2013-23-04: Fuselage

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): \n\n2013-23-04 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17659; Docket No. FAA- 2012-0426; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-087-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective December 20, 2013. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, with passenger seats installed; certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296, dated January 11, 2011. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft System Component(JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53: Fuselage. \n\n(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by reports that certain seat track bolts were found with severed bolt heads due to fatigue. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct missing or severed bolt heads, which, if not corrected, could result in the inability of the seat track to carry passenger loads, which could cause the seats to detach from the seat track, resulting in possible injury to passengers during an emergency landing or survivable crash. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Seat Track Bolt Replacement and Splice Strap Installation \n\n\n\tBefore the accumulation of 7,000 total flight cycles, or within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Replace titanium seat track bolts with corrosion resistant steel (CRES) bolts at both the left and right sides of buttock lines 24.75 and 45.50,in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296, dated January 11, 2011. If a titanium seat track bolt is found missing from the structure during the accomplishment of the tasks required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, do a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection for cracking in the fastener holes and a general visual inspection of the area, including the splice strap and forward seat track for damage, and replace missing bolts with new or serviceable CRES bolts, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296, dated January 11, 2011. If cracking or damage is found: Before further flight, repair the seat track using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD. If it is necessary to remove more parts for access, those parts may be removed. If access can be obtained without removing identified parts, it is not necessary to remove all identified parts. Jacking and shoring limitations should be observed. \n\n(h) Detailed and HFEC Inspections \n\n\n\tBefore the accumulation of 7,000 total flight cycles, or within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Do a detailed inspection and an HFEC inspection for cracking in the holes common to the splice strap and forward seat track at both the left and right sides of buttock lines 24.75 and 45.50, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296, dated January 11, 2011. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 7,000 flight cycles, until the actions specified in paragraph (i) of this AD have been done. \n\t(1) If a crack is found in the splice strap during any inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Before further flight, replace the seat track bolts and install a new splice strap part number (P/N) 146A5342-26 and retained angle at the affected location, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296, dated January 11, 2011. \n\t(2) If a crack is found in the seat track during any inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD, and Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296, dated January 11, 2011, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair the seat track using a method approved \n\n((Page 68697)) \n\nin accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD. \n\n(i) Optional Terminating Action \n\n\n\tReplacing the titanium seat track bolts with CRES bolts on both the left and right sides of buttock lines 24.75 and 45.50 at station 727B, and installing a new splice strap P/N 146A5342-26, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296, dated January 11, 2011, terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (h) ofthis AD. \n\n\n\tNote 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD: Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296, dated January 11, 2011, contains an error in Step 1, ''Move,'' of Figure 10, Sheet 5 of 7; and in Step 1, ''Move,'' of Figure 12, Sheet 5 of 7. The splice strap needs to be centered with left buttock line 45.50 and right buttock line 45.50, respectively-- not left buttock line 24.75, as stated in that service bulletin. \n\n(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(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. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. \n\t(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. \n\t(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD. \n\n(k) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Sarah Piccola, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6483; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected]. \n\n(l) MaterialIncorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1296, dated January 11, 2011. \n\t(ii) Reserved. \n\t(3) For service information identified in this 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; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. \n\t(4) You may view this service information at 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. \n\t(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference 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.