Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 6, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17924-17925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7127]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-101-AD; Amendment 39-13554; AD 2004-07-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -
800, and -900 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 
series airplanes, that requires replacement of the proximity switch 
electronics unit with a new, improved unit. This action is necessary to 
prevent a malfunction of the aural warning for the landing gear, 
leading the crew to open the circuit breaker for the aural warning horn 
which stops the operation of other aural warnings of malfunctions in 
other systems and, thus, could jeopardize a safe flight and landing. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective May 11, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 11, 2004.

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: Binh V. Tran, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 917-6485; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-600, -
700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on December 31, 2003 (68 FR 75469). That action 
proposed to require replacement of the proximity switch electronics 
unit with a new, improved unit.

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 890 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 283 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $40 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact 
of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $84,900, or $300 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish 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.
    The manufacturer may cover the cost of replacement parts associated 
with this AD, subject to warranty conditions. Manufacturer warranty 
remedies may also be available for labor costs associated with this AD. 
As a result, the costs attributable to the AD may be less than stated 
above.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-07-10 Boeing: Amendment 39-13554. Docket 2002-NM-101-AD.

    Applicability: Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series 
airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-32A1343, 
dated July 26, 2001; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent a malfunction of the aural warning for the landing 
gear, leading the crew to open the circuit breaker for the aural 
warning horn which stops the operation of other aural warnings of 
malfunctions in other systems and, thus, could jeopardize a safe 
flight and landing, accomplish the following:

[[Page 17925]]

Replacement

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Remove 
the Proximity Switch Electronics Unit (PSEU) having part number 
285A1600-2 or 285A1600-3 and replace it with a PSEU having part 
number 285A1600-4, per the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 737-32A1343, dated July 26, 2001.

Parts Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a PSEU having part number 285A1600-2 or 285A1600-3 on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 737-32A1343, dated July 26, 2001. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. 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 May 11, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 22, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7127 Filed 4-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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