Document ID: FAA-2010-0855-0005
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Boeing Co. Model 737-300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes
Posted Date: 2011-01-05T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 5, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 426-428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-33003]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0855; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-066-AD; 
Amendment 39-16566; AD 2011-01-12]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, 
and -500 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for the products listed above. That AD currently requires repetitive 
inspections for discrepancies of the fuse pins of the inboard and 
outboard midspar fittings of the nacelle strut, and corrective actions 
if necessary. This new AD requires replacing the midspar fuse pins with 
new, improved fuse pins, which would terminate the repetitive 
inspections. This AD was prompted by a report of corrosion damage of 
the chrome runout on the head side found on all four midspar fuse pins 
of the nacelle strut. Additionally, a large portion of the chrome plate 
was missing from the corroded area of the shank. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent damage of the fuse pins of the inboard and outboard midspar 
fittings of the nacelle strut, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the fuse pins, and consequent loss of the strut and 
separation of the engine from the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective February 9, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of February 9, 
2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
November 13, 2008 (73 FR 59493, October 9, 2008).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail me.boecom@boeing.com; 
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, 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 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: Alan Pohl, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
917-6450; fax (425) 917-6590; e-mail: alan.pohl@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2008-21-03, Amendment 
39-15687 (73 FR 59493, October 9, 2008). That AD applies to the 
specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
September 23, 2010 (75 FR 57882). That NPRM proposed to continue to 
require repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the fuse pins of 
the inboard and outboard midspar fittings of the nacelle strut, and 
corrective actions if necessary. That NPRM also proposed to require 
replacing the midspar fuse pins with new, improved fuse pins, which 
would terminate the requirement for repetitive detailed inspections.

[[Page 427]]

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comment received. Boeing supports the 
NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 1,961 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             Number of U.S.-
            Action                  Work hours      Average labor           Parts              Cost per         registered            Fleet cost
                                                    rate per hour                              airplane         airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repetitive detailed             4................             $85  None..................  $340, per                    616  $209,440, per inspection
 inspections (required by AD                                                                inspection                        cycle.
 2008-21-03).                                                                               cycle.
Midspar fuse pin replacement    1 per pin (up to               85  $843 per pin..........  Up to $3,712....             616  Up to $2,286,592.
 (new action).                   4 pins per
                                 airplane).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 have determined that 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

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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) 
2008-21-03, Amendment 39-15687 (73 FR 59493, October 9, 2008), and 
adding the following new AD:

2011-01-12 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16566; Docket No. FAA-
2010-0855; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-066-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 9, 
2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-21-03, Amendment 39-15687.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -
400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 54: 
Nacelles/Pylons.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from a report of corrosion damage of the 
chrome runout on the head side found on all four midspar fuse pins 
of the nacelle strut. Additionally, a large portion of the chrome 
plate was missing from the corroded area of the shank. The Federal 
Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to prevent damage of the 
fuse pins of the inboard and outboard midspar fittings of the 
nacelle strut, which could result in reduced structural integrity of 
the fuse pins, and consequent loss of the strut and separation of 
the engine from the airplane.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2008-21-03

Repetitive Inspections/Corrective Actions, With Revised Service 
Information

    (g) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance'' of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-54-
1044, dated December 10, 2007; except, where that service bulletin 
specifies a compliance time after the date on that service bulletin, 
this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time 
after November 13, 2008 (the effective date of AD 2008-21-03): Do a 
detailed inspection for discrepancies of the fuse pins of the 
inboard and outboard midspar fittings of the nacelle strut by doing 
all the actions, including all applicable corrective actions, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 737-54-1044, dated December 10, 2007; or 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-54A1044, Revision 2, dated January 
20, 2010. Do all applicable corrective actions before further 
flight. Repeat the inspection at the time specified in paragraph 
1.E. of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-54-1044, dated 
December 10, 2007. Accomplishing the actions of paragraph (h) of 
this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.

[[Page 428]]

New Requirements of This AD

Replacement

    (h) Within 120 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace all midspar fuse pins having part number (P/N) 311A1092-2 
with a midspar fuse pin having P/N 311A1092-3, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
737-54A1044, Revision 2, dated January 20, 2010. Accomplishing the 
requirements of this paragraph terminates the requirements of 
paragraph (g) of this AD for that fuse pin.

Actions Accomplished According to Previous Revision of Service 
Information

    (i) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-54-
1044, Revision 1, dated November 26, 2008, are acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(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. Send information to 
ATTN: Alan Pohl, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6450; fax (425) 
917-6590. Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
    (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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (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.
    (4) AMOCs approved in accordance with the requirements of AD 
2008-21-03 are acceptable for the corresponding requirements of this 
AD.

Related Information

    (k) For more information about this AD, contact Alan Pohl, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6450; fax (425) 917-6590; e-mail: 
alan.pohl@faa.gov.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-
54-1044, dated December 10, 2007; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
737-54A1044, Revision 2, dated January 20, 2010; as applicable; to 
do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
54A1044, Revision 2, dated January 20, 2010, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 737-54-1044, dated December 10, 2007, on November 13, 2008 
(73 FR 59493, October 9, 2008).
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail 
me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (5) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 22, 2010.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-33003 Filed 1-4-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P