61548 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 10, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

Boeing Commercial Airplanes 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. 

(4) AMOCs approved previously in 

accordance with ADs 2000–25–07, 

Amendment 39–12041 (65 FR 78913, 

December 18, 2000); and 2002–05–07, 

Amendment 39–12675 (67 FR 11891, March 

18, 2002); are approved as AMOCs for the 

corresponding requirements of this AD. 

(z) Related Information 

(1) 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, WA 98057–3356; 

phone: 425–917–6440; fax: 425–917–6590; 

email: nancy.marsh@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, WA 98124–2207; telephone 206– 

544–5000, extension 1; fax 206–766–5680; 

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, 

WA. For information on the availability of 

this material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

September 27, 2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–24809 Filed 10–9–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–1041; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–272–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

The Boeing Company Model 727 

airplanes; Model 737–100, –200, and 

–200C series airplanes; and Model 747– 

100, –100B, –100B SUD, –200B, –200C, 

–200F, –300, –400, –400D, –400F, 

747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. This 

proposed AD was prompted by a report 

of an activation of the control column 

shaker during takeoff. This proposed AD 

would require performing a general 

visual inspection to determine if a 

certain angle of attack (AOA) sensor 

with a paddle type vane is installed, 

and, for affected sensors, performing an 

operational test of the stall warning 

system, and replacing the AOA sensor 

with a new sensor if necessary. We are 

proposing this AD to prevent erroneous 

activation of the control column shaker 

during takeoff, which could result in 

runway overrun, failure to clear terrain 

or obstacles after takeoff, or reduced 

controllability of the airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by November 26, 

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: Deliver to Mail 

address above 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; 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, 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: Ray 

Mei, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and 

Equipment Branch, ANM–130S, Seattle 

Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1601 

Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057– 

3356; phone: 425–917–6467; fax: 425– 

917–6590; email: raymont.mei@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposal. Send your comments to 

an address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 

2012–1041; Directorate Identifier 2011– 

NM–272–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 have received a report of an 

erroneous activation of the control 

column shaker during takeoff of a Model 

747–400 airplane. The control column 

shaker activation continued while the 

airplane was in flight, and engineindicating and crew-alerting system 

(EICAS) messages ALT DISAGREE and 

IAS DISAGREE displayed. The 

flightcrew used the alternate air data 

computer (left ADC) and the altitude 

and airspeed indications cancelled. 

After landing, the right ADC was 

replaced. On the subsequent flight the 

control column shaker operated again at 

takeoff and the flightcrew had to do a 

rejected takeoff (RTO). Troubleshooting 

steps found that the right AOA sensor 

was unserviceable. Inspection of the 

AOA sensors showed that the set screw 

connected to the synchro transmitter 

was not correctly attached to the AOA 

sensor shaft. Certain Model 727 and 737 

airplanes also use Conrac/Ametek/ 

Gulton AOA sensors that are equivalent 

in design and construction to the 

defective AOA sensor on the Model 

747–400 airplane. This condition, if not 

corrected, could result in runway 

overrun, failure to clear terrain or 

obstacles after takeoff, or reduced 

controllability of the airplane. 

Relevant Service Information 

We reviewed the following service 

information: 

• Boeing Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 727–34–0245, dated June 4, 

2008 (for Model airplanes); 


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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 10, 2012 / Proposed Rules 61549 

• Boeing Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 737–34–2102, dated June 5, 

2008 (for Model 737–100, –200, and 

–200C series airplanes); and 

• Boeing Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 747–34–2925, dated June 4, 

2008 (for Model 747–100, –100B, –100B 

SUD, –200B, –200C, –200F, –300, –400, 

–400D, –400F, 747SR, and 747SP series 

airplanes). 

The service information describes 

procedures for performing a general 

visual inspection to determine if a 

certain AOA sensor with a paddle type 

vane is installed; and performing an 

operational test, and replacing the AOA 

sensor with a new sensor if necessary. 

FAA’s Determination 

We are proposing this AD because we 

evaluated all the relevant information 

and determined the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop in other products of the same 

type design. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information described 

previously. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 1,013 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 

Inspection ........................................................ 3 work-hours × $85 per hour = $255 ............. $0 $255 $258,315 

We estimate the following costs to do 

any necessary replacements that would 

be required based on the results of the 

proposed inspection. We have no way of 

determining the number of aircraft that 

might need this replacement: 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Replacement .................................. Up to 2 work-hours × $85 per 

hour = $170.

Up to $36,552 ............................... Up to $36,722. 

