[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 155 (Tuesday, August 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43067-43069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20952]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
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Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 155 / Tuesday, August 12, 1997 /
Rules and Regulations
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-152-AD; Amendment 39-10102; AD 97-17-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100 and -200 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to all Boeing Model 737-100 and -200 series airplanes, that
requires replacement of certain outboard and inboard wheel halves with
improved wheel halves. This amendment also requires cleaning and
inspecting certain outboard and inboard wheel halves for corrosion,
missing paint in large areas, and cracks; and repair or replacement of
the wheel halves with serviceable wheel halves, if necessary. This
amendment is prompted by a review of the design of the flight control
systems on Model 737 series airplanes. The actions specified by this AD
are intended to prevent failure of the wheel flanges, which could
result in damage to the hydraulics systems, jammed flight controls,
loss of electrical power, or other combinations of failures; and
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective September 16, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of September 16, 1997.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Allied Signal Aerospace Company, Bendix Wheels and Brakes
Division, South Bend, Indiana 46624; and Bendix, Aircraft Brake and
Strut Division, 3520 Westmoor Street, South Bend, Indiana 46628-1373.
This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Herron, 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) 227-2672; 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 and -200
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a
supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 14, 1997 (62
FR 12123). That action proposed to require replacement of certain
outboard and inboard wheel halves with improved wheel halves. That
action also proposed to require cleaning and inspecting certain
outboard and inboard wheel halves for corrosion, missing paint in large
areas, and cracks; and repair or replacement of the wheel halves with
serviceable wheel halves, if necessary.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Support for the Proposal
Two commenters support the proposed rule.
Request To Withdraw the Proposal
One commenter states that review of the design of the flight
control systems on Model 737 series airplanes occurred on a military
aircraft, yet military airplanes are often subjected to harsh operating
environments and possibly operate with a lower level of inspection than
is found in commercial aviation. The commenter states that the existing
inspection schedules and inspection techniques in accordance with the
latest manufacturer's recommendations are adequate to prevent an unsafe
condition. The FAA infers from these remarks that the commenter
requests the proposed supplemental NPRM be withdrawn.
The FAA does not concur with the request to withdraw the
supplemental NPRM.
The FAA did not propose rulemaking for the subject unsafe condition
based solely on a single event. The FAA review of available service
information and the close proximity to the wheels of certain types of
equipment were contributing factors in the FAA's finding of the subject
unsafe condition. Furthermore, the commenter did not provide any
evidence to support its statement that military airplanes may have a
lower level of inspection than is found in commercial aviation, nor did
the commenter provide any substantiation for the statement that
existing inspections schedules and techniques are adequate to prevent
an unsafe condition.
Request to Remove Certain Airplanes From Applicability
One commenter, an operator, stated that its airplanes are equipped
with BF Goodrich main wheels rather than Bendix wheels. The FAA infers
that the operator requests that its airplanes be removed from the
applicability of this rule.
The FAA concurs that airplanes equipped with other than Bendix
wheels are not subject to the requirements of this rule. Since the
applicability of this rule clearly states that it applies only to
airplanes equipped with Bendix wheels, the FAA finds that no change to
the final rule is necessary.
Request To Correct Serial Numbers of the Wheel Halves
One commenter, the wheel half manufacturer, requests that the
serial numbers of the inboard wheel halves be revised based on its
further research into the manufacturing records of the wheel halves.
The manufacturer advises that the revised serial numbers reflect the
elimination of certain serial numbers of the wheel halves that have
been ``beefed up;'' therefore, those certain serial numbers do not need
to be replaced. The manufacturer contends that the correction of the
serial numbers will provide an economic benefit to operators as the
pool of useable wheel
[[Page 43068]]
halves would potentially be increased by 179 for inboard halves and 236
for outboard halves. The wheel half manufacturer also states that it
has issued Allied Signal, Aircraft Landing Systems, Service Information
Letter (SIL) #619, dated February 26, 1997, that corrects the serial
numbers. Specifically, the commenter requests that:
Paragraph (a) of the proposal be revised to read ``* * *
with an inboard wheel half with serial number (S/N) B-5898 or lower, or
S/N H-1721 or lower; or with an outboard wheel half with S/N B-5898 or
lower, or S/N H-0863 or lower * * *''
Paragraph (b) of the proposal be revised to read ``* * *
with an inboard wheel half with S/N B-5898 or lower, or S/N H-1721 or
lower; or with an outboard wheel half with S/N B-5898 or lower, or S/N
H-0863 or lower * * *''
Paragraph (b)(1) of the proposal be revised to read ``* *
* and replace it with an inboard wheel half having part number (P/N)
2607046, S/N 5899 or greater, or S/N H-1722 or greater.''
