[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 137 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38204-38206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18933]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-122-AD; Amendment 39-10083; AD 97-15-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 and 767 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to all Boeing Model 757 and 767 series airplanes. This
action requires repetitive inspections to detect damage and to verify
proper configuration of the battery ground terminations of the
auxiliary power unit (APU) at the battery and connected structure; and
removal, replacement, and repair of the battery ground termination, if
necessary. This amendment is prompted by reports of smoke or fire
coming from the APU due to battery grounds that were not installed/
maintained properly. The actions specified in this AD are intended to
detect and correct such APU battery grounds, which could result in heat
damage and consequent smoke/fire on the airplane.
DATES: Effective August 1, 1997.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before September 15, 1997.
[[Page 38205]]
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-122-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
Information concerning this amendment may be obtained from or
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Forrest Keller, Senior Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment
Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; telephone (425) 227-2790; fax (425)
227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received several reports of
smoke or fire that originated in areas adjacent to the auxiliary power
unit (APU) battery grounds on Boeing Model 757 and 767 series
airplanes. Investigation revealed that APU battery grounds were not
installed/maintained properly on these airplanes. In addition, the
existing design of the battery ground (i.e., single lug) is prone to
overheating when installed improperly. Such improper installation/
maintenance, if not corrected, could result in heat damage to the
battery ground of the APU and consequent smoke/fire on the airplane.
Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Boeing Model 757 and 767 series airplanes of
the same type design, this AD is being issued to detect and correct
improperly installed/maintained APU battery grounds, which could result
in heat damage and consequent smoke/fire on the airplane. This AD
requires repetitive detailed visual inspections to detect damage and to
verify proper configuration of the battery ground terminations of the
APU at the battery and connected structure; and removal, replacement,
and repair of the battery ground termination, if necessary.
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concern with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 97-NM-122-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
97-15-09 Boeing: Amendment 39-10083. Docket 97-NM-122-AD.
Applicability: All Model 757 and 767 series airplanes,
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 (b) 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 detect and correct improperly installed/maintained auxiliary
power unit (APU) battery grounds, which could result in heat damage
and consequent smoke/fire on the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a detailed visual inspection to detect damage and to verify proper
configuration of the battery ground terminations of the APU at the
battery and connected structure.
(1) If no damage is detected and all battery ground terminations
are configured properly (i.e., all required washer and other parts
installed, and termination bolts are torqued properly) in accordance
with Boeing Standard Wiring Practices Manual D6-54446,
[[Page 38206]]
repeat the visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed
1,000 flight hours.
(2) If any damage is detected or any battery ground termination
is found to be configured improperly, prior to further flight,
remove, replace, and repair the battery ground termination, as
applicable, in accordance with Boeing Standard Wiring Practices
Manual D6-54446 and applicable Boeing drawings. Repeat the detailed
visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight
hours.
(b) 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, Transport Airplane Directorate. 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.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 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.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on August 1, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 11, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-18933 Filed 7-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P-M
