[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 115 (Friday, June 14, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40894-40896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-15106]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-74-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, 
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 757-200, -
200PF, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes. This proposal would require 
inspection for damage of the W2800 wire bundle insulation, wire 
conductor, the wire bundle clamp bracket, and the BACC10GU( ) clamp, 
and repair or replacement with new or serviceable parts, if necessary. 
This proposal also would require installation of spacers between the 
clamp and the bracket. This action is necessary to prevent contact 
between the power feeder wires of the auxiliary power unit (APU) and 
the clamp bracket aft of the STA 1720 bulkhead due to chafing damage of 
the Adel clamp and ``L'' shaped bracket, which could result in 
electrical arcing and fire, or loss of electrical power in the 
airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 29, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-74-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 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. 2001-NM-74-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 Nastiopoulos, 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 2001-NM-74-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. 2001-NM-74-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report regarding a Boeing 757-200 series 
airplane indicating that, during a structural inspection of the 
generator power feeder (GPF) wires for the auxiliary power unit (APU), 
chafing damage was detected on the Adel clamp and the ``L'' shaped 
bracket. The clamp and bracket support the wires that are located just 
aft of the pressure seal fitting at the STA 1720 bulkhead. As a result 
of that finding, the operator that submitted the report inspected seven 
additional Model 757 series airplanes in its fleet for chafing damage. 
The report

[[Page 40895]]

also indicated that the GPF wires of four of the seven airplanes had 
been either repaired or repositioned. Electrical contact between the 
power feeder wires of the APU and the clamp bracket aft of the STA 1720 
bulkhead due to chafing damage of the Adel clamp and ``L'' shaped 
bracket, if not corrected, could result in electrical arcing and fire 
or loss of electrical power in the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-
0089 (for Model 757-200 series airplanes) and Boeing Service Bulletin 
757-24-0090 (for Model 757-300 series airplanes), both dated March 15, 
2001. The service bulletins describe procedures for a general visual 
inspection for damage of the W2800 wire bundle insulation, wire 
conductor, the wire bundle clamp bracket, and the BACC10GU( ) clamp, 
and repair or replacement with new or serviceable parts, if necessary. 
The service bulletins also describe procedures for installing spacers 
between the clamp and the bracket and ensuring that there is 0.25-inch 
minimum clearance between the wire bundle and the aft edge of the 
bracket. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service 
bulletins 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 bulletins described previously.

Similar Models

    The installation of the GPF wires for the APU on certain Boeing 
Model 757-200PF series airplanes is similar to that installed on 
certain Boeing Model 757-200, -200CB, and certain Model 757-300 series 
airplanes. Therefore, all of these models may be subject to the same 
unsafe condition.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 934 Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, 
and -300 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide 
fleet. The FAA estimates that 595 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 inspection and 
installation of spacers, 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 $35,700, 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 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 2001-NM-74-AD.

    Applicability: Model 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, and -300 series 
airplanes, as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-0089 and 
Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-0090, both dated March 15, 2001, as 
applicable; 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 electrical contact between the power feeder wires of 
the auxiliary power unit (APU) and the clamp bracket aft of STA 1720 
bulkhead due to chafing damage of the Adel clamp and ``L'' shaped 
bracket, which could result in electrical arcing and fire or loss of 
electrical power in the airplane; accomplish the following:

Inspection and Repair of Any Damage

    (a) Within 15 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a general visual inspection for damage of the W2800 wire 
bundle insulation, wire conductor, the wire bundle clamp bracket, 
and the BACC10GU( ) clamp; per Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-0089 
(for Boeing Model 757-200 series airplanes) or Boeing Service 
Bulletin 757-24-0090 (for Boeing Model 757-300 series airplanes), 
both dated March 15, 2001, as applicable. If no damage is detected: 
Before further flight, install spacers and ensure that there is 
0.25-inch minimum clearance between the wire bundle and aft edge of 
the bracket, per the applicable service bulletin.
    (1) If any damage to the wire bundle insulation or the wire 
conductor is detected: Before further flight, repair the damage per 
the applicable service bulletin, install spacers, and ensure that 
there is 0.25-inch minimum clearance between the wire bundle and aft 
edge of the bracket; per the applicable service bulletin.
    (2) If any damage to the wire bundle clamp bracket or the 
BACC10GU( ) clamp is detected: Before further flight, replace the 
clamp bracket and the clamp with new or serviceable parts, install 
spacers, and ensure that there is 0.25-inch minimum clearance 
between the wires bundle and aft edge of the bracket; per the 
applicable service bulletin.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A

[[Page 40896]]

visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or 
assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This 
level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless 
otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to enhance visual 
access to all exposed surfaces in the inspection area. This level of 
inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such 
as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may 
require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, 
ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area 
being checked.''

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. 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

    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 7, 2002.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-15106 Filed 6-13-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P