

[Federal Register: August 28, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 166)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 49168-49170]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28au07-12]                         


[[Page 49168]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-29071; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-097-AD; 
Amendment 39-15183; AD 2007-18-03]
RIN 2120-AA64

 
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD 
requires an inspection of the seat locks and seat tracks of the 
flightcrew seats to ensure that the seats lock in position and to 
verify that lock nuts and bolts of adequate length are installed on the 
rear tracklock bracket, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD 
results from a report indicating that the captain's seat slid aft and 
jammed during taxi. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded 
movement of the flightcrew seats during acceleration and take-off of 
the airplane, which could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 12, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of September 12, 
2007.
    We must receive comments on this AD by October 29, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 

the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
 and follow the instructions for sending your 

comments electronically.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207, for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Gillespie, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6429; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We have received a report indicating that the captain's seat slid 
aft and jammed during taxi. A subsequent investigation found that two 
of the three screws attaching the rear tracklock bracket broke. The 
broken screws allowed excessive lateral movement and disengagement of 
the locking pin from the floor-mounted seat track. In addition, we have 
received some reports of loosened screws that attach the tracklock 
bracket to the rear cross member of the seat base. An incorrectly 
aligned seat track locking pin can cause the locking pin to not fully 
engage the seat track. These conditions, if not corrected, could result 
in uncommanded movement of the flightcrew seats during acceleration and 
take-off of the airplane, which could result in reduced controllability 
of the airplane.

Other Related Rulemaking

    We previously issued AD 2004-04-03, amendment 39-13483 (69 FR 7565, 
February 18, 2004), applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400, 
and -500 series airplanes. (A correction of AD 2004-04-03 was published 
in the Federal Register on April 13, 2004 (69 FR 19313).) That AD 
requires a one-time general visual inspection of the seat locks and 
seat tracks of the flightcrew seats to ensure that the seats lock in 
position and to verify that lock nuts and bolts of adequate length are 
installed on the rear track lock bracket, and corrective action, if 
necessary.
    Since issuance of AD 2004-03-03, we have determined that the same 
unsafe condition addressed in that AD may exist on certain additional 
Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. Boeing has 
advised us that airplanes having variable numbers PS971 through PS978, 
PT187, and PT188 were omitted inadvertently from the effectivity of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1363, Revision 1, dated March 28, 
2002 (referred to in the applicability of AD 2004-04-03 as the 
appropriate source of service information for identifying the affected 
airplanes). Therefore, these additional airplanes are also subject to 
the same unsafe condition addressed in AD 2004-03-03.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1363, 
Revision 2, dated May 2, 2006. Revision 2 was issued to add airplanes 
having variable numbers PS971 through PS978, PT187, and PT188, and to 
make editorial changes. The procedures for inspecting the seat locks 
and seat tracks of the flightcrew seats, and corrective actions if 
necessary, are essentially identical to those in Revision 1 of the 
service bulletin. No more work is necessary on airplanes changed as 
shown in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1363, dated November 5, 
1998, or Revision 1, dated March 28, 2002. Accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information is intended to adequately address 
the unsafe condition.
    Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1363 refers to IPECO Service 
Bulletin A001-25-47, Issue 2, dated July 31, 2002, as an additional 
source of service information for accomplishment of the inspection and 
rework.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other airplanes of the same type design that may be 
registered in the U.S. at some time in the future. Therefore, we are 
issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded movement of the flightcrew seats 
during acceleration and take-off of the airplane, which could result in 
reduced controllability of the airplane. This AD requires accomplishing 
the actions specified in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S. 
Register. All airplanes affected by this AD are currently operated by 
non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they are not 
directly affected by this AD action. However, we consider this AD 
necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed if any 
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future.
    If an affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register 
in the future, the required actions would take between 1 and 3 work 
hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour.

[[Page 49169]]

Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD would be between 
$80 and $240 per airplane.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    No airplane affected by this AD is currently on the U.S. Register. 
Therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment is 
unnecessary before this AD is issued, and this AD may be made effective 
in less than 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any relevant written 
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an 
address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-
2007-29071; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-097-AD'' at the beginning of 
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD that 
might suggest a need to modify it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will 

also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of that Web 
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.


Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 

a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The 
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the 
ground level of the West Building at the DOT street address stated in 
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after the Docket Management System receives them.

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

    We 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 distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    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.
    We 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-18-03 Boeing: Amendment 39-15183. Docket No. FAA-2007-29071; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-097-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective September 12, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 
series airplanes, variable numbers PS971 through PS978, PT187, and 
PT188, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report indicating that the captain's 
seat slid aft and jammed during taxi. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent uncommanded movement of the flightcrew seats during 
acceleration and take-off of the airplane, which could result in 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

Compliance

    (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.

Inspection and Corrective Action

    (f) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, do a 
one-time general visual inspection of the seat locks and seat tracks 
of the flightcrew seats to ensure that the seats lock in position 
and to verify that lock nuts and bolts of adequate length are 
installed on the rear tracklock bracket, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-
25A1363, Revision 2, dated May 2, 2006.
    (1) If the seat lock pin fully engages in all lock positions of 
the seat track, and the rear track lock bracket is correctly 
installed: No further action is required by this AD.
    (2) If the seat lock pin does not fully engage in all positions 
of the seat track, before further flight, make sure the flightcrew 
seat operates correctly, in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (3) If the lock nuts and bolts of adequate length are not 
installed on the rear tracklock bracket, before further flight, 
rework the flightcrew seat in accordance with the service bulletin.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands,

[[Page 49170]]

ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area 
being checked.''


    Note 2: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1363, Revision 2, 
dated May 2, 2006, refers to IPECO Service Bulletin A001-25-47, 
Issue 2, dated July 31, 2002, as an additional source of service 
information for accomplishment of the inspection and rework required 
by paragraphs (f) and (f)(3) of this AD, respectively.

    (g) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1363, dated 
November 5, 1998; or Revision 1, dated March 28, 2002, is acceptable 
for compliance with the corresponding action specified in this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1363, 
Revision 2, dated May 2, 2006, to perform the actions that are 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
this document 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 FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue, S.W., Renton, Washington; or 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 August 17, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-16909 Filed 8-27-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
