Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 198 (Friday, October 11, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 82488-82491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-23541]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1693; Project Identifier AD-2023-01229-T; 
Amendment 39-22842; AD 2024-18-08]
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 737-300, -400, and -800 series 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the protective spiral 
wrap used on certain galley wire bundles does not have the correct 
flammability properties. This AD requires inspecting certain galleys to 
determine part numbers, inspecting for an existing galley modification 
placard and marking on galleys with affected part numbers, and 
replacing wire bundle spiral wrap sleeving as applicable. This AD also 
prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 15, 2024.

[[Page 82489]]

    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 15, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1693; 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 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For Boeing material 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; website myboeingfleet.com.
    <bullet> You may view this material 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 regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1693.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Linn, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3584; 
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 737-300, -400, and -800 series airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2024 (89 FR 52408). The 
NPRM was prompted by a report that the protective spiral wrap used on 
certain galley wire bundles does not have the correct flammability 
properties and may not self-extinguish. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed 
to require inspecting certain galleys to determine part numbers, 
inspecting for an existing galley modification placard and marking on 
galleys with affected part numbers, and replacing wire bundle spiral 
wrap sleeving as applicable; and to prohibit the installation of 
affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the incorrect 
flammability properties, which, if not addressed, could result in 
electrical arcing or sparking, ignition of the spiral wire wrapping, 
and smoke and/or fire in the flight compartment, leading to loss of 
continued safe flight and landing.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association, who 
supported the NPRM without change.
    The FAA received additional comments from Aviation Partners Boeing. 
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response to each comment.

Effect of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions

    Aviation Partners Boeing stated that the installation of winglets 
per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00830SE and STC ST01219SE 
does not affect the accomplishment of the manufacturer's service 
instructions.
    The FAA agrees with the commenter that STC ST00830SE and STC 
ST01219SE do not affect the accomplishment of the manufacturer's 
service instructions. Therefore, the installation of STC ST00830SE and 
STC ST01219SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions 
required by this AD. The FAA has not changed this AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-25A1873 RB, 
dated August 25, 2023; and Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-
25A1876 RB, dated September 1, 2023. This material specifies procedures 
for an inspection or records check to determine the part number of 
certain galleys; and for any galley with an affected part number found, 
an inspection for an existing galley modification placard and any 
marking indicating the galley was modified using certain service 
information; and, if applicable, replacement of wire bundle 
polyethylene protective spiral wrap protective sleeving with Boeing 
Material Specification (BMS) 13-81 wire protective sleeving. These 
documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane models.
    This material 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

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection for galley part number...  1 work-hour x $85 per                $0              $85             $340
                                       hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
inspections or replacements that would be required based on the results 
of the inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these inspections or replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Action                        Labor cost               Parts cost            Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection for modification placard..  1 work-hour x $85 per    $0.....................  $85.
                                        hour = $85.

[[Page 82490]]

 
Replacement..........................  Up to 218 work-hours x   Up to $1,185...........  Up to $19,715.
                                        $85 per hour = $18,530.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2024-18-08 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22842; Docket No. FAA-
2024-1693; Project Identifier AD-2023-01229-T.

 (a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 15, 
2024.

 (b) Affected ADs

    None.

 (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -
800 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-25A1873 RB, dated August 25, 
2023; or Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-25A1876 RB, dated 
September 1, 2023; as applicable.

 (d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

 (e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that the protective spiral wrap 
used on certain galley wire bundles does not have the correct 
flammability properties and may not self-extinguish. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in electrical arcing or 
sparking, ignition of the spiral wire wrapping, and smoke and/or 
fire in the flight compartment, leading to loss of continued safe 
flight and landing.

 (f) Compliance

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

 (g) Required Actions

    (1) For Model 737-300 and -400 series airplanes: Except as 
specified by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, at the applicable times 
specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert 
Requirements Bulletin 737-25A1873 RB, dated August 25, 2023, do all 
applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
737-25A1873 RB, dated August 25, 2023.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1): Guidance for accomplishing the 
actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 737-25A1873, dated August 25, 2023, which is referred to in 
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-25A1873 RB, dated August 25, 
2023.
    (2) For Model 737-800 series airplanes: Except as specified by 
paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, at the applicable times specified in 
the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
737-25A1876 RB, dated September 1, 2023, do all applicable actions 
identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-25A1876 RB, 
dated September 1, 2023.
    Note 2 to paragraph (g)(2): Guidance for accomplishing the 
actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 737-25A1876, dated September 1, 2023, which is referred to 
in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-25A1876 RB, dated 
September 1, 2023.

 (h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-
25A1873 RB, dated August 25, 2023, refer to the original issue date 
of Requirements Bulletin 737-25A1873 RB, this AD requires using the 
effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-
25A1876 RB, dated September 1, 2023, refer to the original issue 
date of Requirements Bulletin 737-25A1876 RB, this AD requires using 
the effective date of this AD.

 (i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
galley wire bundle spiral wrap made of polyethylene with self-
wrapping sleeve on any airplane.

 (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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 
(k)(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.

[[Page 82491]]

    (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, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety 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.

 (k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Julie Linn, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3584; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the address specified in 
paragraph (l)(3) of this AD.

 (l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-25A1873 RB, dated 
August 25, 2023.
    (ii) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-25A1876 RB, dated 
September 1, 2023.
    (3) For Boeing material 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; website myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this material 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 material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on September 6, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-23541 Filed 10-10-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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