[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 169 (Friday, August 31, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50290-50292]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17280]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-29067; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-148-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200, -200CB, 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, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes. 
This proposed AD would require doing a detailed inspection for damage 
of the wire bundle of the right recirculation fan, and repair if 
necessary. This proposed AD would also require re-routing the wire 
bundle of the right recirculation fan. This proposed AD results from a 
report indicating that, during landing of a Model 757 airplane, an 
overheat warning and smoke occurred in the main cabin, and the right 
recirculation fan stopped operating. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent damage of the wiring bundle of the right recirculation fan. 
Such damage could result in a short circuit and possible fire in the 
mix bay or smoke in the main cabin.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 15, 
2007.

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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,

[[Page 50291]]

Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this 
proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip Sheridan, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 917-6441; 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-2007-
29067; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-148-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://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 airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Operations 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
located on the ground floor of the West 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 indicating that, during landing of a 
Model 757 airplane, an overheat warning and smoke occurred in the main 
cabin, and the right recirculation fan stopped operating. Investigation 
revealed fire damage to the right recirculation fan, the fan wiring 
bundle and electrical connector, and the insulation blankets in the mix 
bay. A fire, which extinguished without aid, had ignited in the top 
layer of the insulation blanket. The fire might have resulted from lint 
or dust touching a short circuit in the fan wiring bundle caused by 
chafing of the wire bundle against adjacent structure. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in fire in the mix bay or smoke in the 
main cabin.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 757-21-0109, dated 
December 15, 2006. The service bulletin describes procedures for doing 
a detailed inspection for damage of the wire bundle of the right 
recirculating fan and repair if necessary. The service bulletin also 
describes procedures, including re-orienting the electrical connector, 
for re-routing the wire bundle of the right recirculating fan. 
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.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 920 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 560 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 2 work hours per 
airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts 
would cost about $81 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $134,960, or 
$241 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 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.

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-2007-29067; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
148-AD.

[[Page 50292]]

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October 
15, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 
series airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in 
Boeing Service Bulletin 757-21-0109, dated December 15, 2006.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report indicating that, during 
landing of a Model 757 airplane, an overheat warning and smoke 
occurred in the main cabin, and the right recirculation fan stopped 
operating. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage of the wiring 
bundle of the right recirculation fan. Such damage could result in a 
short circuit and possible fire in the mix bay or smoke in the main 
cabin.

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 Actions

    (f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, do all 
actions required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 757-21-0109, dated December 15, 2006.
    (1) Do a detailed inspection for damage of the wire bundle of 
the right recirculation fan, and repair any damage before further 
flight.
    (2) Re-route the wire bundle and re-orient the electrical 
connector of the right recirculation fan.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 17, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-17280 Filed 8-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P