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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov, including any
contains notices to the public of the proposed http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the personal information you provide. We
issuance of rules and regulations. The instructions for submitting comments. will also post a report summarizing each
purpose of these notices is to give interested • Fax: 202–493–2251. substantive verbal contact we receive
persons an opportunity to participate in the • Mail: U.S. Department of about this proposed AD.
rule making prior to the adoption of the final Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
rules. 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room Discussion
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., We proposed to amend 14 CFR part
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Washington, DC 20590. 39 with a notice of proposed rulemaking
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of (NPRM) for an AD (the ‘‘original
Federal Aviation Administration Transportation, Docket Operations, M– NPRM’’) for certain Boeing Model 737–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 600, –700, –700C, –800 and –900 series
14 CFR Part 39 W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., airplanes. The original NPRM was
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. published in the Federal Registeron
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28348; Directorate
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, June 5, 2007 (72 FR 30996). The original
Identifier 2007–NM–060–AD] except Federal holidays. NPRM proposed to require sealing the
For service information identified in fasteners on the front and rear spars
this AD, contact Boeing Commercial inside the main fuel tank and on the
RIN 2120–AA64
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, lower panel of the center fuel tank,
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Washington 98124–2207. inspecting the wire bundle support
Model 737–600, –700, –700C, –800 and Examining the AD Docket installation in the equipment cooling
–900 Series Airplanes system bays to identify the type of
You may examine the AD docket on
clamp installed and determine whether
AGENCY: Federal Aviation the Internet at http://
the Teflon sleeve is installed, and doing
Administration (FAA), Department of www.regulations.gov; or in person at the
related corrective actions if necessary.
Transportation (DOT). Docket Management Facility between 9
ACTION: Supplemental notice of
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Actions Since Original NPRM Was
proposed rulemaking (NPRM); Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD Issued
reopening of comment period. docket contains this proposed AD, the Since we issued the original NPRM,
regulatory evaluation, any comments we have become aware that the
SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an earlier received, and other information. The compliance time for the corrective
proposed airworthiness directive (AD) street address for the Docket Office actions in the referenced service
for certain Boeing Model 737–600, –700, (telephone 800–647–5527) is in the bulletin, Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
–700C, –800 and –900 series airplanes. ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
737–57A1279, dated January 24, 2007,
The original NPRM would have available in the AD docket shortly after is specified incorrectly. Paragraph 1.E.
required sealing the fasteners on the receipt. of the service bulletin specifies
front and rear spars inside the main fuel FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: replacing incorrect clamps within 5
tank and on the lower panel of the Kathrine Rask, Aerospace Engineer, years of the release date on the service
center fuel tank, inspecting the wire Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA, bulletin. Paragraph (g) of this
bundle support installation in the Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, supplemental NPRM would require this
equipment cooling system bays to 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, action before further flight after
identify the type of clamp installed and Washington 98057–3356; telephone discovery of the incorrect clamps.
determine whether the Teflon sleeve is (425) 917–6505; fax (425) 917–6590.
installed, and doing related corrective SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments
actions if necessary. The original NPRM We provided the public the
Comments Invited
resulted from a design review of the fuel opportunity to participate in the
tank systems. This action revises the We invite you to send any written development of this AD. We have
compliance time for the corrective relevant data, views, or arguments about considered the comments received.
actions specified in the original NPRM. this proposed AD. Send your comments
to an address listed under the Support for the NPRM
We are proposing this supplemental
NPRM to prevent arcing at certain fuel ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. Boeing concurs with the contents of
tank fasteners in the event of a lightning FAA–2007–28348; Directorate Identifier the NPRM.
