AirTran Airways

AirTran Airways has reviewed the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking under Docket FAA-2007-0214. This proposed AD would require installing an additional support bracket for the gray water drain hose, replacing the screw of the support bracket with a new screw, installing a spacer, doing a detailed inspection to detect interference or wear damage on hoses, lines, and cables, and doing corrective actions as necessary. The proposed actions are to be accomplished within 27 months and in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 717-38A0004, Revision 1, dated August 15, 2007. AirTran appreciates the opportunity to comment publicly on this NPRM, and offers the following: This NPRM affects seventy-five B717-200 aircraft currently in service at AirTran Airways. AirTran notes that as part of Boeing?s service bulletin validation program, this inspection/change was completed on airplane fuselage number 5005 and as such, this aircraft should not have been included in the SB effectivity and should not be applicable in the final rule. The intent of the service bulletin was accomplished by Boeing and AirTran on site at AirTran?s heavy maintenance facility in November 2006. Please exclude aircraft fuselage number 5005 from the final rule to preclude the need for an AMOC or re-accomplishment of the work. Due to the potential of interference and chafing between the potable water supply hose and/or gray water hose with the fuel line and/or feeder cables of the APU, AirTran Airways supports the proposed actions described in this NPRM.