[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 23, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14592-14594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5697]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20688; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-165-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 replacing certain electrical panels with 
certain new panels. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of some 
loose wire terminations in the P50 panel that caused intermittent 
indications in the flight deck. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
intermittent indications in the flight deck, incorrect circuitry 
operation in the panels, and airplane system malfunctions that may 
adversely affect the alternate flaps, alternate gear extension, and 
fire extinguishing.

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 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, 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-2005-20688; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2004-NM-165-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louie 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:

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-2005-99999.'' 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.

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-2005-20688; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-165-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 website, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual

[[Page 14593]]

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.
    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 that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.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, during flight test 
operations of a Boeing Model 757-300 series airplane before its 
delivery, the P50 panel was found to have some loose wire terminations 
that caused intermittent indications in the flight deck. As a result, 
the P50 panel was replaced. Other panels thought to have the same 
condition were inspected and repaired as necessary. A subsequent 
investigation of the problem showed that the component supplier did not 
follow the correct crimping, assembly, and test procedures when the 
components were made. Some terminal block modules were found to contain 
pins that were not fully seated and locked. Also, some wire 
terminations were found not sufficiently crimped, which lets the wires 
be easily pulled form the pins. These incorrect procedures were done on 
the P1-1, P1-3, P3-1, P3-3, P50, P51, and P54 panels. Loose wire 
terminations or the incorrect assembly of contacts in the panels, if 
not corrected, could result in intermittent indications in the flight 
deck, incorrect circuitry operation in the panels, and airplane system 
malfunctions that may adversely affect the alternate flaps, alternate 
gear extension, and fire extinguishing .
    The P1-1, P1-3, P3-1, P3-3, P50, P51, and P54 panels on certain 
Model 757-200 series airplanes are identical to those on the affected 
Model 757-300 series airplanes. Therefore, all of these models may be 
subject to the same unsafe condition.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed the service bulletins in the following table:

                            Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Boeing Special Attention
           For Boeing Model--                   Service Bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
757-200 series airplanes...............  757-24-0092, dated January 9,
                                          2003.
757-300 series airplanes...............  757-24-0095, dated January 9,
                                          2003.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The service bulletins describe procedures for replacing certain 
electrical panels with certain new panels. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 19 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 13 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 12 work hours per 
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts 
would cost about $252,834 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $3,296,982, or 
$253,614 per airplane. However, we have confirmed with the airplane 
manufacturer that warranty remedies may be available for all affected 
airplanes. The manufacturer may cover the cost of replacement parts and 
labor costs associated with this proposed AD, subject to warranty 
conditions. As a result, the costs attributable to the proposed AD may 
be less than stated above.

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.

[[Page 14594]]

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-2005-20688; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
165-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 airplanes listed in Table 1 of this AD, 
certificated in any category.

                         Table 1.--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           As listed in Boeing Special
             Boeing Model--                Attention Service Bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 757-200 series airplanes...........  757-24-0092, dated January 9,
                                          2003.
(2) 757-300 series airplanes...........  757-24-0095, dated January 9,
                                          2003.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of some loose wire 
terminations in the P50 panel that caused intermittent indications 
in the flight deck. We are issuing this AD to prevent intermittent 
indications in the flight deck, incorrect circuitry operation in the 
panels, and airplane system malfunctions that may adversely affect 
the alternate flaps, alternate gear extension, and fire 
extinguishing.

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.

Replacements

    (f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the P1-1, P1-3, P3-1, P3-3, P50, P51, and P54 panels with 
new P1-1, P1-3, P3-1, P3-3, P50, P51, and P54 panels, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service 
bulletin listed in Table 1 of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
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 March 14, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5697 Filed 3-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P