Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER Series Airplanes, 36373-36378 [E7-12835]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 3, 2007 / Proposed Rules
Limitations (AWL) Document D6–7552–
AWL, Original Release March 2006, as
specified in paragraph (g) or (i) of this AD,
as applicable.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a design review
of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this
AD to prevent the potential for ignition
sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent
failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance
actions, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel
tank explosions 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.
Service Information
(f) The term ‘‘D6–7552–AWL March 2006,’’
as used in this AD, means Boeing 707/720
Airworthiness Limitations Document D6–
7552–AWL, Original Release March 2006.
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Revision of AWLs Section
(g) Before December 16, 2008, revise the
FAA-approved maintenance program by
incorporating the information in the sections
specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(3)
of this AD, except that the initial inspection
specified in paragraph (h) of this AD must be
done at the time specified in paragraph (h).
Accomplishing the revision in accordance
with a later revision of Boeing 707/720
Airworthiness Limitations Document D6–
7552–AWL is an acceptable method of
compliance if the revision is approved by the
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), FAA.
(1) Section B., ‘‘FUEL SYSTEMS
AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,’’ of D6–
7552–AWL March 2006.
(2) Section C., ‘‘SYSTEM AWL PAGE
FORMAT,’’ of D6–7552–AWL March 2006.
(3) Section D., ‘‘AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS—FUEL SYSTEMS,’’ of D6–
7552–AWL March 2006.
Initial Inspection and Repair if Necessary
(h) At the later of the times specified in
paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD: Do a
detailed inspection of external wires over the
center fuel tank for damaged or loose clamps,
wire chafing, and wire bundles in contact
with the surface of the center fuel tank, in
accordance with Section D,
‘‘AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS—FUEL
SYSTEMS,’’ AWL number 28–AWL–01, of
D6–7552–AWL March 2006. If any
discrepancy is found during this inspection,
repair the discrepancy before further flight in
accordance with D6–7552–AWL March 2006.
Accomplishing the actions required by this
paragraph in accordance with a later revision
of D6–7552–AWL March 2006 is an
acceptable method of compliance if the
revision is approved by the Manager, Seattle
ACO.
(1) Before the accumulation of 36,000 total
flight cycles, or within 120 months since the
date of issuance of the original standard
airworthiness certificate or the date of
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issuance of the original export certificate of
airworthiness, whichever occurs first.
(2) Within 72 months after the effective
date of this AD.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a
detailed inspection is: ‘‘An intensive
examination of a specific item, installation,
or assembly to detect damage, failure, or
irregularity. Available lighting is normally
supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate.
Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying
lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface
cleaning and elaborate procedures may be
required.’’
initial performance of certain repetitive
inspections specified in the AWLs to
phase in those inspections, and repair if
necessary. This proposed AD results
from a design review of the fuel tank
systems. We are proposing this AD to
prevent the potential for ignition
sources inside fuel tanks caused by
latent failures, alterations, repairs, or
maintenance actions, which, in
combination with flammable fuel
vapors, could result in fuel tank
explosions and consequent loss of the
airplane.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(i)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, 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.
We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by August 17, 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: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room W12–140 on
the ground floor of the West Building,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
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:
Kathrine Rask, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98057–3356; telephone
(425) 917–6505; fax (425) 917–6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 22,
2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–12818 Filed 7–2–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28389; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–171–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing
Model 777–200, –200LR, –300, and
–300ER Series Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 777–200, –200LR,
–300, and –300ER series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require revising the
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs)
section of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness by incorporating new
limitations for fuel tank systems to
satisfy Special Federal Aviation
Regulation No. 88 requirements. This
proposed AD also would require the
SUMMARY:
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DATES:
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–2007–28389; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–171–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
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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.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with PROPOSALS
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov, or in
person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The Docket Operations office (telephone
(800) 647–5527) is located on the
ground floor of the West 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
The FAA has examined the
underlying safety issues involved in fuel
tank explosions on several large
transport airplanes, including the
adequacy of existing regulations, the
service history of airplanes subject to
those regulations, and existing
maintenance practices for fuel tank
systems. As a result of those findings,
we issued a regulation titled ‘‘Transport
Airplane Fuel Tank System Design
Review, Flammability Reduction and
Maintenance and Inspection
Requirements’’ (66 FR 23086, May 7,
2001). In addition to new airworthiness
standards for transport airplanes and
new maintenance requirements, this
rule included Special Federal Aviation
Regulation No. 88 (‘‘SFAR 88,’’
Amendment 21–78, and subsequent
Amendments 21–82 and 21–83).
Among other actions, SFAR 88
requires certain type design (i.e., type
certificate (TC) and supplemental type
certificate (STC)) holders to substantiate
that their fuel tank systems can prevent
ignition sources in the fuel tanks. This
requirement applies to type design
holders for large turbine-powered
transport airplanes and for subsequent
modifications to those airplanes. It
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requires them to perform design reviews
and to develop design changes and
maintenance procedures if their designs
do not meet the new fuel tank safety
standards. As explained in the preamble
to the rule, we intended to adopt
airworthiness directives to mandate any
changes found necessary to address
unsafe conditions identified as a result
of these reviews.