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– 

2012–1041; Directorate Identifier 2011– 

NM–272–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by November 

26, 2012. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

series airplanes, certificated in any category, 

as specified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and 

(c)(3) of this AD. 

(1) Model 727, 727C, –100, –100C, –200, 

and –200F series airplanes, identified in 

Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 

727–34–0245, dated June 4, 2008. 

(2) Model 737–100, –200, and –200C series 

airplanes, identified in Boeing Special 

Attention Service Bulletin 737–34–2102, 

dated June 5, 2008. 

(3) Model 747–100, –100B, –100B SUD, 

–200B, –200C, –200F, –300, –400, –400D, 

–400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, 

identified in Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 747–34–2925, dated June 4, 

2008. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 3418, Stall Warning System. 


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61550 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 10, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of an 

erroneous activation of the control column 

shaker during takeoff. We are issuing this AD 

to prevent erroneous activation of the control 

column shaker during takeoff, which could 

result in runway overrun, failure to clear 

terrain or obstacles after takeoff, or reduced 

controllability of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Inspection 

Within 36 months after the effective date 

of this AD: Do a general visual inspection of 

the left and right angle of attack (AOA) 

sensor as applicable, to determine if a certain 

AOA sensor with a paddle type vane is 

installed, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of the 

applicable service information specified in 

paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD. 

(1) Boeing Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 727–34–0245, dated June 4, 2008 

(for Model 727 airplanes). 

(2) Boeing Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 737–34–2102, dated June 5, 2008 

(for Model 737–100, –200, and –200C series 

airplanes). 

(3) Boeing Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 747–34–2925, dated June 4, 2008 

(for Model 747–100, –100B, –100B SUD, 

–200B, –200C, –200F, –300, –400, –400D, 

–400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes). 

(h) Operational Test and Replacement 

If, during the inspection required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD, an AOA sensor with 

a paddle type vane is installed: Before further 

flight, do an operational test of the stall 

warning system, in accordance with Part 2 of 

the Accomplishment Instructions of the 

applicable service information specified in 

paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD. 

(1) For group 2 airplanes identified in 

Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 

747–34–2925, dated June 4, 2008: If you 

cannot get the values given in the table 

specified in Part 2 of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 747–34–2925, dated June 4, 

2008, before further flight, replace the AOA 

sensor, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 

Special Attention Service Bulletin 747–34– 

2925, dated June 4, 2008. 

(2) For all airplanes, except those 

identified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD: If 

the AOA sensor fails to activate the control 

column shaker in the operational test, replace 

the AOA sensor with a new AOA sensor, in 

accordance with Part 3 of the 

Accomplishment Instructions of the 

applicable service information specified in 

paragraph (h)(2)(i), (h)(2)(ii), or (h)(2)(iii) of 

this AD. 

(i) Boeing Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 727–34–0245, dated June 4, 2008 

(for Model 727 airplanes). 

(ii) Boeing Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 737–34–2102, dated June 5, 2008 

(for Model 737–100, –200, and –200C series 

airplanes). 

(iii) Boeing Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 747–34–2925, dated June 4, 2008 

(for Model 747–100, –100B, –100B SUD, 

–200B, –200C, –200F, –300, –400, –400D, 

–400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes). 

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(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. 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. 

(j) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Ray Mei, Aerospace Engineer, 

Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM–130S, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057– 

3356; phone: (425) 917–6467; fax: (425) 917– 

6590; email: raymont.mei@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; 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 

September 26, 2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–24807 Filed 10–9–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–0155; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–NM–141–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 Model 737–200, –200C, –300, 

–400, and –500 series airplanes. That 

proposed AD would have superseded an 

existing AD that applies to certain The 

Boeing Company Model 737–200, 

–200C, –300, –400, and –500 series 

airplanes. The existing AD currently 

requires repetitive inspections to find 

fatigue cracking of certain upper and 

lower skin panels of the fuselage, and 

follow-on and corrective actions if 

necessary. The existing AD also 

includes a terminating action for the 

repetitive inspections of certain 

modified or repaired areas only. That 

NPRM proposed to add new inspections 

for cracking of the fuselage skin along 

certain chem-milled lines, and 

corrective actions if necessary. That 

NPRM also proposed to reduce certain 

thresholds and intervals required by the 

existing AD. This action revises that 

NPRM by reducing the proposed 

repetitive inspection intervals. We are 

proposing this supplemental NPRM to 

detect and correct fatigue cracking of the 

skin panels, which could result in 

sudden fracture and failure of the skin 

panels of the fuselage, and consequent 

rapid decompression of the airplane. 

Since these actions impose an 

additional burden over that proposed in 

the previous 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 November 

26, 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, 


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