[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 220 (Tuesday, November 16, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67043-67045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-25191]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19569; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-179-AD; 
Amendment 39-13869; AD 2004-23-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. This AD 
requires reworking the surface of the ground stud brackets of the 
transformer rectifier unit (TRU) and the airplane structure mounting 
surface, and measuring the resistance from the bracket to the structure 
and the ground lug to the bracket using a bonding meter. This AD is 
prompted by a report of loss of all direct current (DC) power 
generation during a flight, due to inadequate electrical ground path 
between the ground bracket of the TRU and the structure. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent depletion of the main battery and consequent loss of 
all DC power, which could cause the loss of flight critical systems.

DATES: Effective December 1, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
December 1, 2004.
    We must receive comments on this AD by January 18, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing 
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. 
You can examine this information at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-
401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Examining the Dockets

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: Louis 
Natsiopoulous, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-
130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6478; fax (425) 
917-6590.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received a report of loss of DC 
power generation on a Boeing Model 767 airplane during flight. 
Investigation by Boeing revealed that the operator had incorporated 
Boeing Service Bulletin 767-24-0119, dated May 14, 1998, and/or 
Revision 1, dated December 16, 1999, without proper preparation of the 
bonding surface of the ground bracket and the airplane structure. The 
inadequate preparation caused the loss of an adequate electrical ground 
path between the bracket and frame used for the transformer rectifier 
units (TRU) and the main battery charger, which caused the subsequent 
loss of all DC power generation. When the operator inspected the rest 
of its Model 767 fleet, it found a number of brackets that were not 
properly grounded. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
depletion of the main battery and consequent loss of all DC power, 
which could cause the loss of flight critical systems.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0119, 
Revision 2, dated August 19, 2004. The service bulletin describes 
procedures for reworking the bonding surfaces of the ground stud 
brackets of the TRU and airplane structure, and measuring the 
resistance from the bracket to the structure and from the ground lug to 
bracket using a bonding meter. The reworking includes:
     Removing the ground stud bracket of the TRU;
     Cleaning the bracket mounting surface and airplane 
structure surface for a faying surface bond;
     Installing the ground bracket assembly of the TRU to the 
surface using bolts;
     Applying fillet sealant to the bracket;
     Applying alodine to the prepared surfaces;
     And applying primer on bare metal surface.
    We have also reviewed Boeing Information Notice 767-24A0119 IN 01, 
dated October 21, 2004. This information notice provides more detailed 
illustrations than those shown in Figure 1, Details A and B, of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0119, Revision 2, dated August 19, 2004. 
The information notice clarifies the Figure 1, Step 10, procedure of 
the Accomplishment Instructions in the service bulletin.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other airplanes of the same type design. Therefore, we are 
issuing this AD to prevent depletion of the main battery and consequent 
loss of all DC power, which could cause the loss of flight critical 
systems. This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in

[[Page 67044]]

the service information described previously, except as discussed below 
in ``Clarification of Error in the Service Bulletin.''

Clarification of Error in the Service Bulletin

    Boeing has informed us of an inadvertent error in the service 
bulletin. In Step 4, Sheet 3, of Figure 1 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions, the service bulletin only specifies to install a collar 
with part number (P/N) BACC30M6. However, a second collar with P/N 
BACC30BL6, which is listed in paragraph 2.C., ``Parts Necessary For 
Each Airplane,'' is also acceptable for installation. We have included 
paragraph (g) in this AD to allow the installation of P/N BACC30BL6 as 
an alternative method of compliance to the corresponding requirement of 
paragraph (f) of this AD (which references the service bulletin as the 
appropriate source of service information for accomplishing the 
required actions).

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has 
advised that it currently is developing a modification (to add a 
redundant TRU grounding bracket on all 767 airplanes) that will address 
the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. Once this modification is 
developed, approved, and available, we may consider additional 
rulemaking.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD; therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment 
before the AD is issued is impracticable, and good cause exists to make 
this AD effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any relevant written 
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an 
address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19569; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-179-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light 
of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of our docket 
Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you can visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications with you. You can get more information about plain 
language at http://www/faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to 
examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2004-23-14 Boeing: Amendment 39-13869. Docket No. FAA-2004-19569; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-179-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective December 1, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F 
series airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
24A0119, Revision 2, dated August 19, 2004, certificated in any 
category; on which the actions of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-24-
0119, dated May 14, 1998, and/or Revision 1, dated December 16, 
1999, have been done.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of loss of all direct 
current (DC) power generation during a flight. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to prevent depletion of the main battery and consequent loss 
of all DC power, which could cause the loss of flight critical 
systems.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Rework and Measure Resistance

    (f) Within 45 days after the effective date of this AD, rework 
the ground stud bracket of the transformer rectifier unit (TRU) and 
structure mounting surface, and measure the resistance from the 
bracket to the structure and the grounding lug to the bracket using 
a bonding meter, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0119, Revision 2, dated 
August 19, 2004, as revised by Boeing Information Notice 767-24A0119 
IN 01, dated October 21, 2004, except as provided by paragraph (g) 
of this AD.
    (g) Step 4, Sheet 3 of Figure 1 in the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the service bulletin only specifies to install one 
collar with part number (P/N) BACC30M6. However, a collar with P/N 
BACC30BL6 (as listed in paragraph 2.C., ``Parts Necessary For Each 
Airplane'' of the service bulletin) may be used as an alternative 
method of compliance (AMOC).

AMOCs

    (h) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if

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requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0119, 
Revision 2, dated August 19, 2004, as revised by Boeing Information 
Notice 767-24A0119 IN 01, dated October 21, 2004, to perform the 
actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approves the 
incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For copies of the service 
information, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, 
Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. You can review copies at the Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; or at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information 
on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, 
or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 3, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-25191 Filed 11-15-04; 8:45 am]
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