[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11524]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-228-AD; Amendment 39-8915; AD 94-10-08]

 

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 
dye penetrant inspections and proof pressure testing to detect cracks 
or ruptures of the crossover pneumatic duct, and repair or replacement, 
as necessary. This amendment also requires stress relieving of the 
crossover pneumatic duct assembly. This amendment is prompted by 
reports of ruptured engine bleed air crossover ducts. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the engine 
bleed air crossover duct, which could result in loss of pneumatics and 
damage to adjacent structure.

DATES: Effective June 17, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 17, 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: Barbara Mudrovich, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S; Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone 
(206) 227-2670; 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 Boeing Model 767 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on February 15, 1994 (59 FR 7231). That action, 
applicable only to 14 specific airplanes, proposed to require dye 
penetrant inspections and proof pressure testing to detect cracks or 
ruptures of the crossover pneumatic duct; repair or replacement, as 
necessary; and eventual stress relieving of the crossover pneumatic 
duct assembly.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the two comments received.
    Both commenters support the proposal.
    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 as proposed.
    There are approximately 14 Model 767 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 6 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 18 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost approximately $2,208 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $19,188, or $3,198 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    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:

94-10-08 Boeing: Amendment 39-8915. Docket 93-NM-228-AD.
    Applicability: Model 767 series airplanes; line position 308 
through 321, inclusive; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.

    Note 1: Inspections, testing, and repair or replacement 
accomplished prior to the effective date of this amendment in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-36A0041, dated 
July 2, 1992; or Revision 1, dated February 25, 1993; are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the applicable action specified in 
this amendment.

    To prevent failure of the engine bleed air crossover duct, which 
could result in loss of pneumatics and damage to adjacent structure, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Option 1: As an alternative to the requirements of paragraph 
(b) of this AD, accomplish the following:
    (1) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, or 
prior to the accumulation of 7,000 total flight cycles, whichever 
occurs later, conduct a dye penetrant inspection and proof pressure 
test of the crossover pneumatic duct, in accordance with Boeing 
Service Bulletin 767-36A0041, Revision 2, dated October 28, 1993.
    (i) If cracks or ruptures are detected, prior to further flight, 
repair or replace the crossover pneumatic duct in accordance with 
the service bulletin.
    (ii) Stress relieving of the duct, in accordance with the 
service bulletin, may be accomplished in conjunction with the 
initial dye penetrant inspection and proof pressure test required by 
this paragraph. Such action constitutes terminating action for the 
requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this AD.
    (2) Within 3,000 flight cycles after accomplishing the initial 
dye penetrant inspection and proof pressure test required by 
paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, conduct an additional dye penetrant 
inspection and proof pressure test of the crossover pneumatic duct, 
and stress relieve the crossover pneumatic duct assembly, in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 767-36A0041, Revision 2, 
dated October 28, 1993. If cracks or ruptures are detected, prior to 
further flight, repair or replace the crossover pneumatic duct in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (b) Option 2: As an alternative to the requirements of paragraph 
(a) of this AD, accomplish the following:
    (1) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, or 
prior to the accumulation of 7,000 total flight cycles, whichever 
occurs later, conduct a dye penetrant inspection and proof pressure 
test of the crossover pneumatic duct and stress relieve the 
crossover pneumatic duct assembly, in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin 767-36A0041, Revision 2, dated October 28, 1993.
    (2) If cracks or ruptures are detected, prior to further flight, 
repair or replace the crossover pneumatic duct in accordance with 
the service bulletin.
    (c) Replacement of the crossover pneumatic duct with a stress 
relieved duct in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 767-
36A0041, Revision 2, dated October 28, 1993, constitutes terminating 
action for the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD.
    (d) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin 767-36A0041, Revision 2, dated October 28, 1993. 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on June 17, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 6, 1994.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-11524 Filed 5-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U