69832 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 230 / Wednesday, December 1, 2004 / Proposed Rules 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

(DOT) 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2004–19750; Directorate 

Identifier 2003–NM–192–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing 

Model 737–600, –700, –700C, –800, and 

–900 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to 

supersede an existing airworthiness 

directive (AD) that applies to all Boeing 

Model 737–600, –700, –700C, –800, and 

–900 series airplanes. That AD currently 

requires either determining exposure to 

runway deicing fluids containing 

potassium formate, or performing 

repetitive inspections of certain 

electrical connectors in the wheel well 

of the main landing gear (MLG) for 

corrosion, and follow-on actions. This 

proposed AD would add a new 

inspection requirement and related 

corrective actions. This proposed AD is 

prompted by additional reports 

indicating that significant corrosion of 

the electrical connectors in the wheel 

well of the MLG has also been found on 

airplanes that land on runways treated 

with deicing fluids containing 

potassium acetate. We are proposing 

this AD to prevent corrosion and 

subsequent moisture ingress into the 

electrical connectors, which could 

result in an electrical short and 

consequent incorrect functioning of 

critical airplane systems essential to safe 

flight and landing of the airplane, 

including fire warning systems.

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by January 18, 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. 

• 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 the service information identified 

in this proposed AD contact Boeing 

Commercial Airplane Group, 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 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: Binh 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. 

Plain language information: Marcia 

Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Docket Management System (DMS) 

The FAA has implemented new 

procedures for maintaining AD dockets 

electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new 

AD actions are posted on DMS and 

assigned a docket number. We track 

each action and assign a corresponding 

directorate identifier. The DMS AD 

docket number is in the form ‘‘Docket 

No. FAA–2004–99999.’’ The Transport 

Airplane Directorate identifier is in the 

form ‘‘Directorate Identifier 2004–NM–

999–AD.’’ Each DMS AD docket also 

lists the directorate identifier (‘‘Old 

Docket Number’’) as a cross-reference 

for searching purposes. 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to submit any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments 

regarding this proposed AD. Send your 

comments to an address listed under 

ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–

2004–19750; Directorate Identifier 

2003–NM–192–AD’’ at the beginning 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 received by the 

closing date and may amend the 

proposed AD in light of those 

comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http://

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 our docket 

Web site, 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 the DOT’s complete Privacy Act 

Statement in the Federal Register

published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 

19477–78), or you may visit http://

dms.dot.gov.

We are reviewing the writing style we 

currently use in regulatory documents. 

We are interested in your comments on 

whether the style of this document is 

clear, and your suggestions to improve 

the clarity of our communications that 

affect you. You can get more 

information about plain language at 

http://www.faa.gov/language and http://

www.plainlanguage.gov. 

Examining the Docket 

You can examine the AD docket 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 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 

On July 29, 2002, we issued AD 2002–

16–03, amendment 39–12842 (67 FR 

52396, August 12, 2002), for all Boeing 

Model 737–600, –700, –700C, –800, and 

–900 series airplanes. That AD requires 

either determining exposure to runway 

deicing fluids containing potassium 

formate or performing repetitive 

inspections of certain electrical 

connectors in the wheel well of the 

main landing gear (MLG) for corrosion, 

and follow-on actions. That AD was 

prompted by reports of significant 

corrosion of the electrical connectors in 

the main wheel well. We issued that AD 

to prevent such corrosion, which could 

result in incorrect functioning of critical 

airplane systems essential to safe flight 

and landing of the airplane, including 

fire warning systems. 

Actions Since Existing AD was Issued 

Since we issued AD 2002–16–03, we 

have received reports of significant 

corrosion of the electrical connectors 

located in the wheel well of the MLG on 

Model 737 series airplanes that land on 

runways treated with deicing fluids 

containing potassium acetate. 

