[Federal Register: December 11, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 239)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 75314-75316]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11de08-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0175; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-184-AD;
Amendment 39-15766; AD 2008-25-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Boeing Model 757 airplanes. This AD requires changing the wiring of the
fuel boost pump and doing other specified actions. This AD results from
reports of short circuits in an electrical connector at the wing-to-
body electrical disconnect panel. We are issuing this AD to prevent a
short circuit of the electrical connector for the fuel boost pump,
which could cause the instruments for fuel, flap, slat, and aileron
systems to malfunction and create a potential ignition source inside
the fuel tanks. A potential ignition source inside the fuel tank in
combination with flammable fuel vapors could result in a fuel tank
explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective January 15, 2009.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of January 15,
2009.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1, fax 206-766-5680; e-mail me.boecom@boeing.com;
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
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:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to
certain Boeing Model 757 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on November 9, 2007 (72 FR 63512). That NPRM proposed
to require changing the wiring of the fuel boost pump and doing other
specified actions.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We considered the comments received.
Request To Incorporate Revised Service Information
Boeing asks that we refer to Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletins 757-28-0095 and 757-28-0096, both Revision 1, both dated June
4, 2008, in the final rule. Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletins
757-28-0095 and 757-28-0096, both dated June 18, 2007, were referred to
in the NPRM as the appropriate sources of service information for
accomplishing the actions specified.
We have reviewed Revision 1 of these referenced service bulletins
and we agree with the commenter since no additional work is necessary
on airplanes changed in accordance with the original issue of the
referenced service information. Revision 1 of these service bulletins
clarifies certain procedures and certain routing and splice locations.
We have added Revision 1 of these service bulletins to the
applicability specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, and
to paragraph (f) of this AD, as the appropriate sources of service
[[Page 75315]]
information for accomplishing the actions specified. In addition, we
have added credit to paragraph (f) for previously accomplishing the
actions using the original issue of the service bulletins.
Request To Change Airplane Manufacturer's Name
Boeing asks that the airplane manufacturer's name specified in the
product identification section of the regulatory text of the NPRM be
changed from ``Airbus'' to ``Boeing.''
We agree that the airplane manufacturer's name should be changed,
as this was an inadvertent error in the NPRM; we have changed the name
in that paragraph of the AD accordingly.
Request To Allow Alternate Routing of Wiring
Continental Airlines (CAL) refers to Figure 2 of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 757-28-0095, dated June 18, 2007, and states
that it would be easier and more appropriate when doing the wire
modification to utilize one of the open holes in the panel instead of
splicing the wires for this location. CAL adds that the splice
locations for the left-hand aft and right-hand aft boost pumps, as
shown in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletins 757-28-0095 and
757-28-0096, both dated June 18, 2007, are incorrect and the splices
cannot be accomplished in those areas. CAL recommends that these
service bulletins be revised with the proper alternative rework
instructions for the subject discrepancies.
We have reviewed the referenced service information and we do not
agree that the splices cannot be accomplished in the locations referred
to in the comment. In addition, we have determined that clarification
of certain routing and splice locations is helpful, and that
clarification is provided in Revision 1 of the referenced service
bulletins, as noted previously. We infer that CAL is also asking us to
allow alternative routing of the wiring to that specified in the
referenced service bulletins. Under the provisions of paragraph (g) of
this AD, we will consider requests for approval of an AMOC if
sufficient data are submitted to substantiate that the alternative
routing of the wiring would provide an acceptable level of safety. We
have made no change to the AD in this regard.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
the AD with the changes described previously. We also determined that
these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or
increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
There are 1,697 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide
fleet. This AD affects about 673 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
required actions take up to 12 work hours per airplane, at an average
labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated
cost of the AD for U.S. operators is up to $646,080, or up to $960 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
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.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2008-25-08 Boeing: Amendment 39-15766. Docket No. FAA-2007-0175;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-184-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 15,
2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, and -200CB series airplanes,
as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-28-
0095, Revision 1, dated June 4, 2008.
(2) Boeing Model 757-300 series airplanes, as identified in
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-28-0096, Revision 1,
dated June 4, 2008.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of short circuits in an
electrical connector at the wing-to-body electrical disconnect
panel. We are issuing this AD to prevent a short circuit of the
electrical connector for the fuel boost pump, which could cause the
instruments for the fuel, flap, slat, and aileron systems to
malfunction and create a potential ignition source inside the fuel
tank. A potential ignition source inside the fuel tank in
combination with flammable fuel vapors could result in a fuel tank
explosion and consequent loss of 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.
Fuel Boost Pump Wiring Change
(f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, change
the wiring of the fuel boost pump and do all other specified actions
as applicable, by accomplishing all of the applicable actions
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 757-28-
[[Page 75316]]
0095 (for Model 757-200, -200PF, and -200CB series airplanes) or
757-28-0096 (for Model 757-300 series airplanes), both Revision 1,
both dated June 4, 2008; as applicable. The other specified actions
must be done before further flight after changing the fuel boost
pump wiring. Actions accomplished before the effective date of this
AD in accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-
28-0095 or 757-28-0096, both dated June 18, 2007, are considered
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions in this
paragraph.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, ATTN: 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; has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(h) You must use Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-
28-0095, Revision 1, dated June 4, 2008; or Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 757-28-0096, Revision 1, dated June 4, 2008; as
applicable; to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD
specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone
206-544-5000, extension 1, fax 206-766-5680; e-mail
me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
(3) You may review copies of the service information that is
incorporated by reference at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information 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/code_of_federal_
regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 28, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-29079 Filed 12-10-08; 8:45 am]
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