[Federal Register: May 9, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 89)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 26285-26287]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09my07-2]
[[Page 26285]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-21748; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-071-AD;
Amendment 39-15044; AD 2007-10-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. For certain
airplanes, this AD requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of
the tube assemblies and insulation of the metered fire extinguisher
system and the bleed air duct couplings of the auxiliary power unit
(APU) located in the aft cargo compartment, and corrective actions if
necessary. For certain other airplanes, this AD requires a one-time
inspection for sufficient clearance between the fire extinguishing tube
and the APU bleed air duct in the aft cargo compartment, and
modification if necessary. This AD also requires an inspection for
signs of chafing and to verify sufficient clearance between the fire
extinguisher system and the bleed air duct couplings of the APU. This
AD results from one report indicating that an operator found a hole in
the discharge tube assembly for the metered fire extinguishing system;
and another report indicating that an operator found chafing of the
fire extinguishing tube against the APU duct that resulted in a crack
in the tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent fire extinguishing agent
from leaking out of the tube assembly in the aft cargo compartment
which, in the event of a fire in the aft cargo compartment, could
result in an insufficient concentration of fire extinguishing agent,
and consequent inability of the fire extinguishing system to suppress
the fire.
DATES: This AD becomes effective June 13, 2007.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of June 13, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building,
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207, for service information identified in this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcia Smith, 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) 917-6484; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 street address stated in the
ADDRESSES section.
Discussion
The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain
Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. That supplemental NPRM
was published in the Federal Register on June 7, 2006 (71 FR 32873).
For certain airplanes, that supplemental NPRM proposed to require
repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the tube assemblies and
insulation of the metered fire extinguisher system and the bleed air
duct couplings of the auxiliary power unit (APU) located in the aft
cargo compartment; and corrective actions if necessary. For certain
other airplanes, that supplemental NPRM proposed to require a one-time
inspection for sufficient clearance between the fire extinguishing tube
and the APU bleed air duct in the aft cargo compartment, and
modification if necessary. That supplemental NPRM also proposed to
require an inspection for signs of chafing and to verify sufficient
clearance between the fire extinguisher system and the bleed air duct
couplings of the APU.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.
Request To Refer to Latest Revision of Service Bulletin
Boeing, the Air Transport Association (ATA), on behalf of American
Airlines, and Japan Airlines ask that we refer to Boeing Service
Bulletin 767-26A0130, Revision 2, dated October 31, 2006, in the final
rule. We referred to Revision 1 of the service bulletin dated December
15, 2005, as the appropriate source of service information for doing
certain actions specified in the supplemental NPRM. Japan Airlines
states that Revision 1 includes incorrect requirements, and asks that
Revision 2 be included in the final rule to correct the specified
requirements. Japan Airlines adds that if the final rule is issued
before issuance of Revision 2 of the service bulletin, the mistakes
(included in Japan Airlines comments) should be corrected in the final
rule. Boeing states that inclusion of Revision 2 will avoid issuance of
a future supplemental NPRM. American Airlines indicates that Boeing
provided it with information acknowledging that Revision 1 would be
revised and released in the second quarter of 2006. American Airlines
recommends that Revision 2 refer to the APU duct couplings only, not
both the APU duct and the APU duct couplings.
We agree to refer to Revision 2 of the service bulletin in
paragraph (f)(1) of the AD. Revision 2 does the following:
Corrects certain station numbers.
Adds clarification procedures for moving the fire
extinguisher tube, and clarifies the inspection and repair of the fire
extinguisher tube.
Clarifies certain procedures specified in Figures 3
through 12, 15, and 16.
Adds Figures 19 and 20 to clarify clamp removal and
installation.
Adds manpower requirements for Figures 19 and 20.
Revision 2 also refers to the APU duct couplings instead of both
the APU duct and the APU duct couplings in certain sections of the
Accomplishment Instructions. We have revised the AD to refer to
Revision 2 of the service bulletin as the appropriate source of service
information for doing certain actions. We have also revised paragraph
(g) of this AD to add credit for actions done before the effective date
of this AD in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
26A0130, Revision 1, dated December 15, 2005. We acknowledge that there
were errors in certain procedures specified in Revision 1, but those
errors did not prevent accomplishing the inspections and any applicable
corrective actions in a manner that would address the identified unsafe
condition.
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Request to Change Note 1
The ATA, on behalf of its member Delta Airlines, asks that Note 1
of the supplemental NPRM be changed to omit the revision level of
Boeing Service Bulletin 767-26-0118, Revision 2, dated December 21,
2004, so it matches the reference to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
26A0123.
