Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 Airplanes, 25974-25977 [E8-9917]
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25974
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 90 / Thursday, May 8, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
(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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(l) You must use Boeing 737–100/200/
200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness Limitations
(AWLs) and Certification Maintenance
Requirements (CMRs), D6–38278–CMR,
Revision March 2008, to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies
otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of
this service information under 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124–2207.
(3) You may review copies of the service
information incorporated by reference at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at
the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA, call
202–741–6030, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal_register/
code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 29,
2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8–9922 Filed 5–7–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2006–26710; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–147–AD; Amendment
39–15517; AD 2008–10–11]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing
Model 757 Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Boeing Model 757 airplanes. This AD
requires revising the Airworthiness
Limitations (AWLs) section of the
Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness by incorporating new
limitations for fuel tank systems to
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16:31 May 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
satisfy Special Federal Aviation
Regulation No. 88 requirements. This
AD also requires the initial inspection of
certain repetitive AWL inspections to
phase-in those inspections, and repair if
necessary. 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 a fuel tank
explosion and consequent loss of the
airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective June
12, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in the AD
as of June 12, 2008.
ADDRESSES: 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 AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the
Docket Office (telephone 800–647–5527)
is the Document Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M–30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judy
Coyle, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion
Branch, ANM–140S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98057–3356; telephone (425) 917–6497;
fax (425) 917–6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a supplemental
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an
AD that would apply to all Boeing
Model 757 airplanes. That supplemental
NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on August 1, 2007 (72 FR
41963). That supplemental NPRM
proposed to require revising the
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs)
section of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness (ICA) by incorporating
new limitations for fuel tank systems to
satisfy Special Federal Aviation
Regulation No. 88 requirements. That
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supplemental NPRM also proposed to
require the initial inspection of certain
repetitive inspections specified in the
AWLs to phase-in those inspections,
and repair if necessary. That
supplemental NPRM also proposed to
revise the original NPRM by aligning the
compliance time for revising the AWLs
section with the compliance date of the
special maintenance program
requirements, updating the listing of
applicable airplane maintenance
manuals in Appendix 1, and clarifying
certain actions.
Actions Since Supplemental NPRM
Was Issued
Since we issued the supplemental
NPRM, Boeing has issued Temporary
Revision (TR) 09–008, dated March
2008. Boeing TR 09–008 is published as
Section 9 of the Boeing 757
Maintenance Planning Document (MPD)
Document, D622N001–9, Revision
March 2008 (hereafter referred to as
‘‘Revision March 2008 of the MPD’’).
The supplemental NPRM referred to
Revision March 2006 of the MPD as the
appropriate source of service
information for accomplishing the
proposed actions. Revision March 2008
of the MPD, among other actions,
includes the following changes:
• Removes the repetitive task interval
of 36,000 flight cycles from AWLs No.
28–AWL–01, No. 28–AWL–03, and No.
28–AWL–14.
• Revises the task description for
AWL No. 28–AWL–01 to harmonize it
with AWL No. 28–AWL–02 by removing
references to certain station numbers.
• Revises AWL No. 28–AWL–03 to
reflect the new maximum loop
resistance values associated with the
lightning protection of the
unpressurized fuel quantity indicating
system (FQIS) wire bundle installations.
Accordingly, we have revised
paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this AD to
refer to Revision March 2008 of the
MPD. We also have added a new
paragraph (j) to this AD specifying that
actions done before the effective date of
this AD in accordance with Revisions
March 2006 through November 2007 of
the MPD are acceptable for compliance
with the corresponding requirements of
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.
We also have removed reference to
36,000 total flight cycles from Table 1 of
this AD and revised the initial threshold
for accomplishing AWLs No. 28–AWL–
01, No. 28–AWL–03, and No. 28–AWL–
14 to 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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 90 / Thursday, May 8, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
Operators should note that we have
revised paragraph (g) of this AD to
require incorporating only AWLs No.
