[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 13, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63800-63805]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-5635]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28828; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-010-AD; 
Amendment 39-15258; AD 2007-23-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 707 Airplanes and Model 
720 and 720B Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 63801]]

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Boeing Model 707 airplanes and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. 
This AD requires accomplishing an airplane survey to define the 
configuration of certain system installations, and repair of any 
discrepancy found. This AD also requires modifying the fuel system by 
installing lightning protection for the fuel quantity indication system 
(FQIS), ground fault relays for the fuel boost pumps, and additional 
power relays for the center tank fuel pumps and uncommanded on-
indication lights at the flight engineer's panel. This AD results from 
fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent certain failures of the fuel pumps or FQIS, which could 
result in a potential ignition source inside the fuel tank, which, in 
combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank 
explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 18, 2007.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathrine Rask, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
(425) 917-6505; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all Boeing Model 707 
airplanes and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on August 1, 2007 (72 FR 41958). That 
NPRM proposed to require accomplishing an airplane survey to define the 
configuration of certain system installations, and repair of any 
discrepancy found. That NPRM proposed to also require modifying the 
fuel system by installing lightning protection for the fuel quantity 
indication system, ground fault relays for the fuel boost pumps, and 
additional power relays for the center tank fuel pumps and uncommanded 
on-indication lights at the flight engineer's panel.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the single comment received. 
The commenter, Boeing, supports the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 185 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 52 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The required survey takes about 20 work hours per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the survey for U.S. operators is $83,200, or $1,600 
per airplane.
    Because the manufacturer has not yet developed a modification 
commensurate with the actions specified by this AD, we cannot provide 
specific information regarding the required number of work hours or the 
cost of parts to do the required modification. In addition, 
modification costs will likely vary depending on the operator and the 
airplane configuration. The compliance time of 72 months should provide 
ample time for the development, approval, and installation of an 
appropriate modification.
    Based on similar modifications accomplished previously on other 
airplane models, however, we can reasonably estimate that the 
modification may require as many as 420 work hours per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts may cost up to 
$185,000 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of 
the modification for U.S. operators may cost up to $11,367,200, or 
$218,600 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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


[[Page 63802]]




Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-23-12 Boeing: Amendment 39-15258. Docket No. FAA-2007-28828; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-010-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective December 18, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 707-100 long body, -200, 
-100B long body, and -100B short body series airplanes; and Model 
707-300, -300B, -300C, and -400 series airplanes; and Model 720 and 
720B series airplanes; certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent certain failures of 
the fuel pumps or fuel quantity indication system (FQIS), which 
could result in a potential ignition source inside the fuel tank, 
which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in 
fuel tank explosion and consequent loss 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.

Airplane Survey

    (f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Conduct an airplane survey that defines the configuration of system 
installations for the wing leading edges, wing-to-body area, 
electrical equipment bay, flight deck, and FQIS using a method 
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph 
(h)(1) of this AD. If any discrepancy is detected, repair before 
further flight using a method approved in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD. Submit the 
survey results to the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356, at 
the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this 
AD. The report must include the survey results (e.g., photographs 
and sketches, part numbers of FQIS components and fuel pumps, and 
the actual configuration of FQIS and the fuel pump control systems), 
a description of any discrepancy found, the airplane serial number, 
and the number of landings and flight hours on the airplane. Under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the 
information collection requirements contained in this AD and has 
assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
    (1) If the survey was done after the effective date of this AD: 
Submit the report within 30 days after the survey.
    (2) If the survey was done before the effective date of this AD: 
Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this 
AD.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, ``discrepancy'' is defined 
as any wear or deterioration (e.g., damage, fluid leaks, corrosion, 
cracking, or system failures) that might prevent the airplane from 
being in an airworthy condition.

Modification of Fuel System

    (g) Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify 
the fuel system as specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and 
(g)(3) of this AD, using a method approved in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD.
    (1) Replace the FQIS wire bundle along the leading edge of the 
left and right wings with a new wire bundle that has a lightning 
shield that is separated from other wiring.
    (2) Replace each fuel pump relay with a ground fault interrupter 
relay.
    (3) Install redundant power relays for the center tank fuel 
pumps and uncommanded on-indication lights at the flight engineer's 
panel.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) None.
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[[Page 63805]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 12, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 07-5635 Filed 11-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-C