In evaluating these design reviews, we
have established four criteria intended
to define the unsafe conditions
associated with fuel tank systems that
require corrective actions. The
percentage of operating time during
which fuel tanks are exposed to
flammable conditions is one of these
criteria. The other three criteria address
the failure types under evaluation:
Single failures, Single failures in
combination with a latent condition(s),
and in-service failure experience. For all
four criteria, the evaluations included
consideration of previous actions taken
that may mitigate the need for further
action.
We have determined that the actions
identified in this AD are necessary to
reduce the potential for ignition sources
inside fuel tanks caused by latent
failures, alterations, repairs, or
maintenance actions, which, in
combination with flammable fuel
vapors, could result in fuel tank
explosions and consequent loss of the
airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed the following
sections of Boeing 777 Maintenance
Planning Data (MPD) Document
D622W001–9, Section 9, Revision
March 2006 (hereafter referred to as
‘‘Revision March 2006 of the MPD’’):
• Section D., ‘‘AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS—SYSTEMS, FUEL
SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS’’; and
• Section E., ‘‘PAGE FORMAT:
SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS.’’
Those sections of Revision March
2006 of the MPD describe new
airworthiness limitations (AWLs) for
fuel tank systems. The new AWLs
include:
• AWL inspections, which are
periodic inspections of certain features
for latent failures that could contribute
to an ignition source; and
• Critical design configuration control
limitations (CDCCL), which are
limitation requirements to preserve a
critical ignition source prevention
feature of the fuel tank system design
that is necessary to prevent the
occurrence of an unsafe condition. The
purpose of a CDCCL is to provide
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instruction to retain the critical ignition
source prevention feature during
configuration changes that may be
caused by alterations, repairs, or
maintenance actions. A CDCCL is not a
periodic inspection.
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
revising the AWL section of the
Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness by incorporating the
information in the service information
described previously. The proposed AD
also would require the initial
performance of certain repetitive
inspections specified in the AWLs to
phase in those inspections, and repair if
necessary.
Explanation of Compliance Time
In most ADs, we adopt a compliance
time allowing a specified amount of
time after the AD’s effective date. In this
case, however, the FAA has already
issued regulations that require operators
to revise their maintenance/inspection
programs to address fuel tank safety
issues. The compliance date for these
regulations is December 16, 2008. To
provide for efficient and coordinated
implementation of these regulations and
this proposed AD, we are using this
same compliance date in this proposed
AD, instead of the 18-month compliance
time recommended by Boeing.
Rework Required When Implementing
AWLs Into an Existing Fleet
The AWL revision for the fuel tank
systems specified in paragraph (g) of
this proposed AD, which involves
incorporating the information specified
in Revision March 2006 of the MPD,
would affect how operators maintain
their airplanes. After doing that AWL
revision, operators would need to do
any maintenance on the fuel tank
system as specified in the CDCCLs.
Maintenance done before the AWL
revision specified in paragraph (g)
would not need to be redone in order to
comply with paragraph (g). For
example, the AWL that requires fuel
pumps to be repaired and overhauled
per an FAA-approved component
maintenance manual (CMM) applies to
fuel pumps repaired after the AWLs are
revised; spare or on-wing fuel pumps do
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not need to be reworked. For AWLs that
require repetitive inspections, the initial
inspection interval (threshold) starts
from the date the AWL revision
specified in paragraph (g) is done,
except as provided by paragraph (h) of
this proposed AD. This proposed AD
would require only the AWL revision
specified in paragraph (g), and initial
inspections specified in paragraph (h).
No other fleet-wide inspections need to
be done.
Changes to Fuel Tank System AWLs
Paragraph (g) of this proposed AD
would require revising the AWL section
of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness by incorporating certain
information specified in Revision March
2006 of the MPD into the MPD.
Paragraph (g) allows accomplishing the
AWL revision in accordance with later
revisions of the MPD as an acceptable
method of compliance if they are
approved by the Manager, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA. In addition, Section E. of Revision
March 2006 of the MPD specifies that
any deviations from the published AWL
instructions, including AWL intervals,
in that MPD must be approved by the
Manager, Seattle ACO. Therefore, after
the AWL revision, any further revision
to an AWL or AWL interval should be
done as an AWL change, not as an
alternative method of compliance
(AMOC). For U.S.-registered airplanes,
operators must make requests through
an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector (PMI) or
Principal Avionics Inspector (PAI) for
approval by the Manager, Seattle ACO.
A non-U.S. operator should coordinate
changes with its governing regulatory
agency.
Exceptional Short-Term Extensions
Section D. of Revision March 2006 of
the MPD has provisions for an
exceptional short-term extension of 30
days. An exceptional short-term
extension is an increase in an AWL
interval that may be needed to cover an
uncontrollable or unexpected situation.
For U.S.-registered airplanes, the FAA
PMI or PAI must concur with any
exceptional short-term extension before
it is used, unless the operator has
identified another appropriate
procedure with the local regulatory
authority. The FAA PMI or PAI may
grant the exceptional short-term
extensions described in Section D.
without consultation with the Manager,
Seattle ACO. A non-U.S. operator
should coordinate changes with its
governing regulatory agency. As
explained in Revision March 2006 of the
MPD, exceptional short-term extensions
must not be used for fleet AWL
extensions. An exceptional short-term
extension should not be confused with
an operator’s short-term escalation
authorization approved in accordance
with the Operations Specifications or
the operator’s reliability program.
