Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 119 (Thursday, June 24, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33110-33112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13125]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0017; Project Identifier AD-2020-01186-T; 
Amendment 39-21600; AD 2021-12-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by a report that during refueling of the right main tank, if 
there is a failure of the automatic shutoff system, the refueling panel 
does not provide the required indication that the automatic shutoff has 
failed. This AD requires installing a new fuel quantity processor unit 
(FQPU) and doing an FQPU software check. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 29, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 29, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data 
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 
90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this service information at the 
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0017.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0017; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any 
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket 
Operations is U.S. Department of

[[Page 33111]]

Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Baker, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3552; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA 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 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on April 2, 2021 (86 FR 17324). The NPRM was prompted 
by a report that during refueling of the right main tank, if there is a 
failure of the automatic shutoff system, the refueling panel does not 
provide the required indication that the automatic shutoff has failed. 
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require installing a new FQPU and 
doing an FQPU software check. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
this indication failure to warn the person fueling the airplane, which 
could cause overfill of the right main tank, spilled fuel, and pooling 
on the ground that could come in contact with an ignition source, 
resulting in a ground fire.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from Boeing and United Airlines who 
supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as 
proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic 
burden on any operator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 
737-28-1363 RB, dated June 2, 2020. The service information specifies 
procedures for replacing the FQPU having an incorrect indication 
threshold with an FQPU with part number 30128-06 or 30128-58, as 
applicable, or an FQPU with a later-approved part number, and doing an 
FQPU software check. 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 ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 66 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation and software check.......  3 work-hour x $85 per                 $0            $255         $16,830
                                         hour = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in this cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected operators.

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.
    The FAA is 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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:

2021-12-13 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-21600; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0017; Project Identifier AD-2020-01186-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 29, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing 
Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-28-1363 RB, dated June 
2, 2020.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

[[Page 33112]]

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that during refueling of the 
right main tank, if there is a failure of the automatic shutoff 
system, the refueling panel does not provide the required flashing 
indication that the automatic shutoff has failed to shut off the 
fuel. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this indication failure 
to warn the person fueling the airplane, which could cause overfill 
of the right main tank, spilled fuel, and pooling on the ground that 
could come in contact with an ignition source, resulting in a ground 
fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD, at the 
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-28-1363 RB, dated June 
2, 2020, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance 
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 
Requirements Bulletin 737-28-1363 RB, dated June 2, 2020.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 737-28-1363, dated June 2, 2020, which is referred to in 
Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-28-1363 RB, dated 
June 2, 2020.

(h) Exception to Service Information Specifications

    Where Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-28-1363 
RB, dated June 2, 2020, uses the phrase ``the Original Issue date of 
Requirements Bulletin 737-28-1363 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the 
effective date of this AD.''

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, 
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of 
the certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j)(1) 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 responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD 
if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation 
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle 
ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair 
method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet 
the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Chris Baker, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-
3552; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (k)(3) and (4) of this AD.

(k) 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) Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-28-1363 
RB, dated June 2, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services 
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (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, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on June 3, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-13125 Filed 6-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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