[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 245 (Thursday, December 20, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 75402-75404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30666]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1229; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-135-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company 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 The Boeing Company Model 757 and Model 767 airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by a standby power relay failure and 
subsequent illumination of the ``STANDBY BUS OFF'' light, which led the 
flightcrew to set the standby power switch to the ``BAT'' position, 
isolating the battery and standby buses, disabling the battery charger, 
and eventually causing the main battery to be depleted. This proposed 
AD would require doing wiring changes and installing a new air/ground 
relay to the battery charger system. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent discharge of the main battery, which could result in multiple 
system degradation, reduced airplane controllability, and runway 
excursion upon landing.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 4, 
2013.

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 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, WA. 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: Marie Hogestad, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 
425-917-6418; 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 proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-1229; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-135-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

    During a flight on a Model 757 airplane, the ``STANDBY BUS OFF'' 
indication light illuminated due to failure of the standby power relay. 
Following the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) instructions, the 
flightcrew set the standby power switch to the ``BAT'' position, and 
continued with the flight. By design, this action isolated the 28 volt 
direct current (VDC) hot battery bus, 28 VDC battery bus, 28 VDC 
standby bus, and 115 volt alternating current (VAC) standby bus; 
disabled the battery charger; and caused the main battery alone to 
power the standby buses (115 VAC and 28 VDC). The flight continued 
beyond the battery limit causing the main battery to be depleted with 
consequent loss of power to the battery/standby buses and the systems 
associated with them. On approach, the flightcrew found that the 
horizontal stabilizer trim was not available, and that the lateral 
control was degraded. Upon landing, the speedbrakes only partially 
deployed, reverse thrust was unavailable, one-half of the flight 
spoilers and all the ground spoilers were inoperative, and all four 
inboard tires blew due to the loss of inboard anti-skid. When the 
airplane stopped, the engines could not be powered off using standard 
procedures. We have determined that Model 767 airplanes are similar in 
design to Model 757 airplanes; therefore, this unsafe condition might 
also occur on certain Model 767 airplanes. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in discharge of the main battery, which could 
result in multiple system degradation, reduced airplane 
controllability, and runway excursion upon landing.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0132, 
Revision 1, dated June 19, 2012; and Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 767-24-0200, Revision 1, dated September 13, 2012. For 
information on the procedures and compliance times, see this service 
information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. 
FAA-2012-1229.

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 the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in

[[Page 75403]]

the service information described previously.
    The phrase ``related investigative actions'' might be used in this 
proposed AD. ``Related investigative actions'' are follow-on actions 
that (1) are related to the primary action, and (2) are actions that 
further investigate the nature of any condition found. Related 
investigative actions in an AD could include, for example, inspections.
    In addition, the phrase ``corrective actions'' might be used in 
this proposed AD. ``Corrective actions'' are actions that correct or 
address any condition found. Corrective actions in an AD could include, 
for example, repairs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1,085 airplanes 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
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Install new air/ground relay,   23 work-hours x    Up to $733......  Up to $2,688....  Up to $1,811,712.
 674 Model 757 airplanes.        $85 per hour =
                                 $1,955.
Install new air/ground relay,   Up to 35 work-     Up to $881......  Up to $3,856....  Up to $1,584,816.
 411 Model 767 airplanes.        hours x $85 per
                                 hour = $2,975.
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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-2012-1229; Directorate Identifier 
2012-NM-135-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 4, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes, certificated in 
any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Model 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes, as 
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0132, 
Revision 1, dated June 19, 2012.
    (2) Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes, as 
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-24-0200, 
Revision 1, dated September 13, 2012.

 (d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical Power.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a standby power relay failure and 
subsequent illumination of the ``STANDBY BUS OFF'' light, which led 
the flightcrew to set the standby power switch to the ``BAT'' 
position, isolating the battery and standby buses, disabling the 
battery charger, and eventually causing the main battery to be 
depleted. We are issuing this AD to prevent discharge of the main 
battery, which could result in multiple system degradation, reduced 
airplane controllability, and runway excursion upon landing.

 (f) Compliance

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

(g) Installation

    Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: Do wiring 
changes and install a new air/ground relay to the battery charger 
system, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0132, Revision 1, dated 
June 19, 2012; or Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-24-
0200, Revision 1, dated September 13, 2012; as applicable.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) For Model 757 airplanes: This paragraph provides credit for 
the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD if those actions 
were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0132, dated April 14, 
2011, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (2) For Model 767 airplanes: This paragraph provides credit for 
the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD if those actions 
were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-24-0200, dated April 14, 
2011, which is not incorporated by reference, provided that a 
functional test of the battery charger system

[[Page 75404]]

is done, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-24-0200, Revision 1, 
dated September 13, 2012, within 60 months after the effective date 
of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
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 emailed 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.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by the 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization 
(ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO to make 
those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must 
meet the certification basis of the airplane and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.

 (j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Marie Hogestad, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6418; fax: 425-917-6590; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this 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, the 
FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 12, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-30666 Filed 12-19-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P