
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 3, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67637-67639]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-27745]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1042; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-094-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 737-700, -
700C, -800, and -900ER Series Airplanes, Model 747-400F Series 
Airplanes, and Model 767-200 and -300 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Model 737-700, -700C, -800, and -900ER series airplanes, Model 
747-400F series airplanes, and Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. 
This proposed AD would require an inspection for affected serial 
numbers of the crew oxygen mask stowage box units; and replacement of 
the crew oxygen mask stowage box unit with a new crew oxygen mask 
stowage unit, if necessary. This proposed AD results

[[Page 67638]]

from reports indicating that certain crew oxygen mask stowage box units 
were possibly delivered with a burr in the inlet fitting. The burr may 
break loose during test or operation and may pose an ignition source or 
cause an inlet valve to jam. We are proposing this AD to prevent an 
ignition source, which could result in an oxygen-fed fire; or could 
cause an inlet valve to jam in a crew oxygen mask stowage box unit, 
which could result in restricted flow of oxygen.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 20, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     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.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail me.boecom@boeing.com; 
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; 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 proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan L. Monroe, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6457; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-1042; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-094-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We received reports indicating that crew oxygen mask stowage box 
units having part number (P/N) MXP147, MXP147-2, MXP147-3, MXP147-5, 
MXP402, and MXP410-1, that were manufactured between July 12, 2007, and 
November 20, 2007, were possibly delivered with a burr in the inlet 
fitting. If not corrected, the burr may break loose during test or 
operation and may pose an ignition source, which could result in an 
oxygen-fed fire; or could cause an inlet valve to jam in an oxygen mask 
stowage box unit, which could result in restricted flow of oxygen.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletins 737-35A1121, dated 
December 14, 2009; 747-35A2126, dated October 8, 2009; and 767-35A0057, 
dated October 8, 2009. The service bulletins describe procedures for a 
general visual inspection for affected serial numbers of the crew 
oxygen mask stowage box units, and replacement of the affected crew 
oxygen mask stowage box unit with a new crew oxygen mask stowage box 
unit.
    The service information refers to Intertechnique Service Bulletin 
MXP1/4-35-175, dated September 11, 2009, for inspecting the serial 
numbers of the crew oxygen mask stowage box units.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type 
designs. This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 40 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per 
product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 
per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 
proposed AD to the U.S. operators to be $3,400, or $85 per product.

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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed 
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,

[[Page 67639]]

on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-1042; Directorate Identifier 
2010-NM-094-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by December 20, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in paragraphs (c)(1), 
(c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Model 737-700, -700C, -800, -900ER series airplanes, as 
identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-35A1121, dated 
December 14, 2009.
    (2) Model 747-400F series airplanes, as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-35A2126, dated October 8, 2009.
    (3) Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes, as identified in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-35A0057, dated October 8, 2009.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35: Oxygen.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from reports indicating that certain crew 
oxygen mask stowage box units were possibly delivered with a burr in 
the inlet fitting. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing 
this AD to prevent an ignition source, which could result in an 
oxygen-fed fire; or could cause an inlet valve to jam in an oxygen 
mask stowage box unit, which could result in restricted flow of 
oxygen.

Compliance

    (f) 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

    (g) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
general visual inspection to determine if the serial number of the 
crew oxygen mask stowage box units is identified in the Appendix of 
Intertechnique Service Bulletin MXP1/4-35-175, dated September 11, 
2009, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
applicable Boeing Alert Service Bulletin listed in Table 1 of this 
AD. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu 
of this inspection if the serial number of the crew oxygen mask 
stowage box units can be conclusively determined from that review. 
If any crew oxygen mask stowage box unit has a serial number 
identified in the Appendix of Intertechnique Service Bulletin MXP1/
4-35-175, dated September 11, 2009: Before further flight, replace 
the crew oxygen mask stowage box unit with a new unit, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Boeing alert 
service bulletin listed in Table 1 of this AD.

                                          Table 1--Service Information
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          Boeing airplane model                       Document                              Date
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737-700, -700C, -800, -900ER series       Boeing Alert Service Bulletin     December 14, 2009.
 airplanes.                                737-35A1121.
747-400F series airplanes...............  Boeing Alert Service Bulletin     October 8, 2009.
                                           747-35A2126.
767-200 and -300 series airplanes.......  Boeing Alert Service Bulletin     October 8, 2009.
                                           767-35A0057.
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Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
crew oxygen mask stowage box unit identified in the Appendix of 
Intertechnique Service Bulletin MXP1/4-35-175, dated September 11, 
2009, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(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. Send information to 
ATTN: Susan L. Monroe, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and 
Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-
6457; fax (425) 917-6590. Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
    (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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 26, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-27745 Filed 11-2-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


