[Federal Register: February 28, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 40)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 10645-10646]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28fe08-2]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0203; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-105-AD;
Amendment 39-15384; AD 2008-04-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and
-400ER Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), which applies to certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F
series airplanes. That AD currently requires reworking the surface of
the ground stud bracket of the left and right transformer rectifier
units (TRUs) and the airplane structure mounting surface, and measuring
the resistance from the bracket to the structure and the ground lugs to
the bracket using a bonding meter. This new AD revises the
applicability of the existing AD to include additional airplanes and
requires, among other actions, installation of a new ground stud
bracket using faying surface bonding. This AD results from a report of
loss of all direct current (DC) power generation during a flight, due
to inadequate electrical ground path between the ground bracket of the
TRUs/main battery charger (MBC) and the structure. We are issuing this
AD to prevent depletion of the main battery while in flight, resulting
from the loss of both TRUs and the MBC, and consequent loss of all DC
power, which could impact the safe flight and landing of the airplane
due to the loss of function or malfunction of essential/critical
systems and displays in the cockpit.
DATES: This AD becomes effective April 3, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of April 3,
2008.
On December 1, 2004 (69 FR 67043, November 16, 2004), the Director
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0119, Revision 2, dated August 19,
2004, as revised by Boeing Information Notice 767-24A0119 IN 01, dated
October 21, 2004.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
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: Louis Natsiopoulous, Aerospace
Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 917-6478; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 2004-23-14, amendment
39-13869 (69 FR 67043, November 16, 2004). The existing AD applies to
certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. That
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 19, 2007 (72 FR
64964). That NPRM proposed to require reworking the surface of the
ground stud bracket of the left and right transformer rectifier units
(TRUs) and the airplane structure mounting surface, and measuring the
resistance from the bracket to the structure and the ground lugs to the
bracket using a bonding meter. That NPRM also proposed revising the
applicability of the existing AD to include additional airplanes and to
require, among other actions, installation of a new ground stud bracket
using faying surface bonding.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We considered the comment that has been
received on the NPRM. Boeing, the single commenter, supports the NPRM.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comment that has been received, and determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
There are 932 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 U.S.-
Action Work hours Average labor Parts Cost per airplane registered Fleet cost
rate per hour airplanes
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Rework and Measurement (required 1................ $80 $4 $84......................... 262 $22,008.
by AD 2004-23-14).
New actions...................... 1 or 2 \1\....... 80 208 $288 or $368 \1\............ 412 $118,656 or
$151,616.\1\
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\1\ Depending 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
[[Page 10646]]
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
removing amendment 39-13869 (69 FR 67043, November 16, 2004) and by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2008-04-12 Boeing: Amendment 39-15384. Docket No. FAA-2007-0203;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-105-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective April 3, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2004-23-14.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -
400ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified
in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0162, dated May 30, 2006.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report of loss of all direct current
(DC) power generation during a flight, due to inadequate electrical
ground path between the ground bracket of the left and right
transformer rectifier unit (TRUs)/main battery charger (MBC) and the
structure. We are issuing this AD to prevent depletion of the main
battery while in flight, resulting from the loss of both TRUs and
the MBC, and consequent loss of all DC power, which could impact the
safe flight and landing of the airplane due to the loss of function
or malfunction of essential/critical systems and displays in the
cockpit.
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.
Requirements of AD 2004-23-14
Rework and Measure Resistance
(f) For Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes, as
listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0119, Revision 2,
dated August 19, 2004; on which the actions of Boeing Service
Bulletin 767-24-0119, dated May 14, 1998, and/or Revision 1, dated
December 16, 1999, have been done: Within 45 days after December 1,
2004 (the effective date of AD 2004-23-14), rework the ground stud
bracket of the TRUs and structure mounting surface, and measure the
resistance from the bracket to the structure and the grounding lug
to the bracket using a bonding meter, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
24A0119, Revision 2, dated August 19, 2004, as revised by Boeing
Information Notice 767-24A0119 IN 01, dated October 21, 2004, except
as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(g) Step 4, Sheet 3 of Figure 1 in the Accomplishment
Instructions of the service bulletin only specifies to install one
collar with part number (P/N) BACC30M6. However, a collar with P/N
BACC30BL6 (as listed in paragraph 2.C., ``Parts Necessary For Each
Airplane'' of the service bulletin) may be used as an alternative
method of compliance (AMOC).
New Actions Required by This AD
Rework, Installation, Measurement, as Applicable
(h) For all airplanes: Within 36 months after the effective date
of this AD, rework the existing ground stud bracket of the TRUs/MBC,
measure the resistance, and install a new ground stud bracket of the
TRUs by doing all the applicable actions specified in the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
24A0162, dated May 30, 2006.
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) 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
(j) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0119,
Revision 2, dated August 19, 2004, as revised by Boeing Information
Notice 767-24A0119 IN 01, dated October 21, 2004; and Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 767-24A0162, dated May 30, 2006, to perform the
actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies
otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
24A0162, dated May 30, 2006, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and
1 CFR part 51.
(2) On December 1, 2004 (69 FR 67043, November 16, 2004), the
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0119, Revision 2,
dated August 19, 2004, as revised by Boeing Information Notice 767-
24A0119 IN 01, dated October 21, 2004.
(3) 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 February 13, 2008.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-3394 Filed 2-27-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P