[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 208 (Friday, October 26, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54171-54173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-26954]



[[Page 54171]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-409-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F 
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, -
300, and -300F series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time 
inspection for discrepancies of certain wire bundles in the forward 
cargo compartment, and corrective actions, if necessary. This action is 
necessary to prevent damage to wire bundles, particularly those of the 
fuel quantity indication system (FQIS), which are located in the 
subject area. Damage of FQIS wires could cause arcing between those 
wires and power wires in the damaged wire bundle, and may lead to 
transmission of electrical energy into the fuel tank, which would 
result in a potential source of ignition in the fuel tank. This action 
is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 10, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-409-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-409-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: Elias Natsiopoulos, Aerospace 
Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 227-1279; 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-409-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-409-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report indicating that, prior to engine 
start-up on a Boeing Model 767 series airplane, several circuit 
breakers tripped and the flight crew observed unusual messages (i.e., 
STATUS, ADVISORY, and CAUTION) on the engine indication and crew 
alerting system display. An investigation by the maintenance crew 
revealed that numerous wires in wire bundles W738, W766, and W1256 had 
melted and burned. The affected wire bundles were located on the 
ceiling of the forward cargo compartment, and had chafed against stand-
offs that attach the cargo ceiling lining to the floor beams. An 
unrelated water leak from a galley in the area may have contributed to 
the severity of this incident.
    Such chafing and damage of wire bundles could lead to arcing of the 
damaged wires. Wires for the fuel quantity indication system (FQIS), 
which penetrate the fuel tank, are routed through one of the wire 
bundles that was damaged in the reported incident. Though the FQIS 
wires were not damaged in this incident, damage of FQIS wires could 
cause arcing between those wires and power wires in the damaged wire 
bundle, and may lead to electrical energy being transmitted into the 
fuel tank, which would result in a potential source of ignition in the 
fuel tank.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
767-24A0128, dated May 11, 2000. That service bulletin describes 
procedures for a one-time inspection for discrepancies of wire bundles 
routed along the ceiling of the forward cargo compartment, and 
corrective actions, if necessary. The discrepancies consist of chafing 
or damage of wire bundles near stand-offs that attach the cargo ceiling 
liner to the floor beams, and inadequate clearance between the wire 
bundles and stand-offs. If chafing or damage is found, corrective 
actions consist of repair of damaged wire bundles. If clearance is not 
within the limits specified in the service bulletin, corrective actions 
include installing protective sleeving on the wire bundles, as well as 
cable tie mounts and panduit straps. Accomplishment of the actions 
specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition.

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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.

Differences Between Service Bulletin and Proposed AD

    Operators should note that, while the service bulletin refers only 
to an ``inspection'' for chafing or damage of wire bundles, this 
proposed AD would require a ``detailed visual inspection.'' The FAA has 
determined that the procedures in the service bulletin should be 
described as a detailed visual inspection. Note 2 has been included in 
this proposed AD to define this type of inspection.
    Operators also should note that the service bulletin recommends 
accomplishing the inspection ``at the earliest opportunity when 
manpower and facilities are available.'' However, we have determined 
that such a compliance time will not ensure that operators address the 
unsafe condition in a timely manner. In developing an appropriate 
compliance time for this proposed AD, we considered not only the 
manufacturer's recommendation, but the degree of urgency associated 
with addressing the subject unsafe condition, the average utilization 
of the affected fleet, and the time necessary to perform the inspection 
(1 hour). In light of all of these factors, the FAA finds a 15-month 
compliance time for completing the proposed actions to be warranted, in 
that it represents an appropriate interval of time allowable for 
affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising safety.
    Operators also should note that, while the service bulletin 
specifies installation of cable tie mounts and panduit straps ``as 
needed,'' we find that the Work Instructions and Figure 1 of the 
service bulletin do not make clear when such installation is needed. 
Therefore, paragraph (a) of this proposed AD would require installation 
of cable tie mounts and panduit straps on all wire bundles on which 
protective sleeving is installed due to inadequate clearance.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 774 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 303 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, 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 $36,360, or $120 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 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-409-AD.

    Applicability: Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes, 
as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0128, dated May 
11, 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 damage of wire bundles in the forward cargo 
compartment, particularly wires of the fuel quantity indication 
system (FQIS) installed in that area, which could cause arcing 
between the FQIS wires and power wires in the damaged wire bundle, 
lead to transmission of electrical energy into the fuel tank, and 
result in a potential source of ignition in the fuel tank, 
accomplish the following:

One-Time Inspection

    (a) Within 15 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
one-time detailed visual inspection to find discrepancies of wire 
bundles in the forward cargo compartment, according to Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 767-24A0128, dated May 11, 2000. The discrepancies 
consist of chafing or damage of wire bundles near stand-offs that 
attach the cargo ceiling liner to the floor beams, and inadequate 
clearance between the wire bundles and stand-offs. Inspect all wire 
bundles routed along the ceiling of the forward cargo compartment 
from station 368 through 742 inclusive, at right buttock lines 43, 
49, and 54.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''


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Corrective Actions

    (b) If any discrepancy is found during the inspection required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD, before further flight, do paragraphs 
(b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD, as applicable, according to Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0128, dated May 11, 2000.
    (1) Repair chafed or damaged wire bundles.
    (2) If clearance between wire bundle and stand-off is outside 
the limits specified in the service bulletin: Install protective 
sleeving over the affected wire bundle, and install cable tie mounts 
and panduit straps.

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 3: 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 
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 October 19, 2001.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-26954 Filed 10-25-01; 8:45 am]
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