15638 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 52 / Friday, March 16, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

(4) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–28–1154, 

Revision 01, dated April 7, 2008. 

(i) Parts Installation 

As of the effective date of this AD, no 

person may install an off-wing slide release 

cable having P/N L32A319–160–001 on any 

airplane. 

(j) Credit for Previous Actions 

This paragraph provides credit for the 

actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 

if installation of off-wing slide release cables 

having P/N L32A320–180 was done before 

the effective date of this AD using the 

applicable service bulletin identified in 

paragraph (j)(1) through (j)(6) of this AD. 

(1) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–53–1227, 

dated March 24, 2010. 

(2) Airbus Service BulletinA320–28–1132, 

dated October 13, 2004. 

(3) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–28–1132, 

Revision 01, dated October 12, 2006. 

(4) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–28–1132, 

Revision 02, dated November 12, 2008. 

(5) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–28–1132, 

Revision 03, dated October 5, 2009. 

(6) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–28–1145, 

dated February 28, 2006. 

(k) Exception 

Provided that off-wing slide release cables 

have not been replaced with a slide release 

cable having P/N L32A319–160–001, 

airplanes having Airbus modification 

150811, 26138, 37856, or 39673 installed in 

production are acceptable for compliance 

with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this 

AD. 

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, FAA, has the authority to 

approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 

request to your principal inspector or local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: 

Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057– 

3356; telephone (425) 227–1405; fax (425) 

227–1149. Information may be emailed to: 

9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 

Before using any approved AMOC, notify 

your appropriate principal inspector, or 

lacking a principal inspector, the manager of 

the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. The AMOC 

approval letter must specifically reference 

this AD. 

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement 

in this AD to obtain corrective actions from 

a manufacturer or other source, use these 

actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective 

actions are considered FAA-approved if they 

are approved by the State of Design Authority 

(or their delegated agent). You are required 

to assure the product is airworthy before it 

is returned to service. 

(m) Related Information 

Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA) Airworthiness Directive 

2011–0015, dated January 31, 2011; and the 

service information specified in paragraphs 

(m)(1) through (m)(5) of this AD; for related 

information: 

(1) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–28–1118, 

Revision 03, including Appendix 1, dated 

May 12, 2009. 

(2) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–28–1132, 

Revision 04, including Appendices 1 and 2, 

dated February 1, 2010. 

(3) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–28–1145, 

Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated 

April 27, 2007. 

(4) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–28–1154, 

Revision 01, dated April 7, 2008. 

(5) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–53–1227, 

Revision 01, dated May 31, 2010. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 1, 

2012. 

Jeffrey E. Duven, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–6465 Filed 3–15–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2009–0288; Directorate 

Identifier 2008–NM–214–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Supplemental notice of 

proposed rulemaking (NPRM); 

reopening of comment period. 

SUMMARY: We are revising an earlier 

proposed airworthiness directive (AD) 

for certain The Boeing Company Model 

737–600, –700, –700C, –800, –900 and 

–900ER series airplanes. That NPRM 

proposed to require modifying the fluid 

drain path in the wing leading edge 

area, forward of the wing front spar, and 

doing all applicable related investigative 

and corrective actions. That NPRM was 

prompted by a report of leaking fuel 

from the wing leading edge area at the 

inboard end of the number 5 leading 

edge slat. This action revises that NPRM 

by including installing new seal disks 

on the latches in the fuel shutoff valve 

access door as part of the modification 

and by specifying that certain 

inspections are detailed inspections. 

This action also revises the applicability 

to include additional airplanes. We are 

proposing this AD to prevent flammable 

fluids from accumulating in the wing 

leading edge, and draining inboard and 

onto the engine exhaust nozzle, which 

could result in a fire. Since these actions 

impose an additional burden over that 

proposed in the NPRM, we are 

reopening the comment period to allow 

the public the chance to comment on 

these proposed changes. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this supplemental NPRM by April 30, 

2012. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, 

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

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this proposed 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; email 

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 proposed AD (74 

FR 15683, April 7, 2009), the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

the Docket Office (phone: 800–647– 

5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 

Comments will be available in the AD 

docket shortly after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Chris Parker, Aerospace Engineer, 

Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 52 / Friday, March 16, 2012 / Proposed Rules 15639 

Washington 98057–3356; phone: 425– 

917–6496; fax: 425–917–6590; email: 

chris.r.parker@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposed AD. Send your comments 

to an address listed under the 

ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2009–0288; Directorate Identifier 

2008–NM–214–AD’’ at the beginning of 

your comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this proposed AD. We will 

consider all comments received by the 

closing date and may amend this 

proposed AD because of those 

comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http://

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. We 

will also post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact we receive 

about this proposed AD. 

Discussion 

We issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to Model 737–600, –700, –700C, 

–800, –900 and –900ER series airplanes. 

That NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on April 7, 2009 (74 FR 15683). 

That NPRM proposed to require 

modifying the fluid drain path in the 

wing leading edge area, forward of the 

wing front spar, and doing all applicable 

related investigative and corrective 

actions. 

Actions Since Previous NPRM Was 

Issued 

Since we issued the previous NPRM 

(74 FR 15683, April 7, 2009), Boeing 

issued Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 737–57–1293, Revision 2, dated 

September 28, 2011, to add actions to 

the modification of the fluid drain path 

in the wing leading edge area, forward 

of the wing front spar. The additional 

actions are installing new seal disks on 

the latches in the fuel shutoff valve 

access door. Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 737–57–1293, Revision 

2, dated September 28, 2011, also adds 

airplanes with line numbers 2438 

through 3833 inclusive to the effectivity. 

