[Federal Register: March 3, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 41)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 10344-10346]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03mr05-11]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20473; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-156-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, 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, -200PF, and -300 series airplanes.
This proposed AD would require inspecting for damage of the ground
brackets, ground wires, and terminal lugs of the auxiliary power unit
(APU) battery and the APU start transformer rectifier unit (TRU) as
applicable; and corrective and related investigative actions. This
proposed AD is prompted by reports indicating that, during inspections
on two airplanes, the ground brackets for the APU battery were found
damaged. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct a damaged
electrical bonding surface of the APU battery and APU start TRU ground
connections, which could cause overheating of the ground connections
and lead to possible consequent ignition of the adjacent insulating
blankets.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 18, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
[[Page 10345]]
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, PO Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person 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. This docket
number is FAA-2005-20473; the directorate identifier for this docket is
2004-NM-156-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 under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20473;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-156-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 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 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.
Examining the Docket
You can 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 DMS receives them.
Discussion
We have received reports indicating that, during inspections on two
Boeing Model 757-200 airplanes, the ground brackets for the auxiliary
power unit (APU) battery were found damaged. Manufacturer analysis
found that the bonding surface of the ground brackets had an anodized
finish, which reduces electrical conductivity. Further manufacturer
investigation of airplanes in production revealed that the method used
to clean the ground brackets didn't remove the anodized finish from the
bonding surface before the ground wires were installed. This condition,
if not corrected, could cause overheating of the ground connections and
lead to possible consequent ignition of the adjacent insulating
blankets.
Similar Models
The subject ground brackets on certain Boeing Model 757-200PF and -
300 airplanes are almost identical to those on the affected Model 757-
200 airplanes. Therefore, all of these models may be subject to the
same unsafe condition.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-24A0099 (for
Model 757-200 and -200PF series airplanes), and Alert Service Bulletin
757-24A0100 (for Model 757-300 series airplanes); both dated March 25,
2004. The service bulletins describe procedures for inspecting the
ground brackets, ground wires, and terminal lugs of the APU battery and
the APU start transformer rectifier unit (TRU) ground connections; and
corrective and related investigative actions. Corrective actions
include cleaning the bonding surfaces of the ground brackets and
terminal lugs; and replacing the ground brackets, ground wires, and
terminal lugs if necessary. Investigative actions include measuring the
electrical resistance between the ground brackets and the terminal lugs
and between the ground brackets and the station frame. 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. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which
would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously.
Clarification of Inspection Terminology
The Boeing alert service bulletins specify inspecting for damage to
certain ground connections, but do not specify the type of inspection
to be performed. Paragraph (f) of this proposed AD identifies this
inspection as a ``general visual inspection,'' and Note 1 of this
proposed AD defines this inspection.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 251 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 159 airplanes of
U.S. registry.
For about 95 Group 1 and Group 3 airplanes: The proposed inspection
and cleaning of the ground connections would take about 2 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 $12,350, or $130 per airplane.
For about 64 Group 2 airplanes: The proposed inspection and
cleaning of the ground connection would take about 1 work hour 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
$4,160, or $65 per airplane.
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,
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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. 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-2005-20473; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
156-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by April 18, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, and -300
series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-24A0099, and Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 757-24A0100; both dated March 25, 2004.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports indicating that during
inspections on two airplanes, the ground brackets for the auxiliary
power unit (APU) battery were found damaged. We are issuing this AD
to detect and correct a damaged electrical bonding surface of the
APU battery and APU start transformer rectifier unit (TRU) ground
connections, which could cause overheating of the ground connections
and lead to possible consequent ignition of the adjacent insulating
blankets.
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.
Inspection of Ground Connections
(f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a general visual inspection for damage of the ground
brackets, ground wires, and terminal lugs of the APU battery and APU
start transformer rectifier unit (TRU), and do any corrective and
related investigative actions; by doing all the actions specified in
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
757-24A0099 (for Model 757-200 and -200PF series airplanes), or
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-24A0100 (for Model 757-300 series
airplanes); both dated March 25, 2004; as applicable.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is ``a visual examination of an interior or exterior area,
installation or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure or
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This
level of inspection is made under normal available lighting
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight or drop-
light and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors.
Stands, ladders or platforms may be required to gain proximity to
the area being checked.''
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 18, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-4080 Filed 3-2-05; 8:45 am]
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