[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 30, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41179-41182]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18389]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0807; Product Identifier 2017-NM-080-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 all 
The

[[Page 41180]]

Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the 
webs of the stub beams at certain fuselage stations. These cracks are 
the result of fatigue caused by cyclical loading from pressurization, 
wing loads, and landing loads. This proposed AD would require 
repetitive inspections for cracking of the webs of the stub beams at 
certain fuselage stations, and applicable on-condition actions. We are 
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 16, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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: 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 NPRM, contact Boeing 
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 
2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; 
telephone 562-797-1717; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may 
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is 
also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0807.

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-2017-
0807; 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 NPRM, 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: Galib Abumeri, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5324; fax: 562-627-
5210; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#deb9bfb2b7bcf0bfbcabb3bbacb79eb8bfbff0b9b1a8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cdaaaca1a4afe3acafb8a0a8bfa48dabacace3aaa2bb">[email protected]</span></a>.

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-2017-0807; 
Product Identifier 2017-NM-080-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 cracking in the webs of the stub beams 
at fuselage station (STA) 685, STA 695, and STA 706. These cracks are a 
result of fatigue caused by cyclical loading from pressurization, wing 
loads, and landing loads.
    Cracks have occurred in the stub beam webs at STA 685 on the left 
and right sides of airplanes, with total flight cycles ranging between 
21,673 and 45,892 at the time of the crack finding. Cracks have 
occurred in the stub beam webs at STA 695 on the left and right sides 
of airplanes, with total flight cycles ranging between 49,572 and 
56,712 at the time of crack findings. Cracks have also occurred in the 
stub beam webs at STA 706 on the left and right sides of airplanes with 
total flight cycles ranging between 12,017 and 64,392 at the time of 
crack findings.
    Cracking in the stub beam webs at certain fuselage stations, if not 
corrected, could result in the loss of structural integrity of the 
airframe during flight, collapse of the main landing gear, and failure 
of the pressure deck.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1364, dated May 
24, 2017. The service information describes procedures for doing high 
frequency eddy current and detailed inspections for cracking of the 
fuselage stub beam webs below the passenger floor at STA 685, STA 695, 
and STA 706, and applicable on-condition actions. 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.

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 designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions 
identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1364, dated May 
24, 2017, described previously, except for any differences identified 
as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
    For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this 
service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0807.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 160 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Action                 Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per product     Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections.............  Up to 13                            $0  Up to $1,105 per        Up to $176,800 per
                           work[dash]hours x $85                   inspection cycle.       inspection cycle.
                           per hour = $1,105 per
                           inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 41181]]

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
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.
    This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated 
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as 
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, 
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the 
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable 
to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight 
Division.

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-2017-0807; Product Identifier 
2017-NM-080-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 16, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -
200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the webs of the 
stub beams at certain fuselage stations. These cracks are the result 
of fatigue caused by cyclical loading from pressurization, wing 
loads, and landing loads. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct cracking in the webs of the stub beams at certain fuselage 
stations, which if not corrected, could result in the loss of 
structural integrity of the airframe during flight, collapse of the 
main landing gear, and failure of the pressure deck.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions for Group 1 Airplanes

    For airplanes identified as Group 1 in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 737-53A1364, dated May 24, 2017, within 120 days after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the stub beam webs for any 
cracking, and do all applicable on-condition actions, using a method 
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph 
(j) of this AD.

(h) Required Actions for Group 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 Airplanes

    Except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD: For Group 2, 3, 
4, 5, and 6 airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
737-53A1364, dated May 24, 2017: At the applicable times specified 
in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
737-53A1364, dated May 24, 2017, do all applicable actions 
identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in, and in accordance 
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1364, dated May 24, 2017.

(i) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements 
of this AD, the phrase ``the effective date of this AD'' may be 
substituted for ``the original issue date of this service 
bulletin,'' which is specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
53A1364, dated May 24, 2017.
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1364, dated May 
24, 2017, specifies contacting Boeing, and specifies that action as 
RC: This AD requires using a method approved in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. Information 
may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c6ffeb87888beb8a878785eb878b8985eb94a3b7b3a3b5b2b586a0a7a7e8a1a9b0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fac3d7bbb4b7d7b6bbbbb9d7bbb7b5b9d7a89f8b8f9f898e89ba9c9b9bd49d958c">[email protected]</span></a>.
    (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, modification, or alteration required by this AD 
if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization 
Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the 
Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, to make those findings. To be 
approved, the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration 
deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the 
approval must specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) Except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD: For 
service information that contains steps that are labeled as RC, the 
provisions of paragraphs (j)(4)(i) and (j)(4)(ii) of this AD 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. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the 
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is 
required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and 
identified figures.

[[Page 41182]]

    (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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Galib Abumeri, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-
5324; fax: 562-627-5210; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3057515c59521e5152455d554259705651511e575f46"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="157274797c773b7477607870677c557374743b727a63">[email protected]</span></a>.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services 
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; Internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue 
SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 22, 2017.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-18389 Filed 8-29-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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