Paragraph (b)(2) of the proposal be revised to read ``* *
* and replace it with an outboard wheel half having P/N 2607047, S/N B-
5899 or greater, or S/N H-0864 or greater.''
The FAA concurs with the revision of the serial numbers based on
the commenter's justification. The final rule has been revised as
suggested by the commenter.
Additionally, the FAA has added a new ``Note 2'' to this final rule
to reference the SIL discussed by the commenter as an additional source
of service information concerning appropriate wheel half serial
numbers.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 634 Boeing Model 737-100 and -200 series
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA
estimates that 241 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this
AD.
The FAA estimates that it will take approximately 4 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required replacement of wheel halves at an
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $20,212 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the required replacement on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$4,928,932, or $20,452 per airplane.
The FAA also estimates that it will take approximately 2 work hours
per airplane to accomplish the required cleaning and inspection at an
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the required cleaning and inspection on U.S. operators
is estimated to be $28,920, or $120 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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.
Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is
determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the rules docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the rules docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
97-17-01 Boeing: Amendment 39-10102. Docket 96-NM-152-AD.
Applicability: Model 737-100 and -200 series airplanes equipped
with Bendix main wheel assemblies having part number 2601571-1,
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the wheel flanges, which could result in
damage to the hydraulics systems, jammed flight controls, loss of
electrical power, or other combinations of failures and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
Note 2: Allied Signal, Aircraft Landing Systems, Service
Information Letter #619, dated February 26, 1997, is an additional
source of service information for appropriate wheel half serial
numbers.
(a) For airplanes equipped with a Bendix main wheel assembly
having part number (P/N) 2601571-1 with an inboard wheel half with
serial number (S/N) B-5898 or lower, or S/N H-1721 or lower; or with
an outboard wheel half with S/N B-5898 or lower, or S/N H-0863 or
lower; accomplish the following:
(1) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, and
thereafter at each tire change until the replacement required by
paragraph (b) of this AD is accomplished: Accomplish the actions
specified in paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) of
this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Allied Signal Service Bulletin No. 737-32-026, dated April 26, 1988.
(i) Clean any inboard and outboard wheel half specified in
paragraph (a) of this AD. And
(ii) Inspect the wheel halves for corrosion or missing paint. If
any corrosion is found, or if any paint is missing in large areas,
prior to further flight, strip or remove paint, and remove any
corrosion. And
[[Page 43069]]
(iii) Perform an eddy current inspection to detect cracks of the
bead seat area.
(2) If any cracking is found during the inspections required by
this paragraph, prior to further flight, repair or replace the wheel
halves with serviceable wheel halves in accordance with procedures
specified in the Component Maintenance Manual.
(b) For airplanes equipped with a Bendix main wheel assembly
having P/N 2601571-1 with an inboard wheel half with S/N B-5898 or
lower, or S/N H-1721 or lower; or with an outboard wheel half with
S/N B-5898 or lower, or S/N H-0863 or lower; accomplish the
following: Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish the actions specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of
this AD, in accordance with Bendix Service Information Letter (SIL)
392, Revision 1, dated November 15, 1979. Accomplishment of the
replacement constitutes terminating action for the repetitive
inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
(1) Remove any inboard wheel half specified in paragraph (b) of
this AD, and replace it with an inboard wheel half having P/N
2607046, S/N 5899 or greater, or S/N H-1722 or greater. And
(2) Remove any outboard wheel half specified in paragraph (b) of
this AD, and replace it with an outboard wheel half having P/N
2607047, S/N B-5899 or greater, or S/N H-0864 or greater.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Seattle ACO.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(e) Certain actions shall be done in accordance with Bendix
Service Information Letter (SIL) 392, Revision 1, dated November 15,
1979. Certain other actions shall be done in accordance with Allied
Signal Service Bulletin No. 737-32-026, dated April 26, 1988. This
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies may be obtained from Allied Signal Aerospace Company,
Aircraft Landing Systems, 3520 Westmoor Street, South Bend, Indiana
46628-1373. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on September 16, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 4, 1997.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-20952 Filed 8-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