28–AWL–01 through No. 28–AWL–24
inclusive. AWL No. 28–AWL–25 was
added in Revision October 2006 of the
MPD, and AWL No. 28–AWL–26 was
added in Revision January 2007 of the
MPD. However, as an optional action,
operators may incorporate those AWLs
as specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
We have issued a separate NPRM
(Docket No. FAA–2007–28598) that, in
part, proposes to incorporate AWLs No.
28–AWL–20 and No. 28–AWL–26 into
the AWLs section of the ICA. That
NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on July 9, 2007 (72 FR 37132).
We have also issued AD 2008–06–03,
amendment 39–15415 (73 FR 13081,
March 12, 2008) that, in part, requires
revising the AWLs section of the ICA to
incorporate AWLs No. 28–AWL–23, No.
28–AWL–24, and No. 28–AWL–25.
Therefore, we have added a new
paragraph (k) to this AD specifying that
incorporating AWLs No. 28–AWL–23,
No. 28–AWL–24, and No. 28–AWL–25
in accordance with paragraph (g) of this
AD terminates the action required by
paragraph (h)(2) of AD 2008–06–03.
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Other Changes Made to This AD
We have revised paragraph (h) of this
AD to clarify that the actions identified
in Table 1 of this AD must be done at
the compliance time specified in that
table. Also, for standardization
purposes, we have revised this AD in
the following ways:
• We have added a new paragraph (i)
to this AD to specify that no alternative
inspections, inspection intervals, or
critical design configuration control
limitations (CDCCLs) may be used
unless they are part of a later approved
revision of Revision March 2008 of the
MPD, or unless they are approved as an
alternative method of compliance
(AMOC). Inclusion of this paragraph in
the AD is intended to ensure that the
AD-mandated airworthiness limitations
changes are treated the same as the
airworthiness limitations issued with
the original type certificate.
• We have revised Note 1 of this AD
to clarify that an operator must request
approval for an AMOC if the operator
cannot accomplish the proposed
inspections because an airplane has
been previously modified, altered, or
repaired in the areas addressed by the
proposed inspections.
• We have revised paragraph (h) of
this AD to specify that accomplishing
the applicable AWLs in Table 1 of this
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16:31 May 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
AD as part of an FAA-approved
maintenance program before the
applicable compliance time constitutes
compliance with the applicable
requirements of that paragraph.
• We have deleted Appendix 1 from
this AD, since Revision March 2008 of
the MPD already contains most of the
updated information that is listed in
Appendix 1 of the NPRM.
Comments
We provided the public the
opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have
considered the comments received.
Request To Extend the Task Intervals
for Certain AWL Inspections
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, on behalf
of several operators, requests that we
review a 45-page proposal to align
certain airworthiness limitation item
(ALI) intervals with the applicable
maintenance significant item (MSI) and
enhanced zonal analysis procedure
(EZAP) intervals for Model 737, 747,
757, 767, and 777 airplanes. The
recommendations in that proposal
ensure that the ALI intervals align with
the maintenance schedules of the
operators. Among other changes, the
proposal recommends extending certain
AWL inspection intervals from 10 years/
36,000 flight cycles to 12 years for
Model 757 airplanes.
We disagree with KLM’s request to
extend certain AWL inspection intervals
to 12 years. However, as stated
previously, we have deleted the 36,000total-flight-cycle parameter from Table 1
of this AD to correspond with the task
intervals specified in Revision March
2008 of the MPD. In developing an
appropriate compliance time for this
action, we considered the urgency
associated with the subject unsafe
condition and the practical aspect of
accomplishing the required actions
within a period of time that corresponds
to the normal scheduled maintenance
for most affected operators. However,
according to the provisions of paragraph
(l) of this AD, we might approve
requests to adjust the compliance time
if the request includes data that prove
that the new compliance time would
provide an acceptable level of safety.
Request To Revise the Loop Resistance
Values for AWL No. 28–AWL–03
Boeing states that the loop resistance
values for AWL No. 28–AWL–03
specified in Revision March 2006 of the
MPD are going to be revised, since those
values are relevant for production
airplanes. Boeing also states that the
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25975
revised values will be more
representative of the expected values for
in-service airplanes. Boeing points out
that, according to paragraph (h) of the
supplemental NPRM, the revised values
should be able to be used in accordance
with a later revision of the MPD if the
revision is approved by the Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA.
