[Federal Register: February 27, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 38)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8851-8853]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27fe09-2]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-1065; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-126-AD;
Amendment 39-15827; AD 2009-05-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This AD requires among other actions,
installing new ground fault interrupter (GFI) relays for the main fuel
tanks and the auxiliary fuel tank pumps. This AD also requires revising
the FAA-approved maintenance program to incorporate new Airworthiness
Limitations for the GFI of the boost pumps and for the uncommanded on
system for the auxiliary fuel tank pumps. This AD results from fuel
system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to
prevent an electrical fault in the fuel pump system, which might cause
a connector or end cap to burn through and a subsequent fire or
explosion inside the fuel pump or wing spar area. We are also issuing
this AD to prevent uncommanded operation of the auxiliary fuel tank
pumps, which can cause them to run dry. This condition will increase
pump temperature and could supply an ignition source to fumes in the
fuel tank, which can result in a consequent fire or explosion.
DATES: This AD is effective April 3, 2009.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 3,
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: Binh Tran, Aerospace Engineer, Systems
and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 917-6485; 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 727 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on October 7, 2008 (73 FR 58509). That NPRM proposed
to require, among other actions, installing new ground fault
interrupter (GFI) relays for the main fuel tanks and the auxiliary fuel
tank pumps. This AD also requires revising the FAA-approved maintenance
program to incorporate new Airworthiness Limitations for the GFI of the
boost pumps and for the uncommanded on system for the auxiliary fuel
tank pumps.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We considered the comments received.
Support for the NPRM
Boeing concurs with the contents of the NPRM.
General Comment Disagreeing With NPRM
Another commenter, Ralph Pascale, asserts that the current
configuration of the boost pump circuits is adequate and does not need
to be changed. The commenter feels that by installing the GFIs on the
boost pumps according to the NPRM, there could be a condition where
during a loss of all generators due to thunderstorms, electrical power
is lost to the boost pumps and the possibility of the GFI tripping due
to high voltage (getting hit by lightning) will prevent the boost pumps
from supplying boosted pressure when electrical power is re-
established, causing a triple flameout.
We infer that the commenter is requesting that we withdraw the
NPRM. We do not concur. Loss of all generators resulting in loss of all
boost pumps is a rare event, even without GFI installed for the boost
pumps. The GFI has been tested for lightning threat to a level that is
higher than the worst-case lightning threat that a Model 727 airplane
would typically experience. Therefore, the risk to the boost pumps has
not increased. We have not changed this final rule in light of the
comment.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 199 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The following table provides the estimated
[[Page 8852]]
costs for U.S. operators to comply with this AD.
Table--Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Average U.S.-
Action Work hours labor rate Parts Cost per product registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation of new GFI relays.... Between 202 and $80 Between $30,619 and Between $46,779 and 199 Between $9,309,021
416.\1\ $59,785.\1\ $93,065.\1\ and $18,519,935.\1\
Concurrent requirements........... Between 68 and 80 Between $1,292 and Between $6,732 and 35 Between $235,620 and
209.\1\ $10,470.\1\ $27,190.\1\ $951,650.\1\
Revision of FAA-approved 1.................... 80 None................. $80.................. 199 $15,920.
maintenance program.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 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:
2009-05-03 Boeing: Amendment 39-15827. Docket No. FAA-2008-1065;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-126-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 3,
2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-
100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated in any
category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-
28A0128, dated April 4, 2008.
Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must
request approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC)
according to paragraph (j) of this AD. The request should include a
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure
the continued operational safety of the airplane.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent an electrical fault
in the fuel pump system, which might cause a connector or end cap to
burn through and a subsequent fire or explosion inside the fuel pump
or wing spar area. We are also issuing this AD to prevent
uncommanded operation of the auxiliary fuel tank pumps, which can
cause them to run dry. This condition will increase pump temperature
and could supply an ignition source to fumes in the fuel tank, which
can result in a consequent fire or explosion.
Compliance
(e) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
Installation
(f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD,
install new ground fault interrupter (GFI) relays for the main fuel
tanks and the auxiliary fuel tank pumps and do all the other
specified actions by accomplishing all the applicable actions
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 727-28A0128, dated April 4, 2008.
Concurrent Requirements
(g) For airplanes identified as Groups 5 through 18 inclusive,
in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-28A0128, dated April 4, 2008:
Concurrently with the installation required by paragraph (f) of this
AD, do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this
AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 727-28A0130, dated April 30, 2008.
(1) Install new ground blocks, track, switch mounting bracket,
relay mounting bracket, toggle switches, and relays, and make
[[Page 8853]]
changes to the wire bundles in the GFI relay panel in the electronic
equipment bay.
(2) Install new circuit breakers and lights and make changes to
wire bundles on the third crewman's P6 and P4 panels in the flight
compartment.
Maintenance Program Revision
(h) Concurrently with accomplishing the installation required by
paragraph (f) of this AD, revise the FAA-approved maintenance
program by incorporating Airworthiness Limitations Nos. 28-AWL-16
and 28-AWL-17 of Section D of ``Boeing 727-100/200 Airworthiness
Limitations (AWLs),'' Document D6-8766-AWL, Revision August 2007.
No Alternative Inspection or Inspection Intervals
(i) After accomplishing the action required by paragraph (h) of
this AD, no alternative inspections or inspection intervals may be
used, unless the inspections or intervals are approved as an
alternative means of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(j)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, ATTN: Binh Tran, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment
Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6485; 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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) You must use the service information contained in Table 1 of
this AD, as applicable, to do the actions required by this AD,
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
Table 1--Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document Revision Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727- Original........................... April 4, 2008.
28A0128.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727- Original........................... April 30, 2008.
28A0130.
Boeing 727-100/200 Airworthiness August 2007........................ August 2007.
Limitations (AWLs) Document D6-8766-
AWL.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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 at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
WAashington. 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 that
is incorporated by reference 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, WA, on January 30, 2009.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-3875 Filed 2-26-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P