[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 18, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2848-2852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-879]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-1311; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-229-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 757 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 supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) that applies to certain Model 757 airplanes. The
existing AD currently requires inspecting certain power feeder wire
bundles for damage, inspecting the support clamps for these wire
bundles to determine whether the clamps are properly installed, and
performing corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would
require additional inspections for certain airplanes. This proposed AD
results from a report that a power feeder wire bundle chafed against
the number six auxiliary slat track, causing electrical wires in the
bundle to arc, which damaged both the auxiliary slat track and power
feeder wires. We are proposing this AD to prevent arcing that could be
a possible ignition source for leaked flammable fluids, which could
result in a fire. Arcing could also result in a loss of power from the
generator connected to the power feeder wire bundle, and consequent
loss of systems, which could reduce controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 4, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
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.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed 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 [email protected];
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the
referenced service information 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.
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 proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip Sheridan, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6441; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-1311;
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-229-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
On January 18, 2007, we issued AD 2007-03-01, Amendment 39-14912
(72 FR 3939, January 29, 2007), for certain Model 757 airplanes. That
AD requires inspecting certain power feeder wire bundles for damage,
inspecting the support clamps for those wire bundles to determine
whether the clamps are properly installed, and performing corrective
actions if necessary. That AD resulted from a report that a power
feeder wire bundle chafed against the number six auxiliary slat track,
causing electrical wires in the bundle to arc, which damaged both the
auxiliary slat track and power feeder wires. We issued that AD to
prevent arcing that could be a possible ignition source for leaked
flammable fluids, which could result in a fire. Arcing could also
result in a loss of power from the generator connected to the power
feeder wire bundle, and consequent loss of systems, which could reduce
controllability of the airplane.
Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2007-03-01, we have learned that Boeing
inadvertently identified certain airplanes with incorrect group numbers
in Boeing
[[Page 2849]]
Special Attention Service Bulletins 757-24-0105 and 757-24-0106, both
Revision 2, both dated April 20, 2006. We referred to those service
bulletins as the appropriate sources of service information for
accomplishing the required actions of AD 2007-03-01. As a result of
identifying this error, Boeing has revised Special Attention Service
Bulletins 757-24-0105 and 757-24-0106.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-
0105, Revision 3, dated October 3, 2006; Revision 4, dated January 4,
2008; and Revision 5, dated July 30, 2009 (for Model 757-200, -200CB,
and -200PF series airplanes). Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin
757-24-0105, Revision 3, dated October 3, 2006, corrects a compliance
recommendation and adds more part number data applicable to the spacer.
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0105, Revision 4,
dated January 4, 2008, corrects a part number and adds AD data. Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0105, Revision 5, dated July
30, 2009, contains a change in the airplane group and configuration
data, adds maintenance zones, and adds another optional fastener to
plug the hole in the bracket. Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin
757-24-0105, Revision 5, dated July 30, 2009, states that additional
work is required for airplanes that have been moved from Group 2 to
Group 1, Configuration 2. Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin
757-24-0105, Revision 5, dated July 30, 2009, states that these
airplanes require a general visual inspection to make sure they have
support clamps for the power feeder wire bundles W3312 and W3412 at
front spar station 148.90 and clamps installed on the lower brackets on
the left wings as shown in Figure 3 of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 757-24-0105, Revision 5, dated July 30, 2009.
We have also reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin
757-24-0106, Revision 3, dated October 3, 2006; Revision 4, dated
January 4, 2008; and Revision 5, dated July 30, 2009 (for Model 757-300
series airplanes). Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-
0106, Revision 3, dated October 3, 2006, corrects a compliance
recommendation and adds more part number data applicable to the spacer.
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0106, Revision 4,
dated January 4, 2008, regrouped certain airplanes from Group 1 to
Group 2. For this group of newly moved airplanes, Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0106, Revision 4, dated January 4,
2008, regrouped airplanes having variable numbers NL101-NL104, NL141,
and NL601-NL607 from Group 1 to Group 2 and added wire bundle W5784 and
W5786 data. The airplanes moved to Group 2 require additional work:
Doing a general visual inspection for damage (including but not limited
to chafing) of wire bundles W5784 and W5786, doing a general visual
inspection of the support clamps for those power feeder wire bundles to
determine whether the clamps are properly installed, and doing
corrective actions if necessary. The corrective actions include
repairing damage of the power feeder wire bundles, installing in the
correct hole of the attach bracket any support clamp found installed
elsewhere, installing a spacer if one is not already installed, and
installing a rivet to plug the open hole in the attach bracket.
