[Federal Register: March 31, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 61)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 16445-16447]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31mr05-17]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20731; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-260-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-200, -300, and -400
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Boeing Model 737-200, -300, and -400 series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require replacing the existing fueling float switch
in the auxiliary fuel tank with a new, improved fueling float switch,
installing a new liner system inside the float switch conduit, and
performing related investigative and other specified actions. This
proposed AD is prompted by reports of chafing of the direct-current-
powered float switch wiring insulation in the center fuel tank. We are
proposing this AD to prevent contamination of the fueling float switch
of the auxiliary fuel tank by moisture or fuel, and chafing of the
float switch wiring against the float switch conduit in the fuel tank,
which could present an ignition source inside the fuel tank that could
cause a fire or explosion.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 16, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, 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, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401,
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket
number is FAA-2005-20731; the directorate identifier for this docket is
2004-NM-260-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sherry Vevea, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone
(425) 917-6514; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20731;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-260-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
[[Page 16446]]
dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that website, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
We previously issued AD 2004-15-04, amendment 39-13738 (69 FR
44580, July 27, 2004), for certain Boeing Model 737-200, -200C, -300, -
400, and -500 series airplanes. That AD requires, among other actions,
replacing the fueling float switches in the center and wing fuel tanks
with new, improved parts; installing a conduit liner system in the
center fuel tank; and replacing conduit assemblies in the wing fuel
tanks with new parts. That AD was prompted by several reports of
chafing of the direct-current-powered float switch wiring insulation in
the center fuel tank.
We state in AD 2004-15-04 that we may consider additional
rulemaking to require actions similar to those required by AD 2004-15-
04 be accomplished on the auxiliary fuel tanks on Model 737 series
airplanes. We have now determined that additional rulemaking is
necessary, and this proposed AD follows from that determination.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 737-28A1192, Revision 1,
dated August 21, 2003. The service bulletin describes procedures for
replacing the existing fueling float switch in the auxiliary fuel tank
with a new, improved fueling float switch, installing a new liner
system inside the float switch conduit, and performing related
investigative and other specified actions. The other specified actions
include making wiring changes associated with installing the new,
improved float switch. The related investigative actions consist of
measuring resistance between the terminal of the bonding jumper and the
float switch lug, the terminal of the bonding jumper and the conduit,
and the fuel pump assembly and the conduit; testing the conduit for
leakage; and testing to make sure that the float switch operates
properly and that there is no fuel leakage. Accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information is intended to adequately address
the unsafe condition.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which
would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 103 airplanes worldwide and 44
airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 38
work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour.
Required parts would cost about $1,634 per airplane. Based on these
figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is
$180,576, or $4,104 per airplane.
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); 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2005-20731; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
260-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by May 16, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-200, -300, and -400
series airplanes, certificated in any category, equipped with
auxiliary fuel tanks.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of chafing of the direct-
current-powered float switch wiring insulation in the center fuel
[[Page 16447]]
tank. We are issuing this AD to prevent contamination of the fueling
float switch of the auxiliary fuel tank by moisture or fuel, and
chafing of the float switch wiring against the float switch conduit
in the fuel tank, which could present an ignition source inside the
fuel tank that could cause a fire or explosion.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Replacement
(f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD:
Replace the existing fueling float switch in the auxiliary fuel tank
with a new, improved fueling float switch, install a new liner
system inside the float switch conduit, and perform related
investigative and other specified actions, by doing all of the
actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Service Bulletin 737-28A1192, Revision 1, dated August 21, 2003.
Parts Installation
(g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
fueling float switch having part number 8300-146 on the auxiliary
fuel tank of any airplane.
Actions Accomplished Previously
(h) Replacements and conduit liner system installations
accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-28A1192, dated March 27, 2003, are
acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 21, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6347 Filed 3-30-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P