[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 5, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57383-57389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24811]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 232 / Tuesday, December 5, 2017 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 57383]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-1024; Product Identifier 2017-NM-065-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 all
The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800,
-900, and -900ER series airplanes; Model 757 airplanes; Model 767
airplanes; Model 777 airplanes; and Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of fuel crossfeed valves
failing to open when activated during flight. This proposed AD would
require, for certain airplanes, revising the airplane flight manual
(AFM); and for certain other airplanes, revising the minimum equipment
list (MEL) to do an operational check of the fuel crossfeed valve prior
to each extended range operations (ETOPS) flight if one fuel crossfeed
valve (or the fuel balancing system on Model 787 airplanes) is
inoperative. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 19,
2018.
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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1024; 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 NPRM, 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: Jon Regimbal, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6506; 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-2017-1024;
Product Identifier 2017-NM-065-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 NPRM.
Discussion
We have received reports of fuel crossfeed valves failing to open
when activated during flight. The fuel crossfeed valve can fail closed
due to electrical or mechanical faults. Such a failure would remain
undiscovered until an attempt is made to open the fuel crossfeed valve.
Depending on the operational use of the airplane, such a failure could
remain latent for multiple flights. Some of the affected airplanes have
only one fuel crossfeed valve. Other affected airplanes have two
redundant fuel crossfeed valves, but are allowed to be dispatched under
their MEL with one of the two fuel crossfeed valves inoperative and
locked closed. Model 787 airplanes have a single crossfeed valve and a
separate fuel balancing system, either of which allows use of all of
the main tank fuel by either engine. The Model 787 MEL allows airplanes
to be dispatched with the fuel balancing system inoperative.
If an engine failure occurs during certain portions of the cruise
phase of an ETOPS flight and the fuel crossfeed valve cannot be opened,
the fuel in the main tank associated with the failed engine cannot be
used by the remaining operative engine, potentially resulting in a
forced off-airport landing due to exhaustion of the remaining usable
fuel and consequent loss of all engine thrust.
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 designs.
Proposed AD Requirements
For airplanes equipped with a single fuel crossfeed valve, this
proposed AD would require revising the limitation and normal procedures
sections of the AFM by adding an operational check of the fuel
crossfeed valve immediately prior to each ETOPS flight. For airplanes
equipped with dual fuel crossfeed valves, this proposed AD would
require revising the MEL by adding a requirement to do an operational
check of the fuel crossfeed valve prior to each ETOPS flight if one
fuel crossfeed valve (or the fuel balancing system on Model 787
airplanes) is inoperative.
This proposed AD would allow removal of the AFM limitation required
by AD 88-21-03 R1, Amendment 39-6077 (53 FR 46605, November 18, 1988)
(``88-21-03 R1''), after the applicable AFM limitations in this
proposed AD are incorporated in the AFM.
[[Page 57384]]
Related AD
AD 88-21-03 R1 applies to, among other airplanes, certain Model
737-200, 737-300, 757-200, 767-200, and 767-300 series airplanes. AD
88-21-03 R1 requires revising the AFM to include an operational check
of the fuel crossfeed valve during the last hour of cruise flight
during each ETOPS flight and log book entry of any fuel crossfeed valve
failure conditions, and repair if necessary.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 3,252 airplanes of U.S.
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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AFM Revision (2,127 airplanes)........ 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $180,795
hour = $85.
MEL Revision (1,125 airplanes)........ 1 work-hour x $85 per 0 85 95,625
hour = $85.
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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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to
the Director of the System Oversight Division.
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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2017-1024; Product Identifier
2017-NM-065-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by January 19, 2018.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD affects AD 88-21-03 R1, Amendment 39-6077 (53 FR 46605,
November 18, 1988).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company airplanes,
certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1)
through (c)(5) of this AD.
(1) Model 737-300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, -900,
and -900ER series airplanes.
(2) Model 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes.
(3) Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes.
(4) Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and -777F series
airplanes.
