[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 27 (Friday, February 8, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7492-7494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2355]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0152; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-348-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-400, -500, -600, -700, 
-700C, -800, and -900 Series 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 Boeing Model 737-400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 
series airplanes. This proposed AD would require an inspection to 
determine the part and serial numbers of the windshield wiper motors 
for the pilot's and first officer's windshields, and the applicable 
corrective action. This proposed AD results from two reports that the 
left and right windshield wipers stopped working in flight. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent failure of the windshield wipers in wet 
weather, which could result in decreased visibility for the flightcrew.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 24, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing 
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207.

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 (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nick Wilson, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6476; fax (425) 917-6590.

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-2008-0152; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-348-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 two reports that the left and right windshield 
wipers stopped working in flight. In one incident, the left and right 
windshield wiper motors stopped at the same time during a landing 
approach in wet weather. Investigation revealed that the power 
converter module for the windshield wipers was not properly soldered. 
Failure of the windshield wipers in wet weather, if not corrected, 
could result in decreased visibility for the flightcrew.

Other Related Rulemaking

    On October 2, 2003, we issued AD 2003-20-13, amendment 39-13331 (68 
FR 58268, October 9, 2003), applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-400, 
-500, -600, -700, and -800 series airplanes. That AD requires either 
modification of the wiring to the windshield wiper motors in the flight 
compartment or replacement of those windshield wiper motor/converters 
with new motor/converters. That AD resulted from reports of the 
windshield motors stalling during flight. We issued that AD to prevent 
a reduction in flightcrew visibility due to stalled wiper motors during 
heavy precipitation and a period of substantial crew workload, which 
could result in damage to the airplane structure and injury to 
flightcrew, passengers, or ground personnel during final approach for 
landing. For certain airplanes, accomplishing the modification required 
by paragraph (b) of AD 2003-20-13 is acceptable for compliance with 
certain requirements of this proposed AD.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 737-30A1057, Revision 1, 
dated October 31, 2007, for Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 
series airplanes; and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-30A1059, dated 
September 10, 2007, for Model 737-400 and -500 series airplanes. The 
service bulletins describe procedures for looking at the windshield 
wiper motors for the pilot's and first officer's windshields to 
determine the part number and serial number of the windshield wiper 
motors, and doing the applicable corrective action. The corrective 
actions include the following:
    <bullet> Replacing the windshield wiper motor with an improved 
windshield wiper motor if the part and serial numbers cannot be read, 
or if the part and serial numbers are listed in

[[Page 7493]]

Appendix A of Rosemount Aerospace Service Bulletin 2313M-347/2313M-348-
30-01, dated June 30, 2006, and the ``Module Replacement Completed 
(Yes/No)'' column is marked ``No.'' (The part number is identified as 
the model number in Appendix A of the Rosemount Aerospace service 
bulletin.)
    <bullet> Changing the part number if the part and serial numbers 
are not listed in Appendix A of Rosemount Aerospace service bulletin, 
or if the part and serial numbers are listed in Appendix A of Rosemount 
Aerospace service bulletin and the ``Module Replacement Completed (Yes/
No)'' column is marked ``Yes.''
    The Boeing service bulletins refer to the Rosemount Aerospace 
service bulletin as an additional source of service information for 
determining whether the windshield wiper motor has been previously 
replaced and for changing the part number.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the(se) same type 
design(s). This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 767 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour 
per product to comply with the proposed inspection. The average labor 
rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost 
of this proposed AD to the U.S. operators to be $61,360 or $80 per 
product.

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), and
    3. 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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2008-0152; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
348-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by March 24, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the Boeing airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model 737-400 and -500 series airplanes as identified in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-30A1059, dated September 10, 2007.
    (2) Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes 
as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-30A1057, Revision 1, 
dated October 31, 2007.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from two reports that the left and right 
windshield wipers stopped working in flight. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent failure of the windshield wipers in wet weather, which 
could result in decreased visibility for the flightcrew.

Compliance

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

Inspection and Corrective Actions if Necessary

    (f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect to determine the part number and serial number of the 
windshield wiper motors for the pilot's and first officer's 
windshields, and do all the applicable corrective actions, by 
accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
30A1059, dated September 10, 2007 (for Model 737-400 and -500 series 
airplanes); or Boeing Service Bulletin 737-30A1057, Revision 1, 
dated October 31, 2007 (for Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -
900 series airplanes); as applicable. A review of airplane 
maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of the inspection if the 
part number and serial number of the windshield wiper motors can be 
conclusively determined from that review.

    Note 1: The Boeing service bulletins refer to Rosemount 
Aerospace Service Bulletin 2313M-347/2313M-348-30-01, dated June 30, 
2006, as an additional source of service information for determining 
whether the windshield wiper motor has been previously replaced and 
for changing the part number.

Credit for Modification Done According to AD 2003-20-13

    (g) For Model 737-400, -500, -600, -700, and -800 series 
airplanes: Accomplishing the modification required by paragraph (b) 
of AD 2003-20-13, amendment 39-13331, is acceptable for compliance 
with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD, provided that no 
Rosemount Aerospace windshield wiper motor having part number (P/N) 
2313M-347-3 or P/N 2313M-348-3 has been installed.

Credit for Actions Done According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (h) For Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series 
airplanes: Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-30A1057, dated 
October 6, 2006, are acceptable for compliance with the requirements 
of paragraph (f) of this AD.

Parts Installation

    (i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
Rosemount Aerospace windshield wiper motors having P/N 2313M-347-3 
or P/N 2313M-348-3 on any airplane.

[[Page 7494]]

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
ATTN: Nick Wilson, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and 
Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6476; fax (425) 
917-6590; has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 31, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-2355 Filed 2-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P