[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 11, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62661-62663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26109]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1063; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-080-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 767-200 and -
300 Series 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 and 767-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require installing cargo bulkhead supports, ceiling supports, 
secondary dam support, drainage tubing, and ceiling panels to the 
forward lower lobe in the forward cargo compartment. This proposed AD 
was prompted by reports of water accumulation in the forward lower lobe 
of the forward cargo compartment. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
water from accumulating in the forward lower lobe of the forward cargo 
compartment and entering the adjacent electronic equipment bay, which 
could result in an electrical short and the potential loss of several 
functions essential for safe flight.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 25, 
2011.

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: Deliver to Mail address above 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; phone: 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.

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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Francis Smith, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety & Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6596; fax: 425-917-6590; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-1063; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-080-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

[[Page 62662]]

personal information you provide. We will also post a report 
summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this 
proposed AD.

Discussion

    We received reports of high levels of water accumulation in the 
forward lower lobe of the forward cargo compartment and the potential 
for water to enter into the electronic equipment bay adjacent to it. 
Water coming through the floor panels can accumulate up to 12 gallons 
at this location and typical aircraft movement may not remove all the 
water. This condition, if not corrected, could result in water 
accumulating in the forward lower lobe of the forward cargo compartment 
and entering the adjacent electronic equipment bay, which could result 
in an electrical short and the potential loss of several functions 
essential for safe flight.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-25A0505, Original 
Issue, dated January 14, 2011. The service information describes 
procedures for the installing cargo bulkhead supports, right-side 
ceiling supports, left-side ceiling supports, secondary dam support, 
drainage tubing, and ceiling panels in the forward lobe of the forward 
cargo compartment.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1 airplane of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                          Labor cost                   Parts cost                Cost per product         Cost on U.S.  operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation........................  16 work-hours x $85 per      Up to $27,077..............  Up to $28,437..............  Up to $28,437.
                                       hour = $1,360 per
                                       installation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

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 
airworthiness directive (AD):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2011-1063; Directorate Identifier 
2011-NM-080-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by November 25, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767-200 and 767-
300 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-25A0505, Original Issue, dated 
January 14, 2011.

Subject

    (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America Code 25: Equipment and Furnishings.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD was prompted by reports of water accumulation in the 
forward lower lobe of the forward cargo compartment. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent water from accumulating in the forward lower lobe 
of the forward cargo compartment and entering the adjacent 
electronic equipment bay, which could result in an electrical short 
and the potential loss of several functions essential for safe 
flight.

Compliance

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

Retrofit Installation of Drains, Dam, and Support Structure

    (g) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Install cargo bulkhead

[[Page 62663]]

supports, right-side ceiling supports, left-side ceiling supports, 
secondary dam support, drainage tubing, and ceiling panels, in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-25A0505, Original 
Issue, dated January 14, 2011.

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. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. 
Information may be e-mailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

Related Information

    (i) For more information about this AD, contact Francis Smith, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety & Environmental Systems Branch, 
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6596; fax: 425-
917-6590; e-mail: [email protected].
    (j) 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; phone: 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 28, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-26109 Filed 10-7-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P