(5) Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28; Fuel.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of fuel crossfeed valves failing
to open when activated during flight. We are issuing this AD to
prevent an airplane from being dispatched on an extended range
operations (ETOPS) flight with a single fuel crossfeed valve that
cannot be opened. This condition could cause the fuel in the main
tank associated with a failed engine to be unavailable to the
remaining operative engine, potentially resulting in a forced
offairport landing due to exhaustion of the remaining usable fuel
and consequent loss of all engine thrust.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) AFM Revisions for Model 737 Airplanes Equipped With a Single Fuel
Crossfeed Valve
For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD: Within
120 days after the effective date of this AD, do the actions in
specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.
(1) Revise ``Extended Range Operations'' subsection of the
``Fuel System Limitations'' section of the Section 1 Certificate
Limitations of the airplane flight manual (AFM) by incorporating the
information specified in figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM. When a
statement identical to that in figure 1 to
[[Page 57385]]
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD has been included in the ``Extended
Range Operations'' subsection of the ``Fuel System Limitations''
section of the Section 1 Certificate Limitations of the general
revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted into the
AFM, and the copy of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05DE17.000
(2) Revise the ``Extended Range Operations'' section of the
Section 3 Normal Procedures of the AFM by incorporating the
information specified in figure 2 to paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.
This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM. When a
statement identical to that in figure 2 to paragraph (g)(2) of this
AD has been included in the ``Extended Range Operations'' section of
Section 3 Normal Procedures of the AFM, the general revisions may be
inserted into the AFM, and the copy of this AD may be removed from
the AFM.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05DE17.001
(h) AFM Revisions for Model 757 Airplanes Equipped With a Single Fuel
Crossfeed Valve
For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD having
line numbers 1 through 616 inclusive and 618 on which the actions
specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-28-0029 (second fuel
crossfeed valve installation) have not been done: Within 120 days
after the effective date of this AD, do the actions specified in
paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD. For Model 757 airplanes
identified in this paragraph, if the actions specified in Boeing
Service Bulletin 757-28-0029 are done after the effective date of
this AD, then the actions specified in this paragraph are no longer
required for that airplane and the actions specified in paragraph
(j) of this AD must be done before further flight after performing
the actions specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-28-0029.
(1) Revise the ``Extended Range Operations'' section of the
Section 1 Certificate Limitations of the AFM by incorporating the
information specified in figure 3 to paragraph (h)(1). This may be
done by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM. When a statement
identical to that in figure 3 to paragraph (h)(1) of this AD has
been included in the ``Extended Range Operations'' section of the
Section 1 Certificate Limitations of the general revisions of the
AFM, the general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, and the
copy of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
[[Page 57386]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05DE17.002
(2) Revise the ``Extended Range Operations'' section of Section
3 Normal Procedures of the AFM by incorporating the information
specified in figure 4 to paragraph (h)(2) of this AD. This may be
done by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM. When a statement
identical to that in figure 4 to paragraph (h)(2) of this AD has
been included in the Extended Range Operations section of Section 3
Normal Procedures of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted
into the AFM, and the copy of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05DE17.003
(i) AFM Revisions for Model 767 Airplanes Equipped With a Single Fuel
Crossfeed Valve
For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(3) of this AD having
line numbers 1 through 430 inclusive on which the actions specified
in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-28-0034 (second fuel crossfeed valve
installation) have not been done as of the effective date of this
AD: Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD, do the
actions specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD. If the
actions specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-28-0034 are done
after the effective date of this AD, the actions specified in this
paragraph are no longer required for that airplane and the actions
specified in paragraph (k) of this AD must be done before further
flight.
