[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 9 (Thursday, January 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: January 13, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-NM-127-AD; Amendment 39-8784; AD 94-01-02]
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Boeing Model 767 series airplanes, that requires
modification of the ram air turbine (RAT) system wiring. This amendment
is prompted by a report of chatter occurring during takeoff and landing
in the RAT airspeed switch relay. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent the inability to maintain hydraulic system power in
the event that power is lost in both engines.
DATES: Effective February 14, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of February 14, 1994.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristin Larson, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-1760; fax (206)
227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is
applicable to certain Boeing Model 767 series airplanes was published
in the Federal Register on September 17, 1993 (58 FR 48617). That
action proposed to require modification of the ram air turbine (RAT)
system wiring.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Three commenters support the proposed rule.
The Air Transport Association (ATA) of America, on behalf of one of
its members, requests that the proposed compliance time be extended to
allow the proposed modification to be accomplished within 4,000 hours
time-in-service or 15 months after the effective date of the rule,
whichever occurs later. This will allow the proposed modification to be
accomplished during the time of a regularly scheduled ``C'' check. The
commenter considers that the adoption of the proposed compliance time
of 4,000 hours time-in-service would require scheduling special times
for the accomplishment of the modification, at additional expense.
The FAA concurs with the commenter's request to extend the
compliance time. Extending the compliance time as suggested by the
commenter will not adversely affect safety, and will allow the
modification to be performed at a base during regularly scheduled
maintenance where special equipment and trained maintenance personnel
will be available if necessary. Paragraph (a) of the final rule has
been revised accordingly.
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
There are approximately 90 Model 767 series airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 53
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 3.5 work hours per airplane to accomplish the
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 per work hour.
The cost for required parts will be minimal. Based on these figures,
the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$10,203, or $193 per airplane. This total cost figure assumes that no
operator has yet accomplished the requirements of this AD.
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
``ADDRESSES.''
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
94-01-02 Boeing: Amendment 39-8784. Docket 93-NM-127-AD.
Applicability: Model 767 series airplanes; as listed in Boeing
Service Bulletin 767-29-0021, Revision 4, dated May 12, 1988;
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously. To prevent the inability to maintain hydraulic system
power in the event that power is lost in both engines, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 4,000 hours time-in-service or 15 months after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, replace the ram
air turbine (RAT) airspeed switch; cap and stow the wire between the
RAT airspeed switch and the air/ground relay; and perform a
functional test of the RAT deployment system; in accordance with
Boeing Service Bulletin 767-29-0021, Revision 4, dated May 12, 1988.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Seattle ACO.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with Boeing
Service Bulletin 767-29-0021, Revision 4, dated May 12, 1988, which
contains the following list of effective pages:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revision
level
Page number shown on Date shown on page
page
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-4, 6, 10.......... 4 May 12, 1988
5, 7-9, 11-14....... 1 August 10, 1984.
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This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane
Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on February 14, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 28, 1993.
Bill R. Boxwell,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-24 Filed 1-12-94; 8:45 am]
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