[Federal Register: November 15, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 219)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 65520-65522]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15no04-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-18996; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-40-AD;
Amendment 39-13865; AD 2004-23-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-700 and -800 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 737-700 and -800 series airplanes. This AD
requires doing an initial inspection for pitting and cracks of the
lower skin panel at the lap joint; trimming the inner skin; installing
exterior doublers; replacing the fuselage skin assembly; doing
repetitive supplemental inspections; and repairing if necessary; as
applicable. This AD is prompted by a report indicating that localized
pitting in the lower skin panels was found during production on a
limited number of airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and
correct premature fatigue cracking at certain lap splice locations and
consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective December 20, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of
December 20, 2004.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207. You can examine this information at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of
this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Technical information: Sue 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.
Plain language information: Marcia Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.
Examining the Docket
The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any final
disposition. 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR Part 39
with an AD for certain Boeing Model 737-700 and -800 series airplanes.
That action, published in the Federal Register on September 3, 2004 (69
FR 53855), proposed to require doing an initial inspection for pitting
and cracks of the lower skin panel at the lap joint; trimming the inner
skin; installing exterior doublers; replacing the fuselage skin
assembly; doing repetitive
[[Page 65521]]
supplemental inspections; and repairing if necessary; as applicable.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
This AD will affect about 4 airplanes worldwide and 2 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs to
comply with this AD.
The average labor rate is $65 per work hour. The cost impact of the
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $83,855.
Table.--Cost Impact
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For airplanes listed in the
referenced service bulletin as Work hours Parts cost Per airplane
group cost
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1.................................. Inspection: 2.................... None.................. $130
Modification: 38................. 105................... 2,575
2.................................. Inspection: 2.................... None.................. 130
Modification: 30................. 104................... 2,054
3.................................. Inspection: 2.................... None.................. 130
Modification: 42................. 106................... 2,836
4.................................. Repair: 920...................... 16,200................ 76,000
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Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 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 (AD):
2004-23-10 Boeing: Amendment 39-13865. Docket No. FAA-2004-18996;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-40-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective December 20, 2004.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-700 and -800 series
airplanes, certificated in any category; having variable and serial
numbers listed in Table 1 of this AD.
Table 1.--Applicable Variable and Serial Numbers.
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Serial
Variable number number Group
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YA004............................................. 27837 1
YA005............................................. 27836 2
YA201............................................. 28004 4
YC003............................................. 27977 3
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Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report indicating that localized
pitting in the lower skin panels was found during production on a
limited number of airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and
correct premature fatigue cracking at certain lap splice locations
and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.
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.
Initial Inspection and/or Repair
(f) At the applicable times specified in Table 1 of paragraph
1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin
737-53-1256, dated September 18, 2003, do the applicable actions
specified in Table 2 of this AD in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
Table 2.--Initial Inspection and/or Repair
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For airplanes identified in
the service bulletin as-- Requirements--
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(1) Groups 1, 2, and 3....... Do an external ultrasonic inspection for
pitting and cracks of the lower skin
panel at the lap joint.
(2) Groups 1 and 2........... Trim the inner skin and install two
exterior doublers (including related
investigative actions).
(3) Group 3.................. Install three exterior doublers.
(4) Group 4.................. Replace the fuselage skin assembly with a
new assembly.
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[[Page 65522]]
Repetitive Inspections
(g) For Groups 1, 2, and 3 airplanes identified in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1256, dated September 18,
2003: At the applicable times specified in Table 2 of paragraph
1.E., ``Compliance,'' of the service bulletin, do the repetitive
supplemental inspections of the lower skins and external doublers
for discrepancies in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions
of the service bulletin.
Corrective Action
(h) If any discrepancy is found during any action required by
this AD, before further flight, repair per a method approved by the
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or per
data meeting the type certification basis of the airplane approved
by a Boeing Company Designated Engineering Representative (DER) who
has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make such
findings. For a repair method to be approved, the approval must
specifically reference this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by a
Boeing Company DER who has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle
ACO, to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the
approval must specifically refer to this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-
53-1256, dated September 18, 2003, to perform the actions that are
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director
of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of
this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
For copies of the service information, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. For
information on the availability of this material at the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or
go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_ register/code--of--federal--
regulations/ibr--locations.html. You may view the AD docket at the
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street SW, room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 1, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24936 Filed 11-12-04; 8:45 am]
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