[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 65 (Monday, April 6, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16681-16683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8705]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-95-AD; Amendment 39-10448; AD 98-07-26]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to certain Boeing Model 767 series airplanes. This action
requires a detailed visual inspection(s) for damage or chafing of
certain electrical wire bundles and for clearance between the wire
bundles and adjacent forward galley air chiller; and follow-on
corrective actions. This amendment is prompted by a report indicating
that damaged wires caused the tripping of electrical circuit breakers
and the display of caution messages by the engine indication and crew
alerting system. The actions specified in this AD are intended to
prevent failure of essential electrical systems and a potential fire
hazard for passengers and crewmembers, due to damage or chafing of the
wire bundles that resulted in arcing between exposed conductors and
burning of the adjacent electrical bundles.
DATES: Effective April 21, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 21, 1998.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before June 5, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-95-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056.
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 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elias Natsiopoulos, 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 (425) 227-1279;
fax (425) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received a report indicating
that, soon after takeoff on a Boeing Model 767 series airplane, the
engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS) displayed several
caution messages and several circuit breakers tripped. After landing,
the cabin crew reported smoke coming from the forward galley air
chiller, located below the forward galley door under the floor.
The smoke was produced by burning electrical wires. Investigation
revealed that approximately 30 wires were damaged in bundles W272,
W656, W782, and W254, forward of the P37 panel, adjacent to the AE0218
disconnect panel, and above the aft side of the forward galley air
chiller. Further investigation revealed that the wire bundles do not
have protective taping or sleeves and that adequate clearance does not
exist between the wire bundles and the adjacent chiller. As a result,
during the removal or reinstallation of the forward galley air chiller,
the wire bundles may become damaged or
[[Page 16682]]
chafed. When the insulation of the wire bundles is damaged or chafed,
additional elements such as moisture, vibration, or conductive debris
can result in arcing of the conductors.
These conditions, if not corrected, could result in burning of the
damaged wires and the adjacent electrical wire bundles and consequent
fire hazard for passengers and crewmembers, and failure of essential
electrical systems.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Message Number M-7200-98-
00140, dated January 11, 1998, which describes procedures for a
detailed visual inspection(s) for damage or chafing of the electrical
wire bundles located in the right-hand outboard electronics equipment
bay and for adequate clearance between the wire bundles and adjacent
forward galley air chiller; and follow-on corrective actions. Boeing
Message Number M-7200-98-00140, dated January 11, 1998, also references
Boeing Standard Wiring Practices Manual (SWPM) D6-54446, as an
additional source of service information.
Explanation of the Requirement of the Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is
being issued to prevent arcing between exposed conductors, which could
result in burning of the damaged wires and adjacent electrical bundles
and consequent fire hazard for passengers and crewmembers, and failure
of essential electrical systems. This AD requires accomplishment of the
actions specified in the Boeing message described previously, except as
discussed below.
Differences Between Rule and Service Bulletin
While the Boeing Message Number M-7200-98-00140 does not describe
procedures for repetitive inspections, this AD requires repetitive
inspections for certain inspection results. For these certain
inspection results, the FAA is not proposing to mandate the
installation of protective tape or a sleeve over the wire bundles for
several reasons:
1. Accessing the wire bundles located forward of the P37 panel is
easily accomplished.
2. The subject damage or chafing is easily detectable by means of a
detailed visual inspection.
3. The failure of the wire bundles may adversely affect essential
electrical systems; however, the detailed visual inspection will detect
any damage or chafing of the wire bundles before they result in a
hazardous condition.
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 98-NM-95-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
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.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, 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 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:
98-07-26 Boeing: Amendment 39-10448. Docket 98-NM-95-AD.
Applicability: Model 767 series airplanes, line numbers 1
through 683 inclusive, equipped with forward galley air chillers;
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
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
[[Page 16683]]
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 arcing between exposed conductors, which could result
in burning of the adjacent electrical bundles, failure of essential
electrical systems, and consequent fire hazard for passengers and
crewmembers, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a detailed visual inspection for damage or chafing of the electrical
wiring bundles located forward of the P37 panel adjacent to the
AE0218 disconnect panel, and for adequate clearance between the wire
bundles and adjacent forward galley air chiller, in accordance with
Boeing Message Number M-7200-98-00140, dated January 11, 1998.
Note 2: Boeing Message Number M-7200-98-00140, dated January 11,
1998, also references Boeing Standard Wiring Practices Manual D6-
54446, as an additional source of service information.
(1) If no damage or chafing is detected and adequate clearance
exists, accomplish either paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (a)(1)(ii) of this
AD.
(i) Repeat the visual inspection required by paragraph (a) of
this AD, thereafter, each time the forward galley air chiller is
removed and reinstalled. Or
(ii) Prior to further flight, install protective tape or sleeve
over the wire bundles, in accordance with Section 20-00-11 of the
Boeing Standard Wiring Practices Manual. Operators shall use one of
the following materials to protect the bundles: RT876 (sleeve), TFX-
2X standard wall thickness (sleeve), P-440 (tape), Scotch 70 (tape),
or CHR-A-2005 (tape).
(2) If no damage or chafing is detected and inadequate clearance
exists, prior to further flight, modify the routing of the wire
bundles in accordance with the Boeing message, and install
protective tape or sleeve over the wire bundles in accordance with
Section 20-00-11 of the Boeing Standard Wiring Practices Manual.
Operators shall use one of the following materials to protect the
bundles: RT876 (sleeve), TFX-2X standard wall thickness (sleeve), P-
440 (tape), Scotch 70 (tape), or CHR-A-2005 (tape).
(3) If damage or chafing is detected and adequate clearance
exists, prior to further flight, repair the wire bundles in
accordance with Boeing message, and accomplish either paragraph
(a)(3)(i) or (a)(3)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Repeat the visual inspection required by paragraph (a) of
this AD, thereafter, each time the forward galley chiller is removed
and reinstalled. Or
(ii) Prior to further flight, install protective tape or sleeve
over the wire bundles in accordance with Section 20-00-11 of the
Boeing Standard Wiring Practices Manual. Operators shall use one of
the following materials to protect the bundles: RT876 (sleeve), TFX-
2X standard wall thickness (sleeve), P-440 (tape), Scotch 70 (tape),
or CHR-A-2005 (tape).
(4) If damage or chafing is detected and inadequate clearance
exists, prior to further flight, repair and modify the routing of
the wire bundles in accordance with the Boeing message, and install
protective tape or sleeve over the wire bundles in accordance with
Section 20-00-11 of the Boeing Standard Wiring Practices Manual.
Operators shall use one of the following materials to protect the
bundles: RT876 (sleeve), TFX-2X standard wall thickness (sleeve), P-
440 (tape), Scotch 70 (tape), or CHR-A-2005 (tape).
(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.
(d) The inspections and modification shall be done in accordance
with Boeing Message Number M-7200-98-00140, dated January 11, 1998.
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 April 21, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 27, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8705 Filed 4-3-98; 8:45 am]
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