[Federal Register: August 16, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 158)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 45980-45982]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16au07-30]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28943; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-011-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-300F 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 767-300F series airplanes. This proposed AD
would require replacing the rotomolded duct(s) of the mix manifold
system with new duct(s). This proposed AD results from a report of
failures of the duct joint seal of the mix manifold system. We are
proposing this AD to prevent air conditioning leakage into the mix
manifold bay. Such leakage could decrease the air flow to the flight
compartment and main cabin or could allow smoke into the flight
compartment in the event of a fire in the main cabin or forward cargo
compartment.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 1, 2007.
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
[[Page 45981]]
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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 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: Jeffrey S. Palmer, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6481; 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 ``FAA-2007-
28943; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-011-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 Operations office between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the
ground level of the West 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 of more than ten failures of the duct
joint seal of the mix manifold system on Boeing Model 767-300F series
airplanes. The seal failures resulted in air conditioning leakage into
the mix manifold bay, which consequently decreased the air flow to the
flight compartment and main cabin. The failed ducts were made from
rotomolded nylon and were between 7 and 9 inches in diameter. Service
history has shown that the ducts made from rotomolded nylon material
that are larger than 6.5 inches in diameter can fail as a result of
joint seal failures, loose clamps, and duct deformation due to
insufficient rigidity. This condition, if not corrected, could result
in air conditioning leakage into the mix manifold bay. Such leakage
could decrease the air flow to the flight compartment and main cabin or
could allow smoke into the flight compartment in the event of a fire in
the main cabin or forward cargo compartment.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-21-
0192, dated March 23, 2006. The service information describes
procedures for replacing the rotomolded duct(s) of the mix manifold
system with new duct(s). 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.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 40 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 32 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 2 or 8 work hours
per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required
parts would cost about $4,123 or $42,825 per airplane. Based on these
figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is
$4,283 or $43,465 per airplane. (The estimated work hours and costs
depend on the 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 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
[[Page 45982]]
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-2007-28943; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
011-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October
1, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 767-300F series airplanes,
certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 767-21-0192, dated March 23, 2006.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report of failures of the duct joint
seal of the mix manifold system. We are issuing this AD to prevent
air conditioning leakage into the mix manifold bay. Such leakage
could decrease the air flow to the flight compartment and main cabin
or could allow smoke into the flight compartment in the event of a
fire in the main cabin or forward cargo compartment.
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.
Replacement
(f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do the
applicable action specified in Table 1 of this AD in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 767-21-0192, dated March 23, 2006.
Table 1.--Replacement
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For airplanes identified in the service
bulletin as-- Do the following action--
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(1) Group 1 airplanes.................. Replace the rotomolded duct
between the transition duct of
the right cooling pack and the
mix manifold with a new duct
made of aluminum.
(2) Group 2 airplanes.................. Replace the rotomolded ducts of
the mix manifold system with
new ducts made from
Kevlar[supreg] and aluminum.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g)(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) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 30, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-16095 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am]
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