2012-3036. Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes equipped with analog transient suppression devices (ATSDs) installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate number ST00146BO. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple reports of corrosion on ATSDs. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance program to incorporate certain limitations. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion on ATSDs, which could result in the loss of high voltage transient protection (e.g., lightning protection) in the fuel tanks and consequent fuel tank explosion and loss of the airplane.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 26, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Goodrich Corporation, Sensors and Integrated Systems, 100 Panton Road, Vergennes, Vermont 05491; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail]; Internet: http://www.goodrich.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 proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: [phone]) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Marc Ronell, Aerospace Engineer, Engine and Propeller Directorate, ANE-150, FAA, New England Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2012-0110; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-148-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD because of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

We have received at least six reports of corrosion on the housings of ATSDs. This condition, if not corrected, could result in the loss of high voltage transient protection (e.g., lightning protection) in the fuel tanks and consequent fuel tank explosion and loss of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Goodrich Principal Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Manual for the Analog Transient Suppression Device Installation Applicable to Boeing 737-100 through -500 Airplanes Supplemental Type Certificate—ST00146BO, Document T3044-0010-0101, Revision D, dated September 26, 2011, which describes various limitations, including Critical Design Control Limitations (CDCCL), inspections, and checks of the ATSD, ground straps, and safe-side harness.

FAA's Determination

We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 384 airplanes of U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

Estimated costs

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product	Cost on U.S. operators
Revise maintenance program	1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85	$0	$85	$32,640

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

We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Is not a “significant rule” under the 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

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-0110; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-148-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

We must receive comments by March 26, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued before September 26, 2011, equipped with analog transient suppression devices (ATSDs) installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate number ST00146BO.

Note 1 to paragraphs (c), (g), and (h):

This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections and/or Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs). Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) according to paragraph (i) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required actions that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 2841, Fuel Quantity Indicator.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by multiple reports of corrosion on ATSDs. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion on ATSDs, which could result in the loss of high voltage transient protection (e.g., lightning protection) in the fuel tanks and consequent fuel tank explosion and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Maintenance Program Revision

Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program to incorporate the limitations specified in Goodrich Principal Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Manual for the Analog Transient Suppression Device Installation Applicable to Boeing 737-100 through -500 Airplanes Supplemental Type Certificate—ST00146BO, Document T3044-0010-0101, Revision D, dated September 26, 2011. The initial compliance time for accomplishing each task is at the applicable time specified in Goodrich Principal Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Manual for the Analog Transient Suppression Device Installation Applicable to Boeing 737-100 through -500 Airplanes Supplemental Type Certificate—ST00146BO, Document T3044-0010-0101, Revision D, dated September 26, 2011, or within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

Note 2 to paragraph (g):

Components that have been identified as airworthy or installed on the affected airplanes before the revision of the maintenance program, as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, do not need to be reworked in accordance with the CDCCLs. However, once the maintenance program has been revised, paragraph (g) of this AD requires that future maintenance actions on these components must follow the CDCCLs.

(h) No Alternative Actions Intervals, and/or Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations

After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, and/or CDCCLs may be used other than those specified in Goodrich Principal Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Manual for the Analog Transient Suppression Device Installation Applicable to Boeing 737-100 through -500 Airplanes Supplemental Type Certificate—ST00146BO, Document T3044-0010-0101, Revision D, dated September 26, 2011, unless the actions, intervals, and/or CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance

(1) The Manager, Boston 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.

(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.

(j) Related Information

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Marc Ronell, Aerospace Engineer, Engine and Propeller Directorate, ANE-150, FAA, New England Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Goodrich Corporation, Sensors and Integrated Systems, 100 Panton Road, Vergennes, Vermont 05491; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail]; Internet: http://www.goodrich.com/​TechPubs. 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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 23, 2012.

Kalene C. Yanamura,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.