[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 246 (Thursday, December 21, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 80390-80392]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32575]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-296-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 replacement of the 
existing potable water fill line tube with a new hose. This action is 
necessary to prevent fracture of a clamshell coupling on the potable 
water fill line, which could cause water to flow into the aft cargo 
compartment. A large amount of water in the cargo compartment could 
cause large shifts in the airplane's center of gravity, which could 
result in reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

[[Page 80391]]

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-296-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-296-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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: Don Eiford, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 227-2788; 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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-296-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-296-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of fractures of clamshell couplings 
used on the potable water fill line on certain Boeing Model 767-200 and 
-300 series airplanes. A fractured coupling may allow water to flow 
into the bilge areas of the aft cargo compartment. If an airplane 
operates with a large amount of water in the cargo compartment, large 
shifts in the airplane's center of gravity could occur. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
767-38A0057, dated July 13, 2000, which describes procedures for 
replacement of the existing potable water fill line tube with a new 
hose. The existing fill line is a metal tube, which, combined with the 
normal expansion and contraction of the fuselage, puts stress on the 
clamshell couplings on the fill line, causing them to fracture. The 
replacement potable water fill line tube is a flexible hose, which will 
reduce the stress on the clamshell couplings. Accomplishment of the 
actions 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, except as discussed below.

Difference Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin

    The service bulletin recommends accomplishing the actions in the 
service bulletin ``as soon as the airplane and manpower are 
available.'' The FAA finds that the proposed AD needs a definite 
compliance time to ensure that all airplanes are modified in a timely 
manner. Thus, this proposed AD would require the replacement to be done 
within 12 months after the effective date of this AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 159 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 
18 airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed replacement would take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $482 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,756, or $542 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 proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact 
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time 
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. 
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the 
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions.

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

[[Page 80392]]

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-296-AD.

    Applicability: Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes, as 
listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-38A0057, dated July 13, 
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 (c) 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 fracture of a clamshell coupling on the potable water 
fill line, which could cause a large amount of water to flow into 
the aft cargo compartment, and result in large shifts in the 
airplane's center of gravity and consequent reduced controllability 
of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the existing potable water fill line tube with a new 
flexible hose, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
38A0057, dated July 13, 2000.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a potable water fill line tube, part number 417T2021-179, on any 
airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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. 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) 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 December 15, 2000.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-32575 Filed 12-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U