Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, 737-700, 737-700C, 737-800, and 737-900 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 4, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11527-11528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3821]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0202; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-185-AD; 
Amendment 39-15399; AD 2008-05-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, 737-700, 737-
700C, 737-800, and 737-900 Series 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 
Boeing Model 737-600, 737-700, 737-700C, 737-800, and 737-900 series 
airplanes. This AD requires an inspection of the vertical fin lugs, 
skin, and skin edges for discrepancies; an inspection of the flight 
control cables, fittings, and pulleys in section 48 for signs of 
corrosion; an inspection of the horizontal stabilizer jackscrew, ball 
nut, and gimbal pins for signs of corrosion; and corrective actions if 
necessary. This AD results from reports indicating that moisture was 
found within the section 48 cavity. We are issuing this AD to ensure 
that the correct amount of sealant was applied around the vertical fin 
lugs, skin and the skin edges. Missing sealant could result in icing of 
the elevator cables, which could cause a system jam and corrosion of 
structural and flight control parts, resulting in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective April 8, 2008.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 8, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.

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 (telephone 800-647-5527) is the 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: Wayne Lockett, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
917-6447; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to 
certain Boeing Model 737-600, 737-700, 737-700C, 737-800, and 737-900 
series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
November 19, 2007 (72 FR 64955). That NPRM proposed to require an 
inspection of the vertical fin lugs, skin, and skin edges for 
discrepancies; an inspection of the flight control cables, fittings, 
and pulleys in section 48 for signs of corrosion; an inspection of the 
horizontal stabilizer jackscrew, ball nut, and gimbal pins for signs of 
corrosion; and corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comment received. Boeing, the single 
commenter, supports the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    There are 829 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide 
fleet. This AD affects about 372 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
required actions take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average 
labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated 
cost of this AD for U.S. operators is $29,760, or $80 per airplane.

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

[[Page 11528]]

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), 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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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 AD:

2008-05-05 Boeing: Amendment 39-15399. Docket No. FAA-2007-0202; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-185-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 8, 
2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to certain Boeing Model 737-600, 737-700, 
737-700C, 737-800, and 737-900 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1242, 
Revision 2, dated April 23, 2007.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports indicating that moisture was 
found within the section 48 cavity. We are issuing this AD to ensure 
that the correct amount of sealant was applied around the vertical 
fin lugs, skin and the skin edges. Missing sealant could result in 
icing of the elevator cables, which could cause a system jam and 
corrosion of structural and flight control parts, resulting in 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspections

    (f) Within 2,500 flight cycles or 18 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do the detailed inspections 
specified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), and (f)(3) of this AD in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 737-53A1242, Revision 2, dated April 23, 2007.
    (1) Do a detailed inspection of the vertical fin lugs, skin, and 
skin edges for discrepancies (i.e., water ingress; corrosion damage; 
and missing, insufficient, or cracked sealant).
    (2) Do a detailed inspection of the flight control cables, 
fittings, and pulleys in section 48 for signs of corrosion.
    (3) Do a detailed inspection of the horizontal stabilizer 
jackscrew, ball nut, and gimbal pins for signs of corrosion.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``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 (i.e., the person performing the inspection). 
Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be 
used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be 
required.''

Corrective Actions

    (g) If any discrepancy or corrosion is found during any 
inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD, before further 
flight, do the applicable corrective actions in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1242, 
Revision 2, dated April 23, 2007; except where the service bulletin 
specifies to contact Boeing, repair using a method approved in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this 
AD.

Credit for Actions Done Using the Previous Service Information

    (h) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1242, dated October 
17, 2002; or Revision 1, dated April 28, 2005; are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified 
in paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an 
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized 
by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair 
method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis 
of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this 
AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1242, Revision 
2, dated April 23, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 
98124-2207.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 20, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-3821 Filed 3-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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