We agree that operators may use the
revised loop resistance values for AWL
No. 28–AWL–03 in accordance with
Revision March 2008 of the MPD. As
stated previously, we have revised this
AD accordingly.
Request To Revise Note 1
Boeing requests that we revise Note 1
of the supplemental NPRM to clarify the
need for an AMOC. Boeing states that
the current wording is difficult to
follow, and that the note is meant to
inform operators that an AMOC to the
required MPD AWLs might be required
if an operator has previously modified,
altered, or repaired the areas addressed
by the limitations. Boeing requests that
we revise Note 1 as follows:
• Add the words ‘‘according to
paragraph (g)’’ at the end of the first
sentence.
• Replace the words ‘‘revision to’’
with ‘‘deviation from’’ in the last
sentence.
• Delete the words ‘‘(g) or’’ and ‘‘as
applicable’’ from the last sentence.
As stated previously, we have
simplified the language in Note 1 of this
AD for standardization with other
similar ADs. The language the
commenter requests that we change
does not appear in the revised note.
Therefore, no additional change to this
AD is necessary in this regard.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the
available data, including the comments
received, and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting
the AD with the changes described
previously. We have determined that
these changes will neither increase the
economic burden on any operator nor
increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 990 airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet.
The following table provides the
estimated costs, at an average labor rate
of $80 per work hour, for U.S. operators
to comply with this AD.
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ESTIMATED COSTS
Work
hours
Action
AWLs revision ..................................................................................................
Inspections .......................................................................................................
Authority for This Rulemaking
I
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will
not have federalism implications under
Executive Order 13132. This AD will
not have a substantial direct effect on
the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States,
or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
(3) Will not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
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8
8
Adoption of the Amendment
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.
Cost per
airplane
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
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16:31 May 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 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.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
I
2008–10–11 Boeing: Amendment 39–15517.
Docket No. FAA–2006–26710;
Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–147–AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective June 12,
2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model
757–200, –200PF, –200CB, and –300 series
airplanes, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD requires revisions to
certain operator maintenance documents to
include new inspections. Compliance with
these inspections is required by 14 CFR
91.403(c). For airplanes that have been
previously modified, altered, or repaired in
the areas addressed by these inspections, the
operator may not be able to accomplish the
inspections described in the revisions. In this
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c),
the operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance (AMOC)
according to paragraph (l) of this AD. The
request should include a description of
changes to the required inspections that will
ensure the continued operational safety of
the airplane.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from 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 a fuel
tank explosion and consequent loss of the
airplane.
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Number of
U.S.-registered
airplanes
$640
640
639
639
Fleet cost
$408,960
408,960
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 2008 of the
MPD’’ as used in this AD, means Boeing
Temporary Revision (TR) 09–008, dated
March 2008. Boeing TR 09–008 is published
as Section 9 of the Boeing 757 Maintenance
Planning Document (MPD) Document,
D622N001–9, Revision March 2008.
Revision of Airworthiness Limitations
(AWLs) Section
(g) Before December 16, 2008, revise the
AWLs section of the Instructions for
Continued Airworthiness (ICA) by
incorporating the information in the
subsections specified in paragraphs (g)(1)
through (g)(3) of this AD into the MPD;
except that the initial inspections specified
in Table 1 of this AD must be done at the
compliance times specified in Table 1.
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) Subsection E, ‘‘AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS—FUEL SYSTEMS,’’ of
Revision March 2008 of the MPD.
(2) Subsection F, ‘‘PAGE FORMAT:
SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS,’’ of Revision March 2008 of
the MPD.
(3) Subsection G, ‘‘AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS—FUEL SYSTEM AWLs,’’
AWLs No. 28–AWL–01 through No. 28–
AWL–24 inclusive, of Revision March 2008
of the MPD. As an optional action, AWLs No.
28-AWL–25 and No. 28-AWL–26, as
identified in Subsection G of Revision March
2008 of the MPD, also may be incorporated
into the AWLs section of the ICA.
