AD 2014-08-08

Recurring final rule

Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes

AD Number: 2014-08-08
Status: final_rule
Effective Date: June 3, 2014
Product Category: aircraft
Docket: Docket No. FAA-2013-0837
FR Citation: 79 FR 23906

Applicability

Type	Manufacturer	Model	Details
aircraft	The Boeing Company	737-200 Series	Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes
aircraft	The Boeing Company	737-200C Series	Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes
aircraft	The Boeing Company	737-300 Series	Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes
aircraft	The Boeing Company	737-400 Series	Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes
aircraft	The Boeing Company	737-500 Series	Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes

Unsafe Condition

Cracking found in the skin at the lower aft corner of the forward entry doorway on airplanes that do not have an airstair door cutout, which could lead to crack progression and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Required Actions

Repetitive inspections for cracking in the lower corners of the forward entry doorway on airplanes that do not have an airstair door cutout, and repair if necessary.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Compliance Time

Before further flight

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Affected Aircraft

The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes that do not have an airstair door cutout.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Federal Register Abstract

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking found in the skin at the lower aft corner of the forward entry doorway on airplanes that do not have an airstair door cutout. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking in the lower corners of the forward entry doorway on airplanes that do not have an airstair door cutout, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the lower corners of the forward entry doorway, which could lead to crack progression and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

Applicability Source Text

Show captured applicability text from the source AD

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C, 
-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category, 
without an airstair door cutout, as identified in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013.
    (2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
ST01219SE (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory--and--Guidance--Library/
rgstc.nsf/0/be866b732f6cf31086257b9700692796/$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 section 39.17 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 
(14 CFR 39.17).

Document Text

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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 82 (Tuesday, April 29, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23906-23908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08987]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0837; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-112-AD;
Amendment 39-17832; AD 2014-08-08]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking found in the
skin at the lower aft corner of the forward entry doorway on airplanes
that do not have an airstair door cutout. This AD requires repetitive
inspections for cracking in the lower corners of the forward entry
doorway on airplanes that do not have an airstair door cutout, and
repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
cracking in the lower corners of the forward entry doorway, which could
lead to crack progression and consequent rapid decompression of the
airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective June 3, 2014
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 3,
2014.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>. You may view this referenced service information
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
0837; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the 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: Alan Pohl, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6450; fax:
425-917-6590; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#442528252a6a342b2c28042225256a232b32">[email&#160;protected]</a>.

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 certain The Boeing Company
Model 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on October 2, 2013 (78 FR 60807). The
NPRM was prompted by reports of cracking found in the skin at the lower
aft corner of the forward entry doorway on airplanes that do not have
an airstair door cutout. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive
inspections for cracking in the lower corners of the forward entry
doorway on airplanes that do not have an airstair door cutout, and
repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
cracking in the lower corners of the forward entry doorway, which could
lead to crack progression and consequent rapid decompression of the
airplane.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal
(78 FR 60807, October 2, 2013) and the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the Proposed Requirements

Boeing stated that it concurs with the proposed requirements.

Statement Regarding Effect of Winglets on Accomplishment of AD
Requirements

Aviation Partners Boeing stated that the installation of winglets
per APB Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01219SE (http://
rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory--and--Guidance--Library/rgstc.nsf/0/
be866b732f6cf31086257b9700692796/$FILE/ST01219SE.pdf) does not affect
the accomplishment of the manufacturer's service instructions.
We agree. We have redesignated paragraph (c) of the NPRM (78 FR
60807, October 2, 2013) as paragraph (c)(1) and added paragraph (c)(2)
to this final rule to state that installation of APB STC ST01219SE
(http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/
be866b732f6cf31086257b9700692796/$FILE/ST01219SE.pdf) does not affect
the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. Therefore,
for airplanes on which APB STC ST01219SE is installed, a ``change in
product'' alternative method of compliance (AMOC) approval request is
not necessary to comply with the requirements of section 39.17 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.17).

Request To Allow Credit for Previously Accomplished Repairs

Alaska Airlines (ASA) requested that we revise the NPRM (78 FR
60807, October 2, 2013) to allow credit for previously accomplished
repairs. ASA stated that it has already installed repairs in the
specified area using FAA- and Boeing-approved data on some of its
airplanes. ASA did not provide details for any specific repair.
We do not agree to allow credit for unspecified repairs. ASA did
not provide criteria for evaluating existing repairs or for
demonstrating how such repairs would comply with the requirements of
this AD. However, once we issue this AD, any person may request
approval of an existing repair as an AMOC under the provisions of
paragraph (j) of this AD. We have not changed this final rule in this
regard.

Request To Allow Certain Terminating Repairs for Certain Airplanes

Southwest Airlines (SWA) requested that certain structural repairs
specified in Part 2 of the Work Instructions of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013, terminate both the initial
and repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of the NPRM (78 FR
60807, October 2, 2013). SWA pointed out that Boeing

[[Page 23907]]

Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013, states that
certain repairs provided in Part 2 of the Work Instructions terminate
both the initial and the repetitive inspections specified in that
service bulletin for Group 3 airplanes.
We agree that the structural repairs specified in Part 2 of the
Work Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated
June 4, 2013, terminate both the initial and repetitive inspections
required for Group 3 airplanes identified in that service bulletin. We
have revised paragraph (h) of this final rule to specify that both the
initial and repetitive inspections are terminated by the specified
repairs for Group 3 airplanes.

