71534 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 226 / Wednesday, November 24, 2010 / Rules and Regulations 

3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 

90712, telephone (562) 627–5348, fax (562) 

627–5210 (regarding Model R22 helicopters); 

or ATTN: Fred Guerin, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, telephone (562) 627–5232, fax 

(562) 627–5210 (regarding Model R44 

helicopters) for information about previously 

approved alternative methods of compliance. 

(d) The Joint Aircraft System/Component 

(JASC) Code is 6720: Tail Rotor Control 

System. 

(e) The inspection and modification shall 

be done in accordance with the specified 

portions of Robinson Helicopter Company 

Service Bulletin SB–97 or SB–63, both dated 

February 22, 2008. The Director of the 

Federal Register approved this incorporation 

by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 

obtained from Robinson Helicopter 

Company, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, 

California 90505, telephone (310) 539–0508, 

fax (310) 539–5198. Copies may be inspected 

at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 

Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 

Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas or 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. 

(f) This amendment becomes effective on 

December 29, 2010. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 

10, 2010. 

Kim Smith, 

Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 

Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2010–29203 Filed 11–23–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–0764; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–NM–260–AD; Amendment 

39–16519; AD 2010–24–01] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Model 737–900ER Series 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This AD requires 

doing a one-time general visual 

inspection for a keyway in two fuel tank 

access door cutouts, and related 

investigative and corrective actions if 

necessary. This AD was prompted by 

reports of cracks emanating from the 

keyway of the fuel tank access hole. We 

are issuing this AD to detect and correct 

such cracking, which could result in the 

loss of the lower wing skin load path 

and consequent structural failure of the 

wing. 

DATES: This AD is effective December 

29, 2010. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in the AD 

as of December 29, 2010. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this AD, contact Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data 

& Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, 

MC 2H–65, Seattle, Washington 98124– 

2207; telephone 206–544–5000, 

extension 1; fax 206–766–5680; e-mail 

me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet 

https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You 

may review copies of the referenced 

service information at the FAA, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. 

For information on the availability of 

this material at the FAA, call 425–227– 

1221. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov; or in person at the 

Docket Management Facility between 

9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 

docket contains this AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The address for the 

Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is 

Document Management Facility, U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Docket 

Operations, M–30, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, 

DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Nancy Marsh, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; telephone 

(425) 917–6440; fax (425) 917–6590; 

e-mail: nancy.marsh@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an airworthiness 

directive (AD) that would apply to the 

specified products. That NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

August 10, 2010 (75 FR 48281). That 

NPRM proposed to require a general 

visual inspection for a keyway in the 

fuel tank access door cutout on the left 

and right wings, and related 

investigative and corrective actions if 

necessary. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

have considered the comments received. 

The Boeing Company supports the 

NPRM. Continental Airlines submitted 

information to make a comment, but no 

specific comment on the NPRM or 

request to change it. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

as proposed. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 30 

airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate 

that it will take 3 work-hours per 

product to comply with this AD. The 

average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. 

Based on these figures, we estimate the 

cost of the AD to the U.S. operators to 

be $7,650, or $255 per product. 

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 

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), 


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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 226 / Wednesday, November 24, 2010 / Rules and Regulations 71535 

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation 

in Alaska, and 

(4) 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. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

■ Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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 adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

2010–24–01 The Boeing Company: 

Amendment 39–16519; Docket No. 

FAA–2010–0764; Directorate Identifier 

2009–NM–260–AD. 

Effective Date 

(a) This AD is effective December 29, 2010. 

Affected ADs 

(b) None. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to The Boeing 

Company Model 737–900ER series airplanes, 

certificated in any category, as identified in 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737–57A1308, 

Revision 1, dated October 1, 2009. 

Subject 

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 57: Wings. 

