[Federal Register: November 24, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 226)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 68272-68273]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24no04-17]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19680; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-215-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Boeing Model 767 series airplanes. This proposed AD would
require performing a test of the bonding resistance between the engine
fuel feed tube fitting and the front spar, applying sealant on a hex
nut inside the dry bay, and performing any applicable corrective
actions. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that the engine fuel
feed tubes were found not electrically bonded to the front spar. We are
proposing this AD to prevent an ignition source from entering the fuel
tank during a lightning strike event, which could cause a fuel tank
explosion.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 10,
2005.
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.
By fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical Information: Bernie
Gonzalez, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6498; fax (425) 917-6590.
Plain Language Information: Marcia Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Docket Management System (DMS)
The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19680;
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-215-AD'' in the subject line 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 submitted 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 website, 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 can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.Examining
the Docket
You can examine the AD docket in person at the Docket Management
Facility office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 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 DMS
receives them.
Discussion
We have received a report that, during electrical bonding and
grounding tests of penetrations on the wing fuel tanks of Boeing Model
747 series airplanes, the feed tubes for the engine fuel were found not
electrically bonded to the front spar. The same condition was found on
Model 767 series airplanes; Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and
-500 series airplanes; and Model 707 series airplanes. This condition,
if not corrected, could result in an ignition source entering the fuel
tank during a lightning strike event, which could cause a fuel tank
explosion.
Other Relevant Rulemaking
We previously issued AD 2004-10-06, amendment 39-13636 (69 FR
28046, May 18, 2004), applicable to Model 747 series airplanes; Model
737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes; and Model
727-100, and -200 series airplanes. That AD was issued to ensure that
the similar unsafe condition (hydraulic heat exchanger tube penetration
fittings were found not electrically bonded to the fuel tank rear spar)
was repaired. That AD requires, among other things, preparation of the
electrical bonding faying surfaces for the tubing penetrations of the
hydraulic
[[Page 68273]]
heat exchanger on the forward and aft surfaces of the rear spars of the
fuel tanks of the left and right wings, a one-time measurement of the
electrical bonding resistances, and follow-on actions.
We have also published a proposal to amend 14 CFR Part 39 with an
AD for certain Boeing Model 707-100, -100B, -300, -300B (-320B
variant), -300C, and -E3A (military) series airplanes; Model 720, and
720B series airplanes; Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500
series airplanes; and Model 747 series airplanes in the Federal
Register on August 4, 2004 (69 FR 47031). That action proposed to
require repetitive tests of the overwing fuel fill ports for certain
wing tanks; an electrial bonding resistance test between the bulkhead
fittings of the engine fuel feed tube and the front spar inside the
fuel tank of the wings; other specified actions; and applicable
corrective actions if necessary.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletins 767-28A0071,
Revision 1 (for Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes), and
767-28A0072, Revision 1 (for Model 767-400ER series airplanes); both
dated January 22, 2004. These service bulletins describe procedures for
doing a test to determine the bonding resistance between the engine
fuel feed tube fitting and the front spar, applying sealant on a hex
nut inside the dry bay, and doing corrective actions if necessary. The
corrective actions include applying sealant inside and outside the fuel
tube bulkhead fitting and coupling, reworking the bonding path, and
checking the fuel feed tubes for leaks. Accomplishment of the actions
specified in the applicable service bulletin is intended to adequately
address the identified 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. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which
would require performing a test of the bonding resistance between the
engine fuel feed tube fitting and the front spar, applying sealant on a
hex nut inside the dry bay, and performing any applicable corrective
actions. The proposed AD would require you to use the service
information described previously to perform these actions.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 867 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 400 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 3 work hours per
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these
figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is
$78,000, or $195 per airplane.
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. 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.
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2004-19680; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-
215-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by January 10, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F
series airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
767-28A0071, Revision 1, dated January 22, 2004; and Model 767-400ER
series airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
28A0072, Revision 1, dated January 22, 2004; certificated in any
category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report that the engine fuel feed
tubes were found not electrically bonded to the front spar. We are
issuing this AD to prevent an ignition source from entering the fuel
tank during a lightning strike event, which could cause a fuel tank
explosion.
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.
Service Bulletin Definition
(f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the
Work Instructions of the following service bulletins, as applicable:
(1) For Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes: Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 767-28A0071, Revision 1, dated January 22,
2004; and
(2) For Model 767-400ER series airplanes: Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 767-28A0072, Revision 1, dated January 22, 2004.
Investigative and Corrective Actions
(g) Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a
test of the bonding resistance between the engine fuel feed tube
fitting and the front spar, apply sealant on a hex nut inside the
dry bay, and do any applicable corrective actions, by accomplishing
all of the actions in the applicable service bulletin. Do any
applicable corrective actions before further flight.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 10, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-26029 Filed 11-23-04; 8:45 am]
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