Proposed Rule2021-16679
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 9, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-200 and -200C series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of nuisance stick shaker activation while the airplane was accelerating to cruise speed at the top of a climb. Investigation revealed the cause of the activation was the angle of attack (AOA) (also known as angle of airflow) sensor vanes had frozen and malfunctioned due to insufficient heat in certain AOA sensors to prevent ice buildup. This proposed AD would require inspecting the AOA sensors for certain part numbers or vane shapes, and replacing any affected AOA sensor with a new or serviceable sensor. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 150 (Monday, August 9, 2021)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 150 (Monday, August 9, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43454-43456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16679]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0543; Project Identifier AD-2021-00353-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-200 and -200C series
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of nuisance stick
shaker activation while the airplane was accelerating to cruise speed
at the top of a climb. Investigation revealed the cause of the
activation was the angle of attack (AOA) (also known as angle of
airflow) sensor vanes had frozen and malfunctioned due to insufficient
heat in certain AOA sensors to prevent ice buildup. This proposed AD
would require inspecting the AOA sensors for certain part numbers or
vane shapes, and replacing any affected AOA sensor with a new or
serviceable sensor. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by September
23, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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 NPRM, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS),
2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600;
telephone 562-797-1717; internet <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>. You may
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0543.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0543; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey W. Palmer, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5351; fax:
562-627-5210; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#573d32313125322e79207927363b3a32251731363679303821"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f9939c9f9f8b9c80d78ed7899895949c8bb99f9898d79e968f">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0543; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00353-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Jeffrey W. Palmer, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section,
FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA
90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5351; fax: 562-627-5210; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d6bcb3b0b0a4b3aff8a1f8a6b7babbb3a496b0b7b7f8b1b9a0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c0aaa5a6a6b2a5b9eeb7eeb0a1acada5b280a6a1a1eea7afb6">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA has received reports of nuisance stick shaker activation
while the airplane was accelerating to cruise speed at the top of a
climb. Investigation revealed the cause of the activation was the AOA
sensor vanes had frozen and malfunctioned due to insufficient heat in
certain AOA sensors to prevent ice buildup. This condition could be
caused by heavy moisture conditions on the ground, leading to water
entering the AOA vane pivot and freezing prior to or during flight. It
was determined that the potential for AOA vane pivot freezing exists on
certain AOA sensors having part numbers used on Model 737-200
airplanes. This condition, if not addressed, could result in the AOA
sensor vanes being immobilized, which could result in unreliable or
inaccurate AOA sensor data being transmitted to airplane systems, and
consequent loss of control of the airplane.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1324, dated
[[Page 43455]]
March 2, 2021. This service information specifies procedures for doing
a general visual inspection of the left and right side AOA sensor vane
shape, or inspecting the left and right AOA sensors to determine the
part number, and replacing any affected AOA sensor with a new or
serviceable sensor.
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions identified
as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in the Accomplishment Instructions
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1324, dated March 2, 2021,
already described, except for any differences identified as exceptions
in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. For information on the
procedures and compliance times, see this service information at
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2021-0543.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 11 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection............................ 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $935
hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement................................... 3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $54,000 $54,255
$255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2021-0543; Project Identifier AD-
2021-00353-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by September 23, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-200 and -200C
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1324, dated March 2, 2021.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
Control System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of nuisance stick shaker
activation while the airplane was accelerating to cruise speed at
the top of a climb. Investigation revealed the cause of the
activation was the angle of attack (AOA) (also known as angle of
airflow) sensor vanes had frozen and malfunctioned due to
insufficient heat in certain AOA sensors to prevent ice buildup. The
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the AOA sensor vanes from being
immobilized, which could result in unreliable or inaccurate AOA
sensor data being transmitted to airplane systems, and consequent
loss of control of the airplane.
[[Page 43456]]
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions for Group 2 Airplanes
For airplanes identified as Group 2 in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 737-27A1324, dated March 2, 2021: Within 120 days after the
effective date of this AD, inspect the AOA sensor, using a method
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph
(j) of this AD.
(h) Required Actions for Group 1 Airplanes
Except as specified in paragraph (i) of this AD: At the
applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1324, dated March 2, 2021, do
all applicable actions identified as ``RC'' (required for
compliance) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1324, dated
March 2, 2021.
(i) Exception to Service Information Specifications
Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1324, dated March 2,
2021, uses the phrase ``the original issue date of this service
bulletin,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of this
AD.''
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of
the person identified in Related Information. Information may be
emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c5fce8848b88e8898484868ae884888a86e897a0b4b0a0b6b1b685a3a4a4eba2aab3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d6effb97989bfb9a97979599fb979b9995fb84b3a7a3b3a5a2a596b0b7b7f8b1b9a0">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD
if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Los
Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the
repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must
meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs
(j)(4)(i) and (ii) of this AD apply.
(i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply
with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is
required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and
identified figures.
(ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy
condition.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Jeffrey W.
Palmer, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Los
Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-
4137; phone: 562-627-5351; fax: 562-627-5210; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d9b3bcbfbfabbca0f7aef7a9b8b5b4bcab99bfb8b8f7beb6af"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a0cac5c6c6d2c5d98ed78ed0c1cccdc5d2e0c6c1c18ec7cfd6">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
Issued on June 28, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-16679 Filed 8-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 9, 2021.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.