[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 8, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47329-47330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19238]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0805; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-117-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Proposed rule; rescission.
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SUMMARY: We propose to rescind an existing airworthiness directive (AD)
that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, -300F,
and -400ER series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires an
inspection to determine if certain motor operated valve actuators for
the fuel tanks are installed, and related investigative and corrective
actions if necessary. We issued that AD to prevent an ignition source
inside the fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel
vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of
the airplane. Since we issued that AD, we have received new data
indicating that the existing AD addresses that safety concern, but also
introduces a different unsafe condition.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 24,
2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, 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 the 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, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; 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: Rebel Nichols, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-
6509; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: [email protected].
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-2012-0805;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-117-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.
[[Page 47330]]
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
On October 19, 2009, we issued AD 2009-22-13, Amendment 39-16066
(74 FR 55755, October 29, 2009), for certain The Boeing Company Model
767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes. That AD requires an
inspection to determine if certain motor operated valve actuators for
the fuel tanks are installed, and related investigative and corrective
actions if necessary. That AD resulted from fuel system reviews
conducted by the manufacturer. We issued that AD to prevent an ignition
source inside the fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel
vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of
the airplane.
Actions Since Existing AD (74 FR 55755, October 29, 2009) Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2009-22-13, Amendment 39-16066 (74 FR 55755,
October 29, 2009), we discovered that the corrective action addresses
that safety concern, but also introduces a different unsafe condition.
The manufacturer is developing a more complete solution to address both
unsafe conditions. We will consider additional rulemaking to require a
new solution once that solution is developed, approved, and available
for accomplishment.
FAA's Conclusions
Upon further consideration, we have determined that existing AD
2009-22-13, Amendment 39-16066 (74 FR 55755, October 29, 2009), must be
rescinded. Accordingly, this proposed AD would rescind AD 2009-22-13.
Rescission of AD 2009-22-13 would not preclude the FAA from issuing
another related action or commit the FAA to any course of action in the
future.
Related Costs
AD 2009-22-13, Amendment 39-16066 (74 FR 55755, October 29, 2009),
affects about 397 airplanes of U.S. registry. The estimated cost of the
currently required actions for U.S. operators is between $67,490 and
$134,980, or between $170 and $340 per airplane. Rescinding AD 2009-22-
13 would eliminate those costs.
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);
(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 removing airworthiness directive
(AD) 2009-22-13, Amendment 39-16066 (74 FR 55755, October 29, 2009),
and adding the following new AD:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-0805; Directorate Identifier
2012-NM-117-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by September
24, 2012.
Affected ADs
(b) This action rescinds AD 2009-22-13, Amendment 39-16066 (74
FR 55755, October 29, 2009).
Applicability
(c) This action applies to The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -
300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes, certificated in any
category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
28A0090, dated July 3, 2008.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 31, 2012.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-19238 Filed 8-7-12; 8:45 am]
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