AD 2017-17-09
final rule
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
The fuel tank access door at a certain wing buttock line did not have an engineered ground path with the mating wing structure, which could result in an ungrounded path and increased risk of ignition and subsequent fuel tank explosion in the event of a lightning strike.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Replace the fuel tank access door, perform a check of the electrical bond, conduct related investigative and corrective actions if necessary, and revise the maintenance or inspection program by incorporating an airworthiness limitation (AWL).
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes.
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 all The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a manufacturer's review that showed that the fuel tank access door at a certain wing buttock line did not have an engineered ground path with the mating wing structure. This AD requires replacing the fuel tank access door, doing a check of the electrical bond, doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary, and revising the maintenance or inspection program by incorporating an airworthiness limitation (AWL). We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400,
and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
Document Text
Show stored source text (verify against official source)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 164 (Friday, August 25, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40477-40479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17399]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-0128; Product Identifier 2016-NM-194-AD; Amendment
39-18999; AD 2017-17-09]
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 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD
was prompted by a manufacturer's review that showed that the fuel tank
access door at a certain wing buttock line did not have an engineered
ground path with the mating wing structure. This AD requires replacing
the fuel tank access door, doing a check of the electrical bond, doing
related investigative and corrective actions if necessary, and revising
the maintenance or inspection program by incorporating an airworthiness
limitation (AWL). We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 29, 2017.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 29,
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 <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>. 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 <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0128.
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-2017-
0128; 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 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: Serj Harutunian, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5254; fax: 562-627-
5210; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6a190f180044020b181f1e1f04030b042a0c0b0b440d051c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b7c4d2c5dd99dfd6c5c2c3c2d9ded6d9f7d1d6d699d0d8c1">[email protected]</span></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 all The Boeing Company
Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on March 9, 2017 (82 FR 13079). The NPRM was
prompted by a report that the fuel tank access door at wing buttock
line 191.00 did not have an engineered ground path with the mating wing
structure. The NPRM proposed to require replacing the fuel tank access
door, doing a check of the electrical bond, doing related investigative
and corrective actions if necessary, and revising the maintenance or
inspection program by incorporating an AWL. We are issuing this AD to
prevent an ungrounded path that could result in an increased risk of
ignition and subsequent fuel tank explosion in the event of a lightning
strike.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and
the FAA's response to each comment.
Support for the NPRM
The Air Line Pilots Association, International, stated that it
supports the NPRM.
Request To Revise the Proposed AD To State the Compliance Time and
Remove an Exception
Boeing requested that we revise paragraph (g) of the proposed AD to
state the specific compliance time ``within 36 months after the
effective date of this AD,'' rather than referring to the service
information for compliance times. Boeing suggested that providing the
compliance time in the body of the proposed AD would minimize confusion
and misunderstanding.
Boeing also requested that we remove paragraph (i)(1) of the
proposed AD, which specifies an exception to the compliance time stated
in the service information. Boeing further noted that we would also
need to renumber paragraph (i)(2) of the proposed AD and update
references to the affected paragraphs of the proposed AD. Boeing
pointed out that if we stated the specific compliance time as
requested, the exception language in paragraph (i)(1) of the proposed
AD is no longer necessary.
We agree with the requested changes for the reasons provided by the
commenter. We have revised this AD accordingly.
Request To Correct the Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR)
Document Title
Boeing requested that we correct the title of the CMR document from
``Boeing 737-12345 . . .'' to ``Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 . .
. .''
We agree with this request and have corrected the document title in
this final rule.
[[Page 40478]]
Effects of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions
Aviation Partners Boeing stated that the installation of winglets
per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01219SE does not affect the
accomplishment of the manufacturer's service instructions.
We agree with the commenter that STC ST01219SE does not affect the
accomplishment of the manufacturer's service instructions. Therefore
the installation of STC ST01219SE does not affect the ability to
accomplish the actions required by this AD. We have not changed this AD
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 final rule 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 for correcting the unsafe condition; and
<bullet> 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 the following service information.
<bullet> Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57-1320, dated October 7,
2016, which describes procedures for replacing the fuel tank access
door with a new installation that has two engineered ground paths
between the new door assembly and the mating wing structure, doing a
check of the electrical bond, and related investigative and corrective
actions.
<bullet> Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness
Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs)
D6-38278-CMR, dated May 2016. The AWL required by this AD is AWL 28-
AWL-30 ``Upper Wing Fuel Tank Access Panel--Lightning Protection
Electrical Design Features,'' which describes features to verify during
installation of the upper fuel tank access panel.
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 381 airplanes of U.S. registry. We
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install new door assembly and check 12 work-hours x $85 per $2,237 $3,257 $1,240,917
electrical bond. hour = $1,020.
Revise maintenance or inspection 1 work-hour x $85 per 0 85 32,385
program. hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
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 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:
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):
2017-17-09 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18999; Docket No. FAA-
2017-0128; Product Identifier 2016-NM-194-AD.
[[Page 40479]]
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective September 29, 2017.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400,
and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a manufacturer's review that showed that
the fuel tank access door at wing buttock line 191.00 did not have
an engineered ground path with the mating wing structure. We are
issuing this AD to prevent an ungrounded path that could result in
an increased risk of ignition and subsequent fuel tank explosion in
the event of a lightning strike.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) New Door Assembly, Electrical Bond Check, and Related Corrective
Actions
Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: Install a
new door assembly, do a check of the electrical bond, and do all
applicable related investigative and corrective actions, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service
Bulletin 737-57-1320, dated October 7, 2016, except as required by
paragraph (i) of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative
and corrective actions before further flight.
(h) Revise the Maintenance or Inspection Program
Prior to or concurrently with accomplishment of the actions
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, or within 30 days after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Revise the
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate
Airworthiness Limitation 28-AWL-30, ``Upper Wing Fuel Tank Access
Panel--Lightning Protection Electrical Design Features,'' as
specified in Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness
Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs)
D6-38278-CMR, dated May 2016.
(i) Service Information Exception
Where Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57-1320, dated October 7,
2016, specifies to contact Boeing for repair instructions, and
specifies that action as Required for Compliance (RC), this AD
requires repair 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, 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 (k) of this AD. Information may
be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b68f9bf7f8fb9bfaf7f7f5f99bf7fbf9f59be4d3c7c3d3c5c2c5f6d0d7d798d1d9c0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="695044282724442528282a26442824262a443b0c181c0c1a1d1a290f0808470e061f">[email protected]</span></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, 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 (i) of this AD: For service
information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for
Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (j)(4)(i) and
(j)(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.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Serj Harutunian,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch,
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-
5254; fax: 562-627-5210; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#314254435b1f5950434445445f58505f715750501f565e47"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="87f4e2f5eda9efe6f5f2f3f2e9eee6e9c7e1e6e6a9e0e8f1">[email protected]</span></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 Service Bulletin 737-57-1320, dated October 7, 2016.
(ii) Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness
Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs)
D6-38278-CMR, dated May 2016.
(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 <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>.
(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: <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 August 9, 2017.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-17399 Filed 8-24-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 6, 2026
Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA. Always verify with official sources.
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