[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 15, 2017)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Pages 52838-52840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24624]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0772; Product Identifier 2017-NM-075-AD; Amendment 39-19099; AD

2017-23-05]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company
Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports
of crack indications in the right wing upper aft skin, originating from fastener holes common to the
rear spar upper chord. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the wing upper aft skin,
and applicable on-condition actions. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 20, 2017.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain
publication listed in this AD as of December 20, 2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57,
Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue
SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket
No. FAA-2017-0772.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0772; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final
rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The address for the

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Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Payman Soltani, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe

Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137;
phone: 562-627-5313; fax: 562-627-5210; email: payman.soltani@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD

that would apply to all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500
series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 15, 2017 (82 FR 38632).
The NPRM was prompted by a report of crack indications in the right wing upper aft skin, originating
from fastener holes common to the rear spar upper chord at wing buttock line (WBL) 172.30 and
WBL 197.38. The cracks were found on airplanes with 58,148 to 64,204 total flight hours and 45,512
to 51,409 total flight cycles. This cracking, if not corrected, could result in the inability of a principal
structural element to sustain flight load, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the
airplane. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections for cracking of the wing upper aft
skin at and forward of the rear spar upper chord, and applicable on-condition actions.
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the wing upper aft skin, which can lead
to the inability of a principal structural element to sustain flight load, and adversely affect the
structural integrity of the airplane.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this final rule. We have
considered the comments received.

Support for the NPRM

The Boeing Company supported the NPRM.

Effect of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions

Aviation Partners Boeing stated that accomplishing the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
ST01219SE does not affect the actions specified in the NPRM.
We concur with the commenter. We have redesignated paragraph (c) of the proposed AD as
paragraph (c)(1) of this AD and added paragraph (c)(2) to this AD to state that installation of STC
ST01219SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. Therefore, for
airplanes on which STC ST01219SE is installed, a “change in product” alternative method of
compliance (AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with the requirements of 14 CFR
39.17.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule with the change described previously and minor
editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:

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 • Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe
condition; and
• Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.
We also determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or
increase the scope of this final rule.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-57A1335, dated May 24, 2017. The service
information describes procedures for repetitive inspections for cracking of the wing upper aft skin at
and forward of the rear spar upper chord, and applicable on-condition actions. This service
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their
normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 160 airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate the following costs
to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs
Action Labor cost Parts Cost per product Cost on U.S.
cost operators
Inspection 4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 $0 $340 per $54,400 per
per inspection cycle inspection cycle inspection cycle.

We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the on-
condition actions specified in this AD.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety.
Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III,
Section 44701: “General requirements.” Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices,
methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This
regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely
to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the Executive Director, Aircraft
Certification Service, as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance
of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but during this
transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable to
transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and

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the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

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 AIRWORTHINESS
FAA DIRECTIVE
Aviation Safety
www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/
www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/advanced.html

2017-23-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-19099; Docket No. FAA-2017-0772; Product
Identifier 2017-NM-075-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective December 20, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

(1) This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -
500 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
(2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01219SE
(http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/ebd1cec7b301293e86257cb300455
57a/$FILE/ST01219SE.pdf) does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD.
Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01219SE is installed, a “change in product” alternative
method of compliance (AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with the requirements of
14 CFR 39.17.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports of crack indications in the right wing upper aft skin,
originating from fastener holes common to the rear spar upper chord. We are issuing this AD to
detect and correct cracking of the wing upper aft skin, which can lead to the inability of a principal
structural element to sustain flight load, and adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

(1) For airplanes identified as Group 2 in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-57A1335, dated
May 24, 2017: Except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD, at the applicable times specified in
paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-57A1335, dated May 24, 2017,
do all applicable actions identified as “RC” (required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-57A1335, dated May 24, 2017.

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 (2) For airplanes identified as Group 1 in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-57A1335, dated
May 24, 2017: Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect the airplane and do all
applicable corrective actions using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in
paragraph (i) of this AD.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

(1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this AD, the phrase “the
effective date of this AD” may be substituted for “the original issue date of this service bulletin,” as
specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-57A1335, dated May 24, 2017.
(2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-57A1335, dated May 24, 2017, specifies contacting
Boeing, and specifies that action as RC: This AD requires using a method approved in accordance
with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate.
If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-LAACO-
AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a
principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district
office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair,
modification, or alteration required by this AD if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Los
Angeles ACO Branch, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair method, modification
deviation, or alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval
must specifically refer to this AD.
(4) Except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD: For service information that contains steps
that are labeled as RC, the provisions of paragraphs (i)(4)(i) and (i)(4)(ii) of this AD apply.
(i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step and any figures identified in an
RC step, must be done to comply with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled “RC Exempt,” then the
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC
steps, including substeps and identified figures.
(ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with
the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided
the RC steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done as specified, and the airplane
can be put back in an airworthy condition.

(j) Related Information

For more information about this AD, contact Payman Soltani, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137;
phone: 562-627-5313; fax: 562-627-5210; email: payman.soltani@faa.gov.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the
service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

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 (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD,
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-57A1335, dated May 24, 2017.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes,
Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal
Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-
227-1221.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 3, 2017.

Jeffrey E. Duven,
Director, System Oversight Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.