[Federal Register: August 9, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 152)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 48131-48133]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09au04-2]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-83-AD; Amendment 39-13767; AD 2004-16-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 and 767 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Boeing Model 757 and 767 series airplanes, that
requires inspection to determine the serial number of the hydraulic
pump in the ram air turbine (RAT), and corrective action if necessary.
This action is necessary to prevent a cracked hanger arm of the
hydraulic pump of the RAT that can fracture under load and lead to
failure of the RAT to provide hydraulic power to the primary flight
control system during an emergency when both engines have failed. Loss
of hydraulic power to the primary flight controls could result in loss
of control of the airplane. This action is intended to address the
identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective September 13, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of September 13, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Frey, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 917-6468; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
[[Page 48132]]
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 757 and 767
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 6,
2004 (69 FR 5785). That action proposed to require inspection to
determine the serial number of the hydraulic pump in the ram air
turbine (RAT), and corrective action if necessary.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Supportive Comments
Two commenters support the proposed AD.
Request To Allow Review of Maintenance Records
Two commenters request that the FAA revise the proposed AD to allow
a records search to verify the serial number of a hydraulic pump. One
commenter states that using paper/computer component and aircraft
installed records for verification would avoid the unnecessary
replacement of RAT hydraulic pumps that might be missing data plates.
The other commenter states that while complying with Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 757-29-0060, dated September 12, 2002;
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-29-0061, dated September
12, 2002; and Parker Service Bulletin 6513902-29-305, dated November
30, 2001, an operator ``* * * controlled its RAT hydraulic pump systems
ensuring configuration control that prevents the installation of
affected, non-reworked [s]erial [n]umbers,'' and that ``[a] maintenance
records review will avoid the duplication of previously accomplished
[s]erial [n]umber inspections.'' The same commenter also asserts that
if an operator tracks the installed RAT hydraulic pump by serial
number, that operator should be allowed to use its maintenance records
to show compliance with the proposed AD.
We agree and have added a new statement to paragraph (b) of this
AD, which allows review of airplane maintenance records, instead of an
inspection, if the serial number of the hydraulic pump can be
positively determined from that review.
Request To Include Manufacturer/Installation Dates of Hangar Arms
Two commenters request that we ``include the manufacture dates of
the discrepant hangar arms and/or installation dates of the hydraulic
pump arms.'' One commenter assumes that since Parker Service Bulletin
6513902-29-305 was issued in November of 2001, the discrepant hanger
arms were manufactured close to this date. The same commenter also
states that 37 of its 41 RAT installations were installed on-wing prior
to 1996, with 29 units being the original installations since delivery
from the airplane manufacturer. Furthermore, the commenter asserts
that, should the ``discrepant unit dates'' be included in the proposed
AD, a large portion of its RAT installations might be exempt, since it
could eliminate RAT hydraulic pump components and aircraft
installations that have been in its system prior to those dates. The
other commenter asserts that including the manufacture/installation
date range for the affected parts would narrow the scope of the
proposed AD and help minimize the impact of the proposed AD on
operators, while maintaining an equivalent level of safety.
We do not agree with the request to include the manufacture and/or
installation dates of the discrepant hangar arms for the affected
hydraulic pumps. We find that it is unnecessary to include either of
these dates for the hangar arms, since the Parker service bulletin
identifies the serial numbers of the affected hydraulic pumps. These
serial numbers are unique to the affected hydraulic pumps and are known
to contain the discrepant hangar arms. Therefore, no change is needed
to this AD in this regard.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments that have been submitted, and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described
previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 1,851 airplanes of the affected design in
the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 1,038 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD.
We estimate it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to
accomplish the required inspection, and that the average labor rate is
$65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $67,470, or $65 per
airplane.
We also estimate that it will take approximately 4 work hours per
airplane (affecting approximately 154 airplanes) to accomplish the
replacement of the hydraulic pump, if required, and that the average
labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the replacement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $260 per
airplane.
We also estimate that it will take approximately 5 work hours per
airplane (affecting approximately 154 airplanes) to accomplish the
rework and reidentification of the hydraulic pump, if required, and
that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the rework and reidentification on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $325 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other
administrative actions. The manufacturer may cover the cost of
replacement parts associated with this AD, subject to warranty
conditions. As a result, the costs attributable to the AD may be less
than stated above.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules
[[Page 48133]]
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2004-16-11 Boeing: Amendment 39-13767. Docket 2003-NM-83-AD.
Applicability: Model 757-200, -200CB, -200PF, and -300 series
airplanes, line numbers 1 through 998 inclusive; and Model 767-200,
-300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes, line numbers 1 through 869
inclusive; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent a cracked hanger arm of the hydraulic pump of the ram
air turbine (RAT) that can fracture under load and lead to failure
of the RAT to provide hydraulic power to the primary flight control
system during an emergency when both engines have failed, which
could result in loss of hydraulic power to the primary flight
controls and consequent loss of control of the airplane; accomplish
the following:
Service Bulletin Reference
(a) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the
Accomplishment Instructions of the following service bulletins in
Table 1 of this AD, as applicable:
Table 1.--Service Bulletins
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Model Service bulletin Date
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Model 757-200, -200CB, and -200PF Boeing Special Attention September 12, 2002.
series airplanes. Service Bulletin 757-29-0060.
Model 757-300 series airplanes....... Boeing Special Attention September 12, 2002.
Service Bulletin 757-29-0061.
Model 767-200, -300 and -300F series Boeing Special Attention September 12, 2002.
airplanes. Service Bulletin 767-29-0103.
Model 767-400ER series airplanes..... Boeing Special Attention September 12, 2002.
Service Bulletin 767-29-0106.
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Note 1: These service bulletins refer to Parker Service Bulletin
6513902-29-305, dated November 30, 2001, as an additional source of
service information for the list of affected hydraulic pump serial
numbers and for accomplishment of the reworking and reidentifying of
the existing hydraulic pump for Model 757 and 767 series airplanes.
Inspection of Serial Number
(b) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do an
inspection to determine the serial number of the hydraulic pump in
the RAT, per the service bulletin. Instead of inspecting the
hydraulic pump in the RAT, a review of airplane maintenance records
is acceptable if the serial number of the hydraulic pump can be
positively determined from that review.
Corrective Actions
(c) If the hydraulic pump is found to have an affected serial
number during the inspection or review of airplane maintenance
records required by paragraph (b) of this AD, within 36 months after
the effective date of this AD, do the corrective action(s) in either
paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Replace the hydraulic pump with a serviceable hydraulic pump
that is outside the range of the affected serial numbers, per the
service bulletin.
(2) Rework and reidentify the hydraulic pump, per the service
bulletin.
Part Installation
(d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane a RAT hydraulic pump, Parker part number (P/N)
65139-02 or Hamilton Sunstrand P/N 5903420, with an affected serial
number as listed in Parker Service Bulletin 6513902-29-305, dated
November 30, 2001, unless it has been modified per paragraph (c)(2)
of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be
done in accordance with the applicable service bulletin listed in
Table 2 of this AD:
Table 2.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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Service bulletin Date
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Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin September 12, 2002.
757-29-0060.
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin September 12, 2002.
757-29-0061.
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin September 12, 2002.
767-29-0103.
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin September 12, 2002.
767-29-0106.
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This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes,
P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
Effective Date
(g) This amendment becomes effective on September 13, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 29, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-17982 Filed 8-6-04; 8:45 am]
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