Investigation revealed that the corrosive 

effects of potassium acetate on the 

electrical connectors are similar to those 

of potassium formate, and the 

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 230 / Wednesday, December 1, 2004 / Proposed Rules 69833

requirements in the existing AD do not 

account for exposure to deicing fluids 

containing potassium acetate. 

Significant corrosion can lead to loss of 

the cadmium plating of the electrical 

connectors and subsequent moisture 

ingress into the connectors, which could 

result in an electrical short and 

consequent incorrect functioning of 

critical airplane systems essential to safe 

flight and landing of the airplane, 

including fire warning systems. 

Revised Service Information 

We have reviewed Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 737–24A1148, Revision 

1, dated July 10, 2003 (the original issue 

was referenced in the existing AD as the 

appropriate source of service 

information for accomplishment of the 

actions). The service bulletin describes 

procedures for inspecting electrical 

connectors (including the contacts and 

backshells) of the line replaceable unit 

(LRU) in the wheel well of the MLG for 

corrosion, and related corrective actions 

if necessary. Signs of corrosion are the 

presence of moisture, corrosion pits, or 

white-colored material buildup on the 

connectors; black or reddish 

discoloration on the contacts; or loss of 

the olive-drab conversion coating on the 

backshells. The related corrective 

actions include cleaning the LRU 

connectors and applying corrosion 

inhibiting compound (CIC) if no 

corrosion is found, and replacing the 

LRU with a new LRU and applying CIC 

if corrosion is found. The service 

bulletin also recommends an 

operational test of the affected systems 

after doing the applicable actions. 

Accomplishing the actions specified in 

the revised 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 products of this same 

type design. Therefore, we are 

proposing this AD, which would 

supersede AD 2002–16–03. This 

proposed AD would require either 

determining exposure to runway deicing 

fluids containing potassium formate 

and/or potassium acetate, or performing 

repetitive inspections of certain 

electrical connectors in the wheel well 

of the main landing gear for corrosion, 

and significant/corrective actions if 

necessary. This proposed AD would 

require you to use the service 

information described previously to 

perform these actions, except as 

discussed under ‘‘Difference Between 

the Proposed AD and Service 

Information.’’

Difference Between the Proposed AD 

and Service Information 

The service bulletin specifies an 

‘‘examination’’ for corrosion of the 

electrical connectors in the MLG wheel 

well. For the purposes of this AD, we 

have determined that the procedures in 

the service bulletin constitute a 

‘‘detailed inspection.’’ Note 1 of this 

proposed AD defines that inspection. 

Work Hour Rate Increase 

We have reviewed the figures we have 

used over the past several years to 

calculate AD costs to operators. To 

account for various inflationary costs in 

the airline industry, we find it necessary 

to increase the labor rate used in these 

calculations from $60 per work hour to 

$65 per work hour. The cost impact 

information, below, reflects this 

increase in the specified hourly labor 

rate. 

Costs of Compliance 

This proposed AD would affect about 

587 airplanes of U.S. registry. The new 

determination of airplane exposure 

would take about 1 work hour per 

airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 

per work hour. Based on these figures, 

the estimated cost of the actions 

specified in this proposed AD for U.S. 

operators is $38,155, or $65 per 

airplane, per cycle. 

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.

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by 

removing amendment 39–12842 (67 FR 

52396, August 12, 2002) and adding the 

following new airworthiness directive 

(AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA–2004–19750; 

Directorate Identifier 2003–NM–192–AD. 

Comments Due Date 

(a) The Federal Aviation Administration 

must receive comments on this airworthiness 

directive (AD) action by January 18, 2005. 

Affected ADs 

(b) This AD supersedes AD 2002–16–03, 

amendment 39–12842. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to all Model 737–600, 

–700, –700C, –800, and –900 series airplanes; 

certificated in any category. 

