Airworthiness directives: Boeing,

[Federal Register: July 17, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 137)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 38524]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr17jy98-24]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-50-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of comment period.

SUMMARY: This document announces a reopening of the comment period for the above-referenced NPRM which proposed adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. That NPRM invites comments concerning the proposed requirements for installation of components for the suppression of electrical transients, and/or installation of components to provide shielding and separation to the fuel system wiring that is routed to the fuel tanks from adjacent wiring; and installation of flame arrestors and pressure relief valves in the fuel vent system. This reopening of the comment period is necessary to afford all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed requirements of that NPRM.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 31, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-50-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Information concerning this NPRM may be obtained from or examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Hartonas, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056, telephone (425) 227-2864, fax (425) 227-1181; or Dorr Anderson, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM- 140S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055- 4056, telephone (425) 227-2684, fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, - 300, -400, and -500 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 22, 1998 (63 FR 19852). That action proposed to require installation of components for the suppression of electrical transients, and/or installation of components to provide shielding and separation to the fuel system wiring that is routed to the fuel tanks from adjacent wiring; and installation of flame arrestors and pressure relief valves in the fuel vent system. That action invites comments on regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposal.

That action was prompted by testing results, obtained in support of an accident investigation, and by re-examination of possible causes of a similar accident. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent possible ignition of fuel vapors in the fuel tanks, and external ignition of the fuel vapor exiting the fuel vent system and consequent propagation of a flame front into the fuel tanks.

Since the issuance of that proposal, commenters have raised issues regarding the ability to implement corrective action in a timely manner, particularly because the manufacturer has yet to issue a service bulletin. Based on these and other comments, the FAA has determined that further discussion and input may be beneficial prior to the adoption of a final rule. As a result, the FAA has decided to reopen the comment period for 45 days to receive additional comments.

The comment period for Rules Docket No. 98-NM-50-AD closes August 31, 1998.

Because no other portion of the proposal or other regulatory information has been changed, the entire proposal is not being republished.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 8, 1998. Darrell M. Pederson, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98-18950Filed7-16-98; 8:45 am]

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