Department of Transportation September 29, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767 airplanes. The NPRM proposed to supersede AD 2003-13-01, which currently requires an inspection to detect cracks and fractures of the outboard hinge fitting assemblies on the trailing edge of the inboard main flap, and follow-on and corrective actions if necessary. For certain airplanes, AD 2003-13- 01 also requires inspecting to determine if a tool runout option has been performed in the area. The NPRM proposed to reduce a certain compliance time and adds airplanes to the applicability. The NPRM also provided optional terminating action for certain inspections. The NPRM was prompted by reports of hinge assembly fractures found before certain required compliance times in AD 2003-13-01. This action revises the NPRM by reducing repetitive inspection intervals for certain airplanes and limiting the inspection area. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) to prevent the inboard aft flap from separating from the wing and potentially striking the airplane, which could result in damage to the surrounding structure and potential personal injury. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing, Model 767- 200/-300 series airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by Avionics Support Group, will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is an ePhone handset for use with the ICS SATCOM System that will use rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.