Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 48 / Tuesday, March 12, 2013 / Proposed Rules 15655 

willingness to bring all issues to the 

bargaining table in an attempt to reach 

a consensus, as opposed to keeping key 

issues in reserve. The second is a 

willingness to keep the issues at the 

table and not take them to other forums. 

Finally, good faith includes a 

willingness to move away from some of 

the positions often taken in a more 

traditional rulemaking process, and 

instead explore openly with other 

parties all ideas that may emerge from 

the working group’s discussions. 

E. Facilitator 

The facilitator will act as a neutral in 

the substantive development of the 

proposed standard. The facilitator’s role 

generally includes: 

• Impartially assisting the members of 

the working group in conducting 

discussions and negotiations; and 

• Impartially assisting in performing 

the duties of the Designated Federal 

Official under FACA. 

F. Department Representative 

The DOE representative will be a full 

and active participant in the consensusbuilding negotiations. The Department’s 

representative will meet regularly with 

senior Department officials, briefing 

them on the negotiations and receiving 

their suggestions and advice so that he 

or she can effectively represent the 

Department’s views regarding the issues 

before the working group. DOE’s 

representative also will ensure that the 

entire spectrum of governmental 

interests affected by the rulemaking, 

including the Office of Management and 

Budget, the Attorney General, and other 

Departmental offices, are kept informed 

of the negotiations and encouraged to 

make their concerns known in a timely 

fashion. 

G. Working Group and Schedule 

After evaluating the comments 

submitted in response to this notice of 

intent and the requests for nominations, 

DOE will inform the members of the 

working group that they have been 

selected. DOE and ASRAC plan for the 

working group to have its first meeting 

in April 2013 and have determined a 

need for an update from the working 

group on negotiation efforts by 

Wednesday, June 26, 2013, and final 

recommendations to ASRAC by Friday, 

August 30, 2013. 

At the initial working group meeting, 

DOE and ASRAC representatives on the 

working group will advise working 

group members of administrative 

matters related to the functions of the 

working group, lay out the working 

group’s scope, and confirm deadlines. 

Given the outlined scope and 

established deadlines, the working 

group will develop a work plan to 

accomplish the proposed objectives. 

While the negotiated rulemaking 

process is underway, DOE is committed 

to performing much of the same analysis 

as it would during a normal process and 

to providing information and technical 

support to the working group. 

IV. Nominations Requested 

DOE requests nominations of which 

parties should be included in a 

negotiation efforts of certification 

requirements of commercial HVAC, 

WH, and refrigeration equipment and 

suggestions of additional interests and/ 

or stakeholders that should be 

represented on the working group. 

Please include the nominee’s name, 

contact information, resume, biography, 

and any letters of support. Nominations 

must be submitted in electronic format 

via email to asrac@ee.doe.gov. 

V. Approval of the Office of the 

Secretary 

The Secretary of Energy has approved 

publication of today’s notice of 

proposed rulemaking. 

Issued in Washington, DC, on March 5, 

2013. 

Kathleen B. Hogan, 

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 

[FR Doc. 2013–05615 Filed 3–11–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0594; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–019–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, 

Inc. 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 Bombardier, Inc. Model 

DHC–8–400, –401, and –402 airplanes. 

That NPRM proposed to require an 

inspection to determine if certain 

rudder feel trim units (RFTUs) are 

installed, an operational check for signs 

of seizure of affected parts, repetitive 

lubrication for certain RFTUs, and 

replacement of the RFTU if necessary. 

Installing replaced RFTUs with 

conformal bushings would terminate the 

repetitive lubrication requirements. 

That NPRM was prompted by reports of 

movement of the rudder pedals being 

impeded due to corrosion of the 

trunnion shaft of the RFTU. This action 

revises that NPRM by reducing 

compliance times, increasing 

compliance costs, expanding affected 

parts to include additional serial 

numbers and include those parts with a 

suffix ‘A,’ and adding the condition of 

rough movement to the operational 

check. We are proposing this AD to 

detect and correct any sign of rough 

movement or seizure of the trunnion 

shaft and its bushing, which could 

cause a rudder control jam or a large 

and rapid alternating rudder input 

leading to a structural failure of the 

vertical fin. 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 proposed AD by April 26, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments 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, between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this proposed AD, contact Bombardier, 

Inc., Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 123 

Garratt Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario 

M3K 1Y5, Canada; telephone 416–375– 

4000; fax 416–375–4539; email 

thd.qseries@aero.bombardier.com; 

Internet http://www.bombardier.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. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov; or in person at the 

Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. 


