[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 6, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32489-32491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8708]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24952; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-107-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 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 all Boeing Model 767 airplanes. This proposed AD would require 
repetitive detailed inspections of the wire bundles, power display unit 
(PDU) wiring, and wire attaching hardware, supports, and sleeving 
located in the forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments and 
corrective actions as necessary. This proposed AD results from a fire 
in the forward lower lobe cargo compartment found shortly after 
airplane arrival. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct damage 
to wires in the forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments, which 
could result in a potential short circuit and consequent fire in the 
forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 21, 2006.

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.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,

[[Page 32490]]

DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this 
proposed 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
24952; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-107-AD'' at the beginning 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 received 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://
http://dms.dot.gov">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 may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
http://dms.dot.gov">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 
receives them.

Discussion

    We have received a report of a fire in the forward lower lobe cargo 
compartment of a Boeing Model 767-300 series airplane, found 20 minutes 
after arrival. The flightcrew and passengers had deplaned before the 
start of the fire, and the cleaning crew and all other personnel were 
evacuated without incident. Investigation revealed that flammable 
debris had accumulated below the 13L and 14L power drive units (PDUs), 
but the source of ignition was not positively identified. During 
subsequent inspections of the operator's fleet of Model 767 airplanes, 
crushed and chafed PDU power supply cables were found. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in a potential short circuit and 
consequent fire in the forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-0376 (for Model 
767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes) and Boeing Service Bulletin 
767-25-0377 (for Model 767-400ER series airplanes), both dated November 
17, 2005. The service bulletins describe procedures for doing 
repetitive detailed inspections for damage to the wire bundles, PDU 
wiring, and wire attaching hardware, supports, and sleeving located in 
the forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments; and doing corrective 
actions as necessary. The corrective actions include repairing any 
damage to the wire bundles, PDU wiring, and wire attaching hardware, 
supports, and sleeving. 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. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, 
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    The ``detailed visual inspection'' specified in the service 
bulletins is referred to as a ``detailed inspection'' in this proposed 
AD. Boeing has included the definition for a detailed inspection in 
Note 4 of the service bulletins.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 857 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 374 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed inspections would take about 6 work hours 
per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators 
is $179,520, or $480 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

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 and placed it in the AD docket. 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.

[[Page 32491]]

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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2006-24952; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
107-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 21, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -
400ER series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a fire in the forward lower lobe cargo 
compartment found shortly after airplane arrival. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct damage to wires in the forward and aft 
lower lobe cargo compartments, which could result in a potential 
short circuit and consequent fire in the forward and aft lower lobe 
cargo compartments.

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.

Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Actions if Applicable

    (f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do 
detailed inspections for damage to the wire bundles, power drive 
unit wiring, and wire attaching hardware, supports, and sleeving 
located in the forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments; and do 
all applicable corrective actions before further flight after the 
inspections; by accomplishing all of the actions specified in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-0376 
(for Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes) or Boeing 
Service Bulletin 767-25-0377 (for Model 767-400ER series airplanes), 
both dated November 17, 2005, as applicable. Repeat the inspections 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24,000 flight hours or 72 
months, whichever occurs first.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) 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.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 26, 2006.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-8708 Filed 6-5-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P