Ensuring Compliance With Fuel Tank
System AWLs
Boeing has revised applicable
maintenance manuals and task cards to
address AWLs and to include notes
about CDCCLs. Operators that do not
use Boeing’s revision service should
revise their maintenance manuals and
task cards to highlight actions tied to
CDCCLs to ensure that maintenance
personnel are complying with the
CDCCLs. Appendix 1 of this proposed
AD contains a list of Air Transport
Association (ATA) sections for the
revised maintenance manuals.
Operators might wish to use the
appendix as an aid to implement the
AWLs.
Changes to CMMs Cited in Fuel Tank
System AWLs
Some of the AWLs in Section E of
Revision March 2006 of the MPD refer
to specific revision levels of the CMMs
as additional sources of service
information for doing the AWLs. Boeing
is referring to the CMMs by revision
level in the applicable AWL for certain
components rather than including
information directly in the MPD because
of the volume of that information. As a
result, the Manager, Seattle ACO, must
approve the CMMs. Any later revision
of those CMMs will be handled like a
change to the AWL itself. Any use of
parts (including the use of parts
manufacturer approval (PMA) approved
parts), methods, techniques, and
practices not contained in the CMMs
needs to be approved by the Manager,
Seattle ACO, or governing regulatory
authority. For example, pump repair/
overhaul manuals must be approved by
the Manager, Seattle ACO.
Changes to AMMs Referenced in Fuel
Tank System AWLs
Recording Compliance With Fuel Tank
System AWLs
The applicable operating rules of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
parts 91, 121, 125, and 129) require
operators to maintain records with the
identification of the current inspection
status of an airplane. Some of the AWLs
contained in Section E of Revision
March 2006 of the MPD are inspections
for which the applicable sections of the
operating rules apply. Other AWLs are
CDCCLs, which are tied to conditional
maintenance actions. An entry into an
operator’s existing maintenance record
system for corrective action is sufficient
for recording compliance with CDCCLs,
as long as the applicable maintenance
manual and task cards identify actions
that are CDCCLs.
In other AWLs in Section E of
Revision March 2006 of the MPD, the
AWLs contain all the necessary data.
The applicable section of the
maintenance manual is usually
included in the AWLs. Boeing intended
this information to assist operators in
maintaining the maintenance manuals.
A maintenance manual change to these
tasks may be made without approval by
the Manager, Seattle ACO, through an
appropriate FAA PMI or PAI, by the
governing regulatory authority, or by
using the operator’s standard process for
revising maintenance manuals. An
acceptable change would have to
maintain the information specified in
the AWL such as the pass/fail criteria or
special test equipment.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 564 airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet.
This proposed AD would affect about
125 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
following table provides the estimated
costs for U.S. operators to comply with
this proposed AD at an average labor
rate of $80 per work hour.
ESTIMATED COSTS
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Actions
Work hours
Maintenance program revision ................................................................................................................
Inspections ...............................................................................................................................................
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8
8
03JYP1
Cost per
airplane
$640
640
Fleet cost
$80,000
80,000
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 3, 2007 / Proposed Rules
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.
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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:
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Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA–2007–28389;
Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–171–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
this AD action by August 17, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 777–
200, –200LR, –300, and –300ER series
airplanes; certificated in any category; with
an original standard airworthiness certificate
or original export certificate of airworthiness
issued before June 1, 2006.
Note 1: Airplanes with an original standard
airworthiness certificate or original export
certificate of airworthiness issued on or after
June 1, 2006, must be already in compliance
with the airworthiness limitations specified
in this AD because those limitations were
applicable as part of the airworthiness
certification of those airplanes.
Note 2: This AD requires revisions to
certain operator maintenance documents to
include new inspections and maintenance
actions. Compliance with these limitations is
required by 14 CFR 43.16 and 91.403(c). For
airplanes that have been previously
modified, altered, or repaired in the areas
addressed by these limitations, the operator
may not be able to accomplish the actions
described in the revisions. In this situation,
to comply with 14 CFR 43.16 and 91.403(c),
the operator must request approval for
revision to the airworthiness limitations
(AWLs) in the Boeing 777 Maintenance
Planning Data (MPD) Document D622W001–
9 according to paragraph (g) or (i), as
applicable, of this AD.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a design review
of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this
AD to prevent the potential for ignition
sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent
failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance
actions, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel
tank explosions 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.
Service Information
(f) The term ‘‘Revision March 2006 of the
MPD’’ as used in this AD, means Section 9
of Boeing 777 MPD Document D622W001–9,
Revision March 2006.
Revision of AWLs Section
(g) Before December 16, 2008, revise the
AWLs section of the Instructions for
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Continued Airworthiness by incorporating
the information in the sections specified in
paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD into
the MPD, except that the initial inspections
specified in paragraph (h) of this AD must be
done at the compliance times specified in
paragraph (h) of this AD. Accomplishing the
revision in accordance with a later revision
of the MPD is an acceptable method of
compliance if the revision is approved by the
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), FAA.
(1) Section D., ‘‘AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS—SYSTEMS, FUEL SYSTEMS
AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,’’ of
Revision March 2006 of the MPD.
(2) Section E., ‘‘PAGE FORMAT: SYSTEMS
AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,’’ of
Revision March 2006 of the MPD.
