[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 169 (Thursday, September 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21581]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 1, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-80-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 737 series
airplanes. This proposal would require modification of certain number 2
galley upper attachment support structure. This proposal is prompted by
results of engineering tests and analyses which revealed that certain
upper attachment support structure of the number 2 galley is unable to
support certain loads that may occur during emergency landing
conditions. If the galley support breaks, the galley may shift and
cause blockage of the forward service door. The actions specified by
the proposed AD are intended to prevent inability of passengers and
crew to exit the airplane through this door after an emergency landing.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 27, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-80-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. -
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2779; fax (206) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited -
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received. -
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket. -
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 94-NM-80-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs -
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 94-NM-80-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion -
The FAA has received results of engineering tests and subsequent
analyses, which revealed that certain number 2 galley upper attachment
structure will not support loads generated under emergency landing
conditions. Airplanes having rectangular airplane intercostal support
structure from Body Station (BS) 344 to BS 360 (inclusive) with number
2 galleys exceeding 1,170 pounds (including any attached equipment that
may impose loads on the galley), or airplanes having triangular
intercostal support structure from BS 344 to BS 360 (inclusive) with
number 2 galleys exceeding 1,050 pounds (including any attached
equipment which may impose loads on the galley) will not support the
load generated under emergency landing conditions as specified by the
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR). If the galley support structure
breaks, the galley may shift and cause blockage of the forward service
door. This condition, if not corrected, could result in the inability
of passengers and crew to exit the airplane using the galley door after
an emergency landing. -
The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-
1154, dated November 11, 1993, which describes procedures for adding
new shear ties to the BS 360 frame and changing the intercostals
between BS 344 and BS 360 (inclusive) on certain airplanes. The purpose
of this modification is to strengthen the airplane support structure
when the weight of galley number 2 exceeds limits described in the
service bulletin. Accomplishment of the actions described in this
service bulletin will ensure that the galley support structure can
withstand 9G forward load in the event of an emergency landing. -
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would require modification of the airplane support
structure from BS 344 to BS 360 (inclusive) for airplanes where the
number 2 galley exceeds certain weight limits. The actions would be
required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin
described previously. -
There are approximately 613 Model 737 series airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 139
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that
it would take approximately 64 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 per work
hour. Required parts would cost approximately $1,205 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $656,775, or $4,725 per airplane. -
The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. -
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. -
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39-
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment -
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended] -
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Boeing: Docket 94-NM-80-AD.
-Applicability: Model 737 series airplanes; as listed in Boeing
Service Bulletin 737-53-1154, dated November 11, 1993; equipped with
rectangular intercostal support structures from Body Station (BS)
344 to BS 360 (inclusive) and a number 2 galley weight exceeding
1,170 pounds (including any attached equipment that imposes loads on
the galley), or equipped with triangular intercostal support
structures from BS 344 to BS 360 (inclusive) and a number 2 galley
weight exceeding 1,050 pounds (including any attached equipment that
imposes loads on the galley); certificated in any category. -
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously. -
To prevent inability of passengers and crew to exit the forward
service door during an emergency landing condition, accomplish the
following: -
(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the airplane support structure from BS 344 to BS 360 (inclusive), in
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1154, dated November
11, 1993. -
(b) 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: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
-(c) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 26, 1994.
N.B. Martenson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-21581 Filed 8-31-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
