Document ID: FAA-2018-0409-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: The Boeing Company Airplanes
Posted Date: 2018-05-15T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 15, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22420-22422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-10213]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0409; Product Identifier 2017-NM-120-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-16-
05, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -
700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. AD 2017-16-05 requires a 
one-time detailed visual inspection for discrepancies in the Krueger 
flap bullnose attachment hardware, and related investigative and 
corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued AD 2017-16-05, we 
received a report of a missing no. 2 Krueger flap bullnose hinge bolt 
from an airplane that was not included in the applicability of AD 2017-
16-05. This proposed AD would add airplanes and an additional 
inspection to determine if any Krueger flap no. 1, 2, 3, or 4 has been 
replaced, and related investigative and corrective actions. Since this 
is a rotable parts issue, the applicability of this AD has been 
expanded beyond the airplanes listed in the related service bulletin to 
include all airplanes on which a Krueger flap bullnose may be 
installed. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 29, 2018.

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 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 service information at the FAA, Transport Standards 
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also 
available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0409.

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-2018-
0409; or in person at Docket Operations 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 Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Pohl, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3527; email: 
[email protected].

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-2018-0409; 
Product Identifier 2017-NM-120-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 issued AD 2017-16-05, Amendment 39-18982 (82 FR 39344, August 
18, 2017) (``AD 2017-16-05''), for certain The Boeing Company Model 
737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. AD 2017-
16-05 requires a one-time detailed visual inspection for discrepancies 
in the Krueger flap bullnose attachment hardware, and related 
investigative and corrective actions, if necessary. AD 2017-16-05 
resulted from a report of a Krueger flap bullnose departing an airplane 
during taxi, which caused damage to the wing structure and thrust 
reverser. We issued AD 2017-16-05 to detect and correct missing Krueger 
flap bullnose hardware. Such missing hardware could result in the 
Krueger flap bullnose departing the airplane during flight, which could 
damage empennage structure and lead to the inability to maintain 
continued safe flight and landing.

Actions Since AD 2017-16-05 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2017-16-05, we have received a report of a 
missing no. 2 Krueger flap bullnose hinge bolt from an airplane that 
was not included in the applicability of AD 2017-16-05.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-57A1327, Revision 2, 
dated July 25, 2017 (``BASB 737-57A1327, R2''). This service 
information describes procedures for a one-time detailed visual 
inspection for discrepancies in the Krueger flap bullnose attachment 
hardware, and related investigative and corrective actions; and an 
inspection to determine if any Krueger flap no. 1, 2, 3, or 4 has been 
replaced, and related investigative and corrective 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

[[Page 22421]]

described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of 
the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    Although this proposed AD does not explicitly restate the 
requirements of AD 2017-16-05, this proposed AD would retain certain 
requirements of AD 2017-16-05. Those requirements are referenced in the 
service information identified previously, which, in turn, is 
referenced in paragraph (g) of this proposed AD. This proposed AD would 
add airplanes and an additional inspection to determine if any Krueger 
flap no. 1, 2, 3, or 4 has been replaced, and applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions. This proposed AD would also 
require accomplishment of the actions identified as ``RC'' (required 
for compliance) in the Accomplishment Instructions of BASB 737-57A1327, 
R2, described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences 
Between this Proposed AD and the Service Information.''
    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-2018-0409.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Because the affected parts identified in this NPRM are rotable 
parts, we have determined that these parts could later be installed on 
airplanes that were initially delivered with acceptable parts, thereby 
subjecting those airplanes to the unsafe condition. Therefore, while 
the effectivity of BASB 737-57A1327, R2 is limited to line numbers 1 
through 6465 inclusive, the applicability of this proposed AD includes 
all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -
900ER series airplanes. This difference has been coordinated with 
Boeing.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1,814 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection of the Krueger flap          3 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $255        $381,225
 bullnose hardware (1,495 airplanes)     hour = $255.
 (retained actions from AD 2017-16-05).
Inspection to determine if any Krueger  3 work-hours x $85 per                 0             255         462,570
 flap no. 1, 2, 3, or 4 has been         hour = $255.
 replaced (1,814 airplanes) (new
 proposed action).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
AD.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all available costs in our 
cost estimate.

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 and associated appliances to the 
Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    We have 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 that the 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2017-16-05, Amendment 39-18982 (82 FR 39344, August 18, 2017), and 
adding the following new AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2018-0409; Product Identifier 
2017-NM-120-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by June 29, 
2018.

[[Page 22422]]

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-16-05, Amendment 39-18982 (82 FR 39344, 
August 18, 2017) (``AD 2017-16-05'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -
700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(3) of this 
AD.
    (1) Airplanes in Groups 1 and 2 as identified in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 737-57A1327, Revision 2, dated July 25, 2017 
(``BASB 737-57A1327, R2'').
    (2) Airplanes in Group 3, as identified in BASB 737-57A1327, R2, 
except where this service bulletin specifies the groups as line 
numbers 6422 through 6465 inclusive, this AD specifies those groups 
as line number 6422 through any line number airplane with an 
original Certificate of Airworthiness or an original Export 
Certificate of Airworthiness dated on or before the effective date 
of this AD.
    (3) All Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900 and -900ER series 
airplanes with an original Certificate of Airworthiness or an 
original Export Certificate of Airworthiness dated after the 
effective date of this AD.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a Krueger flap bullnose 
departing an airplane during taxi, which caused damage to the wing 
structure and thrust reverser, and a report of a missing no. 2 
Krueger flap bullnose hinge bolt from an airplane that was not 
included in the effectivity of AD 2017-16-05. We are issuing this AD 
to address missing Krueger flap bullnose hardware. Such missing 
hardware could result in the Krueger flap bullnose departing the 
airplane during flight, which could damage empennage structure and 
lead to the inability to maintain continued safe flight and landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    For airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this 
AD: Except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD, at the 
applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
BASB 737-57A1327, R2, do all applicable actions identified as ``RC'' 
(required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of BASB 737-57A1327, R2.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements 
of this AD: Where BASB 737-57A1327, R2 uses the phrase ``the 
original issue date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires 
using September 22, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-16-05).
    (2) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements 
of this AD: Where BASB 737-57A1327, R2 uses the phrase ``the 
Revision 2 date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires using 
``the effective date of this AD.''

(i) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
Krueger flap or Krueger flap bullnose on any airplane, unless the 
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD have been accomplished 
on the Krueger flap bullnose.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
September 22, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-16-05), using 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-57A1327, dated May 20, 2016.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD, using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
57A1327, Revision 1, dated September 28, 2016.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle 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 (l)(1) of this AD. Information may be 
emailed to: [email protected].
    (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, Seattle 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) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2017-16-05 are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of BASB 737-57A1327, R2 that 
are required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (5) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as RC, the provisions of paragraphs (k)(5)(i) and (k)(5)(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.
    (ii) Operators may deviate from steps not labeled as RC by 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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Alan Pohl, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3527; 
email: [email protected].
    (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, 2200 South 216th 
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on May 7, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-10213 Filed 5-14-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P