[Federal Register: May 10, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 89)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 24488-24490]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10my05-8]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-21170; Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-124-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200 and 767-300 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 767-200 and 767-300 series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require performing a general visual inspection to
determine the part number of the I-beams of the center overhead stowage
bin modules to identify I-beams having 9.0g (gravitational
acceleration) tie rods attached and to determine the configuration of
the center overhead stowage bin modules; and, for certain center
overhead stowage bin modules, installation of support straps. This AD
was prompted by the results of tests conducted by the airplane
manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the
attachment of the 9.0g tie rods to the center overhead stowage bin
modules. This failure could result in collapse of those stowage bin
modules, and consequent injury to passengers and crew and interference
with their ability to evacuate the airplane in an emergency.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 24, 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 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-2005-21170; the directorate identifier for this
docket is 2002-NM-124-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Rosanske, 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) 917-6448; 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-2005-21170;
Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-124AD'' 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
The airplane manufacturer has notified us that, during tests it
conducted, some center overhead stowage bin modules failed at 6.6g
(gravitational acceleration) along the 9.0g tie rod forward bolt line.
Based on the results of these tests, we have determined that center
overhead stowage bin modules may not meet the 9.0g forward load
requirements of section 25.561 (``General'') of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 25.561). As a result, the center overhead stowage
bin modules may collapse, causing injury to passengers and crew and
interfere with their ability to evacuate the airplane in an emergency.
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent
failure of the attachment of the 9.0g tie rods to the center overhead
stowage bin modules. This failure could result in collapse of those
stowage bin modules, and consequent injury to passengers and crew and
interference with their ability to evacuate the airplane in an
emergency.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-
0320, dated April 11, 2002. The service bulletin describes procedures
for
[[Page 24489]]
performing a general visual inspection to determine the part number (P/
N) of the I-beams of the center overhead stowage bin modules to
identify I-beams having 9.0g tie rods attached and to determine the
configuration of the center overhead stowage bin modules. For I-beams
having certain P/Ns and stowage bin modules having certain
configurations, the service bulletin also describes procedures for
installing reinforcement straps. 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, except as discussed under
``Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Information.''
Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Information
The service bulletin does not recommend a compliance time for
accomplishing the general visual inspection to determine the P/N of the
I-beams of the center overhead stowage bin modules to identify I-beams
having 9.0g tie rods attached and to determine the configuration of the
center overhead stowage bin modules; or for the installation of support
straps for certain center overhead stowage bin modules. In developing
an appropriate compliance time for this proposed AD, we considered the
degree of urgency associated with the subject unsafe condition, the
average utilization of the affected fleet, and the time necessary to
perform the inspection and installation (13 hours, per I-beam). In
light of all of these factors, we find that a 36-month compliance time
represents an appropriate interval of time for affected airplanes to
continue to operate without compromising safety. This has been
coordinated with the manuafacturer.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 747 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD. There are approximately
13 center overhead stowage bin modules per airplane and one I-beam per
module.
Estimated Costs
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Average Number of
Work labor U.S.-
Action hours rate per Parts Cost per airplane registered
hour airplanes
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1. Inspection to determine P/N and 1 $65 None.................................. $65, per I-beam......................... 281
configuration, per I-beam.
2. Strap installation, per I-beam...... 12 $65 $816, per I-beam...................... $1,596, per I-beam...................... 281
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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. 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-2005-21170; Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-
124-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by June 24, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 767-200 and 767-300 series
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-0320, dated April 11,
2002.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by the results of tests conducted by
the airplane manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure
of the attachment of the 9.0g (gravitational acceleration) tie rods
to the center overhead stowage bin modules. This failure could
result in collapse of those
[[Page 24490]]
stowage bin modules, and consequent injury to passengers and crew
and interference with their ability to evacuate the airplane in an
emergency.
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 To Determine I-beam Part Number (P/N)
(f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD:
Perform a general visual inspection of the center overhead stowage
bin modules to determine the P/N of each I-beam and to determine the
configuration of each center overhead stowage bin module. Do the
inspection in accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 767-25-0320, dated April 11, 2002.
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 normally available lighting
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or
droplight 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.''
(g) For any I-beam found having P/N 412T2040-29 during the
inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD: No further action
is required by this AD for that I-beam only.
Support Strap Installation
(h) For any I-beam found having a P/N other than P/N 412T2040-29
during the inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Before
further flight, do the actions in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this
AD, as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-
0320, dated April 11, 2002.
(1) If the forward-most stowage bin module was inspected: Before
further flight, install support straps having P/N 412T2043-101 and
412T2043-102 on the center overhead stowage bin module, in
accordance with Figures 3, 4, and 5 of the Accomplishment
Instructions of the service bulletin.
(2) If the stowage bin module inspected was other than the
forward-most stowage bin module: Before further flight, do the
actions specified in paragraph (h)(2)(i) or (h)(2)(ii) of this AD,
as applicable.
(i) For center overhead stowage bin modules having
``Configuration A,'' as specified in the service bulletin: Before
further flight, do the actions specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this
AD.
(ii) For center overhead stowage bin modules having a
configuration other than ``Configuration A,'' as specified in the
service bulletin: Prior to further flight, install two support
straps having P/N 412T2043-119 on the center overhead stowage bin
module, in accordance with Figures 3, 4, and 6 of the Accomplishment
Instructions of the service bulletin.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i) 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 May 3, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9272 Filed 5-9-05; 8:45 am]
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