[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 109 (Friday, June 6, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31021-31023]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14771]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-50-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -
300 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection 
for worn or broken wire bundles in the ceiling above the main passenger 
door and repair, if necessary; and relocation of the wire bundles to 
prevent chafing. This proposal is prompted by a report indicating that 
the opening of the main passenger door caused the door liner and a 
ceiling panel to chafe and ultimately break a wire installed in this 
area. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent 
these wires from becoming worn or breaking, which could lead to the 
failure of several systems, such as the fuel shutoff valves that allow 
the flight crew to stop the flow of fuel in the event of an engine 
fire.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 17, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-50-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be

[[Page 31022]]

examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Oshiro, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 
telephone (425) 227-2793; fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 97-NM-50-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 97-NM-50-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report indicating that a broken wire was 
detected in the ceiling above the main passenger door on a Boeing Model 
767 series airplane. An investigation revealed that the opening of this 
door causes the upper liner of the door and the moveable ceiling panel 
in this area to chafe wire bundles, which can lead to worn and broken 
wires.
    Because these wires are connected to such safety systems as the 
fuel shutoff valves for the engines, oxygen deployment for passengers, 
emergency lighting, passenger signs, and the signal for emergency 
evacuation, worn or broken wires can cause one or more of these systems 
to fail. Such failure of the fuel shutoff valves, for example, would 
prevent the flight crew from stopping the flow of fuel to the engines 
in the event of a fire.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Service Bulletin 767-33-
0052, Revision 1, dated December 8, 1994, which describes procedures 
for a one-time inspection to detect worn or broken wires in the wire 
bundles located above the main passenger door; repair of any worn or 
broken wires; and relocation of these wire bundles inboard of this 
door. Such relocation of the wire bundles will prevent worn or broken 
wires due to chafing by the upper liner of the door or the moveable 
ceiling panel.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require a one-time inspection to detect worn or 
broken wires in the wire bundles located above the main passenger door; 
repair of any worn or broken wires; and relocation of the wire bundles 
inboard of this door. The actions would be required to be accomplished 
in accordance with the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 403 Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series 
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 142 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this 
proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed inspection on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,520, or $60 per airplane.
    It would take approximately 57 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the proposed relocation of the wire bundles, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $200 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed relocation of the wire bundles on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be $514,040, or $3,620 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements 
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions 
in the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

Boeing: Docket 97-NM-50-AD.

    Applicability: Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes; as 
listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-33-0052, Revision 1, dated

[[Page 31023]]

December 8, 1994; 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent wires in the area above the main passenger door from 
becoming worn or breaking, which could lead to the failure of 
several systems, such as the fuel shutoff valves that allow the 
flight crew to stop the flow of fuel in the event of an engine fire, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
conduct a one-time inspection to detect worn or broken wires in the 
wire bundles installed above the main passenger door, in accordance 
with Boeing Service Bulletin 767-33-0052, Revision 1, dated December 
8, 1994. Prior to further flight, repair any worn or broken wires 
and relocate the wire bundles inboard of this door, in accordance 
with the service bulletin. Thereafter, no further action is required 
by this AD.

    Note 2: Inspection; repair, if necessary; and relocation of the 
wire bundles accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 767-33-0052, dated April 2, 
1992, is considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements 
of paragraph (a) of this AD.

    (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 3: 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 
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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 30, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-14771 Filed 6-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U