The service information also changed 

the general visual inspection of the 

countersink diameter for the bonding 

jumper fastener hole to a detailed 

inspection. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

comment on the previous NPRM (74 FR 

15683, April 7, 2009). The following 

presents the comments received on the 

NPRM and the FAA’s response to each 

comment. 

Request To Extend Compliance Time 

Air Transport Association, on behalf 

of its members American Airlines (AAL) 

and AirTran Airways, requested that we 

extend the compliance time of the 

proposed AD (74 FR 15683, April 7, 

2009). AAL requested that the proposed 

compliance time of 24 months be 

changed to 72 months. AAL stated that 

the proposed compliance time of 24 

months does not integrate into the 

current operator maintenance program 

without significant aircraft maintenance 

planning adjustments and additional 

costs. AAL stated that a 72-month 

compliance time would fit within the 

maintenance review board heavy Ccheck schedule. 

We do not agree with the commenter’s 

request to extend the compliance time. 

Extending the compliance time to 72 

months would result in an unacceptable 

level of risk for the Model 737–600, 

–700, –700C, –800, –900, and –900ER 

fleet. We have determined that the 

compliance time of 24 months 

represents the maximum interval of 

time allowable for the affected airplanes 

to continue to safely operate before the 

modification is done. Under the 

provisions of paragraph (h) of this 

supplemental NPRM, however, we may 

consider requests for adjustments to the 

compliance time if data are submitted to 

substantiate that such an adjustment 

would provide an acceptable level of 

safety. We have not changed the 

supplemental NPRM in this regard. 

Request To Refer to Revised Service 

Bulletin 

Boeing and the Air Transport 

Association, on behalf of its member 

AAL, requested that we refer to Boeing 

Special Attention Service Bulletin 737– 

57–1293, Revision 1, dated January 11, 

2010, in order to incorporate new 

changes and to prevent issuance of 

alternative methods of compliance 

(AMOC). 

We disagree with the request to refer 

to Boeing Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 737–57–1293, Revision 1, dated 

January 11, 2010. Since the date of the 

commenters’ requests, Boeing has 

issued Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 737–57–1293, Revision 2, dated 

September 28, 2011 (described 

previously), which adds more new 

changes. We have changed paragraphs 

(c) and (g) of this supplemental NPRM 

to refer to Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 737–57–1293, Revision 

2, dated September 28, 2011. 

FAA’s Determination 

We are proposing this supplemental 

NPRM because we evaluated all the 

relevant information and determined 

the unsafe condition described 

previously is likely to exist or develop 

in other products of these same type 

designs. Certain changes described 

above expand the scope of the original 

NPRM (74 FR 15683, April 7, 2009). As 

a result, we have determined that it is 

necessary to reopen the comment period 

to provide additional opportunity for 

the public to comment on this 

supplemental NPRM. 

Proposed Requirements of the 

Supplemental NPRM 

This supplemental NPRM would 

require accomplishing the actions 

specified in the service information 

described previously. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 1,072 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Modification, Group 1 (734 airplanes) .................... 50 work-hours × $85 per hour = $4,250 $1,262 $5,512 $4,045,808 

Modification, Group 2 (58 airplanes) ...................... 27 work-hours × $85 per hour = $2,295 1,262 3,557 206,306 

Modification, Group 3 (280 airplanes) .................... 3 work-hours × $85 per hour = $255 ..... 94 349 97,720 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
15640 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 52 / Friday, March 16, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

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 

We 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 this 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), 

(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. 

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 adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 

2009–0288; Directorate Identifier 2008– 

NM–214–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by April 30, 

2012. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

Model 737–600, –700, –700C, –800, –900 and 

–900ER series airplanes, certificated in any 

category, as identified in Boeing Special 

Attention Service Bulletin 737–57–1293, 

Revision 2, dated September 28, 2011. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 57, Wings. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of 

leaking fuel from the wing leading edge area 

at the inboard end of the number 5 leading 

edge slat. We are issuing this AD to prevent 

flammable fluids from accumulating in the 

wing leading edge, and draining inboard and 

onto the engine exhaust nozzle, which could 

result in a fire. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Modification 

Within 24 months after the effective date 

of this AD, modify the fluid drain path in the 

wing leading edge area, forward of the wing 

front spar, and do all applicable related 

investigative and corrective actions, by 

accomplishing all applicable actions 

specified in the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 737–57–1293, Revision 2, 

dated September 28, 2011. Do all applicable 

related investigative and corrective actions 

before further flight. 

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft 

Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to 

approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 

request to your principal inspector or local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 

attention of the person identified in the 

Related Information section of this AD. 

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

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. 

(i) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Chris R. Parker, Aerospace Engineer, 

Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA, Seattle 

Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057– 

3356; phone: 425–917–6496; fax: 425–917– 

6590; email: chris.r.parker@faa.gov. 

(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; email 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. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 

23, 2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–6468 Filed 3–15–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–0036; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–NM–077–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Supplemental notice of 

proposed rulemaking (NPRM); 

reopening of comment period. 

SUMMARY: We are revising an earlier 

proposed airworthiness directive (AD) 

for certain The Boeing Company Model 

737–200, –200C, –300, –400, and –500 

series airplanes. That NPRM proposed 

to require inspections for cracking and 

corrosion under the number 3 very high 

frequency (VHF) antenna, and corrective 

actions if necessary; and, for certain 

airplanes, replacing bonded skin panels 

with solid skin panels if not previously 

accomplished. That NPRM was 

prompted by reports of cracks in the 

skin and surrounding structure under 

the number 3 VHF antenna on the lower 

external surface of the airplane at 

buttock line 0.0, aft of the main landing 

gear wheel well. This action revises that 

NPRM by adding an optional preventive 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS