[Federal Register: December 13, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 238)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 73663-73665]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13de05-22]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-23282; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-210-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (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 757-200 and -300 series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require installing clamps on certain end caps of the
overhead distribution ducts, and doing other specified and related
investigative actions as necessary. This proposed AD results from
finding that the end caps of the overhead distribution ducts for the
air conditioning system were not bonded to the ducts with an adhesive.
We are proposing this AD to detect and correct loosened end caps, which
could change the air flow balance in the airplane. During a smoke event
in the cargo or main electronics compartments, the incorrect balance of
air flow could change the smoke clearance air capacity and result in
smoke and toxic fumes penetrating the flight deck and main cabin.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 27,
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, 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: Barbara Mudrovich, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6477; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 73664]]
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-2005-
23282; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-210-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 indicating that the airplane manufacturer
found that the end caps of the overhead distribution ducts of the air
conditioning system were not bonded to the ducts with an adhesive. The
parts manufacturer determined from a records check that none of the
overhead duct assemblies had end caps bonded to the ducts. Instead, the
overhead duct assemblies had been delivered with plastic tie straps to
hold the end caps onto the ducts. In some cases, the airplane
manufacturer's mechanics removed the plastic tie straps from the end
caps because the tie straps are not specified on the overhead duct
assembly drawing. The bead on the end of ducts alone will not keep the
end caps from loosening. A loosened end cap could change the air flow
balance in the airplane. This condition, if not corrected, could change
the smoke clearance air capacity during a smoke event in the cargo
compartment or main electronics compartments and result in smoke and
toxic fumes penetrating the flight deck and main cabin.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletins 757-21-
0106 (for Model 757-200 series airplanes) and 757-21-0107 (for Model
757-300 series airplanes), both dated March 24, 2005. Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 757-21-0106 describes procedures for
installing clamps on the end caps of the overhead distribution ducts at
stations 864.9, 866.6, and 875. Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 757-21-0107 describes procedures for installing clamps on the
end caps of the overhead distribution ducts at stations 864.88 and 875.
The service bulletins also describe procedures for doing other
specified and related investigative actions if necessary. The other
specified actions include the following:
Removing any tie straps, if installed, from the end caps
of the overhead distribution ducts.
Pushing each end cap against the end of the overhead duct
all the way around.
Torquing the clamps.
The related investigative actions include the following:
Visually inspecting the end caps to ensure that each end
cap has been pushed against the overhead duct all the way around.
Ensuring that there is no air leakage from the end caps of
the overhead ducts in the flight and passenger compartments in
accordance with certain chapters of the Boeing 757 Airplane Maintenance
Manual.
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 Compliance Time
The service bulletins specify installing the clamps in 36 months or
less, or 12,000 flight hours or less from the release date of the
service bulletin. However, the proposed AD would require installing the
clamps within 12,000 total flight hours or within 36 months after the
effective date of this AD, whichever is first.
Clarification of Inspection Terminology
Figure 1 of both service bulletins specifies to inspect the end
caps ``visually.'' This proposed AD, however, would require doing a
general visual inspection of the end caps. Paragraph 3.A. of the
service bulletin includes the definition for a general visual
inspection.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 63 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 37 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 1 work hour per
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts
would cost between $20 and $40 per airplane, depending on airplane
configuration. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the
proposed AD for U.S. operators is between $3,145 and $3,885, or between
$85 and $105 per airplane, depending on airplane configuration.
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
[[Page 73665]]
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.
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-2005-23282; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
210-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by January
27, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1)
and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Boeing Model 757-200 series airplanes, having certain
variable numbers as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 757-21-0106, dated March 24, 2005.
(2) Boeing Model 757-300 series airplanes, having certain
variable numbers as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 757-21-0107, dated March 24, 2005.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from finding that the end caps of the
overhead distribution ducts for the air conditioning system were not
bonded to the ducts with an adhesive. We are issuing this AD to
detect and correct loosened end caps, which could change the air
flow balance in the airplane. During a smoke event in the cargo or
main electronics compartments, the incorrect balance of air flow
could change the smoke clearance air capacity and result in smoke
and toxic fumes penetrating the flight deck and main cabin.
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 References
(f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the
Accomplishment Instructions of the following service bulletins, as
applicable:
(1) For Model 757-200 series airplanes: Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 757-21-0106, dated March 24, 2005; and
(2) For Model 757-300 series airplanes: Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 757-21-0107, dated March 24, 2005.
Install Clamps
(g) Within 12,000 flight hours or 36 months after the effective
date of this AD, whichever is first: Install clamps on the end caps
of the overhead distribution ducts of the air conditioning system at
stations 864.88, 864.9, 866.6, and 875, as applicable, and before
further flight do any other specified and related investigative
actions as applicable, by doing all of the applicable actions
specified in the applicable service bulletin.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 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 December 6, 2005.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-23956 Filed 12-12-05; 8:45 am]
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