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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 Operations 

office (telephone (800) 647–5527) is in 

the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 

be available in the AD docket shortly 

after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe and Mechanical Systems 

Branch, ANE–171, FAA, New York 

Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 

Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 

New York 11590; telephone (516) 228– 

7318; fax (516) 794–5531. 

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–2012–0594; Directorate Identifier 

2012–NM–019–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 based on 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 proposed to amend 14 CFR part 

39 with an earlier NPRM for the 

specified products, which was 

published in the Federal Register on 

June 12, 2012 (77 FR 34874). That 

earlier NPRM proposed to require 

actions intended to address the unsafe 

condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. 

Model DHC–8–400, –401, and –402 

airplanes. 

Since that NPRM (77 FR 34874, June 

12, 2012) was issued, we have 

determined that a reduction to the 

compliance times is needed in order to 

address the identified specified unsafe 

condition. We are reducing the 

compliance times for the inspection in 

paragraph (g) of this supplemental 

NPRM from within 600 flight hours or 

six months, whichever occurs first, to 

within 200 flight hours or two months, 

whichever occurs first after the effective 

date of this AD. We are reducing the 

compliance time for the replacement 

specified in paragraph (h) of this 

supplemental NPRM from within 6,000 

flight hours to within 5,000 flight hours 

or 3 years, whichever occurs first. We 

have also determined that it is necessary 

to increase the costs of compliance, 

expand the affected parts, and revise the 

operational check specified in the 

NPRM. The affected parts for the action 

specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) 

have been expanded in this 

supplemental NPRM to include 

additional serial numbers (S/N) 0008 

through 0509 inclusive, and to include 

those parts with suffix ‘A.’ Also, the 

operational check specified in 

paragraph (g)(2) of this supplemental 

NPRM now includes an additional 

condition of ‘‘any sign of rough 

movement.’’ 

Since the NPRM (77 FR 34874, June 

12, 2012) was issued, Transport Canada 

Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the 

aviation authority for Canada, has 

issued Canadian Airworthiness 

Directive CF–2012–02R1, dated October 

12, 2012 (referred to after this as 

Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 

Information, or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct 

an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI reduced 

compliance times, expanded the 

affected parts to include the new part 

serial numbers and parts with suffix ‘A,’ 

and added the condition of ‘‘rough 

movement’’ to the operational check. 

You may obtain further information by 

examining the MCAI in the AD docket. 

Relevant Service Information 

Bombardier has issued Service 

Bulletin 84–27–60, dated July 12, 2012. 

The actions described in this service 

information are intended to correct the 

unsafe condition identified in the 

MCAI. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

comment on the NPRM (77 FR 34874, 

June 12, 2012). The following presents 

the comments received on the NPRM 

and the FAA’s response to each 

comment. 

Request To Allow Additional 

Replacement Units 

Horizon Air (Horizon) requested that 

we add units with suffix ‘B,’ in addition 

to units with suffix ‘A,’ to the RFTUs 

allowed as replacement parts in 

paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of the NPRM 

(77 FR 34874, June 12, 2012). Horizon 

stated that Parker Aerospace, which 

manufacturers RFTU part number (P/N) 

399500–1007, has since issued Parker 

Aerospace Service Bulletin 399500–27– 

003, dated April 19, 2012, which 

introduced an additional modification 

for RFTU (S/Ns) 0009 through 0388 

inclusive. Horizon noted RFTUs 

modified by that service bulletin are 

identified by a suffix ‘B’ to the unit 

serial number. Horizon stated the 

addition of units with suffix ‘B’’ would 

allow operators that have taken actions 

to incorporate Parker Aerospace Service 

Bulletin 399500–27–003, dated April 

19, 2012, suffix ‘B’ units into their fleet, 

to be in compliance with the NPRM and 

to keep operators from having to request 

an alternative means of compliance 

(AMOC) to keep suffix ‘B’ units in 

service once the final rule is issued. 

