Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 Series Airplanes, 71834-71835 [E7-24531]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71834-71835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24531]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0344; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-149-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 Series 
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 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require replacing the wire segments of the four Fuel 
Quantity Indicating System (FQIS) wire bundles with new, improved wire 
segments. This proposed AD results from operator inspections of the 
FQIS wire bundles that revealed corrosion at the connections between 
the ground wire and shield of each of the four FQIS wire bundles. We 
are proposing this AD to prevent this corrosion, which could reduce 
system protection of the lightning shield and result in loss of the 
electrical grounding between the lightning shield and the airplane 
structure. This condition, 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 February 4, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://
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 AD, contact Boeing 
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
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, 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-2007-0344; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-149-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 https://
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

    Operator inspections of four Fuel Quantity Indicating System (FQIS) 
wire bundles revealed corrosion at the connections between the ground 
wire and shield of each of the four wire bundles, on certain Boeing 
Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. Corrosion occurred at the 
ferrules, which were used for connection of the ground wire. The wire 
bundle shielding is part of the system protection against a lightning 
strike. The corrosion reduces system protection against a lightning 
strike. This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of the 
electrical grounding between the lightning shield and the airplane 
structure. Loss of the electrical grounding between the lightning 
shield and the airplane structure, in combination with flammable fuel 
vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the 
airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-28A0064, 
Revision 2, dated October 27, 2005. The service bulletin describes 
procedures for replacing the wire segments of the four FQIS wire 
bundles with new, improved wire segments. The service bulletin also 
describes procedures for an operational test of the FQIS following the 
replacement. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
bulletin 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 
bulletin described previously, except as discussed under ``Difference 
Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.''

Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin

    The service bulletin recommends accomplishing the replacement of 
the wire segments of the four FQIS wire bundles within 48 months after 
the release date of the service bulletin, but we have determined that 
this compliance time would not address the identified unsafe condition 
in a timely manner. In developing an appropriate compliance time for 
this AD, we considered not only the manufacturer's recommendation, but 
the degree of urgency associated with addressing the subject unsafe 
condition, the average utilization of the affected fleet, and the time 
necessary to perform the replacement. In light of all of these factors, 
we find a compliance time of 36 months after the effective date of the 
AD for completing the required replacement to be warranted, in that it 
represents an appropriate interval of time for affected airplanes to 
continue to operate without compromising safety. This difference has 
been coordinated with Boeing.

[[Page 71835]]

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 608 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 169 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed replacement would take about 42 work hours 
per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required 
parts would cost about $1,756 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $864,604, or 
$5,116 per airplane.

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-2007-0344; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
149-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by February 
4, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 767-28A0064, Revision 2, dated October 27, 
2005.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from operator inspections of the Fuel 
Quantity Indicating System (FQIS) wire bundles that revealed 
corrosion at the connections between the ground wire and shield of 
each of the four FQIS wire bundles. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent this corrosion, which could reduce system protection of the 
lightning shield and result in loss of the electrical grounding 
between the lightning shield and the airplane structure. This 
condition, 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.

Replacement

    (f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Replace the wire segments of the four FQIS wire bundles with new, 
improved wire segments, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-28A0064, Revision 
2, dated October 27, 2005.

Credit for Actions Done Using Previous Service Information

    (g) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-28A0064, Revision 
1, dated February 21, 2002, are considered acceptable for compliance 
with the corresponding actions specified in this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 10, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-24531 Filed 12-18-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P