[Federal Register: August 31, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 169)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 50290-50292]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31au07-22]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-29067; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-148-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200, -200CB, 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, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes.
This proposed AD would require doing a detailed inspection for damage
of the wire bundle of the right recirculation fan, and repair if
necessary. This proposed AD would also require re-routing the wire
bundle of the right recirculation fan. This proposed AD results from a
report indicating that, during landing of a Model 757 airplane, an
overheat warning and smoke occurred in the main cabin, and the right
recirculation fan stopped operating. We are proposing this AD to
prevent damage of the wiring bundle of the right recirculation fan.
Such damage could result in a short circuit and possible fire in the
mix bay or smoke in the main cabin.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 15,
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 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,
[[Page 50291]]
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this
proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip Sheridan, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 917-6441; 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-
29067; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-148-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 airworthiness directive (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 floor 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 indicating that, during landing of a
Model 757 airplane, an overheat warning and smoke occurred in the main
cabin, and the right recirculation fan stopped operating. Investigation
revealed fire damage to the right recirculation fan, the fan wiring
bundle and electrical connector, and the insulation blankets in the mix
bay. A fire, which extinguished without aid, had ignited in the top
layer of the insulation blanket. The fire might have resulted from lint
or dust touching a short circuit in the fan wiring bundle caused by
chafing of the wire bundle against adjacent structure. This condition,
if not corrected, could result in fire in the mix bay or smoke in the
main cabin.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 757-21-0109, dated
December 15, 2006. The service bulletin describes procedures for doing
a detailed inspection for damage of the wire bundle of the right
recirculating fan and repair if necessary. The service bulletin also
describes procedures, including re-orienting the electrical connector,
for re-routing the wire bundle of the right recirculating fan.
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 920 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 560 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 2 work hours per
airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts
would cost about $81 per airplane. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $134,960, or
$241 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, 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
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2007-29067; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
148-AD.
[[Page 50292]]
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October
15, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300
series airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in
Boeing Service Bulletin 757-21-0109, dated December 15, 2006.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report indicating that, during
landing of a Model 757 airplane, an overheat warning and smoke
occurred in the main cabin, and the right recirculation fan stopped
operating. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage of the wiring
bundle of the right recirculation fan. Such damage could result in a
short circuit and possible fire in the mix bay or smoke in the 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.
Inspection and Corrective Actions
(f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, do all
actions required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service
Bulletin 757-21-0109, dated December 15, 2006.
(1) Do a detailed inspection for damage of the wire bundle of
the right recirculation fan, and repair any damage before further
flight.
(2) Re-route the wire bundle and re-orient the electrical
connector of the right recirculation fan.
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 August 17, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-17280 Filed 8-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P