Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1494-1497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00004]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1990; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-027-AD; 
Amendment 39-18364; AD 2016-01-05]
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 737-400 series airplanes, as modified by a 
certain supplemental type certificate. This AD was prompted by the 
discovery of a design drawing error regarding placards that identified 
incorrect squibs and pressure switches for certain fire extinguisher 
bottles. This AD requires a detailed inspection of certain cargo 
placards to determine if they are the correct placards and in the 
correct location, a detailed inspection of the harnesses to verify that 
they are marked and installed correctly, and corrective action if 
necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct incorrectly 
installed harnesses for the cargo fire suppression system bottles, 
which could result in an incorrect activation sequence of the bottles, 
the inability to suppress a cargo fire quickly, and a possible 
uncontrollable fire.

DATES: This AD is effective February 17, 2016.

[[Page 1495]]

    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 17, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service information 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1990.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1990; 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 Docket 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: Paul DeVore, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport 
Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-
946-4142; fax: 316-946-4107; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company 
Model 737-400 series airplanes, as modified by a certain supplemental 
type certificate. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 2, 
2015 (80 FR 38033). The NPRM was prompted by the discovery of a design 
drawing error regarding placards that identified incorrect squibs and 
pressure switches for certain fire extinguisher bottles. The NPRM 
proposed to require a detailed inspection of certain cargo placards to 
determine if they are the correct placards and in the correct location, 
a detailed inspection of the harnesses to verify that they are marked 
and installed correctly, and corrective action if necessary. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct incorrectly installed harnesses 
for the cargo fire suppression system bottles, which could result in an 
incorrect activation sequence of the bottles, the inability to suppress 
a cargo fire quickly, and a possible uncontrollable fire.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comments received. The European 
Aviation Safety Agency stated that it is following the progress of this 
activity of the NPRM (80 FR 38033, July 2, 2015). Boeing stated that 
the NPRM does not address any Boeing designs; therefore, Boeing can 
neither review the data, nor comment on the content of the NPRM, and 
that no file attachment accompanies its comment.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this 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 (80 FR 38033, July 2, 2015) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 38033, July 2, 2015).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers Service Bulletin TFA10-
26-0020, Revision IR, dated January 12, 2015. The service information 
describes procedures for a detailed inspection of Advanced Aircraft 
Extinguishers cargo fire protection system placards to determine if 
they are the correct placards and in the correct location, and 
applicable corrective actions; and a detailed inspection of the 
harnesses to verify that they are correctly marked and installed, and 
doing steps C.(5) through C.(11) of Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers 
Service Bulletin TFA10-26-0020, Revision IR, dated January 12, 2015, if 
necessary. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 3 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detailed inspection.................  2 work-hours x $85 per              N/A             $170             $510
                                       hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary corrective 
actions that will be required based on the results of the inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need 
these corrective actions:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corrective actions...........................  2 work-hours x $85 per hour =              $900           $1,070
                                                $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 1496]]

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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

    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):

2016-01-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18364; Docket No. FAA-
2015-1990; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-027-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective February 17, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-400 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, having serial numbers 
23865, 24231, 24706, 24474, 25417, 27003, 27149, 25375, 26281, 
28661, and 28881, as modified by Supplemental Type Certificate 
ST01114WI (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/
rgstc.nsf/0/f9490633c04cbc8286257301006ed621/$FILE/ST01114WI.pdf).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire 
Protection.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery of a design drawing error 
regarding placards that identified incorrect squibs and pressure 
switches for certain fire extinguisher bottles. We are issuing this 
AD to detect and correct incorrectly installed harnesses for the 
cargo fire suppression system bottles, which could result in an 
incorrect activation sequence of the bottles, the inability to 
suppress a cargo fire quickly, and a possible uncontrollable fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Placard Inspection

    Within 6 months after effective date of this AD, do a detailed 
inspection of Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers cargo fire protection 
system (FPS) placards to determine if they are the correct placards 
and in the correct location, and do all applicable corrective 
actions, in accordance with the ``SERVICE BULLETIN INSTRUCTIONS'' of 
Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers Service Bulletin TFA10-26-0020, 
Revision IR, dated January 12, 2015. Do all applicable corrective 
actions before further flight.

(h) Harness Inspection

    Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
detailed inspection of the harnesses to verify that they are 
correctly marked and installed, in accordance with the ``SERVICE 
BULLETIN INSTRUCTIONS'' of Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers Service 
Bulletin TFA10-26-0020, Revision IR, dated January 12, 2015. If any 
harness is not marked or installed correctly, before further flight, 
do steps C.(5) through C.(11) specified in and in accordance with 
the ``SERVICE BULLETIN INSTRUCTIONS'' of Advanced Aircraft 
Extinguishers Service Bulletin TFA10-26-0020, Revision IR, dated 
January 12, 2015, except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD.

(i) Exception to the Service Information Specification

    Where Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers Service Bulletin TFA10-26-
0020, Revision IR, dated January 12, 2015, specifies contacting the 
manufacturer for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair 
in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.

(j) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 
21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199) to operate the airplane, provided the airplane does not 
carry cargo in the lower cargo bay.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita 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 paragraph 
(l) of this AD.
    (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.
    (3) Except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD: For service 
information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for 
Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (k)(3)(i) and 
(k)(3)(ii) of this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, 
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Paul C. DeVore, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, 
Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, 
Wichita,

[[Page 1497]]

KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4142; fax: 316-946-4107; email: 
[email protected].

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers Service Bulletin TFA10-26-
0020, Revision IR, dated January 12, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P. O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this 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 December 28, 2015.
Philip Forde,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-00004 Filed 1-12-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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