Request To Consider Certain STC Modifications as an AMOC With This AD

ASA requested that modifications per STC ST03387AT (http://
rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory--and--Guidance--Library/rgstc.nsf/0/
bd126e373ba4c5da86257a79006f31bf/$FILE/ST03387AT.pdf) and STC SA2969SO
(http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/
2a10f5d4090a534686257a79006f0f97/$FILE/SA2969SO.pdf) be considered as
an AMOC for the requirements of this AD. ASA noted that it has
passenger/cargo configured airplanes that have been modified per these
STCs.
We disagree with the commenter's request. ASA did not demonstrate
how these modifications would address the identified unsafe condition.
We also need to clarify the AMOC process. AMOCs provide an alternative
method of compliance to the methods required to be used in the
associated AD. An AMOC is issued only after an AD has been issued and
only after data are provided to show that the proposed solution is
complete and addresses the unsafe condition. However, once we issue
this AD, any person may request approval of an AMOC under the
provisions of paragraph (j) of this AD.

Request To Delegate Repair Approval Authority to the Manufacturer

SWA requested that AMOC authority be granted to the manufacturer
for existing repairs approved previously using FAA Form 8100-9,
``Statement of Compliance with Airworthiness Standards.'' SWA provided
no justification for this request.
We do not agree that a change to this final rule is necessary in
this regard. Paragraph (j)(3) of this AD already delegates the
authority to approve an AMOC for any repair required by this AD to the
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization, as
long as the repair meets the certification basis of the airplane and
the approval specifically refers to this AD. We have made no change to
this final rule in this regard.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
<bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (78 FR 60807, October 2, 2013) for correcting the unsafe
condition; and
<bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 60807, October 2, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 376 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection of the lower corners of 5 work-hours x $85 $0 $425, per inspection $159,800, per
the forward entry doorway (Groups per hour = $425, per cycle. inspection cycle.
2 and 3 airplanes) \1\. inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the inspection on
Group 1 airplanes.

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.

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 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

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

[[Page 23908]]

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):

2014-08-08 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17832; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0837; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-112-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective June 3, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

For The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series
airplanes: Certain requirements of AD 2008-09-13, Amendment 39-15494
(73 FR 24164, May 2, 2008), may be affected by certain requirements
of this AD.

(1) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C,
-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category,
without an airstair door cutout, as identified in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013.
(2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
ST01219SE (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory--and--Guidance--Library/
rgstc.nsf/0/be866b732f6cf31086257b9700692796/$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 section 39.17 of the Federal Aviation Regulations
(14 CFR 39.17).

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports of cracking found in the skin at
the lower aft corner of the forward entry doorway on airplanes that
do not have an airstair door cutout. We are issuing this AD to
detect and correct cracking in the lower corners of the forward
entry doorway, which could lead to crack progression and consequent
rapid decompression of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Repetitive Inspections

Except as provided by paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, at the
applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013, do
the actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, as
applicable.
(1) For Group 1 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013: Except as provided by
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, inspect the lower corners of the
forward entry doorway for cracking, using a method approved in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this
AD.
(2) For Group 2 and Group 3 airplanes, as identified in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013: At the
forward entry doorway lower forward and aft corners, as applicable,
do an internal detailed inspection of the skin assembly and bear
strap, an internal high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection of
the bear strap, and external detailed and HFEC inspections of the
skin assembly for cracking, in accordance with Part 2 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
53A1329, dated June 4, 2013. If no cracking is found during any
inspection required by this paragraph: Except as provided by
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, repeat the applicable inspections at
the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013.

(h) Repair

(1) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (g) of this AD: For Group 3 airplanes with cracking at the
aft lower corner of the forward entry doorway, before further
flight, repair in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated
June 4, 2013. Accomplishment of this repair terminates the initial
and repetitive inspections required by this AD in the area common to
the repair for Group 3 airplanes only. For all other cracking found,
before further flight, repair using a method approved in accordance
with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
(2) Installation of a repair approved in accordance with
paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the repetitive inspections
required by this AD for the repaired area only.

(i) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

(1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June
4, 2013, specifies a compliance time ``after the original issue date
of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance within the
specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Although Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated
June 4, 2013, specifies contacting Boeing for information on certain
inspections and repairs, this AD requires that those actions be done
by using a method approved in accordance with the procedures
specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
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 ACO, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#754c58343b3858261014010119105834363a5834383a36582710040010060106351314145b121a03">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
(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 required by this AD if it is approved by The
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization
that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO to make those
findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must meet
the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.

(k) Related Information

For more information about this AD, contact Alan Pohl, Aerospace
Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356;
phone: 425-917-6450; fax: 425-917-6590; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#60010c010e4e100f080c200601014e070f16">[email&#160;protected]</a>.

(l) 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.
(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 737-53A1329, dated June 4,
2013.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For The Boeing Company service information identified in
this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data &
Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-
2207; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680;
Internet <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 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: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 14, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-08987 Filed 4-28-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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Retrieved: Apr 6, 2026

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Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes

Applicability

Unsafe Condition

Required Actions

Compliance Time

Affected Aircraft

Federal Register Abstract

Applicability Source Text

Document Text

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