Proposed Rule2022-21398
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
October 5, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes, and certain Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of damage to the auxiliary power unit (APU) fuel line shroud located in the aft cargo area; investigation revealed that the placement of the pressure switch wire clamp assembly and its fastener allowed interference of the fastener against the APU fuel line shroud. This proposed AD would require inspecting the APU fuel line shroud for damage, inspecting the pressure switch wire clamp for correct bolt orientation and horizontal distance from the APU fuel line shroud, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 192 (Wednesday, October 5, 2022)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 5, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60347-60349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-21398]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1068; Project Identifier AD-2022-00358-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 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes, and
certain Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of damage to the
auxiliary power unit (APU) fuel line shroud located in the aft cargo
area; investigation revealed that the placement of the pressure switch
wire clamp assembly and its fastener allowed interference of the
fastener against the APU fuel line shroud. This proposed AD would
require inspecting the APU fuel line shroud for damage, inspecting the
pressure switch wire clamp for correct bolt orientation and horizontal
distance from the APU fuel line shroud, and applicable on-condition
actions. 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 November
21, 2022.
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="http://regulations.gov">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="http://myboeingfleet.com">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="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1068.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1068; 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: Chris Baker, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3552; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#305358425943445f405855421e421e52515b5542705651511e575f46"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4e2d263c273d3a213e262b3c603c602c2f252b3c0e282f2f60292138">[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-2022-1068; Project Identifier
AD-2022-00358-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="http://regulations.gov">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 Chris
Baker, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3552; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#caa9a2b8a3b9bea5baa2afb8e4b8e4a8aba1afb88aacababe4ada5bc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1b78736972686f746b737e69356935797a707e695b7d7a7a357c746d">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA receives that
is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public
docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA has received reports of damage to the APU fuel line shroud
located in the aft cargo area of certain models of the subject
airplanes. FAA and manufacturer investigation revealed that the
placement of the pressure switch wire clamp assembly and its fastener
allowed interference of the fastener against the APU fuel line shroud.
This condition, if not addressed, could result in a damaged APU fuel
line shroud and consequent failure of the APU fuel hose, which could
result in a flammable fluid leak in an ignition zone.
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 Requirements Bulletins 737-38A1072 RB
and 737-38A1073 RB, both dated February 25, 2022. This service
information specifies procedures for a general visual inspection of the
APU fuel line shroud in the area within 3 inches of the fastener of the
pressure switch wire clamp for any damage (any crack or hole, any
damage that exposes bare metal on the APU fuel line shroud,
[[Page 60348]]
and any dent damage found that decreases the outside diameter of the
shroud by more than 0.031 inch); a detailed inspection of the pressure
switch wire clamp to determine if the fastener of the pressure switch
wire clamp is installed with the bolt head on top and the nut on the
bottom, and that there is a minimum 1.5 inches of horizontal separation
between the fastener of the pressure switch wire clamp and the APU fuel
line shroud, and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions
include replacing the existing APU fuel line shroud with a new or
repaired shroud; repairing any damage to the APU fuel line shroud; re-
installing the fastener of the pressure switch wire clamp with the bolt
head on top and the nut on the bottom; and re-installing the pressure
switch wire clamp assembly to make sure there is 1.5 inches minimum of
horizontal separation between the fastener of the pressure switch wire
clamp and the APU fuel line shroud. These documents are distinct since
they apply to different airplane models.
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 specified
in the service information 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="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1068.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 1,919 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One-time Inspections.................. 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $326,230
hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary repairs,
replacements, or re-installations 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 repairs,
replacements, or re-installations:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair............................ Up to 3 work-hours x $0........................ Up to $255.
$85 per hour = Up
to $255.
Replacement (includes re- Up to 300 work-hours Up to $8,158.............. Up to $33,658.
installation). x $85 per hour = Up
to $25,500.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of
this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the
cost impact on affected operators.
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-2022-1068; Project Identifier AD-
2022-00358-T.
[[Page 60349]]
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by November 21, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series
airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-
38A1072 RB, dated February 25, 2022.
(2) Model 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes, as identified in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-38A1073 RB, dated February 25, 2022.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of damage to the auxiliary power
unit (APU) fuel line shroud located in the aft cargo area;
investigation revealed that the placement of the pressure switch
wire clamp assembly and the fastener allowed interference of the
fastener against the APU fuel line shroud. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address interference of the fastener against the APU fuel line
shroud, possibly resulting in a damaged APU fuel line shroud and
consequent failure of the APU fuel hose, which could result in a
flammable fluid leak in an ignition zone.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) For the airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD,
except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable
times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin 737-38A1072 RB, dated February 25, 2022, do
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
737-38A1072 RB, dated February 25, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1): Guidance for accomplishing the
actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 737-38A1072, dated February 25, 2022, which is referred to
in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-38A1072 RB, dated February
25, 2022.
(2) For the airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD,
except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable
times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin 737-38A1073 RB, dated February 25, 2022, do
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
737-38A1073 RB, dated February 25, 2022.
Note 2 to paragraph (g)(2): Guidance for accomplishing the
actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 737-38A1073, dated February 25, 2022, which is referred to
in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-38A1073 RB, dated February
25, 2022.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraphs of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-
38A1072 RB, dated February 25, 2022, use the phrase ``the original
issue date of Requirements Bulletin 737-38A1072 RB,'' this AD
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraphs of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-
38A1073 RB, dated February 25, 2022, use the phrase ``the original
issue date of Requirements Bulletin 737-38A1073 RB,'' this AD
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle 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 responsible Flight Standards Office,
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of
the certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#724b5f333c3f5f21171306061e175f33313d5f333f3d315f2017030717010601321413135c151d04"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a39a8ee2edee8ef0c6c2d7d7cfc68ee2e0ec8ee2eeece08ef1c6d2d6c6d0d7d0e3c5c2c28dc4ccd5">[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, Seattle
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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Chris Baker,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3552;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8be8e3f9e2f8ffe4fbe3eef9a5f9a5e9eae0eef9cbedeaeaa5ece4fd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d9bab1abb0aaadb6a9b1bcabf7abf7bbb8b2bcab99bfb8b8f7beb6af">[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="http://myboeingfleet.com">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 August 30, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-21398 Filed 10-4-22; 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 October 5, 2022.
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.