[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 2, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46647-46648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23620]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-242-AD; Amendment 39-10730; AD 98-18-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 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 certain Boeing Model 757-200 series airplanes. This
action requires a one-time detailed visual inspection to detect damage
or chafing of certain electrical wire bundles, and to verify adequate
clearance exists between the wire bundles and adjacent disconnect
bracket; and repair, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by a
report indicating that damaged wires caused an electrical short in the
electrical panel, which resulted in a shower of sparks from the
overhead panel. The actions specified in this AD are intended to
prevent failure of essential electrical systems and a potential fire
hazard for passengers and crewmembers, due to damage or chafing of
electrical wire bundles.
DATES: Effective September 17, 1998.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before November 2, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-242-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
Information pertaining to this amendment may be obtained from or
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Ave,
SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Forrest Keller, Senior Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2790; fax (425)
227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received a report indicating
that damaged wires caused an electrical short in the P11 electrical
panel on a Boeing Model 757-200 series airplane after takeoff, which
resulted in a shower of sparks from the overhead panel. Subsequently,
several erroneous flight deck indications appeared with the display of
multiple caution messages by the engine indication and crew alerting
system (EICAS). Investigation of the looms behind the P11 electrical
panel revealed that certain wires were routed over the top of the
disconnect bracket close to the bracket-bonding stud, which caused the
wires to chafe through and resulted in an electrical short in the
panel. In a fleetwide inspection of 13 other Boeing Model 757-200
series airplanes, damaged wires on three additional airplanes were
detected. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of
essential electrical systems and a potential fire hazard for passengers
and crewmembers, due to damage or chafing of electrical wire bundles.
Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is
being issued to prevent failure of essential electrical systems and a
potential fire hazard for passengers and crewmembers, due to damage or
chafing of electrical wire bundles. This AD requires a one-time
detailed visual inspection to detect damage or chafing of certain
electrical wire bundles, and to verify adequate clearance exists
between the wire bundles and adjacent disconnect bracket; and repair,
if necessary. Accomplishment of the actions described previously is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
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 concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
[[Page 46648]]
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 98-NM-242-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:
98-18-14 Boeing: Amendment 39-10730. Docket 98-NM-242-AD.
Applicability: Model 757-200 series airplanes, certificated in any
category; excluding the following line numbers:
2 75 221 127 130 162
180 209 212 219 388 526
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 prevent failure of essential electrical systems and a
potential fire hazard for passengers and crewmembers due to damage
or chafing of electrical wire bundles, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time detailed visual inspection to detect damage or chafing of
the electrical wire bundles having part numbers W2016-0001-12 and
W2016-0002-16, and adjacent wiring; and to verify adequate clearance
exists between the wire bundles and adjacent disconnect bracket. Pay
particular attention to the area located on the looms behind the P11
panel near the AP0011 disconnect bracket.
(1) If no damage or chafing is detected, and adequate clearance
exists, no further action is required by this AD.
(2) If damage or chafing is detected, and adequate clearance
exists, prior to further flight, repair the wire bundles in
accordance with Section 20-10-13 of the Boeing Standard Wiring
Practices Manual.
(3) If no damage or chafing is detected and inadequate clearance
exists, prior to further flight, modify the wire bundles to achieve
adequate clearance, in accordance with Section 20-10-11 and 20-10-12
of the Boeing Standard Wiring Practices Manual.
(4) If damage or chafing is detected and inadequate clearance
exists, prior to further flight, repair the wire bundles in
accordance with Section 20-10-13 of the Boeing Standard Wiring
Practices Manual; and modify the wire bundles in accordance with
Section 20-10-11 and 20-10-12 of the Boeing Standard Wiring
Practices Manual.
(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
sections 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 September 17, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 27, 1998.
Vi L. Lipski, Acting Manager,
Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-23620 Filed 9-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