Initial Inspections and Repair
(h) Do the inspections specified in Table 1
of this AD at the compliance time specified
in Table 1 of this AD, and repair any
discrepancy, in accordance with Section G of
Revision March 2008 of the MPD. The repair
must be done before further flight.
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. Accomplishing the inspections
identified in Table 1 of this AD as part of an
FAA-approved maintenance program before
the applicable compliance time specified in
Table 1 of this AD constitutes compliance
with the requirements of this paragraph.
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25977
TABLE 1.—INITIAL INSPECTIONS
AWL No.
Compliance time
(whichever occurs later)
Description
Threshold
(1) 28–AWL–01 ..............................
(2) 28–AWL–03 ..............................
(3) 28–AWL–14 ..............................
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.
A special detailed inspection of
the lightning shield to ground
termination on the out-of-tank
fuel quantity indicating system
to verify functional integrity.
A special detailed inspection of
the fault current bond of the
fueling shutoff valve actuator of
the center wing tank to verify
electrical bond.
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.’’
Note 3: 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.’’
No Alternative Inspections, Inspection
Intervals, or Critical Design Configuration
Control Limitations (CDCCLs)
(i) After accomplishing the actions
specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD,
no alternative inspections, inspection
intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless the
inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are part of
a later revision of ‘‘Revision March 2008 of
the MPD’’ that is approved by the Manager,
Seattle ACO; or unless the inspections,
intervals, or CDCCLs are approved as an
AMOC in accordance with the procedures
specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.
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Credit for Actions Done According to
Previous Revisions of the MPD
(j) Actions done before the effective date of
this AD in accordance with Section 9 of the
Boeing 757 MPD Document, D622N001–9,
Revision March 2006; Revision October 2006;
Revision January 2007; or Revision
November 2007; are acceptable for
compliance with the corresponding
requirements of paragraphs (g) and (h) of this
AD.
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16:31 May 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
Grace period
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.
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.
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.
Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD.
Terminating Action for AD 2008–06–03,
Amendment 39–15415
(k) Incorporating AWLs No. 28–AWL–23,
No. 28–AWL–24, and No. 28–AWL–25 into
the AWLs section of the ICA in accordance
with paragraph (g) of this AD terminates the
action required by paragraph (h)(2) of AD
2008–06–03.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(l)(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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(m) You must use Boeing Temporary
Revision (TR) 09–008, dated March 2008, to
the Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning
Document (MPD) Document, D622N001–9, to
perform the actions that are required by this
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
Boeing TR 09–008 is published as Section 9
of the Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning
Document (MPD) Document, D622N001–9,
Revision March 2008.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of
this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes,
P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124–
2207, for a copy of this service information.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA, call
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Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.
Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD.
202–741–6030, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 29,
2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8–9917 Filed 5–7–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28385; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–181–AD; Amendment
39–15513; AD 2008–10–07]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing
Model 747–100, 747–100B, 747–100B
SUD, 747–200B, 747–200C, 747–200F,
747–300, 747SR, and 747SP Series
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Boeing Model 747–100, 747–100B, 747–
100B SUD, 747–200B, 747–200C, 747–
200F, 747–300, 747SR, and 747SP series
airplanes. This AD requires revising the
FAA-approved maintenance program by
incorporating new airworthiness
limitations (AWLs) for fuel tank systems
to satisfy Special Federal Aviation
Regulation No. 88 requirements. This
AD also requires the initial inspection of
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 90 (Thursday, May 8, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25974-25977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9917]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26710; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-147-AD;
Amendment 39-15517; AD 2008-10-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Boeing Model 757 airplanes. This AD requires 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
AD also requires the initial inspection of certain repetitive AWL
inspections to phase-in those inspections, and repair if necessary.
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 a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the
airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective June 12, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of June 12,
2008.
