[Federal Register: January 11, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 8)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 1419-1420]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11ja02-10]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-251-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); Extension of the comment
period.
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SUMMARY: This document extends the period for public comment on the
above-referenced NPRM that proposes the supersedure of two existing
airworthiness directives (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 737
series airplanes. The NPRM proposes to require installation of a new
rudder control system and changes to the adjacent systems to
accommodate that new rudder control system. This proposal is prompted
by FAA determinations that the existing system design architecture is
unsafe due to inherent failure modes, including single-jam modes and
certain latent failures or jams, which, when combined with a second
failure or jam, could cause an uncommanded rudder hardover event and
consequent loss of control of the airplane. Additionally, the current
rudder operational procedure is not effective throughout the entire
flight envelope. This extension of the comment period is necessary to
assure that all interested persons have ample opportunity to present
their views on the proposed requirements of the NPRM.
DATES: Comments must be received by February 14, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-251-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-251-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or
ASCII text.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth W. Frey, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington;
telephone (425) 227-2673; fax (425) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
[[Page 1420]]
Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2001-NM-251-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped
and returned to the commenter.
Events Leading to This Extension of the Comment Period
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Boeing Model
737 series airplanes was published as a notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) in the Federal Register on November 6, 2001(66 FR 56783). The
NPRM proposed to require installation of a new rudder control system
and changes to the adjacent systems to accommodate that new rudder
control system.
The FAA has received a request from the manufacturer, Boeing, to
extend the comment period of the NPRM by 30 days. Boeing requests the
extension because the NPRM would encompass holidays during November and
December, which would significantly decrease the number of working days
necessary to develop responses to the comments. Further, during a
Boeing Critical Design Review (CDR), held on December 4, 2001, the CDR
team provided information to the operators to enable them to assess the
impact of the NPRM on their operations. Because the CDR was held after
the NPRM was issued, operators have less time to assess the
requirements of the proposed rule. In addition, Boeing states that the
proposed action of the NPRM is a complex retrofit requirement with many
aspects to consider.
The FAA's Determination
The FAA has considered Boeing's request and finds it appropriate to
extend the comment period to give all interested persons additional
time to examine the proposed requirements of the NPRM and submit
comments. After evaluating the comments provided in Boeing Letter B-
H210-01-0400, dated November 30, 2001, we have determined that
extending the comment period by 30 days will not compromise the safety
of these airplanes.
The Extension
The comment period for Docket No. 2001-NM-251-AD is hereby extended
to February 14, 2002.
Since no portion of the NPRM or other regulatory information has
been changed, the entire NPRM is not being republished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 8, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-842 Filed 1-10-02; 8:45 am]
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