[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 26, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53367-53370]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1699; Project Identifier AD-2023-01084-T]
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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[[Page 53368]]

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, and -400ER series 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of multiple engine 
indicating and crew alerting system messages during the potable water 
servicing for a Model 777 freighter airplane after the water leaked 
onto the electronics equipment cooling air filter. Since the Model 767 
passenger airplanes are similar in design, we are issuing an AD against 
the Model 767 passenger airplanes. This proposed AD would require 
installation of hoseducts around the left-side section 43 potable water 
supply hoses and connections, a potable water system leakage test, and 
applicable corrective actions. 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 August 12, 
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-2024-1699; 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, 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-2024-1699.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandon Lucero, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3569; 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-2024-1699; Project Identifier 
AD-2023-01084-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 
Brandon Lucero, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3569; 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 of multiple engine indicating and 
crew alerting system messages during the potable water servicing for a 
Model 777 freighter airplane. The cause was found to be the separation 
of a fitting and steel water supply tube at a location above an 
electronics equipment cooling air filter, behind the forward cargo 
compartment left sidewall. The water from the soaked filter was then 
blown by the equipment cooling system onto multiple line replaceable 
units in the main electronics center. Model 767 passenger airplanes are 
similar in design to Model 777 freighter airplane. Model 767 passenger 
airplanes pull air with a fan from the area behind the forward cargo 
compartment left sidewall through an inlet screen and duct to cool main 
electronics center components. Model 767 passenger airplanes use 
potable water supply hoses with inner tubes made of flexible silicone-
lined polymer and outer tubes made of steel braid at locations 
typically below the equipment cooling supply air inlet. Also, some 
Model 767 passenger airplane configurations have potable water system 
fitting connections and water supply hose routing near the equipment 
cooling supply air inlet and/or water supply hose routing at locations 
above it. The water leakage from the potable water system near the 
equipment cooling supply air inlet, if not addressed, could damage main 
electronics center components and result in loss of continued safe 
flight and landing.

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 Requirements Bulletin 767-38A0076 RB, 
dated December 1, 2023. This service information specifies procedures 
for the following actions at the lower lobe section 43 potable water 
system plumbing on left side:
     Installing hoseducts and support clamps.
     Installing spray shields, new tie straps on the supply 
hose, and tee fitting shrouds, depending on the airplane configuration.
     Replacing the supply hoses and tee fittings for certain 
airplane configurations.
     Doing a potable water system leakage test and, for any 
leakage found,

[[Page 53369]]

repeating the test until no leakage is found.
    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 specified 
in the service information already described, and 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-
2024-1699.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 397 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install hose ducts, connections,    Up to 19 work-hours   Up to $1,130........          $2,745       $1,089,765
 and leakage test.                   x $85 per hour =
                                     $1,615.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the 
cost impact on affected operators.

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-2024-1699; Project Identifier AD-
2023-01084-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by August 12, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, and -
400ER series airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements 
Bulletin 767-38A0076 RB, dated December 1, 2023.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 38, Water/waste.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of multiple engine indicating 
and crew alerting system messages during the potable water servicing 
for a Model 777 freighter airplane after the water leaked onto the 
electronics equipment cooling air filter. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address water leakage from the potable water system near the 
equipment cooling supply air inlet. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could damage main electronics center components and 
result in loss of continued safe flight and landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable time specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-38A0076 RB, dated December 1, 2023, 
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
767-38A0076 RB, dated December 1, 2023.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g):  Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
767-38A0076, dated December 1, 2023, which is referred to in Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-38A0076 RB, dated December 1, 2023.

(h) Exception to Service Information Specifications

    Where the Boeing Recommended Compliance Time columns of the 
tables in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements 
Bulletin 767-38A0076 RB, dated December 1, 2023, refer to ``the 
Original Issue date of Requirements Bulletin 767-38A0076 RB,'' this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(i) 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

[[Page 53370]]

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 (j) 
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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Brandon Lucero, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 206-231-3569; email: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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 Requirements Bulletin 767-38A0076 RB, dated 
December 1, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information, 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 material 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 June 20, 2024.
Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-13994 Filed 6-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P