[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 34 (Monday, February 22, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7557-7559]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3371]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0127; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-242-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 767 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 Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of the entryway door 
movable ceiling panel for pin migration at either end of the hinge 
assembly and damage to the pin; a detailed inspection for correct crimp 
at both ends and damage to hinge stock; a detailed inspection of the 
ceiling area for any visible cosmetic and/or tie-rod chafing that could 
be caused by a migrated hinge pin; and a detailed inspection for wire 
damage and/or breakage; and other specified and corrective actions if 
necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of fault messages 
caused by improperly crimped hinge pins coming into contact with wires 
and causing damage. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct 
improperly crimped hinge pins, which could damage tie rods and wire 
bundles, causing shorts in many systems, including the spar fuel shut 
off valve, oxygen mask deployment, and burned wires, which could be an 
ignition source in a hidden area of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 8, 2010.

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.

[[Page 7558]]

     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 proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail [email protected]; 
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 
425-227-1152.

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: Shannon Lennon, Cabin Safety and 
Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6436; 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-2010-0127; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-242-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 received a report that an operator experienced several fault 
messages and circuit breakers tripping during a flight. An 
investigation revealed that the hinge pin on the movable ceiling panel 
of the entryway door on the forward left side had come into contact 
with some wire bundles, causing damaged, broken, and burned wires, 
resulting in system short circuits and circuit breakers tripping. There 
were also reported instances of migrating hinge pins causing minor 
cosmetic damage and tie-rod chafing. Boeing conducted a quality 
assurance investigation and determined that the cause of the migrating 
hinge pin resulted from the vendor not properly crimping the hinge 
assembly stock in accordance with specifications. This condition, if 
not corrected, could damage tie rods and wire bundles, causing shorts 
in many systems, including the spar fuel shut off valve, oxygen mask 
deployment, and burned wires, which could be an ignition source in a 
hidden area of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-0477, dated August 
27, 2009. The service bulletin describes procedures for doing the 
following detailed inspections:
     A detailed inspection for pin migration at either end of 
the hinge assembly and damage to the pin.
     A detailed inspection for correct crimp at both ends and 
damage to hinge stock.
     A detailed inspection of the ceiling area for any visible 
cosmetic and/or tie-rod chafing that could be caused by a migrated 
hinge pin.
     A detailed inspection for wire damage and/or breakage.

The service bulletin also describes other specified actions including 
re-partmarking the moveable panel assemblies and the hinge if 
necessary, and corrective actions, including crimping the hinge 
assembly, repairing tie-rod chafing, repairing wire damage, and 
replacing the hinge assembly.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. 
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in 
the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 273 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 6 work-hours 
per product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is 
$85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $770 per product. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD to the 
U.S. operators to be $349,440, or $1,280 per product.

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 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.

[[Page 7559]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-0127; Directorate Identifier 
2009-NM-242-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by April 8, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, -
300F, and -400ER series airplanes, certificated in any category; as 
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-0477, dated August 27, 
2009.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25: 
Equipment/Furnishings.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from reports of fault messages caused by 
improperly crimped hinge pin on the movable ceiling panel of 
entryway door on the forward left side coming into contact with 
wires and causing damage. The Federal Aviation Administration is 
issuing this AD to detect and correct improperly crimped hinge pins, 
which could damage tie rods and wire bundles, causing shorts in many 
systems, including the spar fuel shut off valve, oxygen mask 
deployment, and burned wires, which could be an ignition source in a 
hidden area of the airplane.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspections and Corrective Actions

    (g) Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Accomplish the inspections required by paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), 
(g)(3), and (g)(4) of this AD and do all applicable other specified 
and corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-0477, dated August 
27, 2009. Do all applicable other specified and corrective actions 
before further flight.
    (1) A detailed inspection for pin migration at either end of the 
hinge assembly and to detect damage to the pin.
    (2) A detailed inspection for correct crimp at both ends and to 
detect damage to hinge stock.
    (3) A detailed inspection of the ceiling area for any visible 
cosmetic and tie-rod chafing that could be caused by a migrated 
hinge pin.
    (4) A detailed inspection for wire damage and breakage.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: 
Shannon Lennon, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental 
Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 
telephone (425) 917-6436; fax (425) 917-6590. Or, e-mail information 
to [email protected].
    (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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 11, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-3371 Filed 2-19-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P