Airworthiness directives: Boeing,

[Federal Register: June 6, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 108)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 32489-32491]

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

[DOCID:fr06jn06-12]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24952; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-107-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 767 airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections of the wire bundles, power display unit (PDU) wiring, and wire attaching hardware, supports, and sleeving located in the forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments and corrective actions as necessary. This proposed AD results from a fire in the forward lower lobe cargo compartment found shortly after airplane arrival. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct damage to wires in the forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments, which could result in a potential short circuit and consequent fire in the forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 21, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on this proposed 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: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590.

Fax: (202) 493-2251.

Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,

[[Page 32490]]

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 the service information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elias Natsiopoulos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055- 4056; telephone (425) 917-6478; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006- 24952; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-107-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.

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 proposed 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 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 Management Facility office

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647- 5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif 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.

Discussion

We have received a report of a fire in the forward lower lobe cargo compartment of a Boeing Model 767-300 series airplane, found 20 minutes after arrival. The flightcrew and passengers had deplaned before the start of the fire, and the cleaning crew and all other personnel were evacuated without incident. Investigation revealed that flammable debris had accumulated below the 13L and 14L power drive units (PDUs), but the source of ignition was not positively identified. During subsequent inspections of the operator's fleet of Model 767 airplanes, crushed and chafed PDU power supply cables were found. This condition, if not corrected, could result in a potential short circuit and consequent fire in the forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-0376 (for Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes) and Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-0377 (for Model 767-400ER series airplanes), both dated November 17, 2005. The service bulletins describe procedures for doing repetitive detailed inspections for damage to the wire bundles, PDU wiring, and wire attaching hardware, supports, and sleeving located in the forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments; and doing corrective actions as necessary. The corrective actions include repairing any damage to the wire bundles, PDU wiring, and wire attaching hardware, supports, and sleeving. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

The ``detailed visual inspection'' specified in the service bulletins is referred to as a ``detailed inspection'' in this proposed AD. Boeing has included the definition for a detailed inspection in Note 4 of the service bulletins.

Costs of Compliance

There are about 857 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 374 airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed inspections would take about 6 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $179,520, or $480 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

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 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 that the 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, 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 proposed 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, Safety.

   [[Page 32491]]

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

   Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2006-24952; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM- 107-AD.

   Comments Due Date

   (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 21, 2006.

   Affected ADs

   (b) None.

   Applicability

   (c) This AD applies to all Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and - 400ER series airplanes, certificated in any category.

   Unsafe Condition

   (d) This AD results from a fire in the forward lower lobe cargo compartment found shortly after airplane arrival. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damage to wires in the forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments, which could result in a potential short circuit and consequent fire in the forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments.

   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.

   Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Actions if Applicable

   (f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do detailed inspections for damage to the wire bundles, power drive unit wiring, and wire attaching hardware, supports, and sleeving located in the forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments; and do all applicable corrective actions before further flight after the inspections; by accomplishing all of the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-0376 (for Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes) or Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-0377 (for Model 767-400ER series airplanes), both dated November 17, 2005, as applicable. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24,000 flight hours or 72 months, whichever occurs first.

   Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

   (g)(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) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office.

   Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 26, 2006. Jeffrey E. Duven, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. E6-8708 Filed 6-5-06; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P