[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 23, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14585-14587]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5694]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20691; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-249-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 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 and -300 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require inspecting for the part number, the serial 
number, and the mark ``RETESTED'' on the reaction link of the main 
landing gear (MLG), and replacing the reaction link of the MLG with a 
retested reaction link if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by a 
report of faulty welds in

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certain reaction links. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of 
the reaction link, collapse of the MLG, and consequently, loss of 
control on the ground and possible damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 9, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
    DOT Docket Weba 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, P.O. 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-2005-20691; the directorate identifier for this 
docket is 2004-NM-249-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis Stremick, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
917-6450; 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-2005-20691; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-249-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 a report indicating that a reaction link for a 
Boeing Model 757 series airplane's main landing gear (MLG) fractured 
when proof-testing of the welds took place. The fracture occurred at 
one of two welds in the reaction link. Due to the weld fracture, other 
parts from the same weld lot were proof-tested at a higher load. During 
the second test, a second weld fracture occurred, indicating the 
potential for poor quality welds to pass the production proof load 
specified in the drawing.
    Metallurgical examination revealed contamination at the weld 
surface. The vendor has since identified a total of 41 suspect reaction 
links. All of the suspect reaction links have passed the production 
proof load, which is approximately 1.3 times limit load. However, all 
of the reaction links welded prior to correcting the contamination 
problem must be removed and retested to validate compliance with 
ultimate load requirements. The faulty welds, if not corrected, could 
result in failure of the reaction link, collapse of the MLG, and 
consequently, loss of control on the ground and possible damage to the 
airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletins 757-32-0155, dated 
September 30, 2004; and 757-32-0156, dated September 30, 2004. The 
service bulletins describe procedures for inspecting for the part 
number, the serial number, and the mark ``RETESTED'' on the reaction 
link of the MLG, and replacing the reaction link of the MLG with a 
retested reaction link if necessary. 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, except as described in ``Difference 
Between this Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins.'' The proposed AD 
would also require sending the inspection results to the Manager, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA.

Difference Between This Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins

    Although the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletins 
do not specify an inspection report, this proposed AD would require 
submitting an inspection report to the FAA if the inspection finds 
reaction links that are required to be replaced. We need further 
information on the extent of the quality control (QC) problem. When the 
unsafe condition addressed by an AD is likely due to a manufacturer's 
QC problem, a reporting requirement is instrumental in ensuring that we 
can gather as much information as possible regarding the extent and 
nature of the QC problem or breakdown, especially in cases where such 
data may not be available through other established means. This 
information is necessary to ensure that we can apply knowledge and 
lessons learned from these inspections to future MLG actions.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 25 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 23 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed inspection 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

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proposed AD for U.S. operators is $1,495, 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, 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-2005-20691; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
249-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by May 9, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in the 
Effectivity of Boeing Service Bulletin 757-32-0155 and 757-32-0156, 
both dated September 30, 2004, as applicable.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of faulty welds in certain 
reaction links on main landing gears (MLG). We are issuing this AD 
to prevent failure of the reaction link, collapse of the MLG, and 
consequently, loss of control on the ground and possible damage to 
the airplane.

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 and Corrective Action

    (f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect for the part number (P/N), the serial number (S/N), and the 
presence of the mark ``RETESTED'' on the reaction link of the MLG in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 757-32-0155 or 757-32-0156, both dated September 30, 2004, 
as applicable.
    (1) If the P/N and S/N do not match any P/N and S/N listed in 
Appendix A of the applicable service bulletin, or if the reaction 
link is marked ``RETESTED,'' no further action is required by this 
paragraph.
    (2) If the P/N and S/N match those listed in Appendix A of the 
applicable service bulletin, and the reaction link is not marked 
``RETESTED,'' before further flight, replace the reaction link with 
a retested reaction link in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the service bulletin and perform the requirement of 
paragraph (g) of this AD at the time specified in paragraph (g).

Inspection Report

    (g) For any reaction link with a P/N and S/N listed in the 
service bulletin that is or is not marked ``RETESTED'': Within 30 
days after accomplishing the inspection required by paragraph (f) of 
this AD or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, submit a report of any positive inspection 
results (P/N and S/N of the reaction link match those listed in the 
Boeing Service Bulletins) to the Manager, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. Include the P/N and S/N of the affected reaction link, 
and the S/N of the airplane on which the reaction link was found, in 
the report. Information collection requirements contained in this AD 
have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
reaction link with a P/N and S/N listed in the service bulletin that 
is not marked ``RETESTED,'' on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i) The Manager, Seattle ACO, 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 March 14, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5694 Filed 3-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P