[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 41 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10344-10346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4080]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20473; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-156-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, and -300 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, and -300 series airplanes. 
This proposed AD would require inspecting for damage of the ground 
brackets, ground wires, and terminal lugs of the auxiliary power unit 
(APU) battery and the APU start transformer rectifier unit (TRU) as 
applicable; and corrective and related investigative actions. This 
proposed AD is prompted by reports indicating that, during inspections 
on two airplanes, the ground brackets for the APU battery were found 
damaged. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct a damaged 
electrical bonding surface of the APU battery and APU start TRU ground 
connections, which could cause overheating of the ground connections 
and lead to possible consequent ignition of the adjacent insulating 
blankets.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 18, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.

[[Page 10345]]

     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.
     By 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 proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, PO Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
    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. This docket 
number is FAA-2005-20473; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2004-NM-156-AD.

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) 917-6478; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20473; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-156-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed 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 proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that 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 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.

Examining the Docket

    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.

Discussion

    We have received reports indicating that, during inspections on two 
Boeing Model 757-200 airplanes, the ground brackets for the auxiliary 
power unit (APU) battery were found damaged. Manufacturer analysis 
found that the bonding surface of the ground brackets had an anodized 
finish, which reduces electrical conductivity. Further manufacturer 
investigation of airplanes in production revealed that the method used 
to clean the ground brackets didn't remove the anodized finish from the 
bonding surface before the ground wires were installed. This condition, 
if not corrected, could cause overheating of the ground connections and 
lead to possible consequent ignition of the adjacent insulating 
blankets.

Similar Models

    The subject ground brackets on certain Boeing Model 757-200PF and -
300 airplanes are almost identical to those on the affected Model 757-
200 airplanes. Therefore, all of these models may be subject to the 
same unsafe condition.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-24A0099 (for 
Model 757-200 and -200PF series airplanes), and Alert Service Bulletin 
757-24A0100 (for Model 757-300 series airplanes); both dated March 25, 
2004. The service bulletins describe procedures for inspecting the 
ground brackets, ground wires, and terminal lugs of the APU battery and 
the APU start transformer rectifier unit (TRU) ground connections; and 
corrective and related investigative actions. Corrective actions 
include cleaning the bonding surfaces of the ground brackets and 
terminal lugs; and replacing the ground brackets, ground wires, and 
terminal lugs if necessary. Investigative actions include measuring the 
electrical resistance between the ground brackets and the terminal lugs 
and between the ground brackets and the station frame. Accomplishing 
the actions specified in the service information is intended to 
adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    The Boeing alert service bulletins specify inspecting for damage to 
certain ground connections, but do not specify the type of inspection 
to be performed. Paragraph (f) of this proposed AD identifies this 
inspection as a ``general visual inspection,'' and Note 1 of this 
proposed AD defines this inspection.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 251 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 159 airplanes of 
U.S. registry.
    For about 95 Group 1 and Group 3 airplanes: The proposed inspection 
and cleaning of the ground connections would take about 2 work hours 
per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators 
is $12,350, or $130 per airplane.
    For about 64 Group 2 airplanes: The proposed inspection and 
cleaning of the ground connection would take about 1 work hour per 
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is 
$4,160, or $65 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII,

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Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General requirements.'' Under 
that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of 
civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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 proposed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2005-20473; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
156-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by April 18, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, and -300 
series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-24A0099, and Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 757-24A0100; both dated March 25, 2004.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports indicating that during 
inspections on two airplanes, the ground brackets for the auxiliary 
power unit (APU) battery were found damaged. We are issuing this AD 
to detect and correct a damaged electrical bonding surface of the 
APU battery and APU start transformer rectifier unit (TRU) ground 
connections, which could cause overheating of the ground connections 
and lead to possible consequent ignition of the adjacent insulating 
blankets.

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.

Inspection of Ground Connections

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a general visual inspection for damage of the ground 
brackets, ground wires, and terminal lugs of the APU battery and APU 
start transformer rectifier unit (TRU), and do any corrective and 
related investigative actions; by doing all the actions specified in 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
757-24A0099 (for Model 757-200 and -200PF series airplanes), or 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-24A0100 (for Model 757-300 series 
airplanes); both dated March 25, 2004; as applicable.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is ``a 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 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normal available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight or drop-
light 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 (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 18, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-4080 Filed 3-2-05; 8:45 am]
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