Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, 55622-55624 [2020-19583]
Download as PDF
55622
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 175 / Wednesday, September 9, 2020 / Proposed Rules
Issued on August 31, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–19580 Filed 9–8–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
Comments Invited
[Docket No. FAA–2020–0785; Product
Identifier 2020–NM–063–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
The Boeing Company Model 747
airplanes and Model 767 airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by a report
of an un-commanded fuel transfer
between the main and center fuel tanks.
This proposed AD would prohibit
operation of an airplane with any
inoperative refuel valve (fueling shut-off
valve) secured in the open position. The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by October 26,
2020.
SUMMARY:
You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
ADDRESSES:
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2020–
0785; or in person at Docket Operations
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:26 Sep 08, 2020
Jkt 250001
The AD docket contains this NPRM, any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeffrey Rothman, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98190; phone and fax: 206–
231–3558; jeffrey.rothman@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The FAA invites you to participate in
this rulemaking by submitting written
comments, data, or views about this
proposal. The most helpful comments
reference a specific portion of the
proposal, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data. To ensure the docket
does not contain duplicate comments,
commenters should submit only one
copy of the comments. Send your
comments to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2020–0785; Product Identifier
2020–NM–063–AD’’ at the beginning of
your comments.
Except for Confidential Business
Information (CBI) as described in the
following paragraph, and other
information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments
received, without change, as well as a
report summarizing each substantive
public contact with FAA personnel
concerning this proposed rulemaking.
Before acting on this proposal, the FAA
will consider all comments received by
the closing date for comments. The FAA
will consider comments filed after the
comment period has closed if it is
possible to do so without incurring
expense or delay. The FAA may change
this NPRM because of those comments.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important
that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each
page of your submission containing CBI
as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such
marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
placed in the public docket of this
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to the person identified
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section. Any commentary that
the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be
placed in the public docket for this
rulemaking.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report of a
flight diversion due to an uncommanded fuel transfer between the
main and center fuel tanks. Following
the flight, the operator discovered that
a significant amount of fuel had
migrated from the left main tank to the
center tank. This condition was
determined to be created by applying
the Master Minimum Equipment List
(MMEL)/Dispatch Deviation Guide
(DDG) relief for inoperative refuel valves
(fueling shut-off valves) secured in the
‘‘open’’ position in the main and center
fuel tanks.
During investigation of the event, the
operator’s maintenance personnel
restored all fueling shut-off valves to
their normal configuration (closed). The
system was tested, and it was confirmed
that the fuel migration stopped.
Multiple refuel valves secured in the
‘‘open’’ position can result in uncommanded fuel transfer between tanks,
which adversely affects the airplane’s
center of gravity, aerodynamic drag, and
fuel economy. Fuel exhaustion may
occur due to a combination of increased
trim drag (due to unmitigated fuel
imbalance) and the unavailability of
trapped fuel due to a fully depleted
main tank defeating the center tank fuel
scavenge system.
The FAA is proposing this AD to
address multiple refuel valves secured
in the ‘‘open’’ position via MMEL
dispatch allowance, which allows uncommanded fuel transfer between fuel
tanks. This condition, if not addressed,
could result in a fuel exhaustion event.
FAA’s Determination
The FAA is proposing this AD
because the agency evaluated all the
relevant information and determined
the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop
in other products of the same type
design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would prohibit
operation of an airplane with multiple
refuel valves secured in the ‘‘open’’
position.
E:\FR\FM\09SEP1.SGM
09SEP1
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 175 / Wednesday, September 9, 2020 / Proposed Rules
MMEL Revisions
This proposed AD refers to items in
Sections 28–20 and 28–21 of the
MMEL 1; those items may also be
included in an operator’s FAA-approved
minimum equipment list (MEL). This
proposed AD would prohibit operation
of the airplane under conditions
currently allowed by those items in the
MMEL. The FAA plans to revise the
MMEL to remove those items in a future
revision; operators would then be
required to also remove those items
from their existing FAA-approved MEL.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed
AD would affect 750 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA has determined that revising
the operator’s existing FAA-approved
MEL takes an average of 90 work-hours
per operator, although the agency
recognizes that this number may vary
from operator to operator. Since
operators typically incorporate MEL
changes for their affected fleet(s), the
FAA has determined that a per-operator
estimate is more accurate than a perairplane estimate. Therefore, the FAA
estimates the average total cost per
operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours ×
$85 per work-hour).
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.