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0106, Revision 5,
dated July 30, 2009, adds affected maintenance zones and an optional
rivet to plug the open hole in the bracket.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to develop on other airplanes of the
same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, which
would supersede AD 2007-03-01 and would retain the requirements of the
existing AD. This proposed AD would also require accomplishing the
actions specified in the service information described previously.
Change to Existing AD
We have removed the ``Service Bulletin Reference'' paragraph from
this NPRM. (That paragraph was identified as paragraph (f) in AD 2007-
03-01). Instead, we have provided the full service bulletin citations
throughout this NPRM.
Costs of Compliance
There are approximately 902 Model 757 airplanes of the affected
design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 631 airplanes of U.S.
registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
Estimated Costs
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Number of
Average U.S.-
Action Work hours labor rate Parts Cost per airplane registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
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Inspection (required by AD 2007-03-01)... 2 $85 $0 $170 per inspection cycle.. 683 $116,110 per inspection
cycle.
Inspection for certain Group 1 Model 757- 5 $85 $0 $425 per inspection cycle.. 646 $274,550 per inspection
200, -200CB, -200PF series airplanes cycle.
(new proposed action).
Inspections for Model 757-300 series 4 $85 $0 $340 per inspection cycle.. 37 $12,580 per inspection
airplanes (new proposed action). cycle..
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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
[[Page 2850]]
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, Incorporation by
reference, 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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-14912 (72 FR
3939, January 29, 2007) and adding the following new AD:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-1311; Directorate Identifier
2009-NM-229-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by March 4,
2011.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2007-03-01, Amendment 39-14912.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200PF,
-200CB, and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category,
specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Model 757-200, -200PF, and -200CB series airplanes, as
identified in Boeing Special Attention Bulletin 757-24-0105,
Revision 5, dated July 30, 2009.
(2) Model 757-300 series airplanes, as identified in Boeing
Special Attention Bulletin 757-24-0106, Revision 5, dated July 30,
2009.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24:
Electrical power.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from a report that a power feeder wire
bundle chafed against the number six auxiliary slat track, causing
electrical wires in the bundle to arc, which damaged both the
auxiliary slat track and power feeder wires. The Federal Aviation
Administration is issuing this AD to prevent arcing that could be a
possible ignition source for leaked flammable fluids, which could
result in a fire. Arcing could also result in a loss of power from
the generator connected to the power feeder wire bundle, and
consequent loss of systems, which could reduce controllability of
the airplane.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Restatement of Requirements of AD 2007-03-01, With Revised Service
Information and Affected Airplane Groups:
One-Time Inspections and Corrective Actions
(g) For Model 757-200, -200PF, and -200CB series airplanes; and
for Model 757-300 series airplanes identified as Group 1 airplanes
in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0106, Revision
5, dated July 30, 2009: Within 24 months after March 5, 2007 (the
effective date for AD 2007-03-01), perform a general visual
inspection for damage (including but not limited to chafing) of
power feeder wire bundles W3312 and W3412 at front spar station
148.90 in the left and right wings, and a general visual inspection
of the support clamps for those power feeder wire bundles to
determine whether the clamps are properly installed, and, before
further flight, do all applicable corrective actions. Do these
actions by doing all of the applicable actions in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin
identified in Table 1 of this AD. After the effective date of this
AD, only Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0105,
Revision 5, dated July 30, 2009 (for Model 757-200, -200CB, and -
200PF series airplanes); or Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 757-24-0106, Revision 5, dated July 30, 2009 (for Model
757-300 series airplanes); may be used.
Table 1--Acceptable Service Bulletin Revisions
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Boeing Special Attention
Model-- Service Bulletin-- Revision-- Dated--
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757-200, -200CB, and -200PF series 757-24-0105............... 2 April 20, 2006.
airplanes.
