[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 93 (Friday, May 12, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30553-30555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11952]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-91-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 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 series 
airplanes. This proposal would require installation of sleeving on the 
90-minute auxiliary power unit (APU) standby power feeder cable at body 
station 1351. This proposal is prompted by a report of damage to the 
90-minute APU standby power feeder cable caused by shifting of 
unrestrained cargo containers during flight. The actions specified by 
the proposed AD are intended to prevent damage to the 90-minute APU 
standby power feeder cable, which could result in arcing between the 
standby power feeder cable and the shroud of the APU fuel line, 
penetration of the fuel line shroud, and a consequent fire in the main 
deck floor above the aft cargo compartment.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 26, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-91-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 examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Holly Thorson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1357; 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

[[Page 30554]]

must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following 
statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 2000-NM-91-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-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 2000-NM-91-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report indicating that unrestrained cargo 
containers shifted during flight and caused damage on a Boeing Model 
767 series airplane that is equipped with an auxiliary power unit (APU) 
extended standby power system. The cargo containers damaged the 90-
minute APU standby power feeder cable and the cabin floor support beam 
at body station (BS) 1351 on the right side of the airplane. 
Investigation revealed evidence of arcing between the cable and the 
beam. Though the reported damage occurred on the right side of the 
airplane, an unrestrained cargo container that shifts during flight 
could cause similar damage on the left side of the airplane. On the 
left side of the airplane, the 90-minute APU standby power feeder cable 
is routed close to the APU fuel line. Should damage to the 90-minute 
APU standby power feeder cable occur on the left side of the airplane, 
the damaged power feeder cable could arc against the shroud of the APU 
fuel line. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
penetration of the fuel line shroud and a consequent fire in the main 
deck floor above the aft cargo compartment.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
767-24A0126, dated February 24, 2000. That alert service bulletin 
describes procedures for installation of sleeving on the 90-minute APU 
standby power feeder cable at BS 1351 on the left side of the airplane. 
Installation of this sleeving is intended to protect the cable from 
being damaged in the event that an unrestrained cargo container shifts 
during flight and impacts the cable. Accomplishment of the action 
specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition.

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 accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 151 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 14 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$840, or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 2000-NM-91-AD.

    Applicability: Model 767 series airplanes; as listed in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0126, dated February 24, 2000; 
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 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 damage to the 90-minute auxiliary power unit (APU) 
standby power feeder cable, which could result in arcing between the 
standby power feeder cable and the shroud of the APU fuel line, 
penetration of the fuel line shroud, and a consequent fire in the 
main deck floor above the aft cargo compartment, accomplish the 
following:

Installation of Sleeving

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, install 
sleeving on the 90-minute APU standby power feeder cable at body 
station 1351 on the left side of the airplane, in accordance with 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0126, dated February 24, 2000.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 2:
    Information concerning the existence of approved alternative 
methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the 
Seattle ACO.


[[Page 30555]]



Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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 8, 2000.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager,, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-11952 Filed 5-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P