[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 18, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53851-53853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25032]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-133-AD; Amendment 39-9394; AD 95-21-08]


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 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 Boeing Model 757 series airplanes, that requires 
modification of the engine fuel indication circuits. This amendment is 
prompted by numerous reports of false indications of engine fuel valve 
faults, which have led to the flight crew conducting rejected takeoffs 
(RTO). The actions specified by this AD are intended to reduce such 
false indications and the flight crew's consequent execution of an RTO 
at high speed during takeoff roll, which could result in the airplane 
overrunning the runway, damage to the airplane, and injury to airplane 
occupants.

DATES: Effective November 17, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 17, 1995.

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., 

[[Page 53852]]
Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathrine Rask, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; telephone (206) 227-
1547; fax (206) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing 757 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 6, 1995 (60 FR 
29795). That action proposed to require modifying the engine fuel 
indication circuits to decrease the number of false fault indications 
of the engine fuel valve.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    One commenter supports the proposal.
    Another commenter, the airplane manufacturer, suggests that the 
rule be revised to extend the compliance time for modification of the 
indication circuits from the proposed 6 months for airplanes equipped 
with Pratt & Whitney engines and 18 months for airplanes equipped with 
Rolls Royce engines. The commenter recommends a compliance time of 24 
months for all of the affected airplanes. The FAA cannot concur with 
the commenter's suggestion, since the commenter provided no new data or 
other information to justify such an extension. The FAA finds that the 
compliance times, as proposed, are both reasonable and appropriate, in 
consideration of the fact that:
    1. The modification requires only 4 work hours to complete;
    2. Required parts are standard electrical components and an ample 
number of them are currently available;
    3. The compliance time(s) permit the modification to be installed 
during regularly scheduled maintenance; and
    4. Airplanes equipped with Rolls Royce engines require the 
installation of an additional modification (and, therefore, additional 
time is provided for the completion of that modification).
    This commenter also notes that annunciation of the fuel valve 
position is required on transport category airplanes by section 
25.1141(f)(2) of the Federal Aviation Regulations [14 CFR 
21.1141(f)(2)], which states:
    ``(f)(2) For power-assisted valves, a means (must be provided) to 
indicate to the flight crew when the valve--
    (i) Is in the fully open or fully closed position, or
    (ii) Is moving between the fully open and fully closed position.''
    The commenter states that, while the proposed modification is 
intended to reduce the frequency of spurious annunciations, it is 
merely a product improvement that simplifies the system; it was 
designed without full knowledge of the cause of the spurious 
annunciations, and it is not anticipated to have a significant effect 
on the rate of rejected takeoffs (RTO) for all reasons. Rather than 
mandate the installation of this ``minor change,'' whose effect on the 
rate of RTO's is not predictable, the commenter suggests that the FAA 
review the reasons for the existence of FAR section 25.1141(f)(2). The 
commenter contends that such a review is appropriate in light of (1) 
the existence of FAR section 25.1309(c) (``Equipment, systems, and 
installation''), which requires, among other things, that warning 
information be provided to alert the crew to unsafe system operating 
conditions; (2) the current flight deck ``quiet dark cockpit'' 
philosophy; and (3) the design dictation contained in the regulation. 
The FAA notes this recommendation and may consider it during the 
current comprehensive review of the FAA's regulation and certification 
capabilities (``Challenge 2000''). However, regardless of that review, 
the FAA has determined that the requirements of this AD are warranted 
to correct the unsafe condition addressed.
    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 272 Model 757 series airplanes equipped 
with P&W PW2000 engines in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 
219 of these airplanes are currently of U.S. registry and will be 
affected by this AD. It will take approximately 4 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the modification of the engine fuel indication 
circuits, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. The cost of 
required parts is negligible. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators of these airplanes is estimated to 
be $52,560, or $240 per airplane.
    There are approximately 302 Model 757 series airplanes equipped 
with Rolls Royce RB211-535 engines in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 119 of these airplanes are currently of U.S. registry 
and will be affected by this AD. It will take approximately 4 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the modification of the engine fuel 
indication circuits, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. The 
cost of required parts is approximately $194 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of this modification on U.S. 
operators of these airplanes is estimated to be $51,646, or $434 per 
airplane.
    Additionally, for these 119 airplanes equipped with Rolls Royce 
RB211-535 engines, it will take approximately 28 work hours to 
accomplish the modification of the engine fuel shutoff valve control, 
at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. The cost of required 
parts is approximately $470 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of this modification on U.S. operators of these 
airplanes is estimated to be $255,850, or $2,150 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figures discussed above are 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 

[[Page 53853]]
    Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

95-21-08  Boeing: Amendment 39-9394. Docket 94-NM-133-AD.

    Applicability: Model 757 series airplanes equipped with Pratt & 
Whitney PW2000 engines, as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-76-
0010, dated August 12, 1993; and Model 757 series airplanes equipped 
with Rolls-Royce RB211-535 engines, as listed in Boeing Service 
Bulletin 757-76-0011, dated December 2, 1993; certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To reduce false indications of engine fuel valve faults, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) For airplanes equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW2000 engines: 
Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the 
engine fuel valve indication circuits in accordance with Boeing 
Service Bulletin 757-76-0010, dated August 12, 1993.
    (b) For airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211-535 engines: 
Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the 
modifications specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD. 
The modification specified in paragraph (b)(1) must be accomplished 
either prior to or concurrently with the modification specified in 
paragraph (b)(2). In any case, both modifications must be completed 
within 18 months after the effective date of this AD.
    (1) Modify the engine fuel shutoff valve control in accordance 
with Boeing Service Bulletin 757-76-0007, Revision 2, dated January 
23, 1992.

    Note 2: Modification of the engine fuel shutoff valve control 
that was accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with either Boeing Service Bulletin 757-76-0007 (original 
issue), dated February 22, 1990, or Revision 1, dated October 31, 
1991, is considered acceptable for compliance with paragraph (b)(1) 
of this AD.

    (2) Modify the engine fuel valve indication circuits in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 757-76-0011, dated December 
2, 1993.
    (c) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The modifications shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
Service Bulletin 757-76-0010, dated August 12, 1993; Boeing Service 
Bulletin 757-76-0007, Revision 2, dated January 23, 1992; and Boeing 
Service Bulletin 757-76-0011, dated December 2, 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 17, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 3, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-25032 Filed 10-17-95; 8:45 am]
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