Issued in Renton, Washington, on except Federal holidays.
the compliance times specified, unless the November 13, 2007. For service information identified in
actions have already been done. Ali Bahrami, this AD, contact Boeing Commercial
Repetitive Inspections Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Aircraft Certification Service. Washington 98124–2207.
(f) Do the various inspections for fatigue
cracks in the longitudinal floor beam web, [FR Doc. E7–22928 Filed 11–23–07; 8:45 am] Examining the AD Docket
upper chord, and lower chord, located at the BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
applicable body stations specified in the You may examine the AD docket on
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing the Internet at http://
Service Bulletin 737–57–1296, dated June 13, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION www.regulations.gov; or in person at the
2007, by doing all the actions specified in the Docket Management Facility between 9
Accomplishment Instructions of the service Federal Aviation Administration a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
bulletin, except as provided by paragraph (g) Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
of this AD. Do the inspections at the time docket contains this proposed AD, the
specified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this 14 CFR Part 39
AD, as applicable. regulatory evaluation, any comments
(1) For Groups 1 and 2 airplanes as [Docket No. FAA–2007–0227; Directorate received, and other information. The
identified in the service bulletin: Do the Identifier 2007–NM–159–AD] street address for the Docket Office
inspections at the applicable initial (telephone 800–647–5527) is in the
compliance time listed in paragraph 1.E., RIN 2120–AA64 ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
‘‘Compliance,’’ of the service bulletin; except, available in the AD docket shortly after
where the service bulletin specifies a Airworthiness Directives; Boeing receipt.
compliance time after the date on the service Model 727 Airplanes
bulletin, this AD requires compliance within FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
the specified compliance time after the AGENCY: Federal Aviation Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer,
effective date of this AD. Repeat the Administration (FAA), Department of Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA,
inspections thereafter at the intervals Transportation (DOT). Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,

Proposed Rule: Airworthiness Directives

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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No.

226 / Monday, November 26, 2007 / Proposed Rules 65911

TABLE 1.—PREVIOUS REVISIONS OF SERVICE BULLETINS

737–57–1129 ....................................................................................................................................... 1 ............................... October 30, 1981.

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the to an address listed under the

Organization whom we have authorized

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