Unsafe Condition 

(d) This AD was prompted by additional 

reports indicating that significant corrosion 

of the electrical connectors in the wheel well 

of the MLG has also been found on airplanes 

that land on runways treated with deicing 

fluids containing potassium acetate. We are 

issuing this AD to prevent corrosion and 

subsequent moisture ingress into the 

electrical connectors, which could result in 

an electrical short and consequent incorrect 

functioning of critical airplane systems 

essential to safe flight and landing of the 

airplane, including fire warning systems. 

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. 

Determine Airplane Exposure/Significant & 

Corrective Actions 

(f) Except as required by paragraph (f)(1)(ii) 

of this AD: Within 12 months after the 

effective date of this AD, do the actions 

required by either paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of 

this AD. 

(1) Determine airplane exposure to runway 

deicing fluids containing potassium formate 

or potassium acetate by reviewing airport 

data on the type of components in the 

deicing fluid used at airports that support 

airplane operations. 

69834 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 230 / Wednesday, December 1, 2004 / Proposed Rules 

(i) For airplanes that have not been 

exposed to potassium formate or potassium 

acetate: Repeat the requirements in paragraph 

(f) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to 

exceed 12 months. 

(ii) For airplanes that have been exposed to 

potassium formate or potassium acetate: 

Before further flight, do the inspection 

required by paragraph (f)(2) of this AD. 

(2) Do a detailed inspection of the 

electrical connectors, including the contacts 

and backshells, of the line replaceable unit 

(LRU) in the wheel well of the MLG for 

corrosion by doing all the actions in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

737–24A1148, Revision 1, dated July 10, 

2003. Do any significant/corrective actions 

before further flight in accordance with the 

service bulletin. Repeat the actions required 

by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 12 months.

Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a 

detailed inspection is defined as: ‘‘An 

intensive visual examination of a specific 

structural area, system, installation, or 

assembly to detect damage, failure, or 

irregularity. Available lighting is normally 

supplemented with a direct source of good 

lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by 

the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 

magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface 

cleaning and elaborate access procedures 

may be required.’’

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(g)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft 

Certification Office (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) AMOCs approved previously in 

accordance with AD 2002–16–03, 

amendment 39–12842, are not approved as 

AMOCs with this AD.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

November 17, 2004. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 04–26497 Filed 11–30–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2004–19751; Directorate 

Identifier 2002–NM–59–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; BAE 

Systems (Operations) Limited 

(Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 

(Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes. This 

proposed AD would require repetitive 

detailed inspections of the aft fuselage 

frames for any discrepancies, and any 

applicable corrective actions. This 

proposed AD is prompted by reports of 

corrosion found on the aft fuselage 

frames due to the ingress of water or 

liquid. We are proposing this AD to 

detect and correct corrosion of the aft 

fuselage frames, which could result in 

reduced structural integrity of the 

fuselage.

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by January 3, 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 British 

Aerospace Regional Aircraft American 

Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, 

Herndon, Virginia 20171. 

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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Technical information: Todd 

Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, FAA, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 

98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–1175; 

fax (425) 227–1149. 

Plain language information: Marcia 

Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Docket Management System (DMS) 

The FAA has implemented new 

procedures for maintaining AD dockets 

electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new 

AD actions are posted on DMS and 

assigned a docket number. We track 

each action and assign a corresponding 

directorate identifier. The DMS AD 

docket number is in the form ‘‘Docket 

No. FAA–2004–99999.’’ The Transport 

Airplane Directorate identifier is in the 

form ‘‘Directorate Identifier 2004–NM–

999–AD.’’ Each DMS AD docket also 

lists the directorate identifier (‘‘Old 

Docket Number’’) as a cross-reference 

for searching purposes. 

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–

2004–19751; Directorate Identifier 

2002–NM–59–AD’’ at the beginning 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. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http://

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 our docket 

Web site, 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 the 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.

We are reviewing the writing style we 

currently use in regulatory documents. 

We are interested in your comments on 

whether the style of this document is 

clear, and your suggestions to improve 

the clarity of our communications that 

affect you. You can get more 

information about plain language at 

http://www.faa.gov/language and http://

www.plainlanguage.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