This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains regulatory documents having general

applicability and legal effect, most of which

are keyed to and codified in the Code of

Federal Regulations, which is published under

50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by

the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of

new books are listed in the first FEDERAL

REGISTER issue of each week.

Rules and Regulations Federal Register

20733

Vol. 66, No. 80

Wednesday, April 25, 2001

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001–NM–94–AD; Amendment

39–12201; AD 2001–08–24]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing

Model 737 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to all Boeing Model 737

series airplanes. This action requires

revising the Airplane Flight Manual to

prohibit extended dry operation of the

center tank fuel pumps (with no fuel

passing through the pumps). This action

is necessary to prevent ignition of fuel

vapors due to the generation of sparks

and a potential ignition source inside

the center tank caused by metal-to-metal

contact during dry fuel pump operation,

which could result in a fire or explosion

of the fuel tank. This action is intended

to address the identified unsafe

condition.

DATES: Effective May 10, 2001.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

June 25, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001–NM–

94–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00

p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays. Comments may be

submitted via fax to (425) 227–1232.

Comments may also be sent via the

Internet using the following address: 9-

anm-iarcomment@faa.gov. Comments

sent via fax or the Internet must contain

‘‘Docket No. 2001–NM–94–AD’’ in the

subject line and need not be submitted

in triplicate. Comments sent via the

Internet as attached electronic files must

be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for

Windows or ASCII text.

Information related to this AD may be

examined at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sherry Vevea, Aerospace Engineer,

Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA,

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington 98055–4056; telephone

(425) 227–1360; fax (425) 227–1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March

3, 2001, a Boeing Model 737–400 series

airplane caught fire and burned while

parked at a bay at the Don Muang

International Airport, Bangkok,

Thailand. Although the accident

investigation is ongoing and the

probable cause of the accident has not

been identified, the Government of

Thailand, in conjunction with the

National Transportation Safety Board,

has determined that the center tank

exploded shortly after the main fuel

tanks of the airplane were refueled. It

appears that the center tank fuel pumps

were operating dry (no fuel was passing

through the pumps) at the time of the

explosion.

This accident is similar to the 1990

center tank explosion that occurred on

a Boeing Model 737–300 series airplane.

The ignition source of that explosion

was never identified. The center tank

fuel pumps were operating dry at the

time of that explosion.

Extended dry operation of the center

tank fuel pumps, which had occurred

prior to both incidents, is contrary to the

manufacturer’s procedures for safe

operation of the fuel pumps. Extended

dry pump operation can result in

overheating and excessive wear of the

pump bearings and consequent contact

between rotating and nonrotating parts

of the pumps. Both overheating of the

bearings and contact between rotating

and nonrotating parts have the potential

to create an ignition source in the form

of hot surfaces or sparks. In addition,

during dry operation of the pumps,

ignition of vapor in a fuel pump can

create a flame front that can reach the

fuel tank and cause a fuel tank

explosion.

In light of this information, the FAA

finds that certain procedures should be

included in the FAA-approved Airplane

Flight Manual (AFM) for Model 737

series airplanes to prohibit dry

operation of center tank fuel pumps.

The FAA has determined that such

procedures currently are not defined

adequately in the AFM for these

airplanes.

Explanation of the Requirements of the

Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other airplanes of the same

type design, this AD is being issued to

prevent ignition of fuel vapors due to

the generation of sparks and a potential

ignition source inside the center tank

caused by metal-to-metal contact during

dry fuel pump operation, which could

result in a fire or explosion of the fuel

tank. This AD requires revising the AFM

to prohibit extended dry operation of

the center tank fuel pumps.

Interim Action

This is considered to be interim

action until final action is identified, at

which time the FAA may consider

further rulemaking.

Determination of Rule’s Effective Date

Since a situation exists that requires

the immediate adoption of this

regulation, it is found that notice and

opportunity for prior public comment

hereon are impracticable, and that good

cause exists for making this amendment

effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of

a final rule that involves requirements

affecting flight safety and, thus, was not

preceded by notice and an opportunity

for public comment, comments are

invited on this rule. Interested persons

are invited to comment on this rule by

submitting such written data, views, or

arguments as they may desire.