The FAA is 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
1 The MMEL items can be found in the applicable
FAA-approved MMEL: Boeing 747 B–747–100/200/
300/SP SERIES MMEL, Revision 35, dated April 25,
2014; Boeing 747 B–747–400 LCF MMEL, Revision
3, November 7, 2014; Boeing 747 B–747–400, B–
747–400D, B–747–400F MMEL, Revision 32, dated
December 27, 2018; Boeing 747–8 MMEL, Revision
7, dated August 25, 2017; and Boeing 767 MMEL,
Revision 39, dated October 26, 2018; which can be
found on the Flight Standards Information
Management System (FSIMS) website, https://
fsims.faa.gov/PICResults.aspx?mode=Publication
&doctype=MMELByModel.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:26 Sep 08, 2020
Jkt 250001
develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA 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 this proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation
in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
■
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA–
2020–0785; Product Identifier 2020–
NM–063–AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by
October 26, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing
Company airplanes, certificated in any
category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and
(2) of this AD.
(1) Model 747–100, –100B, –100B SUD,
–200B, –200C, –200F, –300, –400, –400D,
–400F, 747SR, 747SP, –8F, and –8 series
airplanes.
(2) Model 767–200, –300, –300F, –400ER,
and –2C series airplanes.
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Frm 00027
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
55623
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 28, Fuel.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of an
un-commanded fuel transfer between the
main and center fuel tanks. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address multiple refuel
valves secured in the ‘‘open’’ position via
Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL)
dispatch allowance, which allows uncommanded fuel transfer between fuel tanks.
This condition could result in a fuel
exhaustion event.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Conditions for Prohibited Operation
No later than 60 days after the effective
date of this AD: Operation of an airplane
with any inoperative refuel valve (fueling
shut-off valve) secured in the open position
is prohibited.
(h) MMEL Items
The MMEL items specified in paragraphs
(h)(1) through (6) of this AD are affected by
this prohibition.
(1) For Model 747–100, –200, and –300
series airplanes: The following ‘‘Pressure
Fueling System’’ items.
(i) MMEL Item 28–20 2), ‘‘Main Tank 1 and
4 Refueling Valves.’’
(ii) MMEL Item 28–20 3), ‘‘Main Tank 2
and 3 Refueling Valves.’’
(iii) MMEL Item 28–20 4), ‘‘Center Tank
Refueling Valves.
(iv) MMEL Item 28–20 5), ‘‘Reserve Tank
1 and 4 Refueling Valves.’’
(v) MMEL Item 28–20 6), ‘‘Reserve Tank 2
and 3 Refueling Valves.’’
(2) For Model 747–400LCF series airplanes:
MMEL Item 28–21–1 1), ‘‘Refuel Valves,’’
second dispatch case with refueling valves
inoperative open.
(3) For Model 747–400 series airplanes:
MMEL Item 28–21–1 1), ‘‘Refuel Valves,’’
first dispatch case with refueling valves
inoperative open.
(4) For Model 747–8 series airplanes:
MMEL Item 28–21–01–01–01A, ‘‘Refuel
Valves,’’
(5) For Model 767 series airplanes: MMEL
Item 28–21–01–01B, ‘‘Fuel Shutoff Valves.’’
(6) For Model 767–2C/KC–46 airplanes:
The following ‘‘Pressure Fueling System’’
items.
(i) MMEL Item 28–21–01–01E, ‘‘Main Tank
Shutoff Valve Inoperative Open.’’
(ii) MMEL Item 28–21–01–01F, ‘‘Center
Tank Shutoff Valve Inoperative Open.’’
Note 1 to paragraph (h): The MMEL items
specified in paragraph (h) of this AD can be
found in the applicable FAA-approved
MMEL: Boeing 747 B–747–100/200/300/SP
SERIES MMEL, Revision 35, dated April 25,
2014; Boeing 747 B–747–400 LCF MMEL,
Revision 3, November 7, 2014; Boeing 747 B–
747–400, B–747–400D, B–747–400F MMEL,
Revision 32, dated December 27, 2018;
Boeing 747–8 MMEL, Revision 7, dated
August 25, 2017; and Boeing 767 MMEL,
E:\FR\FM\09SEP1.SGM
09SEP1
55624
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 175 / Wednesday, September 9, 2020 / Proposed Rules
Revision 39, dated October 26, 2018; which
can be found on the Flight Standards
Information Management System (FSIMS)
website, https://fsims.faa.gov/
PICResults.aspx?mode=Publication
&doctype=MMELByModel.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch,
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested using the procedures
found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with
14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your
principal inspector or local Flight Standards
District Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the
certification office, send it to the attention of
the person identified in paragraph (j) of this
AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable
level of safety may be used for any repair,
modification, or alteration required by this
AD if it is approved by The Boeing Company
Organization Designation Authorization
(ODA) that has been authorized by the
Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, to make
those findings. To be approved, the repair
method, modification deviation, or alteration
deviation must meet the certification basis of
the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(j) Related Information
For more information about this AD,
contact Jeffrey Rothman, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines,
WA 98190; phone and fax: 206–231–3558;
jeffrey.rothman@faa.gov.