Initial Inspections and Repair
(h) Do the inspections described in
paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD at the
compliance times specified in paragraphs
(h)(1) and (h)(2); in accordance with the
AWLs described in Section E., ‘‘PAGE
FORMAT: SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS,’’ of Revision March 2006 of
the MPD. If any discrepancy is found during
this inspection, repair the discrepancy before
further flight in accordance with Revision
March 2006 of the MPD. Accomplishing the
actions in accordance with a later revision of
the MPD is an acceptable method of
compliance if the revision is approved by the
Manager, Seattle ACO.
(1) At the later of the times specified in
paragraphs (h)(1)(i) and (h)(1)(ii) of this AD,
do a detailed inspection of external wires
over the center fuel tank for damaged clamps,
wire chafing, and wire bundles in contact
with the surface of the center fuel tank, and
repair any discrepancy; in accordance with
28–AWL–01.
(i) Before the accumulation of 36,000 total
flight cycles, or within 120 months since the
date of issuance of the original standard
airworthiness certificate or the date of
issuance of the original export certificate of
airworthiness, whichever occurs first.
(ii) Within 72 months after the effective
date of this AD.
Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a
detailed inspection is: ‘‘An intensive
examination of a specific item, installation,
or assembly to detect damage, failure, or
irregularity. Available lighting is normally
supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate.
Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying
lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface
cleaning and elaborate procedures may be
required.’’
(2) At the later of the times specified in
paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and (h)(2)(ii) of this AD,
do a special detailed inspection (resistance
test) of the lightning shield-to-ground
termination of the out tank wiring of the fuel
quantity indicating system (FQIS) and, as
applicable, repair (restore) the bond to ensure
the shield-to-ground termination meets
specified resistance values; in accordance
with 28–AWL–03.
(i) Before the accumulation of 36,000 total
flight cycles, or within 120 months since the
date of issuance of the original standard
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 3, 2007 / Proposed Rules
airworthiness certificate or the date of
issuance of the original export certificate of
airworthiness, whichever occurs first.
(ii) Within 24 months after the effective
date of this AD.
Note 4: For the purposes of this AD, a
special detailed inspection is: ‘‘An intensive
examination of a specific item, installation,
or assembly to detect damage, failure, or
irregularity. The examination is likely to
make extensive use of specialized inspection
techniques and/or equipment. Intricate
cleaning and substantial access or
disassembly procedure may be required.’’
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(i)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, 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.
APPENDIX 1.—FUEL TANK SYSTEM AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS—APPLICABLE MAINTENANCE MANUALS
AWL No.
ALI/CDCCL
ATA Section or CMM
document 1
Task title
28–AWL–01 .............................
ALI ...............
AMM 28–11–00/601 ...............
28–11–00–210–801.
28–AWL–02 .............................
CDCCL ........
SWPM 20–10–11 ...................
28–AWL–03 .............................
ALI ...............
AMM 05–55–54/601 ...............
28–AWL–04 .............................
CDCCL ........
SWPM 20–10–15 ...................
28–AWL–05 .............................
CDCCL ........
AMM 28–22–15/401 ...............
28–AWL–06 .............................
CDCCL ........
AMM 29–11–60/401 ...............
External Wires Over the Center Tank—Inspection.
Wiring Assembly and Installation Configuration.
Fuel Quantity Indicator System (FQIS)—Inspection/
Check.
Assemble Shield Ground
Wires.
Install Fuel Line, Fitting and
Coupling.
Install Heat Exchanger ...........
Bonding Resistances of the
Hydraulic Tubes for the
Heat Exchanger.
28–AWL–07 .............................
CDCCL ........
28–AWL–08 .............................
28–AWL–09 .............................
28–AWL–10 .............................
CDCCL ........
CDCCL.
CDCCL ........
CMM 28–20–42, revision 7;
CMM 28–20–45, revision 3;
CMM 28–20–47, revision 2;
or subsequent revisions.
AMM 28–11–06/401 ...............
Install Sump Drain Valve ........
28–11–06–400–801.
Install Override/Jettison Pump
Motor-Impeller.
Install Override/Jettison Pump
Housing.
Install Boost Pump Motor-Impeller.
Install Boost Pump Housing ...
Wiring Assembly and Installation Configuration.
Install Refuel Valve ................
28–22–06–400–801.
AMM 28–22–06/401 ...............
AMM 28–22–05/401 ...............
28–AWL–11 .............................
CDCCL ........
28–AWL–12 .............................
28–AWL–13 .............................
CDCCL ........
CDCCL ........
28–AWL–14 .............................
CDCCL ........
28–AWL–15 .............................
CDCCL ........
28–AWL–16 .............................
CDCCL ........
.................................................
SWPM 20–10–11 ...................
AMM 28–21–02/401 ...............
CMM 28–47–69, revision 1;
CMM 28–47–65, revision 3;
or subsequent revisions.
CMM 28–47–58, revision 4;
CMM 28–47–59, revision 1;
CMM 28–47–60, revision 4;
CMM 28–48–03, revision 2;
or subsequent revisions.
SWPM 20–14–12 ...................
AMM 28–41–05/401 ...............
AMM 28–11–01/401 ...............
AMM 28–11–02/401 ...............
AMM 28–11–07/401 ...............
AMM 28–11–03/401 ...............
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with PROPOSALS
AMM 28–13–05/401 ...............
28–AWL–17 .............................
28–AWL–18.
28–AWL–19 .............................
CDCCL ........
