[Federal Register: April 6, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 66)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 17924-17925]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06ap04-17]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-101-AD; Amendment 39-13554; AD 2004-07-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -
800, and -900 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900
series airplanes, that requires replacement of the proximity switch
electronics unit with a new, improved unit. This action is necessary to
prevent a malfunction of the aural warning for the landing gear,
leading the crew to open the circuit breaker for the aural warning horn
which stops the operation of other aural warnings of malfunctions in
other systems and, thus, could jeopardize a safe flight and landing.
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective May 11, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 11, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 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: Binh V. Tran, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 917-6485; 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 737-600, -
700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes was published in the
Federal Register on December 31, 2003 (68 FR 75469). That action
proposed to require replacement of the proximity switch electronics
unit with a new, improved unit.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 890 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 283 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $40 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact
of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $84,900, or $300 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.
The manufacturer may cover the cost of replacement parts associated
with this AD, subject to warranty conditions. Manufacturer warranty
remedies may also be available for labor costs associated with this AD.
As a result, the costs attributable to the AD may be less than stated
above.
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:
2004-07-10 Boeing: Amendment 39-13554. Docket 2002-NM-101-AD.
Applicability: Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series
airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-32A1343,
dated July 26, 2001; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent a malfunction of the aural warning for the landing
gear, leading the crew to open the circuit breaker for the aural
warning horn which stops the operation of other aural warnings of
malfunctions in other systems and, thus, could jeopardize a safe
flight and landing, accomplish the following:
[[Page 17925]]
Replacement
(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Remove
the Proximity Switch Electronics Unit (PSEU) having part number
285A1600-2 or 285A1600-3 and replace it with a PSEU having part
number 285A1600-4, per the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 737-32A1343, dated July 26, 2001.
Parts Installation
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
a PSEU having part number 285A1600-2 or 285A1600-3 on any airplane.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737-32A1343, dated July 26, 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 Airplanes, 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
(e) This amendment becomes effective on May 11, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 22, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7127 Filed 4-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P