Issued on August 21, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–19583 Filed 9–8–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2020–0700; Project
Identifier AD–2020–00238–E]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; International
Aero Engines AG Turbofan Engines
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:26 Sep 08, 2020
Jkt 250001
The FAA proposes to
supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2019–06–06, which applies to all
International Aero Engines AG (IAE)
V2500–A1, V2522–A5, V2524–A5,
V2525–D5, V2527–A5, V2527E–A5,
V2527M–A5, V2528–D5, V2530–A5,
V2533–A5 model turbofan engines. AD
2019–06–06 requires initial and
repetitive borescope inspections (BSIs)
of the diffuser case M-flange and, if it
fails the inspection, replacement of the
diffuser case with a part eligible for
installation. Since the FAA issued AD
2019–06–06, the manufacturer
performed an updated safety risk
analysis, which reduced the diffuser
case M-flange inspection intervals and
added the performance of a replacement
of the diffuser case M-flange. This
proposed AD would require an initial
BSI of the diffuser case M-flange and, if
it fails the inspection, repetitive BSIs of
the diffuser case M-flange until
replacement of the diffuser case Mflange is performed. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by October 26,
2020.
SUMMARY:
You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this NPRM, contact International Aero
Engines AG, 400 Main Street, East
Hartford, CT 06118; phone: 800–565–
0140; email: help24@pw.utc.com;
website: https://fleetcare.pw.utc.com.
You may view this service information
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products
Section, Operational Safety Branch,
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA
01803. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA,
call 781–238–7759.
ADDRESSES:
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2020–
0700; or in person at Docket Operations
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The AD docket contains this NPRM, any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nicholas Paine, Aerospace Engineer,
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone:
781–238–7742; fax: 781–238–7199;
email: nicholas.j.paine@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites 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–2020–0700;
Project Identifier AD–2020–00238–E’’ at
the beginning of your comments. The
most helpful comments reference a
specific portion of the proposal, explain
the reason for any recommended
change, and include supporting data.
The FAA will consider all comments
received by the closing date and may
amend this NPRM because of those
comments.
Except for Confidential Business
Information as described in the
following paragraph, and other
information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments
received, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report
summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this proposal.
Confidential Business Information
Confidential Business Information
(CBI) is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important
that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each
page of your submission containing CBI
as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such
marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be
placed in the public docket of this
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to Nicholas Paine,
E:\FR\FM\09SEP1.SGM
09SEP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 175 (Wednesday, September 9, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55622-55624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-19583]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0785; Product Identifier 2020-NM-063-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all The Boeing Company Model 747 airplanes and Model 767 airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an un-commanded fuel
transfer between the main and center fuel tanks. This proposed AD would
prohibit operation of an airplane with any inoperative refuel valve
(fueling shut-off valve) secured in the open position. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 26,
2020.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0785; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Rothman, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98190; phone and fax: 206-231-3558; [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
written comments, data, or views about this proposal. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters
should submit only one copy of the comments. Send your comments to an
address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-
2020-0785; Product Identifier 2020-NM-063-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, as well
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments received by the closing
date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after the
comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring
expense or delay. The FAA may change this NPRM because of those
comments.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to the
person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Any
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report of a flight diversion due to an un-
commanded fuel transfer between the main and center fuel tanks.
Following the flight, the operator discovered that a significant amount
of fuel had migrated from the left main tank to the center tank. This
condition was determined to be created by applying the Master Minimum
Equipment List (MMEL)/Dispatch Deviation Guide (DDG) relief for
inoperative refuel valves (fueling shut-off valves) secured in the
``open'' position in the main and center fuel tanks.
During investigation of the event, the operator's maintenance
personnel restored all fueling shut-off valves to their normal
configuration (closed). The system was tested, and it was confirmed
that the fuel migration stopped.
Multiple refuel valves secured in the ``open'' position can result
in un-commanded fuel transfer between tanks, which adversely affects
the airplane's center of gravity, aerodynamic drag, and fuel economy.
Fuel exhaustion may occur due to a combination of increased trim drag
(due to unmitigated fuel imbalance) and the unavailability of trapped
fuel due to a fully depleted main tank defeating the center tank fuel
scavenge system.
The FAA is proposing this AD to address multiple refuel valves
secured in the ``open'' position via MMEL dispatch allowance, which
allows un-commanded fuel transfer between fuel tanks. This condition,
if not addressed, could result in a fuel exhaustion event.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is proposing this AD because the agency evaluated all the
relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same
type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would prohibit operation of an airplane with
multiple refuel valves secured in the ``open'' position.
