[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 8, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19015-19017]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-7302]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 68 / Tuesday, April 8, 2008 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 19015]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28160; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-006-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 and 757-300 Series 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of 
comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an earlier proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 757-200 and 757-300 series 
airplanes. The original NPRM would have required installing a bonding 
jumper between a ground and the clamp on the tube of the forward and 
aft gray water composite drain masts. The original NPRM resulted from a 
report of charred insulation blankets and burned wires around the 
forward gray water composite drain mast found during an inspection of 
the forward cargo compartment on a Model 767-300F airplane. For certain 
airplanes, this action revises the original NPRM by adding a new 
inspection of existing aft bonding jumper assemblies that might be too 
short, repair if necessary, and replacement of the bonding jumper 
assembly with a new, longer bonding jumper assembly if necessary. We 
are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent a fire near a composite 
drain mast and possible disruption of the electrical power system due 
to a lightning strike on a composite drain mast, which could result in 
the loss of several functions essential for safe flight.

DATES: We must receive comments on this supplemental NPRM by May 5, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     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.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    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 proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Wilson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6476; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
28160; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-006-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) (the ``original 
NPRM'') to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain Boeing Model 757-200 and 757-300 
series airplanes. The original NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on May 16, 2007 (72 FR 27497). The original NPRM proposed to 
require installing a bonding jumper between a ground and the clamp on 
the tube of the forward and aft gray water composite drain masts.

Actions Since Original NPRM Was Issued

    Since we issued the original NPRM, Boeing has advised us of reports 
of the bonding jumper being too short to reach the bracket in the aft 
drain installation, as described in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 757-30-0024, dated July 24, 2006. Boeing has issued Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 757-30-0024, Revision 1, dated October 25, 
2007. The procedures in this service bulletin are essentially the same 
as those in the original service bulletin. The service bulletin also 
includes procedures to correct bonding jumper assemblies that are too 
short on airplanes that changed the aft drain mast in accordance with 
the original issue of the service bulletin, and procedures that should 
be followed if the proper resistance values of the bonding jumper 
cannot be met. We have added a new paragraph to this supplemental NPRM 
to require inspection, repair, and replacement of the aft bonding 
jumper assemblies installed according to the original service bulletin 
that have been determined to be too short. We have also revised 
paragraph (f) of the supplemental NPRM to refer to Revision 1 of the 
service bulletin as the appropriate source of service information for 
the proposed requirements.

[[Page 19016]]

Additional Changes to This Supplemental NPRM

    We have also updated the Costs of Compliance section of this 
supplemental NPRM to reflect the new inspection, the current number of 
U.S.-registered airplanes, and the cost of parts necessary to 
accomplish the proposed actions.
    We have confirmed with the airplane manufacturer that the composite 
and aluminum drain mast can be interchangeable. Therefore, we have 
added a new paragraph (h), ``Parts Installation,'' to this supplemental 
NPRM to prohibit installation of a composite gray water drain mast, 
unless a bonding jumper is also installed, as specified in paragraph 
(f) of this AD. We have also re-identified subsequent paragraphs 
accordingly.

FAA's Determination and Proposed Requirements of the Supplemental NPRM

    We are proposing this supplemental NPRM because we evaluated all 
pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. 
Certain changes described above expand the scope of the original NPRM. 
As a result, we have determined that it is necessary to reopen the 
comment period to provide additional opportunity for the public to 
comment on this supplemental NPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 83 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this supplemental NPRM.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Average labor                           Cost per        Number of U.S.-
              Action                 Work hours     rate per hour          Parts            airplane     registered  airplanes         Fleet cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bonding jumper installation......               2             $80  $392, per kit (1 kit            $944  70...................  $66,080.
                                                                    per drain mast).
Inspection of existing bonding                  1              80  $392................             472  Up to 70.............  Up to $33,040.
 jumper installation in bulk
 cargo compartment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 supplemental NPRM 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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2007-28160; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
006-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by May 5, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 757-200 and 757-300 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-30-0024, Revision 1, dated 
October 25, 2007.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of charred insulation blankets 
and burned wires around the forward gray water composite drain mast 
found during an inspection of the forward cargo compartment on a 
Model 767-300F airplane. We are issuing this AD to prevent a fire 
near a composite drain mast and possible disruption of the 
electrical power system due to a lightning strike on a composite 
drain mast, which could result in the loss of several functions 
essential for safe 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.

Bonding Jumper Installation

    (f) Except as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD: Within 60 
months after the effective date of this AD, install a bonding jumper 
between a ground and the clamp on the tube of the forward and aft 
gray water composite drain mast, in accordance with Parts 1 and 2 of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 757-30-0024, Revision 1, dated October 25, 2007.

Existing Bonding Jumper Inspection

    (g) For airplanes on which the bonding jumper was installed on 
the aft drain mast in

[[Page 19017]]

accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-30-
0024, dated July 24, 2006: Within 60 months after the effective date 
of this AD, do a general visual inspection of the aft bonding jumper 
assembly for signs of riding (chafing) in accordance with Part 3 of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 757-30-0024, Revision 1, dated October 25, 2007. If no 
riding damage is found, no further action is required by this AD for 
the aft drain mast. If riding damage is found, before further flight 
do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD. 
Doing the actions specified in this paragraph terminates the 
requirement to install the bonding jumper on the aft drain mast 
specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.
    (1) Repair any riding damage found in accordance with the 
service bulletin.
    (2) Remove the existing bonding jumper assembly and install a 
new, longer bonding jumper assembly in accordance with Part 3 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. As an option to 
the longer bonding jumper assembly, operators may remove the 
bracket, fill the holes in the stringer, and restore the finish in 
accordance with Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
service bulletin; and install the ground bracket and jumper assembly 
in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
service bulletin.

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any airplane, a composite gray water drain mast, unless a bonding 
jumper is also installed, as specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(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 March 31, 2008.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-7302 Filed 4-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P