ADDRESSES: 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judy Coyle, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 917-6497; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all Boeing
Model 757 airplanes. That supplemental NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on August 1, 2007 (72 FR 41963). That supplemental
NPRM proposed to require revising the Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs)
section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) by
incorporating new limitations for fuel tank systems to satisfy Special
Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 requirements. That supplemental NPRM
also proposed to require the initial inspection of certain repetitive
inspections specified in the AWLs to phase-in those inspections, and
repair if necessary. That supplemental NPRM also proposed to revise the
original NPRM by aligning the compliance time for revising the AWLs
section with the compliance date of the special maintenance program
requirements, updating the listing of applicable airplane maintenance
manuals in Appendix 1, and clarifying certain actions.
Actions Since Supplemental NPRM Was Issued
Since we issued the supplemental NPRM, Boeing has issued Temporary
Revision (TR) 09-008, dated March 2008. Boeing TR 09-008 is published
as Section 9 of the Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Document (MPD)
Document, D622N001-9, Revision March 2008 (hereafter referred to as
``Revision March 2008 of the MPD''). The supplemental NPRM referred to
Revision March 2006 of the MPD as the appropriate source of service
information for accomplishing the proposed actions. Revision March 2008
of the MPD, among other actions, includes the following changes:
Removes the repetitive task interval of 36,000 flight
cycles from AWLs No. 28-AWL-01, No. 28-AWL-03, and No. 28-AWL-14.
Revises the task description for AWL No. 28-AWL-01 to
harmonize it with AWL No. 28-AWL-02 by removing references to certain
station numbers.
Revises AWL No. 28-AWL-03 to reflect the new maximum loop
resistance values associated with the lightning protection of the
unpressurized fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) wire bundle
installations.
Accordingly, we have revised paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this
AD to refer to Revision March 2008 of the MPD. We also have added a new
paragraph (j) to this AD specifying that actions done before the
effective date of this AD in accordance with Revisions March 2006
through November 2007 of the MPD are acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding requirements of paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.
We also have removed reference to 36,000 total flight cycles from
Table 1 of this AD and revised the initial threshold for accomplishing
AWLs No. 28-AWL-01, No. 28-AWL-03, and No. 28-AWL-14 to 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.
[[Page 25975]]
Operators should note that we have revised paragraph (g) of this AD
to require incorporating only AWLs No. 28-AWL-01 through No. 28-AWL-24
inclusive. AWL No. 28-AWL-25 was added in Revision October 2006 of the
MPD, and AWL No. 28-AWL-26 was added in Revision January 2007 of the
MPD. However, as an optional action, operators may incorporate those
AWLs as specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
We have issued a separate NPRM (Docket No. FAA-2007-28598) that, in
part, proposes to incorporate AWLs No. 28-AWL-20 and No. 28-AWL-26 into
the AWLs section of the ICA. That NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on July 9, 2007 (72 FR 37132). We have also issued AD 2008-06-
03, amendment 39-15415 (73 FR 13081, March 12, 2008) that, in part,
requires revising the AWLs section of the ICA to incorporate AWLs No.
28-AWL-23, No. 28-AWL-24, and No. 28-AWL-25. Therefore, we have added a
new paragraph (k) to this AD specifying that incorporating AWLs No. 28-
AWL-23, No. 28-AWL-24, and No. 28-AWL-25 in accordance with paragraph
(g) of this AD terminates the action required by paragraph (h)(2) of AD
2008-06-03.
Other Changes Made to This AD
We have revised paragraph (h) of this AD to clarify that the
actions identified in Table 1 of this AD must be done at the compliance
time specified in that table. Also, for standardization purposes, we
have revised this AD in the following ways:
We have added a new paragraph (i) to this AD to specify
that no alternative inspections, inspection intervals, or critical
design configuration control limitations (CDCCLs) may be used unless
they are part of a later approved revision of Revision March 2008 of
the MPD, or unless they are approved as an alternative method of
compliance (AMOC). Inclusion of this paragraph in the AD is intended to
ensure that the AD-mandated airworthiness limitations changes are
treated the same as the airworthiness limitations issued with the
original type certificate.
We have revised Note 1 of this AD to clarify that an
operator must request approval for an AMOC if the operator cannot
accomplish the proposed inspections because an airplane has been
previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by the
proposed inspections.