Unsafe Condition 

(e) This AD results from reports of cracks 

emanating from the keyway of the fuel tank 

access hole. The Federal Aviation 

Administration is issuing this AD to detect 

and correct such cracking, which could result 

in the loss of the lower wing skin load path 

and consequent structural failure of the wing. 

Compliance 

(f) You are responsible for having the 

actions required by this AD performed within 

the compliance times specified, unless the 

actions have already been done. 

Inspection 

(g) Before the accumulation of 7,500 total 

flight cycles, or within 1,000 flight cycles 

after the effective date of this AD, whichever 

occurs later, do a one-time general visual 

inspection for a keyway in the fuel tank 

access door cutouts 531BB and 631BB, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

737–57A1308, Revision 1, dated October 1, 

2009 (‘‘the service bulletin’’). 

Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a 

general visual inspection is: ‘‘A visual 

examination of an interior or exterior area, 

installation, or assembly to detect obvious 

damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of 

inspection is made from within touching 

distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror 

may be necessary to ensure visual access to 

all surfaces in the inspection area. This level 

of inspection is made under normally 

available lighting conditions such as 

daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 

droplight and may require removal or 

opening of access panels or doors. Stands, 

ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 

proximity to the area being checked.’’ 

(1) If both access door cutouts do not have 

a keyway, no further action is required by 

this AD. 

(2) If any access door has a keyway, before 

the accumulation of 7,500 total flight cycles, 

or within 1,000 flight cycles after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 

later, do a high frequency eddy current 

(HFEC) inspection for cracking of the 

keyway, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of the service 

bulletin. 

(i) If no cracking is found during the HFEC 

inspection, before further flight, modify the 

profile of the keyway of the fuel tank access 

door cutout, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of the service 

bulletin. 

(ii) If any cracking is found and the crack 

is 0.030 inch or less in length, before further 

flight repair the keyway, in accordance with 

the Accomplishment Instructions of the 

service bulletin. 

(iii) If any cracking is found and the crack 

is greater than 0.030 inch in length, before 

further flight, repair the crack using a method 

approved in accordance with the procedures 

specified in paragraph (h) of this AD. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft 

Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the 

authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 

requested using the procedures found in 14 

CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: 

Nancy Marsh, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe 

Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 

Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 

Renton, Washington 98057–3356; telephone 

(425) 917–6440; fax (425) 917–6590. 

Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. 

(2) To request a different method of 

compliance or a different compliance time 

for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 

39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on 

any airplane to which the AMOC applies, 

notify your principal maintenance inspector 

(PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), 

as appropriate, or lacking a principal 

inspector, your local Flight Standards District 

Office. The AMOC approval letter must 

specifically reference this AD. 

(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable 

level of safety may be used for any repair 

required by this AD if it is approved by the 

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization 

Designation Authorization (ODA) that has 

been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO 

to make those findings. For a repair method 

to be approved, the repair must meet the 

certification basis of the airplane, and the 

approval must specifically refer to this AD. 

Related Information 

(i) For more information about this AD, 

contact Nancy Marsh, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle 

Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057– 

3356; telephone (425) 917–6440; fax (425) 

917–6590; e-mail nancy.marsh@faa.gov. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

(j) You must use the Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 737–57A1308, Revision 1, dated 

October 1, 2009, to do the actions required 

by this AD, unless the AD specifies 

otherwise. 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

this service information under 5 U.S.C. 

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Boeing Commercial 

Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 

Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65, 

Seattle, Washington 98124–2207; telephone 

206–544–5000, extension 1; fax 206–766– 

5680; e-mail me.boecom@boeing.com; 

Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. 

(3) You may review copies of the service 

information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 

Washington. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

425–227–1221. 

(4) You may also review copies of the 

service information that is incorporated by 

reference at the National Archives and 

Records Administration (NARA). For 

information on the availability of this 

material at an NARA facility, call 202–741– 

6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/

federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/

ibr_locations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

November 5, 2010. 

Jeffrey E. Duven, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2010–28936 Filed 11–23–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


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