AD 2012-08-17

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes equipped with analog transient suppression devices (ATSDs) installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate ST00146BO. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of corrosion on ATSDs. This AD requires revising the maintenance program to incorporate certain limitations. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion on ATSDs, which could result in the loss of high voltage transient protection (e.g., lightning protection) in the fuel tanks and consequent fuel tank explosion and loss of the airplane.

Final rule.

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): \n\n2012-08-17 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17034; Docket No. FAA- 2012-0110; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-148-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective May 31, 2012. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\t(1) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, - 200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued before September 26, 2011, equipped with analog transient suppression devices (ATSDs) installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate ST00146BO. http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/2399C433BB10CF1085256CCB00601A12?OpenDocument&Highlight=st00146bo \n\t(2) This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections and/or Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs). Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) according to paragraph (i) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required actions that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 2841, Fuel Quantity Indicator. \n\n(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by multiple reports of corrosion on ATSDs. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion on ATSDs, which could result in the loss of high voltage transient protection (e.g., lightning protection) in the fuel tanks and consequent fuel tank explosion and loss of the airplane. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Maintenance Program Revision \n\n\n\tWithin 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program to incorporate the limitations specified in Goodrich Principal Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Manual for the Analog Transient Suppression Device Installation Applicable to Boeing 737-100 through -500 Airplanes Supplemental Type Certificate--ST00146BO, Document T3044-0010-0101, Revision D, dated September26, 2011. The initial compliance time for accomplishing each task is at the applicable \n\n((Page 24833)) \n\ntime specified in Goodrich Principal Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Manual for the Analog Transient Suppression Device Installation Applicable to Boeing 737-100 through -500 Airplanes Supplemental Type Certificate--ST00146BO, Document T3044-0010-0101, Revision D, dated September 26, 2011, or within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. \n\n\n\tNote 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Components that have been identified as airworthy or installed on the affected airplanes before the revision of the maintenance program, as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, do not need to be reworked in accordance with the CDCCLs. However, once the maintenance program has been revised, paragraph (g) of this AD requires that future maintenance actions on these components must follow the CDCCLs. \n\n(h) No Alternative Actions Intervals, and/or Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations \n\n\n\tAfter accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, and/ or CDCCLs may be used other than those specified in Goodrich Principal Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Manual for the Analog Transient Suppression Device Installation Applicable to Boeing 737-100 through -500 Airplanes Supplemental Type Certificate--ST00146BO, Document \n\tT3044-0010-0101, Revision D, dated September 26, 2011, unless the actions, intervals, and/or CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD. \n\n(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Boston 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 the Related Information section of this AD. \n\t(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. \n\n(j) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Marc Ronell, Aerospace Engineer, Engine and Propeller Directorate, ANE-150, FAA, New England Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; phone: 781-238-7776; fax: 781-238-7170; email: marc.ronell@faa.gov. \n\n(k) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(1) You must use the following service information to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(i) Goodrich Principal Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Manual for the Analog Transient Suppression Device Installation Applicable to Boeing 737-100 through -500 Airplanes Supplemental Type Certificate--ST00146BO, Document T3044-0010-0101, Revision D, dated September 26, 2011. \n\t(2) For service information identified in this AD, Goodrich Corporation, Sensors and Integrated Systems, 100 Panton Road, Vergennes, Vermont 05491; phone: 802-877-4580; fax: 802-877-4444; email: les.blades@goodrich.com; Internet: http://www.goodrich.com/TechPubs. \n\t(3) You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. \n\t(4) You may also review copies of the 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.

Discussion \n\n\n\tWe issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February 9, 2012 (77 FR 6692). That NPRM proposed to require revising the maintenance program to incorporate certain limitations. \n\nComments \n\n\n\tWe gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 \n\n((Page 24832)) \n\nFR 6692, February 9, 2012) or on the determination of the cost to the public. \n\nChanges Made to This AD \n\n\n\tWe have redesignated Note 1 of the NPRM (77 FR 6692, February 9, 2012) as paragraph (c)(2) of this AD and redesignated subsequent notes accordingly, and redesignated paragraph (c) of the NPRM as paragraph (c)(1) of this AD. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tWe reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes: \n\tAre consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 6692, February 9, 2012) for correcting the unsafe condition; and \n\tDo not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 6692, February 9, 2012). \n\tWe also determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tWe estimate that this AD affects 384 airplanes of U.S. registry. \n\tWe estimate the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\n\n\tEstimated Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost per Cost on U.S. \n\tAction Labor cost Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revise maintenance program.......... 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $32,640 \n\thour = $85. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 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. \n\tWe 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 authoritybecause it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tThis 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. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\t(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, \n\t(2) Is not a ''significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), \n\t(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and \n\t(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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.