AD 2006-15-18

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This AD requires modifying the wiring for the master dim and test system. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires related concurrent actions as necessary. This AD results from a report that the master dim and test system circuit does not have wiring separation of the test ground signal for redundant equipment in the flight compartment. We are issuing this AD to prevent a single fault failure in flight from simulating a test condition and showing test patterns instead of the selected radio frequencies on the communications panels, which could inhibit communication between the flightcrew and the control tower, affecting the continued safe flight of the airplane.

Final rule.

2006-15-18 Boeing: Amendment 39-14699. FAA-2004-19245; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-108-AD. \n\nEffective Date \n\n\t(a) This AD becomes effective September 5, 2006. \n\nAffected ADs \n\n\t(b) None. \n\nApplicability \n\n\t(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-33-1132, Revision 2, dated September 8, 2005; and Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-33-1133, Revision 3, dated September 8, 2005; certificated in any category. \n\nUnsafe Condition \n\n\t(d) This AD results from a report that the master dim and test system circuit does not have wiring separation of the test ground signal for redundant equipment in the flight compartment. We are issuing this AD to prevent a single fault failure in flight from simulating a test condition and showing test patterns instead of the selected radio frequencies on the communications panels,which could inhibit communication between the flightcrew and the control tower, affecting the continued safe flight of the airplane. \n\nCompliance \n\n\t(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. \n\nModification \n\n\t(f) Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the wiring for the master dim test system in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-33-1132, Revision 2, dated September 8, 2005 (for Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes); and Boeing Service Bulletin 737-33-1133, Revision 3, dated September 8, 2005 (for Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes); as applicable. \n\nActions Required To Be Accomplished Prior to or Concurrently With Paragraph (f) of This AD \n\n\t(g) Prior to or concurrently with accomplishment of paragraph (f) of this AD, do the actions specified in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable. \n\n\tTable 1.--Prior/Concurrent Actions \n\n\nFor- \nAccomplish all actions associated with- \nAccording to the Accomplishment Instructions of- \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nInstalling an engine instrument system (EIS) and \nBoeing Service Bulletin 737-77-1022, Revision 1, dated October 26, 1989. \n\n\n\nGroup 57 airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-33-1132, Revision 2, dated September 8, 2005. \nModifying the advisory system for the EIS\nBoeing Service Bulletin 737-77-1023, Revision 1, dated November 9, 1989. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nGroup 37 and 46 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-33-1133, Revision 3, dated September 8, 2005. \nInstalling wiring for the test system for the audio control panel lamp. \nBoeing Service Bulletin 737-33-1121, Revision 1, dated December 19, 2002. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nGroup 2 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-33-1121, Revision 1, dated December 19, 2002.\nInstalling splice SP896Boeing Service Bulletin 737-26A1083, Revision 1, dated November 15, 2001. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nGroup 39 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-33-1133, Revision 3, dated September 8, 2005. \nInstalling a smoke detection and fire extinguishing system in the cargo compartment. \nBoeing Service Bulletin 737-26A1083, Revision 1, dated November 15, 2001. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nGroup 59 airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-33-1132, Revision 2, dated September 8, 2005. \nReplacing the very high frequency (VHF) and high frequency (HF) communications panels with radio control panels. \nBoeing Service Bulletin 737-23-1102, dated June 3, 1999. \n\nActions Accomplished per Previous Issue of Service Bulletins \n\n\t(h) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the service bulletins identified in Table 2 of this AD are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified in this AD. \n\n\tTable 2.--Previous Issues of Service Bulletins \n\n\nService Bulletin \nRevision level \nDate \nBoeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-33-1133 \nOriginal\nDecember 19, 2002. \nBoeing Service Bulletin 737-33-1133 \nRevision 1 \nApril 17, 2003. \nBoeing Service Bulletin 737-33-1133 \nRevision 2\nDecember 4, 2003. \nBoeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-33-1132 \nOriginal \nMarch 20, 2003. \nBoeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-33-1132 \nRevision 1\nMarch 4, 2004. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\t(i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. \n\n\t(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. \n\nMaterial Incorporated by Reference \n\n\t(j) You must use the service information identified in Table 3 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\n\tTable 3.--Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\nService Bulletin \nRevision level \nDate \nBoeing Service Bulletin 737-23-1102 \nOriginal \nJune 3, 1999. \nBoeing Service Bulletin 737-26A1083 \n1\nNovember 15, 2001. \nBoeing Service Bulletin 737-33-1121 \n1 \nDecember 19, 2002. \nBoeing Service Bulletin 737-33-1133 \n3\nSeptember 8, 2005. \nBoeing Service Bulletin 737-77-1022 \n1\nOctober 26, 1989. \nBoeing Service Bulletin 737-77-1023 \n1\nNovember 9, 1989. \nBoeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-33-1132 \n2\nSeptember 8, 2005. \n\n\tBoeing Service Bulletin 737-77-1022, Revision 1, dated October 26, 1989, contains the following effective pages: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPage No. \nRevision level shown on page \nDate shown on page \n\n\n\n1, 3, 5-7, 10, 17, 28-55. \nRevision 1 ..... \nOct. 26, 1989. \n\n\n\n2, 4, 8, 9, 11-16, 18-27. \nOriginal .........June 15, 1989. \n\n\n\tThe Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html .

Examining the Docket \n\n\tYou may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. \n\nDiscussion \n\n\tThe FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. That supplemental NPRM was published in the Federal Register on May 26, 2006 (71 FR 30346). That supplemental NPRM proposed to require modifying the wiring for the master dim and test system. For certain airplanes, the supplemental NPRM also proposed to require related concurrent actions as necessary. \n\nComments \n\n\tWe provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We have considered the single comment received. The commenter, Boeing, supports the supplemental NPRM. \n\nConclusion \n\n\tWe have carefully reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed in the supplemental NPRM. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\tThere are about 2,868 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. This AD will affect about 1,181 airplanes of U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this AD. \n\n\tEstimated Costs \n\n\nBoeing Service Bulletin \nWork hours \nAverage labor rate per hour \nParts \nCost per airplane \nFleet cost \n737-33-1132, Revision 2 \n14 \n$80 \nNominal \n$1,120 \n$1,322,720 \n737-33-1133, Revision 3 \n3 \n80 \nNominal \n240 \n283,440 \n\n\n\tEstimated Concurrent Service Bulletin Costs \n\n\n\nBoeing Service Bulletin \nWork hours \nAverage labor rate per hour \nParts \nCost per airplane \nNumber of U.S.-\nregistered airplanes \nFleet cost \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n737-26A1083, Revision 1. \n185 \n$80 \nBetween $30,000 and $36,400. \nBetween $44,800 and $51,200. \n1 \nBetween $44,800 \nand $51,200. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n737-33-1121, Revision 1. \nBetween 5 and 6 \n$80 \nBetween $200 and $340. \nBetween $600 and $820. \n83 \nBetween $49,800 \nand $68,060. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n737-77-1022, Revision 1. \n72 \n$80 \nNo charge \n$5,760 \n4 \n$23,040. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n737-77-1023, Revision 1. \nBetween 1 and 3 \n$80 \nNominal \nBetween $80 and $240. \n26 \nBetween $2,080 and $6,240. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n737-23-1102 \n77 \n$80 \n$22,164 \n$28,324 \n0 \nNo fleet cost unless an affected airplane is imported and placed on the \nU.S. register. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \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\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 authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\tWe have determined that 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 distributionof power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. \n\n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\n\t(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866; \n\n\t(2) Is not a "significant rule" under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and \n\n\t(3) 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 \n\tWe prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. \n\nAdoption of the Amendment \n\nAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):