We have revised paragraph (h) of this AD to specify that
accomplishing the applicable AWLs in Table 1 of this AD as part of an
FAA-approved maintenance program before the applicable compliance time
constitutes compliance with the applicable requirements of that
paragraph.
We have deleted Appendix 1 from this AD, since Revision
March 2008 of the MPD already contains most of the updated information
that is listed in Appendix 1 of the NPRM.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.
Request To Extend the Task Intervals for Certain AWL Inspections
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, on behalf of several operators, requests
that we review a 45-page proposal to align certain airworthiness
limitation item (ALI) intervals with the applicable maintenance
significant item (MSI) and enhanced zonal analysis procedure (EZAP)
intervals for Model 737, 747, 757, 767, and 777 airplanes. The
recommendations in that proposal ensure that the ALI intervals align
with the maintenance schedules of the operators. Among other changes,
the proposal recommends extending certain AWL inspection intervals from
10 years/36,000 flight cycles to 12 years for Model 757 airplanes.
We disagree with KLM's request to extend certain AWL inspection
intervals to 12 years. However, as stated previously, we have deleted
the 36,000-total-flight-cycle parameter from Table 1 of this AD to
correspond with the task intervals specified in Revision March 2008 of
the MPD. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this action,
we considered the urgency associated with the subject unsafe condition
and the practical aspect of accomplishing the required actions within a
period of time that corresponds to the normal scheduled maintenance for
most affected operators. However, according to the provisions of
paragraph (l) of this AD, we might approve requests to adjust the
compliance time if the request includes data that prove that the new
compliance time would provide an acceptable level of safety.
Request To Revise the Loop Resistance Values for AWL No. 28-AWL-03
Boeing states that the loop resistance values for AWL No. 28-AWL-03
specified in Revision March 2006 of the MPD are going to be revised,
since those values are relevant for production airplanes. Boeing also
states that the revised values will be more representative of the
expected values for in-service airplanes. Boeing points out that,
according to paragraph (h) of the supplemental NPRM, the revised values
should be able to be used in accordance with a later revision of the
MPD if the revision is approved by the Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA.
We agree that operators may use the revised loop resistance values
for AWL No. 28-AWL-03 in accordance with Revision March 2008 of the
MPD. As stated previously, we have revised this AD accordingly.
Request To Revise Note 1
Boeing requests that we revise Note 1 of the supplemental NPRM to
clarify the need for an AMOC. Boeing states that the current wording is
difficult to follow, and that the note is meant to inform operators
that an AMOC to the required MPD AWLs might be required if an operator
has previously modified, altered, or repaired the areas addressed by
the limitations. Boeing requests that we revise Note 1 as follows:
Add the words ``according to paragraph (g)'' at the end of
the first sentence.
Replace the words ``revision to'' with ``deviation from''
in the last sentence.
Delete the words ``(g) or'' and ``as applicable'' from the
last sentence.
As stated previously, we have simplified the language in Note 1 of
this AD for standardization with other similar ADs. The language the
commenter requests that we change does not appear in the revised note.
Therefore, no additional change to this AD is necessary in this regard.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously.
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 990 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs, at
an average labor rate of $80 per work hour, for U.S. operators to
comply with this AD.
[[Page 25976]]
Estimated Costs
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Number of
Cost per U.S.-
Action Work hours airplane registered Fleet cost
airplanes
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AWLs revision................................... 8 $640 639 $408,960
Inspections..................................... 8 640 639 408,960
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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 AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2008-10-11 Boeing: Amendment 39-15517. Docket No. FAA-2006-26710;
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-147-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective June 12, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, -200CB,
and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must
request approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC)
according to paragraph (l) of this AD. The request should include a
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure
the continued operational safety of the airplane.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from 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 a fuel tank explosion
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 2008 of the MPD'' as used in this
AD, means Boeing Temporary Revision (TR) 09-008, dated March 2008.
Boeing TR 09-008 is published as Section 9 of the Boeing 757
Maintenance Planning Document (MPD) Document, D622N001-9, Revision
March 2008.
