[Federal Register: April 15, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 72)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 18105-18107]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15ap03-3]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-NM-343-AD; Amendment 39-13108; AD 2003-07-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -
300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400,
and -500 series airplanes, that requires inspection of landing gear
parts and/or their records to see that parts have serial numbers and
that each part's number of flight cycles has been tracked; assignment
of serial numbers and flight cycle use numbers if necessary; and
removal of individual landing gear components from service when they
reach their life limit. This amendment also requires adding landing
gear parts to the lists of safe-life components, and assigning life
limits to landing gear parts already in service. The actions specified
by this AD are intended to prevent failure of landing gear parts, which
could lead to landing gear collapse. This action is intended to address
the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective May 20, 2003.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 20, 2003.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Lucier, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
917-6438; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-100, -
200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes was published as a
supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal
Register on September 25, 2002 (67 FR 60196). That action proposed to
require inspection of landing gear parts and/or their records to see
that parts have serial numbers and that each part's number of flight
cycles has been tracked; assignment of serial numbers and flight cycle
use numbers if necessary; and removal of individual landing gear
components from service when they reach their life limit. That action
also proposed to add landing gear parts to the lists of safe-life
components, and assign life limits to landing gear parts already in
service.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received. One commenter did not propose any changes, but
asked for clarification of the meaning of certain sections in the
supplemental NPRM. The FAA will provide this clarification directly to
the commenter.
Request To Allow Disposition of Life-Limited Parts
One commenter states that the serialization/tracking requirements
specified in the supplemental NPRM are more restrictive than the
requirements of section 43.10 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 43.10), which govern the use of all life-limited parts. The
commenter reiterates paragraph (c) of that regulation, and notes that
six acceptable methods are listed for deterring the installation of a
part after it has reached its life limit. The commenter adds that it
currently uses two of those six methods (record keeping system and
mutilation) to control all life-limited parts. The commenter also adds
that it scraps/mutilates many of the less expensive life-limited
components at the end of every overhaul cycle, and/or when the
component is removed from service in the line maintenance environment.
Then only new parts are used during line replacements and gear
assemblies, with documentation in place to identify all parts that are
handled by this method. The commenter asks that the FAA consider
revising paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) of the supplemental
NPRM to be consistent with the existing guidance in the specified
regulation, as it provides adequate assurance of airworthiness.
We do not agree with the commenter that the serialization/tracking
requirements specified in the supplemental NPRM are more restrictive
than those of the specified regulation. The requirements in paragraph
(d) of this final rule do not specify the process the operators must
use in order to remove the part from service. This final rule
establishes the life limits for aircraft parts not previously tracked,
whereas the regulation mandates the disposition of parts after they
have reached their life limit.
Explanation of Change to Final Rule
An internal review of the supplemental NPRM and the referenced
service information indicates a difference between the two documents.
Paragraph (b)(1) of the supplemental NPRM titled, ``Assignment of
Serial Numbers and Flight Cycles,'' requires assigning a serial number
to each part per a method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, FAA. However, in Part 1.B. of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-32-1322, Revision
[[Page 18106]]
1, dated September 27, 2001, an acceptable method is defined for
assigning serial numbers. Therefore, we have changed paragraph (b)(1)
in this final rule to include the procedures in the service bulletin as
an additional source for assigning serial numbers.
Explanation of Editorial Change
We have changed the service bulletin citation throughout this final
rule to exclude the Evaluation Form. The form is intended to be
completed by operators and submitted to the manufacturer to provide
input on the quality of the service bulletin; however, this AD does not
include such a requirement.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 3,132 Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -
400, and -500 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide
fleet. The FAA estimates that 1,099 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $65,940, or $60 per
airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other
administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2003-07-12 Boeing: Amendment 39-13108. Docket 2000-NM-343-AD.
Applicability: Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500
series airplanes; certificated in any category; line numbers 1
through 3132 inclusive.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (g) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of landing gear parts, which could lead to
landing gear collapse, accomplish the following:
Inspection of Parts and/or Records
(a) Within 10 years from the effective date of this AD, examine
records and/or landing gear parts per Boeing Service Bulletin 737-
32-1322, Revision 1, excluding Evaluation Form, dated September 27,
2001, to determine whether parts have serial numbers and whether the
number of flight cycles for each part has been tracked. If landing
gear parts have serial numbers, as listed in the service bulletin,
and the number of flight cycles has been tracked, no further action
is necessary for paragraphs (a), (b), or (c) of this AD.
Assignment of Serial Numbers and Flight Cycles
(b) If any part examined, as mandated in paragraph (a) of this
AD, does not have a serial number, within 10 years from the
effective date of this AD, do the actions required by paragraphs
(b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD.
(1) Assign a serial number to each part per Part 1.B. of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-32-1322,
Revision 1, excluding Evaluation Form, dated September 27, 2001; or
per a method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA.
(2) Mark the serial number on each part per Boeing Service
Bulletin 737-32-1322, Revision 1, excluding Evaluation Form, dated
September 27, 2001.
(c) If flight cycles for any part examined, as mandated in
paragraph (a) of this AD, have not been tracked, within 10 years
from the effective date of this AD, assign a number of lifetime
flight cycles to that part per Part 2.B. of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-32-1322, Revision 1,
excluding Evaluation Form, dated September 27, 2001.
Removal From Service at Life Limit
(d) When any landing gear part has reached its life-limit number
of flight cycles, as described in Part 2.B. of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-32-1322, Revision 1,
excluding Evaluation Form, dated September 27, 2001, before further
flight, remove that part from service and replace it with a landing
gear part having a serial number and a lifetime flight cycle number
per the service bulletin.
Parts Installation
(e) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane a life-limited landing gear part unless it has been
assigned a serial number and a lifetime flight cycle number per the
requirements of this AD.
(f) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane a life-limited landing gear part that has reached
its life limit of flight cycles, per Boeing Service Bulletin 737-32-
1322, Revision 1, excluding Evaluation Form, dated September 27,
2001.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(g) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that
[[Page 18107]]
provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by
the Manager, Seattle ACO. Operators shall submit their requests
through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(h) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Incorporation by Reference
(i) Unless otherwise provided in this AD, the actions shall be
done in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-32-1322,
Revision 1, excluding Evaluation Form, dated September 27, 2001.
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group,
P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Effective Date
(j) This amendment becomes effective on May 20, 2003.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 4, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-8739 Filed 4-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P