[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 18, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28489-28491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9872]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21236; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-011-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Airplanes Equipped 
with General Electric Model CF6-80C2 Engines

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 767 airplanes. This proposed AD would require 
modifying a relay installation and associated wiring of the engine cowl 
anti-ice system and performing a functional test of the thrust reverser 
system. This proposed AD would also require replacing the operational 
program software of certain indicating/recording systems. This proposed 
AD is prompted by numerous operator reports of failures of the lock 
flexshaft of the thrust reverser actuation system (TRAS) between the 
upper actuator and the TRAS lock. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
high power in-flight deployment of a thrust reverser, which could cause 
high roll force and consequent departure from controlled flight.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 5, 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-2005-21236; the directorate identifier for this 
docket is 2005-NM-011-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sulmo Mariano, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone 
(425) 917-6501; 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-2005-21236; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-011-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 that operators have reported more than 
140 failures of the lock flexshaft of the thrust reverser actuation 
system (TRAS) between the upper actuator and the TRAS lock, on certain 
Boeing Model 767 airplanes. Analysis showed these failures were caused 
by pneumatic pressure that was insufficient to decelerate the TRAS at 
the end of the deploy stroke. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in high power in-flight deployment of a thrust reverser, which 
could cause high roll force and consequent departure from controlled 
flight.

Related Rulemaking

    On April 26, 2000, we issued AD 2000-09-04, amendment 39-11712 (65 
FR 25833, May 4, 2000), which is applicable to certain Boeing Model 767 
series airplanes equipped with General Electric Model CF6-80C2 engines. 
That AD requires tests, inspections, and adjustments of the thrust 
reverser system and installation of a terminating modification and 
repetitive follow-on actions; in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin 767-78A0081, Revision 1, dated October 9, 1997; Boeing Service

[[Page 28490]]

Bulletin 767-78-0063, Revision 2, dated April 28, 1994; and Boeing 
Service Bulletin 767-78-0047, Revision 3, dated July 28, 1994.
    On July 27, 2001, we issued AD 2001-16-03, amendment 39-12371 (66 
FR 40880, August 6, 2001), which is applicable to certain Boeing Model 
767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes equipped with General 
Electric Model CF6-80C2 engines. That AD requires various repetitive 
inspections and tests of certain fail-safe features of the thrust 
reverser control system and corrective actions if necessary; in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 767-78A0090, Revision 1, dated 
July 5, 2001, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-78A0091, Revision 
1, dated July 5, 2001.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 767-78A0092, Revision 1, 
dated October 30, 2003 (for Model 767-200, -300, and -300F airplanes); 
and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-78A0093, dated May 6, 2004 (for 
Model 767-400ER airplanes). The service bulletins describe procedures 
for modifying a relay installation and associated wiring of the engine 
cowl anti-ice system and for performing a functional test of the thrust 
reverser system.
    Service Bulletin 767-78A0092 specifies prior or concurrent 
accomplishment of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-31-0180, dated December 
5, 2002 (for Model 767-200, -300, and -300F airplanes). Service 
Bulletin 767-31-0180 describes procedures for replacing the operational 
program software (OPS) in the left and right engine indication and crew 
alerting system (EICAS) computers. The software update incorporates 
design improvements and EICAS message logic revisions.
    Alert Service Bulletin 767-78A0093 specifies prior or concurrent 
accomplishment of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-31-0176, dated February 
26, 2004 (for Model 767-400ER airplanes). Service Bulletin 767-31A-0176 
describes procedures for replacing the OPS of the large format display 
system (LFDS). The software update incorporates problem fixes, 
functionality improvements, and FAA required changes.
    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 discussed under 
``Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Information.''

Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Information

    The effectivities stated in the service bulletins are different.
     Service Bulletin 767-78A0092 states ``all CF6-80C2 powered 
767-200, -300, and -300F airplanes line numbers 0001-0882'' while 
concurrent Service Bulletin 767-31-0180 states ``all 767-200, -300, and 
-300F airplanes line numbers 1-881.''
     Alert Service Bulletin 767-78A0093 states ``all CF6-80C2 
powered 767-400ER airplanes line numbers 0001-0882'' while concurrent 
Service Bulletin 767-31-0176 states ``767-400ER before Line Number 
930.''
    We have therefore analyzed the service bulletins and determined 
that the effectivity of this proposed AD should read ``Boeing Model 
767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes; certificated in any 
category; having line numbers 0001 through 0882 inclusive; equipped 
with General Electric Model CF6-80C2 engines'' to ensure that all 
airplanes subject to the unsafe condition will be identified. The 
various actions in this proposed AD reflect the individual groups of 
airplanes within the applicability that are subject to the proposed 
requirements. This difference has been coordinated with Boeing.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 400 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 142 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD, at an average labor 
rate of $65 per work hour.

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                            Action                              Work hours        Parts        Cost per airplane
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                               For Model 767-200, -300, and -300F Series Airplanes
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Modify relay and wiring......................................            5      $1,307-$1,390      $1,632-$1,715
Functional test..............................................            3                N/A                195
Install EICAS OPS software...................................            2                N/A                130
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                                      For Model 767-400ER Series Airplanes
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Modify relay and wiring......................................            5              2,119              2,444
Functional test..............................................            3                N/A                195
Install LFDS OPS software....................................            3                N/A                195
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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

[[Page 28491]]

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-2005-21236; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
011-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by July 5, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -
400ER series airplanes; certificated in any category; having line 
numbers 0001 through 0882 inclusive; equipped with General Electric 
Model CF6-80C2 engines.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by numerous operator reports of 
failures of the lock flexshaft of the thrust reverser actuation 
system (TRAS) between the upper actuator and the TRAS lock. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent high power in-flight deployment of a 
thrust reverser, which could cause high roll force and consequent 
departure from controlled flight.

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.

Modification and Functional Test

    (f) Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform the actions required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this 
AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Service Bulletin 767-78A0092, Revision 1, dated October 30, 2003 
(for Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes); or Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 767-78A0093, dated May 6, 2004 (for Model 
767-400ER series airplanes); as applicable.
    (1) Modify the relay installation and associated wiring of the 
engine cowl anti-ice system.
    (2) Perform a functional test of the thrust reverser system.

Concurrent Service Bulletins

    (g) Prior to or concurrently with the actions required by 
paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, perform the actions 
required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service 
bulletin.
    (1) For Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes: Replace 
the operational program software (OPS) in the left and right engine 
indication and crew alerting system (EICAS) computers as specified 
in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-31-0180, dated December 5, 2002.
    (2) For Model 767-400ER airplanes: Replace the OPS of the large 
format display system (LFDS) as specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 
767-31-0176, dated February 26, 2004.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) 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 May 9, 2005.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9872 Filed 5-17-05; 8:45 am]
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