[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 120 (Friday, June 20, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35093-35095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13920]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0646; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-359-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This proposed AD would require 
performing an operational test of the engine fuel suction feed of the 
fuel system, and other related testing if necessary. This proposed AD 
results from a report of in-service occurrences of loss of fuel system 
suction feed capability, followed by total loss of pressure of the fuel 
feed system. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct failure of 
the engine fuel suction feed of the fuel system, which could result in 
multi-engine flameout, inability to restart the engines, and consequent 
forced landing of the airplane.

[[Page 35094]]


DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 4, 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: Sue Lucier, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
(425) 917-6438; 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-2008-0646; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-359-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 have received a report of in-service occurrences of loss of fuel 
system suction feed capability, followed by total loss of pressure of 
the fuel feed system. This report prompted us to review the service 
history of all Boeing airplane models, and we found instances of loose 
and leaking fuel line fittings. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in multi-engine flameout, inability to restart the engines, and 
consequent forced landing of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 727-28-80, dated June 21, 
1985. The service bulletin describes procedures for performing an 
operational test of the engine fuel suction feed of the fuel system, 
and other related testing if necessary. The other related testing 
includes doing a vacuum test on the applicable engine for leakage if an 
engine's N1, N2, or fuel-flow parameters deteriorate during the test. 
If any leakage is found the corrective actions include inspecting and 
repairing or replacing any leaking Gamah fittings with new fittings, 
and inspecting and repairing any major welded tube assemblies that are 
leaking.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because 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, 
except as discussed under ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and 
Service Information.''

Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Information

    The service bulletin recommends accomplishing the initial 
operational test ``at the next regularly scheduled C-check following 
accumulation of 20,000 total flight hours or seven years age,'' we have 
determined that this imprecise compliance time would not address the 
identified unsafe condition in a timely manner. In developing an 
appropriate compliance time for this AD, we considered not only the 
manufacturer's recommendation, but the degree of urgency associated 
with addressing the subject unsafe condition, the average utilization 
of the affected fleet, and the time necessary to perform the 
modifications. In light of all of these factors, we find a compliance 
time of 7,000 flight hours for completing the required actions to be 
warranted, in that it represents an appropriate interval of time for 
affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising safety. 
This difference has been coordinated with Boeing.
    Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin 
specifies that operators may accomplish the other specified actions (a 
vacuum test of the fuel feed system) using an operator's equivalent 
procedure (with substitute test equipment). However, this proposed AD 
would require operators to accomplish the actions using the procedures 
specified in Figure 4 of the service bulletin. An ``operator's 
equivalent procedure'' may be used only if approved as an alternative 
method of compliance according to paragraph (h) of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 709 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take 1 work-hour per 
product, per test, to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor 
rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost 
of this proposed AD to the U.S. operators to be $56,720, or $80 per 
product, per test.

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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications

[[Page 35095]]

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 this 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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

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-2008-0646; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
359-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by August 4, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-
100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated in any 
category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of in-service occurrences of 
loss of fuel system suction feed capability, followed by total loss 
of pressure of the fuel feed system. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct failure of the engine fuel suction feed of the 
fuel system, which could result in multi-engine flameout, inability 
to restart the engines, and consequent forced landing of the 
airplane.

Compliance

    (e) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

Operational Test/Other Specified Actions

    (f) Within 7,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, perform an operational test of the engine fuel suction feed of 
the fuel system, and perform all other related testing, as 
applicable, before further flight, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 727-28-80, 
dated June 21, 1985. Repeat the operational test thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 7,000 flight hours.

Operator's Equivalent Procedure

    (g) If any discrepancy is found, and Boeing Service Bulletin 
727-28-80, dated June 21, 1985, specifies that certain actions 
(i.e., a vacuum test of the fuel feed system) may be accomplished 
using an operator's ``equivalent procedure'' (with substitute test 
equipment): The actions must be accomplished in accordance with 
Figure 4 of the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA, ATTN: Sue Lucier, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
(425) 917-6438; fax (425) 917-6590, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 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 June 9, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-13920 Filed 6-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P