Revision of Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) Section
(g) Before December 16, 2008, revise the AWLs section of the
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) by incorporating the
information in the subsections specified in paragraphs (g)(1)
through (g)(3) of this AD into the MPD; except that the initial
inspections specified in Table 1 of this AD must be done at the
compliance times specified in Table 1. 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) Subsection E, ``AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--FUEL SYSTEMS,''
of Revision March 2008 of the MPD.
(2) Subsection F, ``PAGE FORMAT: SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS,'' of Revision March 2008 of the MPD.
(3) Subsection G, ``AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--FUEL SYSTEM
AWLs,'' AWLs No. 28-AWL-01 through No. 28-AWL-24 inclusive, of
Revision March 2008 of the MPD. As an optional action, AWLs No. 28-
AWL-25 and No. 28-AWL-26, as identified in Subsection G of Revision
March 2008 of the MPD, also may be incorporated into the AWLs
section of the ICA.
Initial Inspections and Repair
(h) Do the inspections specified in Table 1 of this AD at the
compliance time specified in Table 1 of this AD, and repair any
discrepancy, in accordance with Section G of Revision March 2008 of
the MPD. The repair must be done before further flight.
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. Accomplishing the inspections
identified in Table 1 of this AD as part of an FAA-approved
maintenance program before the applicable compliance time specified
in Table 1 of this AD constitutes compliance with the requirements
of this paragraph.
[[Page 25977]]
Table 1.--Initial Inspections
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Compliance time (whichever occurs later)
AWL No. Description -------------------------------------------------
Threshold Grace period
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(1) 28-AWL-01........................ A detailed inspection Within 120 months since Within 72 months after
of external wires over the date of issuance the effective date of
the center fuel tank of the original this AD.
for damaged clamps, standard airworthiness
wire chafing, and wire certificate or the
bundles in contact date of issuance of
with the surface of the original export
the center fuel tank. certificate of
airworthiness.
(2) 28-AWL-03........................ A special detailed Within 120 months since Within 24 months after
inspection of the the date of issuance the effective date of
lightning shield to of the original this AD.
ground termination on standard airworthiness
the out-of-tank fuel certificate or the
quantity indicating date of issuance of
system to verify the original export
functional integrity. certificate of
airworthiness.
(3) 28-AWL-14........................ A special detailed Within 120 months since Within 60 months after
inspection of the the date of issuance the effective date of
fault current bond of of the original this AD.
the fueling shutoff standard airworthiness
valve actuator of the certificate or the
center wing tank to date of issuance of
verify electrical bond. the original export
certificate of
airworthiness.
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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.''
Note 3: 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.''
No Alternative Inspections, Inspection Intervals, or Critical Design
Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs)
(i) After accomplishing the actions specified in paragraphs (g)
and (h) of this AD, no alternative inspections, inspection
intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless the inspections, intervals,
or CDCCLs are part of a later revision of ``Revision March 2008 of
the MPD'' that is approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO; or unless
the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this
AD.
Credit for Actions Done According to Previous Revisions of the MPD
(j) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Section 9 of the Boeing 757 MPD Document, D622N001-
9, Revision March 2006; Revision October 2006; Revision January
2007; or Revision November 2007; are acceptable for compliance with
the corresponding requirements of paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.
Terminating Action for AD 2008-06-03, Amendment 39-15415
(k) Incorporating AWLs No. 28-AWL-23, No. 28-AWL-24, and No. 28-
AWL-25 into the AWLs section of the ICA in accordance with paragraph
(g) of this AD terminates the action required by paragraph (h)(2) of
AD 2008-06-03.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(l)(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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(m) You must use Boeing Temporary Revision (TR) 09-008, dated
March 2008, to the Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Document (MPD)
Document, D622N001-9, to perform the actions that are required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. Boeing TR 09-008 is
published as Section 9 of the Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning
Document (MPD) Document, D622N001-9, Revision March 2008.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207, for a copy of this service information.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information
on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or
go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-
locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 29, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-9917 Filed 5-7-08; 8:45 am]
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