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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1693; Project Identifier AD-2023-01229-T;
Amendment 39-22842; AD 2024-18-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -800 series
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the protective spiral
wrap used on certain galley wire bundles does not have the correct
flammability properties. This AD requires inspecting certain galleys to
determine part numbers, inspecting for an existing galley modification
placard and marking on galleys with affected part numbers, and
replacing wire bundle spiral wrap sleeving as applicable. This AD also
prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 15, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 15, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1693; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, any comments received, and other
information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For Boeing material identified in this AD, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS),
2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600;
telephone 562-797-1717; website myboeingfleet.com.
You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1693.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Linn, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3584;
email: julie.linn@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing
Company Model 737-300, -400, and -800 series airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2024 (89 FR 52408). The
NPRM was prompted by a report that the protective spiral wrap used on
certain galley wire bundles does not have the correct flammability
properties and may not self-extinguish. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed
to require inspecting certain galleys to determine part numbers,
inspecting for an existing galley modification placard and marking on
galleys with affected part numbers, and replacing wire bundle spiral
wrap sleeving as applicable; and to prohibit the installation of
affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the incorrect
flammability properties, which, if not addressed, could result in
electrical arcing or sparking, ignition of the spiral wire wrapping,
and smoke and/or fire in the flight compartment, leading to loss of
continued safe flight and landing.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association, who
supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received additional comments from Aviation Partners Boeing.
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to each comment.
Effect of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions
Aviation Partners Boeing stated that the installation of winglets
per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00830SE and STC ST01219SE
does not affect the accomplishment of the manufacturer's service
instructions.
The FAA agrees with the commenter that STC ST00830SE and STC
ST01219SE do not affect the accomplishment of the manufacturer's
service instructions. Therefore, the installation of STC ST00830SE and
STC ST01219SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions
required by this AD. The FAA has not changed this AD in this regard.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will
increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-25A1873 RB,
dated August 25, 2023; and Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-
25A1876 RB, dated September 1, 2023. This material specifies procedures
for an inspection or records check to determine the part number of
certain galleys; and for any galley with an affected part number found,
an inspection for an existing galley modification placard and any
marking indicating the galley was modified using certain service
information; and, if applicable, replacement of wire bundle
polyethylene protective spiral wrap protective sleeving with Boeing
Material Specification (BMS) 13-81 wire protective sleeving. These
documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane models.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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ACTION
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LABOR COST
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PARTS COST
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COST PER PRODUCT
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COST ON U.S. OPERATORS
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| Inspection for galley part number |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 |
$0
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$85
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$340
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
inspections or replacements that would be required based on the results
of the inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these inspections or replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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ACTION
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LABOR COST
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PARTS COST
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COST PER PRODUCT
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| Inspection for modification placard |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 |
$0
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$85
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| Replacement |
Up to 218 work-hours x $85 per hour = $18,530 |
Up to $1,185
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Up to $19,715
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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.
The FAA is 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
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 this AD:
(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 airworthiness
directive:
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