strike or fault current event, which, in 2007–NM–060–AD’’ at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite Request To Revise Compliance Time
combination with flammable fuel
vapors, could result in a fuel tank comments on the overall regulatory, Air Transport Association (ATA), on
explosion and consequent loss of the economic, environmental, and energy behalf of its member American Airlines
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with PROPOSALS
airplane. aspects of this proposed AD. We will (AAL), requests that we revise the
consider all comments received by the proposed compliance time for the
DATES: We must receive comments on closing date and may amend this sealant application and inspection from
this supplemental NPRM by January 28, proposed AD because of those 60 months to 72 months. AAL states
2008. comments. that its current maintenance schedule
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by We will post all comments we might not allow for accomplishment of
any of the following methods: receive, without change, to http:// the proposed actions on all of its
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74 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2008 / Proposed Rules
affected airplanes within 60 months. specifications to give operators as many actions represent only the time
AAL would therefore incur significant options as possible. We review those necessary to perform the specific actions
costs associated with special options when we approve the service actually required by the AD. These
maintenance visits to meet the information. AAL did not make any figures typically do not include
compliance time. specific proposals for alternative incidental costs, such as the time
We disagree with the request. In specifications. We need to approve the required to gain access and close up, or
developing an appropriate compliance use of all such substitutions to ensure the costs of ‘‘on-condition’’ actions such
time for this action, we considered the that the unsafe condition is adequately as repairs (that is, actions needed to
safety implications, the manufacturer’s addressed. We have not changed this correct an unsafe condition). We have
recommendations, and normal supplemental NPRM regarding this not changed the supplemental NPRM
maintenance schedules for most affected issue. However, paragraph (h) of this regarding this issue.
operators for the timely accomplishment supplemental NPRM provides operators
FAA’s Determination and Proposed
of the required actions. We have the opportunity to request alternative
Requirements of the Supplemental
determined that the compliance time, as methods of compliance if data are
NPRM
proposed, represents the maximum presented that prove that the proposed
interval of time allowable for the options will provide an acceptable level The compliance time for one of the
affected airplanes to continue to safely of safety. corrective actions discussed above
operate before the required actions are expands the scope of the original
Request To Revise Cost Estimate
done. We have not changed the original NPRM; therefore, we have determined
NPRM regarding this issue. However, ATA and AAL request that we revise that it is necessary to reopen the
according to the provisions of paragraph the proposed cost estimate to reflect comment period to provide additional
(h) of this supplemental NPRM, we may additional work that might be necessary opportunity for public comment on this
approve requests to adjust the to comply with the proposed AD. First, supplemental NPRM.
compliance time if the request includes AAL states that the original NPRM
provides no costs for open/close actions, Differences Between the Supplemental
data that prove that a different
although the proposed actions might not NPRM and the Service Bulletin
compliance time would provide an
acceptable level of safety. always be accomplished at the same As stated previously, where the
time as other maintenance work that service bulletin specifies a compliance
Request To Approve Alternative Part involves similar open/close actions time for replacing incorrect clamps
Numbers and Other Specifications (removing A/C packs, opening wing fuel within 5 years after the date on the
ATA and AAL request that we revise tanks, and deploying Krueger Flaps). To service bulletin, this supplemental
the original NPRM to allow alternatives ensure timely compliance, AAL suggests NPRM would require this action before
to parts and other specifications that an additional 42.5 hours per further flight after discovery of the
identified in Alert Service Bulletin 737– airplane might be necessary for open/ incorrect clamps.
57A1279. AAL states that including an close actions. Second, AAL states that
Costs of Compliance
option to choose among multiple the NPRM provides no costs for clamp/
vendors or specifications should reduce sleeve replacement, although an There are about 1,754 airplanes of the
any part availability issues for the additional 58 hours per airplane might affected design in the worldwide fleet;
operator. be necessary for this action (depending of these, 645 airplanes are U.S.
We disagree with the request. We on the inspection results). registered. The following table provides
understand that, when developing We disagree with the request to revise the estimated costs for U.S. operators to
service information, Boeing tries to the cost estimate. The cost impact comply with this supplemental NPRM,
identify alternative parts and other figures discussed in AD rulemaking at an average hourly labor rate of $80.
ESTIMATED COSTS
Average Number of
Cost per
Action Group Work hours hourly labor U.S.-registered Fleet cost
airplane
rate airplanes
Authority for This Rulemaking Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, products identified in this rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code ‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that action.
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue section, Congress charges the FAA with
Regulatory Findings
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in
air commerce by prescribing regulations
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with PROPOSALS
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2008 / Proposed Rules 75
Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG. (RRD) TAY be available in the AD docket shortly
of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this 650–15 Turbofan Engines after receipt.
AD to prevent arcing at certain fuel tank
AGENCY: Federal Aviation FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
fasteners in the event of a lightning strike or
fault current event, which, in combination Administration (FAA), DOT. Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
with flammable fuel vapors, could result in Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
(NPRM).
the airplane. Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
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