[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 6, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38819-38821]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13225]



[[Page 38819]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21716; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-080-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F 
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 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. 
This proposed AD would require replacing the aileron control override 
quadrant with a modified unit. This proposed AD is prompted by a report 
of the seizing of the input override mechanism bearings of the lateral 
central control actuator on affected airplanes. We are proposing this 
AD to prevent corrosion of the input override mechanism bearings of the 
lateral central control actuator, which, in the event of a subsequent 
jam in the pilot's aileron control system, could result in failure of 
the aileron override system and consequent reduced lateral 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 22, 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, 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-2005-21716; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2005-NM-080-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Tsuji, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 917-6487; 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-2005-21716; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-080-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 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 Docket Management System 
(DMS) receives them.

Discussion

    We have received a report of seized bearings in the input override 
mechanism of the lateral central control actuator on the affected 
airplanes. The seizing was discovered during an inspection, and it has 
been attributed to corrosion on the steel bearings in the override 
mechanism. A failed override system is a latent failure and does not 
affect normal operation. However, if the pilot's control system were to 
jam, seized override bearings could keep the aileron control override 
system from operating properly. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in reduced lateral control of the airplane.

Other Relevant Rulemaking

    We have previously issued AD 2003-15-03, amendment 39-13245 (68 FR 
44197, July 28, 2003), applicable to Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -
300F series airplanes, line numbers (L/Ns) 1 through 836 inclusive. 
That AD requires replacement of the aileron control override quadrant 
with a modified unit. That AD prevents corrosion of the input override 
mechanism bearings of the lateral central control actuator, which, in 
the event of a subsequent jam in the pilot's aileron control system, 
could result in the failure of the aileron override system and 
consequent reduced lateral controllability of the airplane.
    Since we issued that AD, we have determined that the same unsafe 
condition addressed in that AD may exist on certain additional Boeing 
Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. We were advised that 
L/Ns 837 through 918 were omitted inadvertently from the applicability 
of AD 2003-15-03 because those airplanes had been excluded 
inadvertently from the effectivity of Section I.A. of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 767-27A0175, dated October 25, 2001, which was cited 
as the appropriate source of service information for the actions in AD 
2003-15-03. Therefore, these additional airplanes are also subject to 
the same unsafe condition addressed in AD 2003-15-03.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 767-27A0175, Revision 2, 
dated August 5, 2004. The procedures in Revision 2 of this service 
bulletin are essentially the same as the procedures in the original 
issue of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0175, dated October 25, 
2001. These service bulletins describe procedures for replacing the 
aileron control override quadrant with a modified unit. The

[[Page 38820]]

modification involves replacing the existing steel bearings with 
corrosion-resistant steel bearings. Revision 2 includes an additional 
procedure for inspecting the cam follower bearing, and replacing it 
with a CRES bearing if necessary. Revision 2 also increases the 
applicability of the service bulletin. Accomplishment of the actions 
specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-27A0175, Revision 2, dated 
August 5, 2004 is intended to adequately address the identified 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 Revision 2 of the 
service bulletin described previously, except as discussed under 
``Difference Between the Proposed AD and Revision 2 of the Service 
Bulletin.''
    Since this proposed AD would expand the applicability of AD 2003-
15-03, we have considered a number of factors in determining whether to 
issue a new AD or to supersede the ``old'' AD. We have considered the 
entire fleet size that would be affected by superseding AD 2003-15-03 
and the consequent workload associated with revising maintenance record 
entries. In light of this, we have determined that a less burdensome 
approach is to issue a separate AD applicable only to the additional 
airplanes. This proposed AD would not supersede AD 2003-15-03; 
airplanes listed in the applicability of AD 2003-15-03 are required to 
continue to comply with the requirements of that AD. This proposed AD 
is a separate AD action, and is applicable only to Boeing Model 767-
200, -300, and -300F series airplanes, L/N/s 837 through 918 inclusive; 
certificated in any category.

Difference Between the Proposed AD and Revision 2 of the Service 
Bulletin

    Although Boeing Service Bulletin 767-27A0175, Revision 2, dated 
August 5, 2004, includes procedures for inspecting the cam follower 
bearing, and replacing it with a CRES bearing if necessary, this 
proposed AD would not include that action. Failure of the cam follower 
bearing would not prevent the operation of the aileron override 
mechanism and, therefore, does not pose a safety issue. Although a 
failed cam follower bearing would not rotate, the bearing would still 
be able to slide against the cam.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 127 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 45 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 10 work hours per 
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts 
would cost about $146 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $35,820, or 
$796 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-2005-21716; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
080--AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by August 22, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD is related to AD 2003-15-03, amendment 39-13245 (68 
FR 44197, July 28, 2003). AD 2003-15-03 is applicable to Boeing 
Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, line numbers (L/Ns) 1 through 836 inclusive.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and --300F 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, L/Ns 837 through 918 
inclusive.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of the seizing of the input 
override mechanism bearings of the lateral central control actuator 
on affected airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent corrosion 
of the input override mechanism bearings of the lateral central 
control actuator, which, in the event of a subsequent jam in the 
pilot's aileron control system, could result in failure of the 
aileron override system and consequent reduced lateral 
controllability of 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.

Replacement

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the aileron control override quadrant with a modified unit, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 767-27A0175, Revision 2, dated August 5, 2004.

    Note 1: This AD does not require accomplishing the actions 
specified by Step 5 of Figure 2 of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-27-
A0175, Revision 2.


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Part Installation

    (g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any airplane, an aileron control quadrant override assembly that 
has not been modified in accordance with the requirements of this 
AD.

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 June 27, 2005.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-13225 Filed 7-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P