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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59304-59306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23444]

[[Page 59304]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0831; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-125-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and 
-500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of 
chaffing, arcing, and burning damage to the control cabin overhead 
wiring and ducting with smoke and fire caused by metal clamps installed 
on certain hoses. This proposed AD would require inspecting for the 
presence of metal clamps, replacing metal clamps installed on the hoses 
to the air conditioning temperature sensor, gasper air outlet, and 
diffuser on the left side of the control cabin with plastic tie straps, 
and inspecting for and repairing damaged wire bundles. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent damage to wire bundles, which could cause electrical 
arcing that could result in a fire or smoke in the control cabin of the 
airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 12, 
2013.

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: Marie Hogestad, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
phone: (425) 917-6418; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: 
marie.hogestad@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-2013-0831; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-125-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 numerous reports of incorrectly installed metal 
clamps on the hoses to the air conditioning temperature sensor, gasper 
air outlet, and diffuser on the left side of the control cabin at 
station (STA) 259.5, many of which have led to wire bundle chaffing and 
in several cases led to arcing and burning damage to the control cabin 
overhead wiring and ducting with smoke and fire. Incorrectly installed 
metal clamps, if not corrected, could cause wire bundle damage and 
electrical arcing that could result in a fire or smoke in the control 
cabin of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 737-21-1186, dated April 17, 
2012. For information on the procedures, see this service information 
at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2013-
0831.

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 identified previously, except as discussed 
under ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service 
Information.''

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information

    While Boeing Service Bulletin 737-21-1186, dated April 17, 2012 
does not specify a compliance time, this proposed AD would require 
doing the inspection and replacement within 60 months after the 
effective date of this AD.
    While Boeing Service Bulletin 737-21-1186, dated April 17, 2012, 
requires doing a general visual inspection for correct part number and 
correct installation of metal clamps, this proposed AD would require 
doing a general visual inspection to determine if any metal clamp is 
installed on the hoses to the air conditioning temperature sensor, 
gasper air outlet, and diffuser on the left side of the control cabin 
at STA 259.5.
    While Boeing Service Bulletin 737-21-1186, dated April 17, 2012, 
allows the continued use of metal clamps, this proposed AD would 
require operators to replace each metal clamp with a plastic tie strap.
    While Boeing Service Bulletin 737-21-1186, dated April 17, 2012, 
specifies to contact Boeing for instructions for certain airplanes, 
this proposed AD would require that those actions be done in one of the 
following ways:
     In accordance with a method that we approve; or
     Using data that meets the certification basis of the 
airplane, and that has been approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 
Organization

[[Page 59305]]

Designation Authorization (ODA) whom we have authorized to make those 
findings.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 426 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost           Parts cost      Cost per product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection and Replacement.......  2 work-hours x $85 per                $0  $170 per                    $72,420
                                    hour = $170 per                           replacement.
                                    replacement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
AD. We have no way of determining the number of products that may need 
these actions.

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

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):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2013-0831; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NM-125-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 12, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -
200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-21-1186, 
dated April 17, 2012.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 21, Air conditioning.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of chaffing, arcing, and burning 
damage to the control cabin overhead wiring and ducting with smoke 
and fire caused by metal clamps installed on certain hoses. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent damage to wire bundles, which could cause 
electrical arcing that could result in a fire or smoke in the 
control cabin of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection, Replacement, and Repair

    For airplanes identified in Groups 1 and 2 in Boeing Service 
Bulletin 737-21-1186, dated April 17, 2012: Within 60 months after 
the effective date of this AD, do the actions in (g)(1) and (g)(2) 
of this AD.
    (1) Do a general visual inspection to determine if any metal 
clamp is installed on the hoses to the air conditioning temperature 
sensor, gasper air outlet, and diffuser on the left side of the 
control cabin at (station) STA 259.5, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-21-1186, 
dated April 17, 2012. If any metal clamp is found installed, before 
further flight, replace each metal clamp with a plastic tie strap, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 737-21-1186, dated April 17, 2012.
    (2) Do a general visual inspection for damage to the adjacent 
wire bundles and repair any damaged wire bundles in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-21-
1186, dated April 17, 2012. Do all applicable repairs before further 
flight.

 (h) Inspection, Replacement, and Repair

    For airplanes identified in Group 3 in Boeing Service Bulletin 
737-21-1186, dated April 17, 2012: Within 60 months after the 
effective date of this AD, replace any metal clamp installed on the 
hoses to the air conditioning temperature sensor, gasper air outlet, 
and diffuser on the left side of the control cabin at STA 259.5, and 
inspect adjacent wire bundles and repair any damage, before further 
flight, using a method approved in accordance with the procedures 
specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    For all airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, no 
person may install a metal clamp on the hoses to the air 
conditioning temperature sensor, gasper air outlet, and the diffuser 
on the left side of the control cabin at STA 259.5.

(j) 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,

[[Page 59306]]

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-ANM-Seattle-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.
    (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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Marie Hogestad, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6418; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: 
marie.hogestad@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 18, 2013.
Ross Landes,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-23444 Filed 9-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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