Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Airplanes, 6980-6981 [E7-2523]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 14, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6980-6981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-2523]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27223; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-224-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Boeing Model 767 airplanes. This proposed AD would require 
modifying the link arms of the number 2 windows in the flight 
compartment. This proposed AD results from reports of the number 2 
windows opening during takeoff roll, which has resulted in aborted 
takeoffs. We are proposing this AD to prevent the opening of the number 
2 windows during takeoff roll, which could result in an aborted takeoff 
or an unscheduled landing, and adversely affect the flightcrew's 
ability to perform critical takeoff communication.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 2, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this 
proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Bell, 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) 917-6422; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2007-
27223; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-224-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit https://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
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 DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    Operators have reported the number 2 windows opening during takeoff 
roll. This has resulted in aborted takeoffs, which have occurred at 
speeds up to 140 knots. The number 2 windows are opened and closed by 
rotating an operating crank. When the flightcrew closes the window, the 
crank roller at the end of the torque tube will move and lock into the 
cam block at the top aft corner of the window. On affected airplanes, 
the crank roller can move at 18-degree increments with one gear tooth 
rotation. This minimum adjustment of 18 degrees can cause too much 
movement of the lower link arm and result in interference with the link 
bracket, preventing the crank roller from engaging into the cam block. 
When this occurs, the link arm will not be positioned at an angle less 
than 90 degrees (over center) in reference to the track roller, and the 
window could open during takeoff roll. Opening of the number 2 windows 
during takeoff roll, if not corrected, could result in aborted takeoffs 
or unscheduled landings, and adversely affect the flightcrew's ability 
to perform critical takeoff communication.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-56A0010, dated 
September 7, 2006. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
modifying the link arms of the number 2 windows in the flight 
compartment. The modification will allow the crank roller to move at 9-
degree increments with a change of position of a retaining pin, instead 
of one gear tooth rotation of 18-degree increments. The link arm that 
drives the window shut will be positioned at an angle less than 90 
degrees (over center), in reference to the track roller, when the 
window is closed. The modification will make sure that the window 
cannot open without input from the operating crank. The modification 
involves either:
     Replacing the link brackets, cam blocks, and torque tube 
assemblies with new parts; or
     Reworking the cam blocks and torque tube assemblies, and 
either reworking the link brackets or replacing them with new link 
brackets.

[[Page 6981]]

    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, 
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 896 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet; of these, 384 are U.S.-registered airplanes. The 
following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this proposed AD. The cost of parts depends on the type and 
extent of the replacement or rework.

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                              Average
             Action                 Work     labor rate        Parts        Cost per airplane      Fleet cost
                                   hours      per hour
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Modification...................       8-10          $80        $495-$6,805      $1,135-$7,605  Up to $2,920,320.
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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 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, 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2007-27223; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
224-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 2, 
2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-56A0010, dated September 7, 2006.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of the number 2 windows opening 
during takeoff roll, which has resulted in aborted takeoffs. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent the opening of the number 2 windows 
during takeoff roll, which could result in an aborted takeoff or an 
unscheduled landing, and adversely affect the flightcrew's ability 
to perform critical takeoff communication.

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.

Modification

    (f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the link arms of the number 2 windows in the flight compartment, in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-56A0010, dated 
September 7, 2006.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 5, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-2523 Filed 2-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P