[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 147 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40814-40816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20340]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-52-AD; Amendment 39-10683; AD 98-16-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.


[[Page 40815]]


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 
repetitive inspections to detect corrosion or plating cracks of the pin 
assemblies in the forward trunnion support of the main landing gear 
(MLG), and replacement of the pin assembly with a new assembly, if 
necessary. Such replacement, if accomplished, constitutes terminating 
action for the repetitive inspections. This amendment is prompted by 
reports indicating that these pin assemblies were found to have 
corroded as a result of plating cracks. The actions specified by this 
AD are intended to detect and correct such corrosion and plating 
cracks, which could cause breakage of these assemblies, and consequent 
collapse of the MLG.

DATES: Effective September 4, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 4, 1998.

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: James G. Rehrl, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; telephone (425) 227-2783; 
fax (425) 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 Model 767 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 22, 1997 (62 FR 
39195). That action proposed to require repetitive inspections to 
detect corrosion or plating cracks of the pin assemblies in the forward 
trunnion support of the main landing gear (MLG), and replacement of the 
pin assembly with a new assembly, if necessary. Such replacement, if 
accomplished, would constitute terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    Two commenters support the proposed rule.
    One commenter generally supports the proposed rule, but expresses 
concern regarding the planned compliance time in the proposed AD for 
installation of new fuse pins. The commenter notes that it currently 
plans to install new fuse pins on its entire fleet of airplanes by 
April 2003, concurrent with scheduled gear changes. If the proposed AD 
requires installation of fuse pins in a shorter time period, additional 
maintenance costs will be incurred by this operator.
    Although no specific request is made by this commenter, the FAA 
infers that the commenter believes the installation of improved fuse 
pins to be a required action in the proposed AD. However, the proposed 
AD does not require installation of the improved fuse pins unless 
corrosion or cracking is detected, although such installation is 
provided as an optional terminating action for the repetitive 
inspection requirements of this AD. In light of this, the FAA has 
determined that no change to the final rule is necessary.

Conclusion

    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.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 562 Boeing Model 767 series airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 151 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 65 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $588,900, or $3,900 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The 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.

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.
    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 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:

98-16-07  Boeing: Amendment 39-10683. Docket 97-NM-52-AD.

    Applicability: Model 767 series airplanes having line positions 
1 through 562 inclusive, 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 (e) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by

[[Page 40816]]

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 detect and correct corrosion or plating cracks of the pin 
assemblies in the front trunnion support of the main landing gear 
(MLG), which could cause these assemblies to break and result in 
collapse of the MLG, accomplish the following:
    (a) Perform a close visual inspection to detect corrosion or 
plating cracks of each 4330M Steel pin assembly in the forward 
trunnion support of the MLG, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 767-57A0047, Revision 1, dated May 9, 1996, at the later of 
the times specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Within 4 years since date of manufacture of the airplane, or 
4 years since the last overhaul of the MLG. Or
    (2) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD.
    (b) If no corrosion or crack is detected, repeat the close 
visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 48 months.
    (c) If any corrosion or crack is detected, prior to further 
flight, replace it with a new pin assembly made from 15-5PH CRES 
with Class 3 chrome plating, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 767-57A0047, Revision 1, dated May 9, 1996.
    (d) Accomplishment of replacement of a 4330M Steel pin assembly 
with a new pin assembly made from 15-5PH CRES with Class 3 chrome 
plating, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
57A0047, Revision 1, dated May 9, 1996, constitutes terminating 
action for the inspections required by this AD for that pin 
location.

    Note 2: Replacement of a 4330M Steel pin assembly with a new pin 
assembly made from 15-5PH CRES with Class 3 chrome plating prior to 
the effective date of this AD, in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin 767-57A0047, dated January 19, 1995, is considered an 
acceptable method of compliance with paragraph (d) of this AD for 
that pin location.

    (e) 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.

    (f) 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.
    (g) The inspections and replacement shall be done in accordance 
with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-57A0047, Revision 1, dated 
May 9, 1996. 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.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on September 4, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 24, 1998.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-20340 Filed 7-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U