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

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7565-7567]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3348]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-174-AD; Amendment 39-13483; AD 2004-04-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 737 series airplanes, that 
currently requires a one-time general visual inspection of the seat 
locks and seat tracks of the flightcrew seats to ensure that the seats 
lock in position and to verify that lock nuts and bolts of adequate 
length are installed on the rear track lock bracket, and corrective 
action, if necessary. This amendment revises the applicability of the 
existing AD by adding airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent uncommanded movement of the flightcrew seats during 
acceleration and take-off of the airplane, which could result in 
reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective March 24, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 24, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain other publication, as 
listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of June 12, 2000 (65 FR 34063, May 26, 2000).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Lennon, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; telephone (425) 917-6435; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 2000-10-21, 
amendment 39-11745 (65 FR 34063, May 26, 2000), which is applicable to 
certain Boeing Model 737 series airplanes, was published in the Federal 
Register on December 5, 2003 (68 FR 67975). The action proposed to 
continue to require a one-time general visual inspection of the seat 
locks and seat tracks of the flightcrew seats to ensure that the seats 
lock in position and to verify that lock nuts and bolts of adequate 
length are installed on the rear track lock bracket, and corrective 
action, if necessary. The action also proposed to revise the 
applicability of the existing AD by adding airplanes.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 1,385 airplanes of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 282 airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD.
    For Group 1 airplanes listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
25A1363, Revision 1: The actions that are currently required by AD 
2000-10-21 take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, 
at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $195 per airplane.
    For Group 2 airplanes listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
25A1363, Revision 1: The new actions that are required by this AD will 
take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the new requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $195 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish

[[Page 7566]]

those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost 
impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the 
time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the 
AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as 
the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-11745 (65 FR 
34063, May 26, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
amendment 39-13483, to read as follows:

2004-04-03 Boeing: Amendment 39-13483. Docket 2002-NM-174-AD. 
Supersedes AD 2000-10-21, Amendment 39-11745.

    Applicability: Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes 
equipped with IPECO flightcrew seats, as listed in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 737-25A1363, Revision 1, dated March 28, 2002; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent uncommanded movement of the flightcrew seats during 
acceleration and take-off of the airplane, which could result in 
reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

One-Time Inspection

    (a) Perform a one-time general visual inspection of the seat 
locks and seat tracks of the flightcrew seats to ensure that the 
seats lock in position and to verify that lock nuts and bolts of 
adequate length are installed on the rear track lock bracket, at the 
applicable time and per the Work Instructions of the applicable 
service bulletin specified in Table 1 of this AD. Table 1 follows:

               Table 1.--Compliance Time/Service Bulletin
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         Airplanes--            Compliance time--    Service bulletin--
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For Group 1 airplanes listed  Within 90 days after  Boeing Alert Service
 in Boeing Alert Service       September 26, 2001    Bulletin 737-
 Bulletin 737-25A1363,         (the effective date   25A1363, dated
 Revision 1, dated March 28,   of AD 2000-10-21,     November 5, 1998.
 2002.                         amendment 39-11745).

For Group 2 airplanes listed  Within 90 days after  Boeing Alert Service
 in Boeing Alert Service       the effective date    Bulletin 737-
 Bulletin 737-25A1363,         of this AD.           25A1363, Revision
 Revision 1, dated March 28,                         1, dated March 28,
 2002.                                               2002.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

Corrective Action

    (1) If the seat lock pin fully engages in all lock positions of 
the seat track, and the rear track lock bracket is correctly 
installed: No further action is required by this AD.
    (2) If the seat lock pin does not fully engage in all positions 
of the seat track, and lock nuts and bolts of adequate length are 
not installed on the rear track lock bracket: Prior to further 
flight, install lock nuts and bolts of adequate length on the track 
lock bracket and verify proper seat movement and seat lock 
operation, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

    Note 2: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1363, Revision 1, 
dated March 28, 2002, refers to IPECO Service Bulletin A001-25-47, 
dated January 13, 1992, as an additional source of service 
information for accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph 
(a) of this AD.

Actions Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (b) For Group 2 airplanes: Inspections and corrective actions 
accomplished before the effective date of this AD per Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 737-25A1363, dated November 5, 1998, are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified 
in this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c)(1) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously per 
AD 2000-10-21, amendment 39-11745, are approved as alternative 
methods of compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1363, 
dated November 5, 1998; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
25A1363, Revision 1, dated March 28, 2002; as applicable.
    (1) The incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 737-25A1363, Revision 1, dated March 28, 2002, is approved 
by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) The incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 737-25A1363, dated November 5, 1998, was approved 
previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 12, 
2000 (65 FR 34063, May 26, 2000).

[[Page 7567]]

    (3) Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 
P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 24, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 9, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-3348 Filed 2-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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