AMM 28–22–02/401 ...............
AMM 28–22–01/401 ...............
AMM 28–22–03/401 ...............
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:13 Jul 02, 2007
Repair FQIS Wire Harness.
Install FQIS In-Tank Wire Harness.
Install Main Tank Access
Door.
Install Center Tank Access
Door.
Replace Rubber Door Seal ....
Install Surge Tank Access
Door.
Install Surge Tank Vent Flame
Arrestor.
05–55–54–200–801.
28–22–15–400–802–002.
29–11–60–000–801.
29–11–60–765–801.
28–22–06–400–802.
28–22–05–400–801.
28–22–05–400–802.
28–21–02–400–801.
28–41–05–404–801.
28–11–01–400–801.
28–11–02–400–801.
28–11–07–900–801.
28–11–03–400–801.
28–13–05–420–801.
FIM 28–22–00/201.
CDCCL ........
Task
Jkt 211001
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Install Engine Fuel Spar Valve
Actuator.
Install Engine Fuel Spar Valve
Adapter/Shaft.
Install Engine Fuel Crossfeed
Valve Adapter/Shaft.
E:\FR\FM\03JYP1.SGM
03JYP1
28–22–02–400–802.
28–22–01–400–803.
28–22–03–400–803.
36378
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 3, 2007 / Proposed Rules
APPENDIX 1.—FUEL TANK SYSTEM AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS—APPLICABLE MAINTENANCE MANUALS—Continued
ATA Section or CMM
document 1
Task title
AMM 28–22–04/401 ...............
AWL No.
Install FWD/AFT Fuel
Crossfeed Valve Actuator.
Install Defuel Valve Adapter/
Shaft.
Install Defuel Valve Actuator ..
Install Fuel Jettison Nozzle
Valve Adapter/Shaft.
Install Fuel Nozzle Valve Actuator.
Install Fuel Jettison Isolation
Valve Adapter/Shaft.
Install Fuel Jettison Isolation
Valve Actuator.
ALI/CDCCL
AMM 28–26–01/401 ...............
AMM 28–26–02/401 ...............
AMM 28–31–02/401 ...............
AMM 28–31–03/401 ...............
AMM 28–31–04/401 ...............
AMM 28–31–05/401 ...............
28–AWL–20 .............................
1 CMMs
CDCCL ........
28–22–04–400–802.
28–26–01–400–803.
28–26–02–400–802.
28–31–02–400–801.
28–31–03–400–801.
28–31–04–400–803.
28–31–05–400–802.
CMM 28–20–21.
per applicable manufacturer.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 22,
2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–12835 Filed 7–2–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28380; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–088–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing
Model 747–400, 747–400D, and 747–
400F Series Airplanes; Model 757–200
Series Airplanes; and Model 767–200,
767–300, and 767–300F Series
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 747–400, 747–
400D, 747–400F, 757–200, 767–200,
767–300, and 767–300F series airplanes.
This proposed AD would require
inspecting to determine the date code of
the time delay relay for the cargo fire
suppression system, and replacing the
relay if necessary. This proposed AD
results from a report indicating that
failure of a time delay relay on an ELMS
(electrical load management system)
panel led to testing of other time delay
relays at Boeing and at the supplier.
Similar relays are used in the cargo fire
suppression system. The time delay
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:13 Jul 02, 2007
Jkt 211001
relay controls when the fire bottles
discharge. We are proposing this AD to
ensure there is sufficient fire
suppressant to control a cargo fire if the
airplane is more than the relay delay
time from a suitable airport, which
could result in an uncontrollable fire in
the cargo compartment.
We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by August 17, 2007.
DATES:
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 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 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.
ADDRESSES:
14 CFR Part 39
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with PROPOSALS
Task
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Binh V. 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:
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
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–2007–28380; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–088–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
E:\FR\FM\03JYP1.SGM
03JYP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 3, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36373-36378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12835]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28389; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-171-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and
-300ER Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Boeing Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series
airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the Airworthiness
Limitations (AWLs) section of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness by incorporating new limitations for fuel tank systems to
satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 requirements. This
proposed AD also would require the initial performance of certain
repetitive inspections specified in the AWLs to phase in those
inspections, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD results from a
design review of the fuel tank systems. We are proposing this AD to
prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by
latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which,
in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank
explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 17, 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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 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: Kathrine Rask, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 917-6505; 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-
28389; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-171-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
[[Page 36374]]
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 Operations office between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the
ground floor of the West 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
The FAA has examined the underlying safety issues involved in fuel
tank explosions on several large transport airplanes, including the
adequacy of existing regulations, the service history of airplanes
subject to those regulations, and existing maintenance practices for
fuel tank systems. As a result of those findings, we issued a
regulation titled ``Transport Airplane Fuel Tank System Design Review,
Flammability Reduction and Maintenance and Inspection Requirements''
(66 FR 23086, May 7, 2001). In addition to new airworthiness standards
for transport airplanes and new maintenance requirements, this rule
included Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 (``SFAR 88,''
Amendment 21-78, and subsequent Amendments 21-82 and 21-83).
