[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 137 (Friday, July 17, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 38524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18950]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-50-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -300, -400,
and -500 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of comment
period.
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SUMMARY: This document announces a reopening of the comment period for
the above-referenced NPRM which proposed adoption of a new
airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all Boeing Model
737-100, -200, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. That NPRM invites
comments concerning the proposed requirements for installation of
components for the suppression of electrical transients, and/or
installation of components to provide shielding and separation to the
fuel system wiring that is routed to the fuel tanks from adjacent
wiring; and installation of flame arrestors and pressure relief valves
in the fuel vent system. This reopening of the comment period is
necessary to afford all interested persons an opportunity to present
their views on the proposed requirements of that NPRM.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 31, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-50-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
Information concerning this NPRM may be obtained from or examined
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Hartonas, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056, telephone (425) 227-2864, fax (425)
227-1181; or Dorr Anderson, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-
140S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056, telephone (425) 227-2684, fax (425) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -
300, -400, and -500 series airplanes was published in the Federal
Register on April 22, 1998 (63 FR 19852). That action proposed to
require installation of components for the suppression of electrical
transients, and/or installation of components to provide shielding and
separation to the fuel system wiring that is routed to the fuel tanks
from adjacent wiring; and installation of flame arrestors and pressure
relief valves in the fuel vent system. That action invites comments on
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the
proposal.
That action was prompted by testing results, obtained in support of
an accident investigation, and by re-examination of possible causes of
a similar accident. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to prevent possible ignition of fuel vapors in the fuel tanks,
and external ignition of the fuel vapor exiting the fuel vent system
and consequent propagation of a flame front into the fuel tanks.
Since the issuance of that proposal, commenters have raised issues
regarding the ability to implement corrective action in a timely
manner, particularly because the manufacturer has yet to issue a
service bulletin. Based on these and other comments, the FAA has
determined that further discussion and input may be beneficial prior to
the adoption of a final rule. As a result, the FAA has decided to
reopen the comment period for 45 days to receive additional comments.
The comment period for Rules Docket No. 98-NM-50-AD closes August
31, 1998.
Because no other portion of the proposal or other regulatory
information has been changed, the entire proposal is not being
republished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 8, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-18950 Filed 7-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