757-200, -200CB, and -200PF series 757-24-0105............... 5 July 30, 2009.
airplanes.
757-300 series airplanes............... 757-24-0106............... 2 April 20, 2006.
757-300 series airplanes............... 757-24-0106............... 5 July 30, 2009.
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Actions Accomplished Previously for Paragraph (g) of This AD
(h) Inspections and corrective actions done before March 5,
2007, in accordance with the service information listed in Table 2
of this AD are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
Table 2--Other Acceptable Service Bulletin Revisions for Previously
Accomplished Actions
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Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin-- Revision-- Dated--
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757-24-0105................. Original....... September 30, 2004.
757-24-0105................. 1.............. June 23, 2005.
757-24-0106................. Original....... September 30, 2004.
[[Page 2851]]
757-24-0106................. 1.............. June 23, 2005.
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New Requirements of This AD
Additional Work for Model 757-200, -200CB, and -200PF Series Airplanes
Identified in Revision 5 of the Service Information
(i) For Model 757-200, -200CB, and -200PF series airplanes on
which inspections have been done before the effective date of this
AD in accordance with any service bulletin specified in Table 3 of
this AD: Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, do a
general visual inspection to determine that the clamp is installed
on the lower bracket on the left wing as shown in Figure 3 of Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0105, Revision 5, dated
July 30, 2009. If any clamp is missing, before further flight,
install a clamp on the lower bracket on the left wing, in accordance
with Figure 3 of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-
0105, Revision 5, dated July 30, 2009.
Table 3--Acceptable Revisions of Service Information for Actions
Accomplished Before the Effective Date of This AD
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Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin-- Revision-- Dated--
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757-24-0105................. Original....... September 30, 2004.
757-24-0105................. 1.............. June 23, 2005.
757-24-0105................. 2.............. April 20, 2006.
757-24-0105................. 3.............. October 3, 2006.
757-24-0105................. 4.............. January 4, 2008.
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(j) For Group 2 airplanes as identified in Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0106, Revision 5, dated July 30,
2009: Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, perform
a general visual inspection for damage (including, but not limited
to chafing) of power feeder wire bundles W5784 and W5786 at front
spar station 148.90 in the left and right wings, and a general
visual inspection of the support clamps for those power feeder wire
bundles to determine whether the clamps are properly installed, and,
before further flight, do all applicable corrective actions. Do all
applicable actions in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-
0106, Revision 5, dated July 30, 2009.
Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service
Information
(k) Inspections and corrective actions done before the effective
date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 757-24-0106, Revision 4, dated January 4, 2008, are
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions required by
paragraph (j) of this AD.
(l) Inspections and corrective actions done before the effective
date of this AD in accordance with the service information listed in
Table 4 of this AD are acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding actions required by paragraph (j) of this AD, provided
that power feeder wire bundles W5784 and W5786 were inspected and
all applicable correction actions were done.
Table 4--Other Acceptable Service Bulletin Revisions for Paragraph (j)
of This AD
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Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin-- Revision-- Dated--
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757-24-0106................. Original....... September 30, 2004.
757-24-0106................. 1.............. June 23, 2005.
757-24-0106................. 2.............. April 20, 2006.
757-24-0106................. 3.............. October 3, 2006.
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(m) Inspections and corrective actions done before the effective
date of this AD in accordance with the service information listed in
Table 5 of this AD are acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
Table 5--Other Acceptable Service Bulletin Revisions for Paragraph (g)
of This AD
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Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin-- Revision-- Dated--
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757-24-0106................. 3.............. October 3, 2006.
757-24-0106................. 4.............. January 4, 2008.
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Special Flight Permit
(n) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Sec. Sec. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished, provided that the
generator served by the power feeder wire bundles specified in
paragraph (g) or (j) of this AD, as applicable, is disconnected.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(o)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to
ATTN: Philip Sheridan, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment
Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 917-6441; fax (425) 917-6590. Information may be e-mailed to:
[email protected].
(2) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2007-03-01,
Amendment 39-14912, are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding
provisions of paragraph (g) of this AD.
[[Page 2852]]
(3) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 10, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-879 Filed 1-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P