Among other actions, SFAR 88 requires certain type design (i.e.,
type certificate (TC) and supplemental type certificate (STC)) holders
to substantiate that their fuel tank systems can prevent ignition
sources in the fuel tanks. This requirement applies to type design
holders for large turbine-powered transport airplanes and for
subsequent modifications to those airplanes. It requires them to
perform design reviews and to develop design changes and maintenance
procedures if their designs do not meet the new fuel tank safety
standards. As explained in the preamble to the rule, we intended to
adopt airworthiness directives to mandate any changes found necessary
to address unsafe conditions identified as a result of these reviews.
In evaluating these design reviews, we have established four
criteria intended to define the unsafe conditions associated with fuel
tank systems that require corrective actions. The percentage of
operating time during which fuel tanks are exposed to flammable
conditions is one of these criteria. The other three criteria address
the failure types under evaluation: Single failures, Single failures in
combination with a latent condition(s), and in-service failure
experience. For all four criteria, the evaluations included
consideration of previous actions taken that may mitigate the need for
further action.
We have determined that the actions identified in this AD are
necessary to reduce the potential for ignition sources inside fuel
tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance
actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result
in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed the following sections of Boeing 777 Maintenance
Planning Data (MPD) Document D622W001-9, Section 9, Revision March 2006
(hereafter referred to as ``Revision March 2006 of the MPD''):
Section D., ``AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--SYSTEMS, FUEL
SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS''; and
Section E., ``PAGE FORMAT: SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS.''
Those sections of Revision March 2006 of the MPD describe new
airworthiness limitations (AWLs) for fuel tank systems. The new AWLs
include:
AWL inspections, which are periodic inspections of certain
features for latent failures that could contribute to an ignition
source; and
Critical design configuration control limitations (CDCCL),
which are limitation requirements to preserve a critical ignition
source prevention feature of the fuel tank system design that is
necessary to prevent the occurrence of an unsafe condition. The purpose
of a CDCCL is to provide instruction to retain the critical ignition
source prevention feature during configuration changes that may be
caused by alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions. A CDCCL is not
a periodic inspection.
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 revising the AWL section of the Instructions for
Continued Airworthiness by incorporating the information in the service
information described previously. The proposed AD also would require
the initial performance of certain repetitive inspections specified in
the AWLs to phase in those inspections, and repair if necessary.
Explanation of Compliance Time
In most ADs, we adopt a compliance time allowing a specified amount
of time after the AD's effective date. In this case, however, the FAA
has already issued regulations that require operators to revise their
maintenance/inspection programs to address fuel tank safety issues. The
compliance date for these regulations is December 16, 2008. To provide
for efficient and coordinated implementation of these regulations and
this proposed AD, we are using this same compliance date in this
proposed AD, instead of the 18-month compliance time recommended by
Boeing.
Rework Required When Implementing AWLs Into an Existing Fleet
The AWL revision for the fuel tank systems specified in paragraph
(g) of this proposed AD, which involves incorporating the information
specified in Revision March 2006 of the MPD, would affect how operators
maintain their airplanes. After doing that AWL revision, operators
would need to do any maintenance on the fuel tank system as specified
in the CDCCLs. Maintenance done before the AWL revision specified in
paragraph (g) would not need to be redone in order to comply with
paragraph (g). For example, the AWL that requires fuel pumps to be
repaired and overhauled per an FAA-approved component maintenance
manual (CMM) applies to fuel pumps repaired after the AWLs are revised;
spare or on-wing fuel pumps do
[[Page 36375]]
not need to be reworked. For AWLs that require repetitive inspections,
the initial inspection interval (threshold) starts from the date the
AWL revision specified in paragraph (g) is done, except as provided by
paragraph (h) of this proposed AD. This proposed AD would require only
the AWL revision specified in paragraph (g), and initial inspections
specified in paragraph (h). No other fleet-wide inspections need to be
done.
Changes to Fuel Tank System AWLs
Paragraph (g) of this proposed AD would require revising the AWL
section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by
incorporating certain information specified in Revision March 2006 of
the MPD into the MPD. Paragraph (g) allows accomplishing the AWL
revision in accordance with later revisions of the MPD as an acceptable
method of compliance if they are approved by the Manager, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. In addition, Section E. of
Revision March 2006 of the MPD specifies that any deviations from the
published AWL instructions, including AWL intervals, in that MPD must
be approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO. Therefore, after the AWL
revision, any further revision to an AWL or AWL interval should be done
as an AWL change, not as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC).
For U.S.-registered airplanes, operators must make requests through an
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) or Principal
Avionics Inspector (PAI) for approval by the Manager, Seattle ACO. A
non-U.S. operator should coordinate changes with its governing
regulatory agency.
Exceptional Short-Term Extensions
Section D. of Revision March 2006 of the MPD has provisions for an
exceptional short-term extension of 30 days. An exceptional short-term
extension is an increase in an AWL interval that may be needed to cover
an uncontrollable or unexpected situation. For U.S.-registered
airplanes, the FAA PMI or PAI must concur with any exceptional short-
term extension before it is used, unless the operator has identified
another appropriate procedure with the local regulatory authority. The
FAA PMI or PAI may grant the exceptional short-term extensions
described in Section D. without consultation with the Manager, Seattle
ACO. A non-U.S. operator should coordinate changes with its governing
regulatory agency. As explained in Revision March 2006 of the MPD,
exceptional short-term extensions must not be used for fleet AWL
extensions. An exceptional short-term extension should not be confused
with an operator's short-term escalation authorization approved in
accordance with the Operations Specifications or the operator's
reliability program.
