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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 127 (Thursday, July 2, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38033-38036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16155]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1990; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-027-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 737-400 series airplanes, as modified 
by a certain supplemental type certificate. This proposed AD was 
prompted by the discovery of a design drawing error regarding placards 
that identified incorrect squibs and pressure switches for certain fire 
extinguisher bottles. This proposed AD would require a detailed 
inspection of certain cargo placards to determine if they are the 
correct placards and in the correct location, a detailed inspection of 
the harnesses to verify that they are marked and installed correctly, 
and corrective action if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect 
and correct incorrectly installed harnesses for the cargo fire 
suppression system bottles, which could result in an incorrect 
activation sequence of the bottles, the inability to suppress a cargo 
fire quickly, and a possible uncontrollable fire.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 17, 2015.

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 
Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers, 1052 SW Luttrell, Blue Springs, MO 
64015; telephone: 816-228-3322; Internet www.aae-ltd.com. You may view 
this 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1990; 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: Paul DeVore, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport 
Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-
946-4142; fax: 316-946-4107; email: paul.devore@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-2015-1990; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-027-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 a design drawing error regarding the 
placement of placards that identify the squibs and pressure switches 
for halon fire extinguisher bottles Number 1 and Number 2. Electrical 
harnesses for the cargo fire suppression system bottles may 
consequently be reversed, which would cause an incorrect activation 
sequence of the bottles, i.e., the initial high-rate ``knockdown'' 
agent discharge will not be released until after a 5-minute time delay 
rather than immediately as intended. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in an incorrect activation sequence of the bottles, the 
inability to suppress a cargo fire quickly, and a possible 
uncontrollable fire.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers Service Bulletin TFA10-
26-0020, Revision IR, dated January 12, 2015. The service information 
describes procedures for a detailed inspection of Advanced Aircraft 
Extinguishers (AAE) cargo fire protection system (FPS) placards to 
determine if they are the correct placards and in the correct location, 
and a detailed inspection of

[[Page 38034]]

the harnesses to verify that they are marked and installed correctly. 
The service information also describes corrective actions such as 
removing the existing AAE cargo FPS placards, destroying/discarding 
them, and installing AAE-provided cargo FPS placards on the mounting 
plate. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this 
NPRM.

Clarification of Service Information Procedures

    Step C.(3) of the ``SERVICE BULLETIN INSTRUCTIONS'' of Advanced 
Aircraft Extinguishers Service Bulletin TFA10-26-0020, Revision IR, 
dated January 12, 2015, does not clearly state the corrective action 
for the inspection of the harnesses. Therefore, paragraph (h) of this 
proposed AD specifies the steps in the service information that would 
be required if any harness is not marked correctly or not installed 
correctly.

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

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    While Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers Service Bulletin TFA10-26-
0020, Revision IR, dated January 12, 2015, specifies a compliance time 
of 30 days, this proposed AD would require a compliance time of 6 
months. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this AD, we 
considered the degree of urgency associated with the subject unsafe 
condition, the average utilization of the affected fleet, and the time 
necessary to perform the inspection. In light of all of these factors, 
we find that 6 months represents an appropriate interval of time for 
affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising safety. 
This difference has been coordinated with Boeing and AAE.
    The ``EFFECTIVITY'' section of Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers 
Service Bulletin TFA10-26-0020, Revision IR, dated January 12, 2015, 
lists serial number (S/N) 24132 in the ``Purchased for Installation on 
Aircraft Serial Number'' column. This is a typographical error in the 
service information. The Applicability section of this proposed AD 
correctly identifies S/N 24231.

Explanation of ``RC'' Steps in Service Information

    The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the 
Airworthiness Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee 
(ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement was a new process for 
annotating which steps in the service information are required for 
compliance with an AD. Differentiating these steps from other tasks in 
the service information is expected to improve an owner's/operator's 
understanding of crucial AD requirements and help provide consistent 
judgment in AD compliance. The steps identified as RC (required for 
compliance) in any service information identified previously have a 
direct effect on detecting, preventing, resolving, or eliminating an 
identified unsafe condition.
    For service information that contains steps that are labeled as 
Required for Compliance (RC), the following provisions apply: (1) The 
steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step and any 
figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply with the AD, 
and an AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, including 
substeps and identified figures; and (2) steps not labeled as RC may be 
deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's 
maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an 
AMOC, provided the RC steps, including substeps and identified figures, 
can still be done as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an 
airworthy condition.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 3 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Cost on
               Action                        Labor cost               Parts cost          Cost per       U.S.
                                                                                          product     operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detailed inspection.................  2 work-hours x $85 per   N/A....................         $170         $510
                                       hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary corrective 
actions 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 these corrective actions:

                           On-Condition Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Parts     Cost per
             Action                  Labor cost       cost     product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corrective actions.............  2 work-hours x        $900       $1,070
                                  $85 per hour =
                                  $170.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,

[[Page 38035]]

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-2015-1990; Directorate Identifier 
2015-NM-027-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 17, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-400 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, having serial numbers 
23865, 24231, 24706, 24474, 25417, 27003, 27149, 25375, 26281, 
28661, and 28881, as modified by Supplemental Type Certificate 
ST01114WI (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/
rgstc.nsf/0/f9490633c04cbc8286257301006ed621/$FILE/ST01114WI.pdf).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire 
Protection.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery of a design drawing error 
regarding placards that identified incorrect squibs and pressure 
switches for certain fire extinguisher bottles. We are issuing this 
AD to detect and correct incorrectly installed harnesses for the 
cargo fire suppression system bottles, which could result in an 
incorrect activation sequence of the bottles, the inability to 
suppress a cargo fire quickly, and a possible uncontrollable fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Placard Inspection

    Within 6 months after effective date of this AD, do a detailed 
inspection of Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers cargo fire protection 
system (FPS) placards to determine if they are the correct placards 
and in the correct location, and do all applicable corrective 
actions, in accordance with the ``SERVICE BULLETIN INSTRUCTIONS'' of 
Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers Service Bulletin TFA10-26-0020, 
Revision IR, dated January 12, 2015. Do all applicable corrective 
actions before further flight.

(h) Harness Inspection

    Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
detailed inspection of the harnesses to verify that they are 
correctly marked and installed, in accordance with the ``SERVICE 
BULLETIN INSTRUCTIONS'' of Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers Service 
Bulletin TFA10-26-0020, Revision IR, dated January 12, 2015. If any 
harness is not marked or installed correctly, before further flight, 
do steps C.(5) through C.(11) specified in and in accordance with 
the ``SERVICE BULLETIN INSTRUCTIONS'' of Advanced Aircraft 
Extinguishers Service Bulletin TFA10-26-0020, Revision IR, dated 
January 12, 2015, except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD.

(i) Exception to the Service Information Specification

    Where Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers Service Bulletin TFA10-26-
0020, Revision IR, dated January 12, 2015, specifies contacting the 
manufacturer for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair 
in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.

(j) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 
21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199) to operate the airplane, provided the airplane does not 
carry cargo in the lower cargo bay.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita 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 paragraph (l)(1) of this AD.
    (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) Except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD: For service 
information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for 
Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (k)(3)(i) and 
(k)(3)(ii) apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, 
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Paul C. DeVore, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, 
Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, 
Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4142; fax: 316-946-4107; email: 
paul.devore@faa.gov.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers, 1052 SW Luttrell, Blue Springs, MO 
64015; telephone: 816-228-3322; Internet www.aae-ltd.com. You may 
view this 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.

[[Page 38036]]

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 24, 2015.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-16155 Filed 7-1-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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