[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 23, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30284-30286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08550]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1005; Project Identifier AD-2022-00996-T]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-300 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by a report that some Model 767-300 series 
airplanes that had been converted into a freighter configuration are 
missing an electrical bracket for a wire bundle in the main equipment 
center. This proposed AD would require installing an electrical support 
bracket and re-installing wire bundles. The FAA is proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 7, 
2024.

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 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.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1005; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this NPRM, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For service information identified in this NPRM, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services 
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd, MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; 
telephone 562-797-1717; website myboeingfleet.com.
     You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 
216th St, Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel Dorsey, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3415; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-1005; Project Identifier 
AD-2022-00996-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Samuel Dorsey, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St, Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3415; email: [email protected]. 
Any commentary that the FAA receives that is not specifically 
designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this 
rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA has received a report that certain Model 767-300 series 
airplanes that have been modified to operate in a freighter 
configuration by the manufacturer (also referred to as a ``767-300 
Boeing Converted Freighter'' or ``767-300BCF'') do not have the correct 
airplane configuration necessary to comply with the requirements of AD 
2020-18-16, Amendment 39-21237 (85 FR 62993, October 6, 2020) (AD 2020-
18-16). Specifically, these Model 767-300 series airplanes are missing 
an electrical support bracket in the main equipment center, leading to 
inadequate separation of a wire bundle that includes fuel quantity 
indicating system (FQIS) wiring.
    During the design of the replacement cargo floor beams for the 
freighter conversion, although the bracket and attached wire support 
clamps were a required design feature to protect the FQIS wiring, the 
bracket and clamps were omitted from the design of the cargo floor 
beams. When the passenger configuration floor beams were replaced with 
the cargo configuration floor beams during modification, the bracket 
was therefore removed but not replaced. In addition, on some airplanes, 
clamps were installed around the relevant wire bundles but were not 
attached to the missing bracket.
    In either case, the wire bundles that were previously attached to 
the bracket were left unsecured, affecting the wire separation 
configuration requirements for the FQIS wiring as defined in the 
airworthiness limitations (Critical

[[Page 30285]]

Design Configuration Control Limitation 28-AWL-09).
    This condition, if not addressed, could result in an electrical 
fault condition in the FQIS wiring, possibly creating an ignition 
source in the center wing fuel tank. A failure to prevent possible 
ignition sources in the fuel tank, in combination with flammable fuel 
vapors, could result in an explosion and consequent loss of the 
airplane.
    AD 2020-18-16 applies to certain Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -
400ER series airplanes and requires modification of the FQIS to prevent 
ignition sources inside the center fuel tank. Paragraph (h) of AD 2020-
18-16 contains optional alternative requirements for cargo airplanes. 
The electrical support bracket required by this proposed AD is needed 
for some Model 767-300 cargo airplanes to accomplish the service 
bulletin required by the alternative actions in paragraph (h)(2)(ii) of 
AD 2020-18-16. This proposed AD would restore the airplane to a 
configuration where paragraph (h)(2)(ii) of AD 2020-18-16 may be 
accomplished.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0261, 
Revision 1, dated August 17, 2022. This service information specifies 
procedures for installing an electrical support bracket in the main 
equipment center and re-installing wire bundles. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in ADDRESSES.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions identified 
as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0261, Revision 1, dated August 
17, 2022, already described, except for any differences identified as 
exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. For information 
on the procedures and compliance times, see this service information at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1005.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 18 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation of bracket.............  3 work-hours x $85 per              $93             $348           $6,264
                                       hour = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2024-1005; Project Identifier AD-
2022-00996-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by June 7, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767-300 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0261, Revision 1, dated August 17, 
2022.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical 
Power.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that some Model 767-300 series 
airplanes that have been modified to operate in a freighter 
configuration are missing an electrical bracket for a wire bundle in 
the main equipment center, which affects wire separation 
configuration requirements for fuel quantity indicating system 
wiring and could result in an electrical fault condition. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to prevent possible ignition sources in the fuel 
tank due to an electrical fault, which, in combination with 
flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and 
consequent loss of the airplane.

[[Page 30286]]

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0261, Revision 1, dated August 17, 
2022, do all applicable actions identified as ``RC'' (required for 
compliance) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0261, Revision 
1, dated August 17, 2022.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    Where the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 767-24A0261, Revision 1, dated August 17, 2022, refers to 
the Revision 1 date of this service bulletin, this AD requires using 
the effective date of this AD.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Service Bulletin 767-24-0261, 
dated May 19, 2021.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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 
responsible Flight Standards 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 
(k)(1) 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 responsible Flight Standards 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 Company Organization Designation 
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 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.
    (4) Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: For service 
information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for 
Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (j)(4)(i) and (ii) of 
this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the 
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is 
required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and 
identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Samuel Dorsey, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 206-231-3415; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (l)(3) and (4) of this AD.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0261, Revision 1, dated 
August 17, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services 
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; website myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on April 17, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-08550 Filed 4-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P