Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 7, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5996-5997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2004]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1171; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-101-AD; 
Amendment 39-16932; AD 2012-02-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, and -300 series 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report from the airplane 
manufacturer that airplanes were assembled with air distribution ducts 
in the environmental control system (ECS) wrapped with Boeing Material 
Specification (BMS) 8-39 or Aeronautical Materials Specifications (AMS) 
3570 polyurethane foam insulation, a material with fire-retardant 
properties that deteriorate with age. This AD requires reworking 
certain air distribution ducts in the ECS. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent ignition of the BMS 8-39 or AMS 3570 polyurethane foam 
insulation on the duct assemblies of the ECS due to a potential 
electrical arc, which could start a small fire and lead to a larger 
fire that may spread throughout the airplane through the ECS.

DATES: This AD is effective March 13, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of March 13, 
2012.

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; email [email protected]; 
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: Kimberly A. DeVoe, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6495; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 7, 2011 (76 FR 
68666). That NPRM proposed to require reworking certain air 
distribution ducts in the ECS.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comments received. Boeing supports the 
NPRM (76 FR 68666, November 7, 2011).

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--except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (76 FR 68666, November 7, 2011) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 68666, November 7, 2011).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 292 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                            Labor cost           Parts cost    product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duct assembly rework/part marking........  250 work-hours x $85 per          $3,545      $24,795      $7,240,140
                                            hour = $21,250.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 5997]]

products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    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

    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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):
2012-02-09 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16932; Docket No. FAA-
2011-1171; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-101-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 13, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -
200C, and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category; as 
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-21A1132, Revision 3, dated 
February 16, 2011.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 21, Air conditioning.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report from the airplane manufacturer 
that airplanes were assembled with air distribution ducts in the 
environmental control system (ECS) wrapped with Boeing Material 
Specification (BMS) 8-39 or Aeronautical Materials Specifications 
(AMS) 3570 polyurethane foam insulation, a material with fire 
retardant properties that deteriorate with age. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent ignition of the BMS 8-39 or AMS 3570 polyurethane foam 
insulation on the duct assemblies of the ECS due to a potential 
electrical arc, which could start a small fire and lead to a larger 
fire that may spread throughout the airplane through the ECS.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Air Distribution Duct Rework

    Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, rework the 
applicable duct assemblies in the ECS specified in and in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions and Appendix A of Boeing 
Service Bulletin 737-21A1132, Revision 3, dated February 16, 2011.

(h) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    Reworking the applicable duct assemblies in the ECS in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions and Appendix A of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-21A1132, Revision 2, dated June 13, 
2007, before the effective date of this AD is acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding actions required by paragraph (g) 
of this AD.

(i) Parts Installation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an 
ECS duct assembly with BMS 8-39 or AMS 3570 polyurethane foam 
insulation on any airplane.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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. 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. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kimberly A. 
DeVoe, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems 
Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6495; 
fax: (425) 917-6590; email: [email protected].
    (2) 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; phone: 
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax: 206-766-5680; email: 
[email protected]; 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.

 (l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 of the 
following service information:
    (i) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-21A1132, Revision 3, dated 
February 16, 2011.
    (2) 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; email 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (3) 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.
    (4) 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 NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 12, 2012.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-2004 Filed 2-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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