Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 232 / Monday, December 3, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 71485 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0857; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–244–AD; Amendment 

39–17270; AD 2012–23–14] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

The Boeing Company Model 737–100, 

–200, –200C, –300, –400, and –500 

series airplanes. This AD was prompted 

by a report of a crack found in the 

fuselage skin under the aft drain mast. 

This AD requires a detailed inspection 

for cracking and corrosion of the 

channel and fillers adjacent to the drain 

mast bolts, an inspection to determine 

the location of the bonding strap, a 

measurement of the washers under the 

drain mast bolts, and related 

investigative actions and repair if 

necessary. We are issuing this AD to 

detect and correct cracking in the 

fuselage skin and internal support 

structure, which could result in 

uncontrolled decompression of the 

airplane. 

DATES: This AD is effective January 7, 

2013. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in the AD 

as of January 7, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: 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. 

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 AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The address for the 

Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is 

Document Management Facility, U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Docket 

Operations, M–30, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, 

DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Wayne Lockett, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 

98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6447; fax: 

425–917–6590; email: 

wayne.lockett@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to the specified products. That 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on August 21, 2012 (77 FR 

50414). That NPRM proposed to require 

a detailed inspection for cracking and 

corrosion of the channel and fillers 

adjacent to the drain mast bolts, an 

inspection to determine the location of 

the bonding strap, a measurement of the 

washers under the drain mast bolts, and 

related investigative actions and repair 

if necessary. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. The 

following presents the comment 

received on the proposal (77 FR 50414, 

August 21, 2012) and the FAA’s 

response to the comment. 

Statement Regarding Installation of 

Winglets 

Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) stated 

that the installation of winglets per 

Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 

ST01219SE does not affect them. 

We have added paragraph (c)(2) to 

this AD to state that installation of STC 

ST01219SE (http://rgl.faa.gov/

regulatory_and_guidance_library/

rgstc.nsf/0/2C6E3DBDDD36F91C862576

A4005D64E2?OpenDocument&Highlight

=st01219se) does not affect the ability to 

accomplish the actions required by this 

AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which 

STC ST01219SE is installed, a ‘‘change 

in product’’ alternative method of 

compliance (AMOC) approval request is 

not necessary to comply with the 

requirements of 14 CFR 39.17. For all 

other AMOC requests, the operator must 

request approval for an AMOC in 

accordance with the procedures 

specified in paragraph (i) of this AD. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comment received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

with the change described previously 

and minor editorial changes. We have 

determined that these minor changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 

50414, August 21, 2012) for correcting 

the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 50414, 

August 21, 2012). 

We also determined that these 

changes will not increase the economic 

burden on any operator or increase the 

scope of the AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 612 

airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Detailed inspection, bonding strap inspection, washer measurement.4 work-hours × $85 per hour 

= $340.

$0 $340 $208,080 

We estimate the following costs to do 

certain necessary conditional actions 

that would be required based on the 

results of the inspection. We have no 

way of determining the number of 

aircraft that might need these actions: 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES
71486 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 232 / Monday, December 3, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Drain mast removal, high frequency eddy current and detailed inspections, and drain mast installation.5 work-hours × $85 per hour = 

$425.

$0 $425 

We have received no definitive data 

that would enable us to provide a cost 

estimate for the repair specified in this 

AD. 

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 

This AD will not have federalism 

implications under Executive Order 

13132. This AD 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. 

For the reasons discussed above, I 

certify that this AD: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under 

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. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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): 

2012–23–14 The Boeing Company: 

Amendment 39–17270; Docket No. 

FAA–2012–0857; Directorate Identifier 

2011–NM–244–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective January 7, 2013. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

(1) 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 Alert Service Bulletin 737–53A1318, 

dated October 31, 2011. 

(2) Installation of Supplemental Type 

Certificate (STC) ST01219SE (http://

rgl.faa.gov/regulatory_and_guidance_library/

rgstc.nsf/0/2C6E3DBDDD36F91C862576A4

005D64E2?OpenDocument&Highlight=

st01219se) does not affect the ability to 

accomplish the actions required by this AD. 

Therefore, for airplanes on which STC 

ST01219SE is installed, a ‘‘change in 

product’’ alternative method of compliance 

(AMOC) approval request is not necessary to 

comply with the requirements of 14 CFR 

39.17. For all other AMOC requests, the 

operator must request approval for an AMOC 

in accordance with the procedures specified 

in paragraph (i) of this AD. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 53, Fuselage. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of a 

crack found in the fuselage skin under the aft 

drain mast. We are issuing this AD to detect 

and correct cracking in the fuselage skin and 

internal support structure, which could 

result in uncontrolled decompression of the 

airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Inspection and Repair 

(1) For airplanes identified as Group 1 

airplanes as specified in Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 737–53A1318, dated October 31, 

2011: At the times specified in paragraph 1.E. 

‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 737–53A1318, dated October 31, 

2011, do the actions specified in paragraphs 

(g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), and (g)(1)(iii) of this AD, 

and do all related investigative actions and 

repair, as applicable, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 737–53A1318, dated October 

31, 2011, except as required by paragraph (h) 

of this AD. Related investigative actions and 

repairs must be done before further flight. If 

the drain mast is found to be installed 

correctly, no further action is required by this 

paragraph. 

(i) Do a detailed inspection for cracking 

and signs of corrosion of the channel and the 

fillers adjacent to the drain mast bolts. 

(ii) Inspect the bonding strap for the correct 

location. 

(iii) Measure the diameter and thickness of 

the washers under the drain mast bolts. 

(2) For airplanes identified as Group 2 

airplanes as specified in Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 737–53A1318, dated October 31, 

2011: Within 120 days after the effective date 

of this AD, inspect and repair, as required, 

using a method approved in accordance with 

the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of 

this AD. Repairs must be done before further 

flight. 

(h) Exception 

(1) Where Paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737–53A1318, 

dated October 31, 2011, specifies a 

compliance time after the original issue date 

of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737– 

53A1318, dated October 31, 2011, this AD 

requires compliance within the specified 

compliance time after the effective date of 

this AD. 

(2) For airplanes identified as Group 1 

airplanes as specified in Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 737–53A1318, dated October 31, 

2011: If any cracking or sign of corrosion is 

found during any inspection required by this 

AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737– 

53A1318, dated October 31, 2011, specifies to 

contact Boeing for appropriate action, before 

further flight, repair the crack or sign of 

corrosion using a method approved in 

accordance with the procedures specified in 

paragraph (i) of this AD. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 232 / Monday, December 3, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 71487 

(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. 

(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. 

(j) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Wayne Lockett, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle 

Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; 

phone: 425–917–6447; fax: 425–917–6590; 

email: wayne.lockett@faa.gov. 

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737– 

53A1318, dated October 31, 2011. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(3) 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. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at 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. 

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, call 

202–741–6030, or go to: http:// 

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

November 13, 2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–28504 Filed 11–30–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0982; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–CE–035–AD; Amendment 

39–17272; AD 2012–24–02] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Stemme 

GmbH & Co. KG Powered Sailplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Models S10, 

S10–V, and S10–VT powered sailplanes. 

This AD results from mandatory 

continuing airworthiness information 

(MCAI) issued by an aviation authority 

of another country to identify and 

correct an unsafe condition on an 

aviation product. The MCAI describes 

the unsafe condition as unapproved 

rubber hoses installed in the engine 

fuel, oil, and cooling systems, which 

could lead to a system leak and result 

in an engine fire. We are issuing this AD 

to require actions to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective January 7, 

2013. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in the AD 

as of January 7, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD 

docket on the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov or in person at 

Document Management Facility, U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Docket 

Operations, M–30, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, 

DC 20590. 

For service information identified in 

this AD, contact STEMME AG, 

Flugplatzstrasse F2, Nr. 7 15344 

Strausberg, Germany; telephone: +49 (0) 

3341 3612–0, fax: +49 (0) 3341 3612–30; 

Internet: http://www.stemme.de/daten/ 

e/index.html. You may review copies of 

the referenced service information at the 

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 

Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 

For information on the availability of 

this material at the FAA, call (816) 329– 

4148. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim 

Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 

Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 

Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 

telephone: (816) 329–4165; fax: (816) 

329–4090; email: 

jim.rutherford@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to the specified products. That 

NPRM was published in the Federal 

Register on September 18, 2012 (77 FR 

57531). That NPRM proposed to correct 

an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

An occurrence has been reported of an 

engine fire during ground run of a S10–VT 

powered sailplane. The investigation results 

indicated that an unapproved fuel hose was 

installed in the engine fuel system of that 

aeroplane. Subsequent survey of some Nregistered S 10 aeroplanes revealed more 

cases of installation of unapproved fuel, oil 

and cooling hoses on sailplanes engine 

systems. 

This condition, if not detected and 

corrected, could lead to a system leak with 

subsequent engine fire, possibly resulting in 

damage to the sailplane and/or injury of 

occupants. 

Prompted by these findings, Stemme 

GmbH developed a procedure for 

identification of these hoses, to have them 

removed from service. 

For the reasons described above, this AD 

requires a one-time review of the sailplane’s 

maintenance records to determine whether a 

serviceable engine hose kit for fuel, oil and 

cooling systems has been installed and, 

depending on findings, replacement of the 

affected hoses with serviceable parts. 

You may obtain further information 

by examining the MCAI in the AD 

docket. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

received no comments on the NPRM (77 

FR 57531, September 18, 2012) or on the 

determination of the cost to the public. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

as proposed except for minor editorial 

changes. We have determined that these 

minor changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 

57531, September 18, 2012) for 

correcting the unsafe condition; and 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES