00-32575. Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 Series Airplanes  

  • Start Preamble

    AGENCY:

    Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

    ACTION:

    Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

    SUMMARY:

    This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the existing potable water fill line tube with a new hose. This action is necessary to prevent fracture of a clamshell coupling on the potable water fill line, which could cause water to flow into the aft cargo compartment. A large amount of water in the cargo compartment could cause large shifts in the airplane's center of gravity, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

    DATES:

    Comments must be received by February 5, 2001.

    ADDRESSES:

    Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Start Printed Page 80391Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-296-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must contain “Docket No. 2000-NM-296-AD” in the subject line and need not be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.

    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Don Eiford, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2788; fax (425) 227-1181.

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in light of the comments received.

    Submit comments using the following format:

    • Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a request to change the compliance time and a request to change the service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
    • For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed AD is being requested.
    • Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each request.

    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.

    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket Number 2000-NM-296-AD.” The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

    Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-296-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

    Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of fractures of clamshell couplings used on the potable water fill line on certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. A fractured coupling may allow water to flow into the bilge areas of the aft cargo compartment. If an airplane operates with a large amount of water in the cargo compartment, large shifts in the airplane's center of gravity could occur. This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

    Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-38A0057, dated July 13, 2000, which describes procedures for replacement of the existing potable water fill line tube with a new hose. The existing fill line is a metal tube, which, combined with the normal expansion and contraction of the fuselage, puts stress on the clamshell couplings on the fill line, causing them to fracture. The replacement potable water fill line tube is a flexible hose, which will reduce the stress on the clamshell couplings. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.

    Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously, except as discussed below.

    Difference Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin

    The service bulletin recommends accomplishing the actions in the service bulletin “as soon as the airplane and manpower are available.” The FAA finds that the proposed AD needs a definite compliance time to ensure that all airplanes are modified in a timely manner. Thus, this proposed AD would require the replacement to be done within 12 months after the effective date of this AD.

    Cost Impact

    There are approximately 159 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 18 airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed replacement would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $482 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,756, or $542 per airplane.

    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

    Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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); and (3) if Start Printed Page 80392promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

    Start List of Subjects

    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    • Air transportation
    • Aircraft
    • Aviation safety
    • Safety
    End List of Subjects

    The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

    Start Part

    PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Start Authority

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

    End Authority
    [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

    Boeing: Docket 2000-NM-296-AD.

    Applicability: Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-38A0057, dated July 13, 2000; certificated in any category.

    Note 1:

    This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

    To prevent fracture of a clamshell coupling on the potable water fill line, which could cause a large amount of water to flow into the aft cargo compartment, and result in large shifts in the airplane's center of gravity and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

    Replacement

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the existing potable water fill line tube with a new flexible hose, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-38A0057, dated July 13, 2000.

    Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install a potable water fill line tube, part number 417T2021-179, on any airplane.

    Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.

    Note 2:

    Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Seattle ACO.

    Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with §§ 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Start Signature

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 15, 2000.

    Dorenda D. Baker,

    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

    End Signature End Part End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. 00-32575 Filed 12-20-00; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

Document Information

Published:
12/21/2000
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Document Number:
00-32575
Dates:
Comments must be received by February 5, 2001.
Pages:
80390-80392 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 2000-NM-296-AD
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
Topics:
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety
PDF File:
00-32575.Pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13