[Federal Register: June 30, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 126)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 37507-37510]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30jn06-17]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25205; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-071-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200 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 supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and
-300F series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires an
inspection of visually accessible areas for indications of overheating
of the heater tape attached to the potable water fill and drain lines
in the forward and aft cargo compartments, exposed foam insulation or
missing or damaged protective tape around the potable water fill and
drain lines, and debris or contaminants on or near the potable water
fill and drain lines. That AD also requires corrective action, as
necessary. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the
forward and aft cargo compartments, as applicable, for discrepancies of
the potable water supply and gray water drain lines; and applicable
corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also would require
replacing the heater tapes on the potable water supply and gray water
drain lines of the forward and aft cargo compartments, as applicable,
with new ribbon heaters, which would end the repetitive inspections.
This proposed AD results from a report of a fire in the aft cargo
compartment. We are proposing this AD to prevent overheating of the
heater tape on potable water fill and drain lines, which may ignite
accumulated debris or contaminants on or near the potable water fill
and drain lines, resulting in a fire in the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 14, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
[[Page 37508]]
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 service information identified in this
proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald Eiford, 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) 917-6465; 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``Docket No.
FAA-2006-25205; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-071-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 the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or 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
On May 29, 2002, we issued AD 2002-11-11, amendment 39-12772 (67 FR
39265, June 7, 2002), for certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F
series airplanes. That AD requires an inspection of visually accessible
areas for indications of overheating of the heater tape attached to the
potable water fill and drain lines in the forward and aft cargo
compartments, exposed foam insulation or missing or damaged protective
tape around the potable water fill and drain lines, and debris or
contaminants on or near the potable water fill and drain lines. That AD
also requires correction action, as necessary. That AD resulted from a
report of a fire in the aft cargo compartment. We issued that AD to
prevent overheating of the heater tape on potable water fill and drain
lines, which may ignite accumulated debris or contaminants on or near
the potable water fill and drain lines, resulting in a fire in the
airplane.
Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued
In the preamble to AD 2002-11-11, we indicated that the actions
required by that AD were considered ``interim action,'' and that
further rulemaking action was being considered. We now have determined
that further rulemaking action is indeed necessary, and this proposed
AD follows from that determination.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 767-30A0038, Revision 2,
dated February 23, 2006. Revision 2 of the service bulletin describes
procedures for repetitive general visual inspections of the forward and
aft cargo compartments, as applicable, for discrepancies of the potable
water supply and gray water drain lines; and applicable corrective
actions if necessary. The discrepancies include: foreign object debris
(FOD), contamination, heat damage, exposed foam insulation, and missing
or damaged protective tape of all heater tape. The applicable
corrective actions include:
Removing FOD or contamination;
Replacing damaged heater tape with new heater tape;
Disconnecting damaged heater tape;
Applying a continuous wrap of external protective tape to
cover the foam insulation; and
Fully covering the heater tape with external protective
tape.
In addition, the service bulletin describes procedures for
replacing the heater tapes on the potable water supply and gray water
drain lines of the forward and aft cargo compartments, as applicable,
with new Adel Wiggins ribbon heaters, which ends the need for the
repetitive inspections.
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 develop on other airplanes of the
same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, which
would supersede AD 2002-11-11 to require accomplishing the actions
specified in the service bulletin described previously.
Change to Existing AD
AD 2002-11-11 affects Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series
airplanes with non-fully-enclosed cargo floors in the lower cargo
areas. Since the issuance of that AD, Boeing has informed us that the
new, improved heater tapes are being installed on airplanes, line
numbers 919 and higher, in production. Boeing Service Bulletin 767-
30A0038, Revision 2, specifies the current affected airplanes and
operators. In addition, we have determined that Model 767-300F series
airplanes are not subject to the identified unsafe condition and were
inadvertently included in the applicability of AD 2002-11-11.
Therefore, the applicability of this proposed AD limits the
applicability of the existing AD to airplanes identified in Revision 2
of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-30A0038.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 455 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.
[[Page 37509]]
Estimated Costs
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Number of
Average U.S.-
Action Work hours \1\ labor rate Parts Cost per airplane \1\ registered Fleet cost \2\
per hour airplanes
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Inspections........................ 2 or 3................ $80 None............... $160 or $240, per 83 Between $13,280 and
inspection cycle. $19,920, per
inspection cycle.