(1) Revise the ``Extended Range Operations'' section of the
Section 1 Certificate Limitations of the AFM by incorporating the
information specified in figure 5 to paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM. When a
statement identical to that in figure 5 to paragraph (i)(1) of this
AD has been included in the ``Extended Range Operations'' section of
the Section 1 Certificate Limitations of the general revisions of
the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, and the
copy of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05DE17.004
(2) Revise the Section 3.1 Normal Procedures of the AFM by
incorporating the information specified in figure 6 to paragraph
(i)(2) of this AD. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD
into the AFM. When a statement identical to that in figure
[[Page 57387]]
6 to paragraph (i)(2) of this AD has been included in the Extended
Range Operations section of Section 3.1 Normal Procedures of the
AFM, the general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, and the
copy of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05DE17.005
(j) Minimum Equipment List (MEL) Revisions for Model 757 Equipped With
Dual Fuel Crossfeed Valves
For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD having
line numbers 617, 619, and subsequent; and for airplanes identified
in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD having line numbers 1 through 616
inclusive and 618, on which a second fuel crossfeed valve has been
installed before the effective date of this AD, as specified in
Boeing Service Bulletin 757-28-0029: Within 120 days after the
effective date of this AD, revise the operator's FAA-approved MEL by
incorporating the information specified in figure 7 to paragraph (j)
of this AD as a required operations procedure when dispatching for
ETOPS operation with an inoperative fuel crossfeed valve. Specific
alternative MEL wording to accomplish the actions specified in
figure 7 to paragraph (j) of this AD can be approved by the
operator's principal operations inspector (POI).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05DE17.006
(k) MEL Revisions for Model 767 Equipped With Dual Fuel Crossfeed
Valves
For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(3) of this AD having
line numbers 431 and subsequent; and for airplanes identified in
paragraph (c)(3) of this AD having line numbers 1 through 430
inclusive on which a second fuel crossfeed valve has been installed
before the effective date of this AD, as specified in Boeing Service
Bulletin 767-28-0034: Within 120 days after the effective date of
this AD, revise the operator's FAA-approved MEL by incorporating the
information specified in figure 8 to paragraph (k) of this AD as a
required operations procedure when dispatching for ETOPS operation
with an inoperative fuel crossfeed valve. Specific alternative MEL
wording to accomplish the actions specified in figure 8 to paragraph
(k) of this AD can be approved by the operator's POI.
[[Page 57388]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05DE17.007
(l) MEL Revisions for Model 777 Airplanes
For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(4) of this AD: Within
120 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the operator's
FAA-approved MEL by incorporating the information specified in
figure 9 to paragraph (l) of this AD as a required operations
procedure when dispatching for ETOPS operation with an inoperative
fuel crossfeed valve. Specific alternative MEL wording to accomplish
the actions specified in figure 9 to paragraph (l) of this AD can be
approved by the operator's POI.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05DE17.008
(m) MEL Revisions for Model 787 Airplanes
For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(5) of this AD: Within
120 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the operator's
FAA-approved MEL by incorporating the information specified in
figure 10 to paragraph (m) of this AD into the MEL requirements for
each of the inoperative items specified in paragraphs (m)(1) through
(m)(4) of this AD. Specific alternative MEL wording to accomplish
the actions specified in figure 10 to paragraph (m) of this AD can
be approved by the operator's POI.
(1) 28-21-01-01 Pressure Refueling System, Main Tank Inboard
Refuel Valve.
(2) 28-22-06 Fuel Balance Switch.
(3) 28-26-01 Defuel/Isolation Valves.
(4) 28-41-01-01 Main Tank Fuel Quantity Indication Systems.
[[Page 57389]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05DE17.009
(n) AD 88-21-03 R1, Amendment 39-6077 (53 FR 46605-01, November 18,
1988), AFM Limitation Removal
After the applicable AFM limitations specified in paragraphs
(g)(1), (h)(1), and (i)(1) of this AD are incorporated into an
airplane's AFM, operators may remove the AFM limitation required by
AD 88-21-03 R1, Amendment 39-6077 (53 FR 46605-01, November 18,
1988), for that airplane.
(o) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (p) 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, modification, or alteration 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 Branch, to make those findings. To be approved,
the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation
must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval
must specifically refer to this AD.
(p) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Jon Regimbal,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6506;
fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 6, 2017.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-24811 Filed 12-4-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P