Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-200C Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 84 (Friday, April 30, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23646-23647]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9591]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-208-AD; Amendment 39-13598; AD 2004-09-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-200C 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 all Boeing Model 737-200C series airplanes, that requires 
repetitive inspections of the Station 348.2 frame to detect cracking 
under the stop fittings and intercostal flanges at Stringers 14L, 15L, 
and 16L; and corrective action if necessary. This action is necessary 
to prevent rapid decompression of the airplane, and possible separation 
of the forward entry door from the airplane. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective June 4, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 4, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, PO 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: Howard Hall, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
917-6430; 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 all Boeing Model 737-200C series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 19, 2004 
(69 FR 7706). That action proposed to require repetitive inspections of 
the Station 348.2 frame to detect cracking under the stop fittings and 
intercostal flanges at Stringers 14L, 15L, and 16L; and corrective 
action if necessary.

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 78 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 15 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 18 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspections, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be

[[Page 23647]]

$17,550, or $1,170 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    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.

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:

2004-09-09 Boeing: Amendment 39-13598. Docket 2003-NM-208-AD.

    Applicability: All Model 737-200C series airplanes; certificated 
in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent rapid decompression of the airplane, and possible 
separation of the forward entry door from the airplane, accomplish 
the following:

Initial and Repetitive Inspections

    (a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD: Prior to the 
accumulation of 46,000 total flight cycles, or within 2,250 flight 
cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, 
do detailed and eddy current inspections of the Station 348.2 frame 
for cracking under the stop fittings and intercostal flanges at 
Stringers 14L, 15L, and 16L by accomplishing paragraphs 3.A. and 
3.B.1. through 3.B.7. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1240, dated April 10, 2003. Do the 
actions per the service bulletin. Any applicable repair must be 
accomplished prior to further flight. Repeat the inspections 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,500 flight cycles.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''

Corrective Action

    (b) If any crack is found during any inspection required by this 
AD, and the bulletin specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate 
action: Before further flight, repair per a method approved by the 
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or per 
data meeting the type certification basis of the airplane approved 
by a Boeing Company Designated Engineering Representative who has 
been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make such findings. 
For a repair method to be approved, the approval must specifically 
reference this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1240, 
dated April 10, 2003. 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, PO 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 June 4, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 20, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-9591 Filed 4-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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