We partially agree with the 

commenter. This supplemental NPRM 

does allow installation of units with 

suffix ‘B.’ However, as stated 

previously, units with suffix ‘A,’ are 

now affected parts and this 

supplemental NPRM would not allow 

installations of units with suffix ‘A.’ We 

have changed paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) 

of this supplemental NPRM to include 

the addition of units with suffix ‘B.’ 

Request To Revise Paragraph (g)(2)(i) of 

the NPRM (77 FR 34874, June 12, 2012) 

Horizon requested that we revise 

paragraph (g)(2)(i) of the NPRM (77 FR 

34874, June 12, 2012) to allow installing 

serviceable RFTUs and RFTUs having 

suffix ‘B.’ Horizon added that paragraph 

(g)(2)(i) of the NPRM requires ‘‘replacing 

the RFTU with a new RFTU.’’ Horizon 

stated that the word ‘new’ implies a 

zero-time unit that is new from the 

manufacturer, and that operators should 

not be required to purchase a new unit 

to meet the requirements of paragraph 

(g)(2)(i) of the NPRM when a serviceable 

RFTU outside the serial number range, 

or that has a serial number with a suffix 

‘A,’ would address the unsafe condition. 

Horizon pointed out that requiring use 

of a new unit since it adds an additional 

financial cost that is unnecessary to 

address the unsafe condition. 

We agree. We have revised paragraph 

(g)(2)(i) of this supplemental NPRM to 

specify replacing RFTUs with new or 

serviceable RFTUs, which includes 

those with suffix ‘B.’ 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of This Proposed AD 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 

country, and is approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to our 

bilateral agreement with the State of 

Design Authority, we have been notified 

of the unsafe condition described in the 

MCAI and service information 

referenced above. We are proposing this 

AD because we evaluated all pertinent 

information and determined an unsafe 

condition exists and is likely to exist or 


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develop on other products of the same 

type design. 

Certain changes described above 

expand the scope of the earlier NPRM 

(77 FR 34874, June 12, 2012). 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 proposed 

AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

Based on the service information, we 

estimate that this proposed AD would 

affect about 83 products of U.S. registry. 

We also estimate that it would take 

about 5 work-hours per product to 

comply with the basic requirements of 

this proposed AD. The average labor 

rate is $85 per work-hour. Required 

parts would cost about $0 per product. 

Where the service information lists 

required parts costs that are covered 

under warranty, we have assumed that 

there will be no charge for these parts. 

As we do not control warranty coverage 

for affected parties, some parties may 

incur costs higher than estimated here. 

Based on these figures, we estimate the 

cost of the proposed AD on U.S. 

operators to be $35,275, or $425 per 

product. 

In addition, we estimate that any 

necessary follow-on actions would take 

about 17 work-hours and require parts 

costing $0, for a cost of $1,445 per 

product. 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. 

We prepared a regulatory evaluation 

of the estimated costs to comply with 

this proposed AD and placed it in the 

AD docket. 

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 AD: 

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA–2012– 

0594; Directorate Identifier 2012–NM– 

019–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by April 26, 

2013. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model 

DHC–8–400, -401, and -402 airplanes; 

certificated in any category; serial numbers 

(S/N) 4001, 4003 and subsequent, equipped 

with rudder feel trim unit (RFTU) part 

number (P/N) 399500–1007. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 27: Flight Controls. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

movement of the rudder pedals being 

impeded due to corrosion of the trunnion 

shaft of the RFTU. We are issuing this AD to 

detect and correct any sign of rough 

movement or seizure of the trunnion shaft 

and its bushing, which could cause a rudder 

control jam or a large and rapid alternating 

rudder input leading to a structural failure of 

the vertical fin. 

(f) Compliance 

You are responsible for having the actions 

required by this AD performed within the 

compliance times specified, unless the 

actions have already been done. 

(g) Inspection, Replacement, and Lubrication 

Within 200 flight hours or two months 

after the effective date of this AD whichever 

occurs first: Inspect the RTFU to determine 

whether the serial number is in the range 

from S/N 0008 through 0509 inclusive 

without a suffix ‘B,’ in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 

Service Bulletin 84–27–60, dated July 12, 

2012. A review of airplane maintenance 

records is acceptable in lieu of this 

inspection if the serial number of the RFTU 

can be conclusively determined from that 

review. 