We partially agree with the request. In Note 1 of the supplemental
NPRM Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-26A0123, without a date or
revision level, referred to Boeing Service Bulletin 767-26-0118,
Revision 2, dated December 21, 2004, as the appropriate source of
service information for accomplishing the modification of the fire
extinguishing tube assembly. Since the AD must specify a revision level
and date in the requirements, in lieu of removing the revision level
and date for Boeing Service Bulletin 767-26-0118, we have removed Note
1 and added a new paragraph (f)(2)(ii) to the AD. Paragraph (f)(2)(ii)
requires accomplishing the modification of the fire extinguishing tube
assembly in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 767-26-0118,
Revision 2, dated December 21, 2004. We have also added a new paragraph
(h) to this AD (and re-identified subsequent paragraphs) to include
credit for previously accomplishing the actions specified in Boeing
Service Bulletin 767-26-0118, dated June 20, 2002, or Revision 1, dated
October 3, 2002.
Clarification Made to This AD
We have changed paragraph (f)(1) of this AD to clarify the station
numbers for the fire extinguishing tube assemblies. Paragraph (f)(1) of
the supplemental NPRM proposed to require performing detailed and
general visual inspections for discrepancies of the fire extinguishing
tube assemblies between STA 1197 and STA 1340. Those station numbers
were incorrectly specified in the Summary section of Revision 1 of the
service bulletin. However, paragraph (f)(1) specifies doing the actions
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin, and the correct station numbers (STA 1140 and STA 1340) are
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of both Revisions 1 and 2
of the referenced service bulletin. We inadvertently specified STA 1197
in paragraph (f)(1), and we have corrected that error accordingly.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously.
These changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator
nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 749 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
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Number of
Average Cost per U.S.-
Action Work hours labor rate Parts airplane registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
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Inspection in Service Bulletin 1 $80 None........... $80 292 $23,360
767-26A0123.
Inspection in Service Bulletin 5 80 None........... 400 292 116,800
767-26A0130, Revision 2.
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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 AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2007-10-03 Boeing: Amendment 39-15044. Docket No. FAA-2005-21748;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-071-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective June 13, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
[[Page 26287]]
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series
airplanes; certificated in any category; with a metered fire
extinguisher system in the aft cargo compartment.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by one report indicating that an
operator found a hole in the discharge tube assembly for the metered
fire extinguishing system; and another report indicating that an
operator found chafing of the fire extinguishing tube against the
auxiliary power unit (APU) duct that resulted in a crack in the
tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent fire extinguishing agent
from leaking out of the tube assembly in the aft cargo compartment
which, in the event of a fire in the aft cargo compartment, could
result in an insufficient concentration of fire extinguishing agent,
and consequent inability of the fire extinguishing system to
suppress the fire.
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.
Inspections and Corrective Actions
(f) Within 24 months or 8,000 flight hours after the effective
date of this AD, whichever is first: Accomplish the actions required
by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
(1) For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-
26A0130, Revision 2, dated October 31, 2006: Perform detailed and
general visual inspections for discrepancies of the fire
extinguishing tube assemblies between station (STA) 1140 and STA
1340, and the insulation of the metered fire extinguisher system and
the bleed air duct couplings of the APU located in the aft cargo
compartment, and any applicable corrective actions, by doing all the
applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Service Bulletin 767-26A0130, Revision 2, dated October 31,
2006. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight in
accordance with the service bulletin. Repeat the inspections
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24 months or 8,000 flight
hours, whichever is first. Installation of the tube assembly in the
correct location, in accordance with the service bulletin,
terminates the repetitive inspections for that assembly only.
(2) For airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
767-26A0123, dated August 22, 2002: Accomplish the actions required
by paragraphs (f)(2)(i) and (f)(2)(ii) of this AD, as applicable.
(i) Perform a general visual inspection for sufficient clearance
between the fire extinguishing tube and the APU duct on the left
sidewall from STA 1355 through 1365 inclusive, and do all applicable
modifications, by doing all the actions specified in the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
26A0123, dated August 22, 2002. Do all applicable modifications
before further flight.
(ii) If there is insufficient clearance between the fire
extinguishing tube and the APU duct: Before further flight,
accomplish the modification of the fire extinguishing tube assembly
by doing all the actions specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-26-0118, Revision 2,
dated December 21, 2004. Accomplishing the modification in this
paragraph terminates the repetitive inspections for that assembly
only.
Credit for Actions Accomplished Previously
(g) Accomplishing the inspections and corrective actions
required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD before the effective date of
this AD, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
26A0130, dated December 2, 2004, or Revision 1, dated December 15,
2005; is considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding
actions in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
(h) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (f)(2)(ii)
of this AD before the effective date of this AD, in accordance with
Boeing Service Bulletin 767-26-0118, dated June 20, 2002, or
Revision 1, dated October 3, 2002; is considered acceptable for
compliance with the corresponding actions in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of
this AD for accomplishing the modification of the fire extinguishing
tube assembly.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 767-26A0130, Revision
2, dated October 31, 2006; Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
26A0123, dated August 22, 2002; and Boeing Service Bulletin 767-26-
0118, Revision 2, dated December 21, 2004; as applicable; to perform
the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies
otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207, for a copy
of this service information. You may review copies at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html
.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 30, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-8767 Filed 5-8-07; 8:45 am]
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