Document ID: FAA-2013-0670-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: The Boeing Company Airplanes
Posted Date: 2013-08-05T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47233-47235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18800]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0670; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-081-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -800, -900, and -900ER 
airplanes modified by particular supplemental type certificates (STC). 
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks found during 
inspections of the in-flight entertainment system radome assembly. This 
proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections for cracks in 
the radome assembly, and replacement of the radome if necessary. We are 
proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the radome assembly, 
which could result in the radome (or pieces) separating from the 
airplane and striking the tail, and consequently reducing the 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 19, 
2013.

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 proposed AD, contact 
Live TV, 8900 Hangar Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32827; telephone 407-812-
2600; fax 407-812-2526; Internet http://www.livetv.net. You may review 
copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. 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 proposed AD, 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: Barry Culler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-
5546; fax: 404-474-5605; email: william.culler@faa.gov.

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-2013-0670; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-081-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 received reports of cracks in 26 radomes. The cracks were found 
during inspections of the radome assembly of various Model 737 series 
airplanes that had in-flight entertainment systems installed using 
certain STC issued to Live TV. The STC numbers are STC ST00284BO, 
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/
3ecc2e5e5f408bc1862579b30048ed60/$FILE/ST00284BO.pdf; and STC 
ST02887AT, http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory--and--Guidance--Library/
rgstc.nsf/0/9bf85b85ea3e295d8625735600721055/$FILE/ST02887AT.pdf. 
Investigation of the cause of the cracks revealed that lack of 
dimensional controls on the radome manufacturing drawings can result in 
the introduction of preload stress on the radome during its assembly 
with the skirt fairing. Preload stress combined with flight or handling 
stress, such as maintenance personnel stepping on the radome fairing 
assembly, might initiate a crack. The radome manufacturing drawings 
were revised on September 13, 2010, to add a control dimension, which 
was incorporated into production at radome serial number 498. Cracks in 
the radome, if not corrected, could result in the radome (or pieces) 
separating from the airplane and striking the tail, and consequently 
reducing the controllability of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Live TV Service Bulletin B737-53-0011, dated March 29, 
2013. The service information describes procedures for repetitive 
inspections for cracks in the outer ply of the radome and replacing the 
radome if any crack is found.

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 design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously, except as discussed 
under ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service 
Information.'' In

[[Page 47234]]

addition, if any crack is found in a radome during an inspection, this 
proposed AD would require sending the inspection results to Live TV.
    The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the 
Airworthiness Directives Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee, 
to enhance the AD system. One enhancement was a new process for 
annotating which steps in the service information are required for 
compliance with an AD. Differentiating these steps from other tasks in 
the service information is expected to improve an owner's/operator's 
understanding of crucial AD requirements and help provide consistent 
judgment in AD compliance. The actions specified in the service 
information described previously include steps that are labeled as RC 
(required for compliance) because these steps have a direct effect on 
detecting, preventing, resolving, or eliminating an identified unsafe 
condition.
    As noted in the specified service information, steps labeled as RC 
must be done to comply with the proposed AD. However, steps that are 
not labeled as RC are recommended. Those steps that are not labeled as 
RC may be deviated from, done as part of other actions, or done using 
accepted methods different from those identified in the service 
information without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the steps 
labeled as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in a 
serviceable condition. Any substitutions or changes to steps labeled as 
RC will require approval of an alternative method of compliance.

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Live TV Service Bulletin B737-53-0011, dated March 29, 2013, 
recommends that the initial detailed inspection be done within 1,250 
flight hours from 120 days following the release date of that service 
bulletin. We have determined that the compliance time should be within 
1,250 flight hours after the effective date of this AD. This difference 
has been coordinated with Live TV.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 165 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                      Labor cost          Parts cost    Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections.....................  1 work-hour x $85 per    N/A..........  $85, per            $14, 025, per
                                   hour = $85, per                         inspection cycle.   inspection cycle.
                                   inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed 
inspections. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that 
might need this replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                  Action                                Labor cost                 Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement...............................  8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $680         $23,000          $23,680
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden 
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA 
at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591. ATTN: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

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),
    (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.

[[Page 47235]]

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-2013-0670; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NM-081-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 19, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -800, 
-900, and -900ER airplanes, certificated in any category, with Live 
TV radomes having part number (P/N) 5063-100-V3 or 5063-101-V2 and a 
serial number in the range of 001 through 497 inclusive, and 
modified by the applicable supplemental type certificate (STC) 
identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) ST00284BO, http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory--and--Guidance--
Library/rgstc.nsf/0/3ecc2e5e5f408bc1862579b30048ed60/$FILE/
ST00284BO.pdf.
    (2) ST02887AT, http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory--and--Guidance--
Library/rgstc.nsf/0/9bf85b85ea3e295d8625735600721055/$FILE/
ST02887AT.pdf.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks found during 
inspections of the radome assembly. We are issuing this AD to detect 
and correct cracks in the in-flight entertainment system radome 
assembly, which could result in the radome (or pieces) separating 
from the airplane and striking the tail, and consequently reducing 
the controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Actions

    Within 1,250 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Perform a detailed inspection for cracks of the radome assembly, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Live TV Service 
Bulletin B737-53-0011, dated March 29, 2013. Repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,250 flight hours. If any 
crack is found during any inspection required by this paragraph, 
before further flight, replace the radome in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Live TV Service Bulletin B737-53-
0011, dated March 29, 2013.

(h) Reporting Requirement

    If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, submit a report of the findings to Live 
TV, 8900 Hangar Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32827; telephone 407-812-
2600; fax 407-812-2526; email JaneAnne.Webb@livetv.net; at the 
applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD. 
The report must include the information specified in the service 
bulletin reporting form provided in Live TV Service Bulletin B737-
53-0011, dated March 29, 2013.
    (1) If the inspection was accomplished on or after the effective 
date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the 
inspection.
    (2) If the inspection was accomplished before the effective date 
of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective 
date of this AD.

(i) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), are not allowed.

(j) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta 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.
    (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) If the service information contains steps that are labeled 
as RC (Required for Compliance), those steps must be done to comply 
with this AD; any steps that are not labeled as RC are recommended. 
Those steps that are not labeled as RC may be deviated from, done as 
part of other actions, or done using accepted methods different from 
those identified in the specified service information without 
obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the steps labeled as RC can 
be done and the airplane can be put back in a serviceable condition. 
Any substitutions or changes to steps labeled as RC require approval 
of an AMOC.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Barry Culler, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 
30337; phone: 404-474-5546; fax: 404-474-5605; email: 
william.culler@faa.gov.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Live 
TV, 8900 Hangar Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32827; telephone 407-812-
2600; fax 407-812-2526; Internet http://www.livetv.net. 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 23, 2013.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-18800 Filed 8-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P