Replacement (Ends Inspections)..... Between 1 and 3....... 80 $8,000............. Between $8,080 and 83 Between $670,640 and
$8,240. $683,920.
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\1\ Depending on airplane configuration.
\2\ Depending on fleet 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 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
removing amendment 39-12772 (67 FR 39265, June 7, 2002) and adding the
following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2006-25205; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
071-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August
14, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2002-11-11.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing
Service Bulletin 767-30A0038, Revision 2, dated February 23, 2006.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD: An open cargo floor
configuration, as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-30A0038,
is a floor without panels installed between all roller trays in the
cargo compartment. A closed cargo floor configuration, as identified
in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-30A0038, is a floor with panels
installed between all roller trays in the cargo compartment.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report of a fire in the aft cargo
compartment. We are issuing this AD to prevent overheating of the
heater tape on potable water fill and drain lines, which may ignite
accumulated debris or contaminants on or near the potable water fill
and drain lines, resulting in a fire in the airplane.
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.
Repetitive Inspections
(f) Within 18 months since the date of issuance of the original
standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the
original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 90 days
after the effective date of this AD, whichever is later: Do the
actions in Table 1 of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-30A0038, Revision 2,
dated February 23, 2006.
Table 1.--Inspections
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Do a general visual
inspection of the forward And, repeat at Until the
and aft cargo compartments, intervals not to replacement required
as applicable, for-- exceed-- by--
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(1) Foreign object debris 600 flight hours.... Paragraph (h) of
(FOD) or contamination on, this AD is done.
near, or around the potable
water supply and gray water
drain lines.
[[Page 37510]]
(2) Indications of heat 1,800 flight hours.. Paragraph (h) of
damage, exposed foam this AD is done.
insulation, or missing or
damaged protective tape of
all heater tape on the
potable water supply and
gray water drain lines.
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Corrective Actions
(g) If any discrepancy identified in Table 1 of this AD is found
during any general visual inspection required by either paragraph,
before further flight, do the applicable corrective action by
accomplishing all the actions in accordance with Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-30A0038, Revision 2,
dated February 23, 2006.
Terminating Action
(h) At the applicable time specified in Table 2 of this AD:
Replace the heater tapes on the potable water supply and gray water
drain lines of the forward and aft cargo compartments, as
applicable, with Adel Wiggins ribbon heaters, in accordance with
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-30A0038,
Revision 2, dated February 23, 2006. Accomplishing the replacement
ends the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.
Table 2.--Compliance Time for Replacement
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For airplanes on which the heater tape--
Compliance time
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(1) Has not been replaced in accordance Within 42 months since the date
with Boeing Service Bulletin 767- of issuance of the original
30A0037, dated May 28, 2002; or standard airworthiness
Revision 1, dated July 19, 2002; as of certificate or the date of
the effective date of this AD. issuance of the original
standard airworthiness
certificate of the date of
issuance of the original
export certificate of
airworthiness, or within 24
months after the effective
date of this AD, whichever
occurs later.
(2) Has been replaced in accordance Within 42 months after
with Boeing Service Bulletin 767- replacing the heater tape, or
30A0037, dated May 28, 2002; or within 24 months after the
Revision 1, dated July 19, 2002; as of effective date of this AD,
the effective date of this AD. whichever occurs later.
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Credit for Earlier Revisions of Service Bulletin
(i) For airplanes having variable number (VN) VN471 and VN472:
Actions done in the forward cargo compartment before the effective
date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
767-30A0038, dated December 16, 2004; or Revision 1, dated September
29, 2005; are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding
requirements of this AD for the forward cargo compartment only.
(j) For airplanes having VN VS704 through VS707 inclusive:
Actions done in the forward cargo compartment before the effective
date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
767-30A0038, Revision 1, dated September 29, 2005, are acceptable
for compliance with the corresponding requirements of this AD for
the forward cargo compartment only.
(k) For airplanes other than those identified in paragraphs (i)
and (j) of this AD: Actions done in the forward and aft cargo
compartments, as applicable, before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-30A0038, dated
December 16, 2004; or Revision 1, dated September 29, 2005; are
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of
this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(l)(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 June 20, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-5874 Filed 6-29-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P