Ensuring Compliance With Fuel Tank System AWLs
Boeing has revised applicable maintenance manuals and task cards to
address AWLs and to include notes about CDCCLs. Operators that do not
use Boeing's revision service should revise their maintenance manuals
and task cards to highlight actions tied to CDCCLs to ensure that
maintenance personnel are complying with the CDCCLs. Appendix 1 of this
proposed AD contains a list of Air Transport Association (ATA) sections
for the revised maintenance manuals. Operators might wish to use the
appendix as an aid to implement the AWLs.
Recording Compliance With Fuel Tank System AWLs
The applicable operating rules of the Federal Aviation Regulations
(14 CFR parts 91, 121, 125, and 129) require operators to maintain
records with the identification of the current inspection status of an
airplane. Some of the AWLs contained in Section E of Revision March
2006 of the MPD are inspections for which the applicable sections of
the operating rules apply. Other AWLs are CDCCLs, which are tied to
conditional maintenance actions. An entry into an operator's existing
maintenance record system for corrective action is sufficient for
recording compliance with CDCCLs, as long as the applicable maintenance
manual and task cards identify actions that are CDCCLs.
Changes to CMMs Cited in Fuel Tank System AWLs
Some of the AWLs in Section E of Revision March 2006 of the MPD
refer to specific revision levels of the CMMs as additional sources of
service information for doing the AWLs. Boeing is referring to the CMMs
by revision level in the applicable AWL for certain components rather
than including information directly in the MPD because of the volume of
that information. As a result, the Manager, Seattle ACO, must approve
the CMMs. Any later revision of those CMMs will be handled like a
change to the AWL itself. Any use of parts (including the use of parts
manufacturer approval (PMA) approved parts), methods, techniques, and
practices not contained in the CMMs needs to be approved by the
Manager, Seattle ACO, or governing regulatory authority. For example,
pump repair/overhaul manuals must be approved by the Manager, Seattle
ACO.
Changes to AMMs Referenced in Fuel Tank System AWLs
In other AWLs in Section E of Revision March 2006 of the MPD, the
AWLs contain all the necessary data. The applicable section of the
maintenance manual is usually included in the AWLs. Boeing intended
this information to assist operators in maintaining the maintenance
manuals. A maintenance manual change to these tasks may be made without
approval by the Manager, Seattle ACO, through an appropriate FAA PMI or
PAI, by the governing regulatory authority, or by using the operator's
standard process for revising maintenance manuals. An acceptable change
would have to maintain the information specified in the AWL such as the
pass/fail criteria or special test equipment.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 564 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 125 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD at an average labor rate
of $80 per work hour.
Estimated Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Actions Work hours airplane Fleet cost
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maintenance program revision..... 8 $640 $80,000
Inspections...................... 8 640 80,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 36376]]
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-2007-28389; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
171-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August
17, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -
300ER series airplanes; certificated in any category; with an
original standard airworthiness certificate or original export
certificate of airworthiness issued before June 1, 2006.
Note 1: Airplanes with an original standard airworthiness
certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued
on or after June 1, 2006, must be already in compliance with the
airworthiness limitations specified in this AD because those
limitations were applicable as part of the airworthiness
certification of those airplanes.
Note 2: This AD requires revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new inspections and maintenance
actions. Compliance with these limitations is required by 14 CFR
43.16 and 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously
modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these
limitations, the operator may not be able to accomplish the actions
described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR
43.16 and 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for revision
to the airworthiness limitations (AWLs) in the Boeing 777
Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document D622W001-9 according to
paragraph (g) or (i), as applicable, of this AD.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank
systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential for
ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures,
alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination
with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions 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.
Service Information
(f) The term ``Revision March 2006 of the MPD'' as used in this
AD, means Section 9 of Boeing 777 MPD Document D622W001-9, Revision
March 2006.
Revision of AWLs Section
(g) Before December 16, 2008, revise the AWLs section of the
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating the
information in the sections specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and
(g)(2) of this AD into the MPD, except that the initial inspections
specified in paragraph (h) of this AD must be done at the compliance
times specified in paragraph (h) of this AD. Accomplishing the
revision in accordance with a later revision of the MPD is an
acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.
(1) Section D., ``AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--SYSTEMS, FUEL
SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,'' of Revision March 2006 of the
MPD.
(2) Section E., ``PAGE FORMAT: SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS,'' of Revision March 2006 of the MPD.
Initial Inspections and Repair
(h) Do the inspections described in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2)
of this AD at the compliance times specified in paragraphs (h)(1)
and (h)(2); in accordance with the AWLs described in Section E.,
``PAGE FORMAT: SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,'' of Revision
March 2006 of the MPD. If any discrepancy is found during this
inspection, repair the discrepancy before further flight in
accordance with Revision March 2006 of the MPD. Accomplishing the
actions in accordance with a later revision of the MPD is an
acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the
Manager, Seattle ACO.
(1) At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(1)(i)
and (h)(1)(ii) of this AD, do a detailed inspection of external
wires over the center fuel tank for damaged clamps, wire chafing,
and wire bundles in contact with the surface of the center fuel
tank, and repair any discrepancy; in accordance with 28-AWL-01.
(i) Before the accumulation of 36,000 total flight cycles, or
within 120 months since the date of issuance of the original
standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the
original export certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs
first.
(ii) Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD.
Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is:
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning
and elaborate procedures may be required.''
(2) At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(2)(i)
and (h)(2)(ii) of this AD, do a special detailed inspection
(resistance test) of the lightning shield-to-ground termination of
the out tank wiring of the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS)
and, as applicable, repair (restore) the bond to ensure the shield-
to-ground termination meets specified resistance values; in
accordance with 28-AWL-03.
(i) Before the accumulation of 36,000 total flight cycles, or
within 120 months since the date of issuance of the original
standard
[[Page 36377]]
airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original
export certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs first.
(ii) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.
Note 4: For the purposes of this AD, a special detailed
inspection is: ``An intensive examination of a specific item,
installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or
irregularity. The examination is likely to make extensive use of
specialized inspection techniques and/or equipment. Intricate
cleaning and substantial access or disassembly procedure may be
required.''
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, 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.
Appendix 1.--Fuel Tank System Airworthiness Limitations--Applicable Maintenance Manuals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATA Section or CMM
AWL No. ALI/CDCCL document \1\ Task title Task
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28-AWL-01...................... ALI................ AMM 28-11-00/601.. External Wires 28-11-00-210-801.
Over the Center
Tank--Inspection.
28-AWL-02...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-10-11..... Wiring Assembly
and Installation
Configuration.
28-AWL-03...................... ALI................ AMM 05-55-54/601.. Fuel Quantity 05-55-54-200-801.
Indicator System
(FQIS)--Inspectio
n/Check.
28-AWL-04...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-10-15..... Assemble Shield
Ground Wires.
28-AWL-05...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-22-15/401.. Install Fuel Line, 28-22-15-400-802-0
Fitting and 02.
Coupling.
28-AWL-06...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 29-11-60/401.. Install Heat 29-11-60-000-801.
Exchanger.
Bonding 29-11-60-765-801.
Resistances of
the Hydraulic
Tubes for the
Heat Exchanger.
28-AWL-07...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-20-42,
revision 7; CMM
28-20-45,
revision 3; CMM
28-20-47,
revision 2; or
subsequent
revisions.
28-AWL-08...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-11-06/401.. Install Sump Drain 28-11-06-400-801.
Valve.
28-AWL-09...................... CDCCL.
28-AWL-10...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-22-06/401.. Install Override/ 28-22-06-400-801.
Jettison Pump
Motor-Impeller.
Install Override/ 28-22-06-400-802.
Jettison Pump
Housing.
AMM 28-22-05/401.. Install Boost Pump 28-22-05-400-801.
Motor-Impeller.
.................. Install Boost Pump 28-22-05-400-802.
Housing.
28-AWL-11...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-10-11..... Wiring Assembly
and Installation
Configuration.
28-AWL-12...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-21-02/401.. Install Refuel 28-21-02-400-801.
Valve.
28-AWL-13...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-47-69,
revision 1; CMM
28-47-65,
revision 3; or
subsequent
revisions.
28-AWL-14...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-47-58,
revision 4; CMM
28-47-59,
revision 1; CMM
28-47-60,
revision 4; CMM
28-48-03,
revision 2; or
subsequent
revisions.
28-AWL-15...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-14-12..... Repair FQIS Wire
Harness.
AMM 28-41-05/401.. Install FQIS In- 28-41-05-404-801.
Tank Wire Harness.
28-AWL-16...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-11-01/401.. Install Main Tank 28-11-01-400-801.
Access Door.
AMM 28-11-02/401.. Install Center 28-11-02-400-801.
Tank Access Door.
AMM 28-11-07/401.. Replace Rubber 28-11-07-900-801.
Door Seal.
AMM 28-11-03/401.. Install Surge Tank 28-11-03-400-801.
Access Door.
AMM 28-13-05/401.. Install Surge Tank 28-13-05-420-801.
Vent Flame
Arrestor.
28-AWL-17...................... CDCCL.............. FIM 28-22-00/201.
28-AWL-18......................
28-AWL-19...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-22-02/401.. Install Engine 28-22-02-400-802.
Fuel Spar Valve
Actuator.
AMM 28-22-01/401.. Install Engine 28-22-01-400-803.
Fuel Spar Valve
Adapter/Shaft.
AMM 28-22-03/401.. Install Engine 28-22-03-400-803.
Fuel Crossfeed
Valve Adapter/
Shaft.
[[Page 36378]]
AMM 28-22-04/401.. Install FWD/AFT 28-22-04-400-802.
Fuel Crossfeed
Valve Actuator.
AMM 28-26-01/401.. Install Defuel 28-26-01-400-803.
Valve Adapter/
Shaft.
AMM 28-26-02/401.. Install Defuel 28-26-02-400-802.
Valve Actuator.
AMM 28-31-02/401.. Install Fuel 28-31-02-400-801.
Jettison Nozzle
Valve Adapter/
Shaft.
AMM 28-31-03/401.. Install Fuel 28-31-03-400-801.
Nozzle Valve
Actuator.
AMM 28-31-04/401.. Install Fuel 28-31-04-400-803.
Jettison
Isolation Valve
Adapter/Shaft.
AMM 28-31-05/401.. Install Fuel 28-31-05-400-802.
Jettison
Isolation Valve
Actuator.
28-AWL-20...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-20-21.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ CMMs per applicable manufacturer.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 22, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-12835 Filed 7-2-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P