(1) If the RFTU’s serial number is not in 

the range from S/N 0008 through 0509 

inclusive, or if the serial number has a suffix 

‘B,’ no further action is required for this 

paragraph. 

(2) If the RFTU’s serial number is in the 

range from (S/N) 0008 through 0509 

inclusive, including those with a suffix ‘A,’ 

but not including those with suffix ‘B’: Before 

further flight, perform an operational check 

of the RFTU for any sign of rough movement 

or seizure of the trunnion or center shaft, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 

84–27–60, dated July 12, 2012. 

(i) If rough movement or seizure of the 

RFTU trunnion or center shaft is found: 

Before further flight, replace the RFTU with 

a new or serviceable RFTU, in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Bombardier Service Bulletin 84–27–60, dated 

July 12, 2012. 

(ii) If no rough movement or seizure of the 

RFTU trunnion or center shaft is found: 

Before further flight, lubricate the RFTU, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 

84–27–60, dated July 12, 2012. Repeat the 

lubrication of the RFTU at intervals not to 

exceed 600 flight hours or 3 months, 

whichever occurs first, until the RFTU is 

replaced with a unit that has a serial number 

outside the affected range or a serial number 

with a suffix ‘B.’ 

(h) Replacement 

For airplanes having an RFTU identified in 

paragraph (g)(2) of this AD: Except as 

required by paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD, 

within 5,000 flight hours or 3 years after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 

first, replace all affected RFTUs with units 

that have a serial number outside the range 

from S/Ns 0008 through 0509 inclusive, or 


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that have a serial number with a suffix ‘B,’ 

in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 

84–27–60, dated July 12, 2012. 

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition 

As of the effective date of this AD, no 

person may install an RFTU P/N 399500– 

1007 with a serial number from (S/N) 0008 

through 0509 inclusive, including serial 

numbers with suffix ‘A,’ on any airplane, 

except RFTUs that have a serial number with 

suffix ‘B,’ may be installed. 

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, New York Aircraft 

Certification Office (ACO), ANE–170, 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 ACO, send it to ATTN: 

Program Manager, Continuing Operational 

Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart 

Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 

11590; telephone 516–228–7300; fax 516– 

794–5531. 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 FAAapproved 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. 

(k) Related Information 

(1) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness 

Directive CF–2012–02R1, dated October 12, 

2012; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 84– 

27–60, dated July 12, 2012; for related 

information. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., Q-Series 

Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt Boulevard, 

Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; 

telephone 416–375–4000; fax 416–375–4539; 

email thd.qseries@aero.bombardier.com; 

Internet http://www.bombardier.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 

28, 2013. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–05597 Filed 3–11–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0206; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–068–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 all The 

Boeing Company Model 727 airplanes. 

This proposed AD was prompted by 

reports of spanwise cracks and 

corrosion in the wing center box upper 

skin and rear spar upper chord between 

left buttock line (LBL) 70.50 and right 

buttock line (RBL) 70.50 at body station 

(STA) 870. This proposed AD would 

require repetitive inspections of the 

wing center box for cracking around 

certain fastener rows on the rear spar 

upper chord horizontal flange; for 

certain airplanes, repetitive inspections 

for cracking of the rear spar upper chord 

radius; for certain other airplanes, 

repetitive inspections for damage, 

cracking, and corrosion of the pressure 

seal; and repair if necessary. We are 

proposing this AD to detect and correct 

cracking and corrosion of the upper skin 

and rear spar upper chord of the wing 

center box, which could result in loss of 

the airplane wing and consequent loss 

of control of the airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by April 26, 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, 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 Ave 

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; 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: 

Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 

98057–3356; phone: (425) 917–6577; 

fax: (425) 917–6590; email: 

berhane.alazar@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– 

2013–0206; Directorate Identifier 2012– 

NM–068–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 reports of spanwise 

cracks and corrosion in the wing center 

box upper skin and rear spar upper 

chord between LBL 70.50 and RBL 

70.50 at STA 870. The crack sizes 

ranged from 0.125 inches to 12 inches. 

The airplanes had accumulated between 

31,679 and 61,359 total flight hours and 

between 17,754 and 58,796 total flight 


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