Communications shall identify the

Rules Docket number and be submitted

in triplicate to the address specified

under the caption ADDRESSES. All

communications received on or before

the closing date for comments will be

considered, and this rule may be

amended in light of the comments

20734 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2001 / Rules and Regulations

received. Factual information that

supports the commenter’s ideas and

suggestions is extremely helpful in

evaluating the effectiveness of the AD

action and determining whether

additional rulemaking action would be

needed.

Submit comments using the following

format:

• Organize comments issue-by-issue.

For example, discuss a request to

change the compliance time and a

request to change the service bulletin

reference as two separate issues.

• For each issue, state what specific

change to the AD is being requested.

• Include justification (e.g., reasons or

data) for each request.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the rule that might suggest a need to

modify the rule. All comments

submitted will be available, both before

and after the closing date for comments,

in the Rules Docket for examination by

interested persons. A report that

summarizes each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this AD

will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this rule must

submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket No. 2001–NM–94–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date-stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will

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. Therefore, it is

determined that this final rule does not

have federalism implications under

Executive Order 13132.

The FAA has determined that this

regulation is an emergency regulation

that must be issued immediately to

correct an unsafe condition in aircraft,

and that it is not a ‘‘significant

regulatory action’’ under Executive

Order 12866. It has been determined

further that this action involves an

emergency regulation under DOT

Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44

FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is

determined that this emergency

regulation otherwise would be

significant under DOT Regulatory

Policies and Procedures, a final

regulatory evaluation will be prepared

and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy

of it, if filed, may be obtained from the

Rules Docket at the location provided

under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation

safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the

authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation

Administration amends part 39 of the

Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

2001–08–24 Boeing: Amendment 39–12201.

Docket 2001–NM–94–AD.

Applicability: All Model 737 series

airplanes, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless

accomplished previously.

To prevent ignition of fuel vapors due to

the generation of sparks and a potential

ignition source inside the center tank caused

by metal-to-metal contact during dry fuel

pump operation, which could result in a fire

or explosion of the fuel tank, accomplish the

following:

Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

(a) Within 7 days after the effective date of

this AD, revise the Limitations Section of the

FAA-approved AFM to include the following

information. This may be accomplished by

inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.

‘‘For ground operation, center tank fuel

pump switches must not be positioned to

‘‘ON’’ unless the center tank fuel quantity

exceeds 1,000 pounds (453 kilograms),

except when defueling or transferring fuel.

Center tank fuel pump switches must be

positioned to ‘‘OFF’’ when both center tank

fuel pump low pressure lights illuminate.

Center tank fuel pumps must not be ‘‘ON’’

unless personnel are available in the flight

deck to monitor low pressure lights.’’

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(b) An alternative method of compliance or

adjustment of the compliance time that

provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, Seattle

Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.

Operators shall submit their requests through

an appropriate FAA Principal Operations

Inspector, who may add comments and then

send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.

Note 1: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Seattle ACO.

Special Flight Permits

(c) 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 to

a location where the requirements of this AD

can be accomplished.

Effective Date

(d) This amendment becomes effective on

May 10, 2001.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 18,

2001.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01–10177 Filed 4–24–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001–NM–83–AD; Amendment

39–12191; AD 2001–08–13]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream

Model G–1159, G–1159A, G–1159B, G–

IV, and G–V Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to certain Gulfstream Model

G–1159, G–1159A, G–1159B, G–IV, and

G–V series airplanes. This action

requires an inspection to determine if

certain door control valves of the

landing gear are installed, and

modification of the valve, if necessary.

This action is necessary to prevent loss

of hydraulic system fluid due to failure

of the door control valve of the landing

gear, which could require the flight

crew to use alternate gear extension

procedures (landing gear blow down)

for landing of all models. This action is

intended to address the identified

unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective May 10, 2001.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of May 10,

2001.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

June 25, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,