[[Page 55623]]
MMEL Revisions
This proposed AD refers to items in Sections 28-20 and 28-21 of the
MMEL \1\; those items may also be included in an operator's FAA-
approved minimum equipment list (MEL). This proposed AD would prohibit
operation of the airplane under conditions currently allowed by those
items in the MMEL. The FAA plans to revise the MMEL to remove those
items in a future revision; operators would then be required to also
remove those items from their existing FAA-approved MEL.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The MMEL items can be found in the applicable FAA-approved
MMEL: Boeing 747 B-747-100/200/300/SP SERIES MMEL, Revision 35,
dated April 25, 2014; Boeing 747 B-747-400 LCF MMEL, Revision 3,
November 7, 2014; Boeing 747 B-747-400, B-747-400D, B-747-400F MMEL,
Revision 32, dated December 27, 2018; Boeing 747-8 MMEL, Revision 7,
dated August 25, 2017; and Boeing 767 MMEL, Revision 39, dated
October 26, 2018; which can be found on the Flight Standards
Information Management System (FSIMS) website, https://fsims.faa.gov/PICResults.aspx?mode=Publication&doctype=MMELByModel.
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Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 750 airplanes
of U.S. registry.
The FAA has determined that revising the operator's existing FAA-
approved MEL takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although
the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator to
operator. Since operators typically incorporate MEL changes for their
affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-operator estimate
is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. Therefore, the FAA
estimates the average total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-
hours x $85 per work-hour).
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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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 this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2020-0785; Product Identifier
2020-NM-063-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by October 26, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company airplanes,
certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and
(2) of this AD.
(1) Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300,
-400, -400D, -400F, 747SR, 747SP, -8F, and -8 series airplanes.
(2) Model 767-200, -300, -300F, -400ER, and -2C series
airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of an un-commanded fuel
transfer between the main and center fuel tanks. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address multiple refuel valves secured in the ``open''
position via Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) dispatch
allowance, which allows un-commanded fuel transfer between fuel
tanks. This condition could result in a fuel exhaustion event.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Conditions for Prohibited Operation
No later than 60 days after the effective date of this AD:
Operation of an airplane with any inoperative refuel valve (fueling
shut-off valve) secured in the open position is prohibited.
(h) MMEL Items
The MMEL items specified in paragraphs (h)(1) through (6) of
this AD are affected by this prohibition.
(1) For Model 747-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes: The
following ``Pressure Fueling System'' items.
(i) MMEL Item 28-20 2), ``Main Tank 1 and 4 Refueling Valves.''
(ii) MMEL Item 28-20 3), ``Main Tank 2 and 3 Refueling Valves.''
(iii) MMEL Item 28-20 4), ``Center Tank Refueling Valves.
(iv) MMEL Item 28-20 5), ``Reserve Tank 1 and 4 Refueling
Valves.''
(v) MMEL Item 28-20 6), ``Reserve Tank 2 and 3 Refueling
Valves.''
(2) For Model 747-400LCF series airplanes: MMEL Item 28-21-1 1),
``Refuel Valves,'' second dispatch case with refueling valves
inoperative open.
(3) For Model 747-400 series airplanes: MMEL Item 28-21-1 1),
``Refuel Valves,'' first dispatch case with refueling valves
inoperative open.
(4) For Model 747-8 series airplanes: MMEL Item 28-21-01-01-01A,
``Refuel Valves,''
(5) For Model 767 series airplanes: MMEL Item 28-21-01-01B,
``Fuel Shutoff Valves.''
(6) For Model 767-2C/KC-46 airplanes: The following ``Pressure
Fueling System'' items.
(i) MMEL Item 28-21-01-01E, ``Main Tank Shutoff Valve
Inoperative Open.''
(ii) MMEL Item 28-21-01-01F, ``Center Tank Shutoff Valve
Inoperative Open.''
Note 1 to paragraph (h): The MMEL items specified in paragraph
(h) of this AD can be found in the applicable FAA-approved MMEL:
Boeing 747 B-747-100/200/300/SP SERIES MMEL, Revision 35, dated
April 25, 2014; Boeing 747 B-747-400 LCF MMEL, Revision 3, November
7, 2014; Boeing 747 B-747-400, B-747-400D, B-747-400F MMEL, Revision
32, dated December 27, 2018; Boeing 747-8 MMEL, Revision 7, dated
August 25, 2017; and Boeing 767 MMEL,
[[Page 55624]]
Revision 39, dated October 26, 2018; which can be found on the
Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS) website,
https://fsims.faa.gov/PICResults.aspx?mode=Publication&doctype=MMELByModel.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request
to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District
Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the
manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD
if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle
ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair
method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet
the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(j) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Jeffrey Rothman,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98190; phone and fax: 206-231-
3558; [email protected].
Issued on August 21, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-19583 Filed 9-8-20; 8:45 am]
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