[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 245 (Thursday, December 20, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 75402-75404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30666]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1229; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-135-AD]
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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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 757 and Model 767 airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by a standby power relay failure and
subsequent illumination of the ``STANDBY BUS OFF'' light, which led the
flightcrew to set the standby power switch to the ``BAT'' position,
isolating the battery and standby buses, disabling the battery charger,
and eventually causing the main battery to be depleted. This proposed
AD would require doing wiring changes and installing a new air/ground
relay to the battery charger system. We are proposing this AD to
prevent discharge of the main battery, which could result in multiple
system degradation, reduced airplane controllability, and runway
excursion upon landing.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 4,
2013.
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 http://www.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.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marie Hogestad, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone:
425-917-6418; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-1229;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-135-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
During a flight on a Model 757 airplane, the ``STANDBY BUS OFF''
indication light illuminated due to failure of the standby power relay.
Following the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) instructions, the
flightcrew set the standby power switch to the ``BAT'' position, and
continued with the flight. By design, this action isolated the 28 volt
direct current (VDC) hot battery bus, 28 VDC battery bus, 28 VDC
standby bus, and 115 volt alternating current (VAC) standby bus;
disabled the battery charger; and caused the main battery alone to
power the standby buses (115 VAC and 28 VDC). The flight continued
beyond the battery limit causing the main battery to be depleted with
consequent loss of power to the battery/standby buses and the systems
associated with them. On approach, the flightcrew found that the
horizontal stabilizer trim was not available, and that the lateral
control was degraded. Upon landing, the speedbrakes only partially
deployed, reverse thrust was unavailable, one-half of the flight
spoilers and all the ground spoilers were inoperative, and all four
inboard tires blew due to the loss of inboard anti-skid. When the
airplane stopped, the engines could not be powered off using standard
procedures. We have determined that Model 767 airplanes are similar in
design to Model 757 airplanes; therefore, this unsafe condition might
also occur on certain Model 767 airplanes. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in discharge of the main battery, which could
result in multiple system degradation, reduced airplane
controllability, and runway excursion upon landing.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0132,
Revision 1, dated June 19, 2012; and Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 767-24-0200, Revision 1, dated September 13, 2012. For
information on the procedures and compliance times, see this service
information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No.
FAA-2012-1229.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in
[[Page 75403]]
the service information described previously.
The phrase ``related investigative actions'' might be used in this
proposed AD. ``Related investigative actions'' are follow-on actions
that (1) are related to the primary action, and (2) are actions that
further investigate the nature of any condition found. Related
investigative actions in an AD could include, for example, inspections.
In addition, the phrase ``corrective actions'' might be used in
this proposed AD. ``Corrective actions'' are actions that correct or
address any condition found. Corrective actions in an AD could include,
for example, repairs.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1,085 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Install new air/ground relay, 23 work-hours x Up to $733...... Up to $2,688.... Up to $1,811,712.
674 Model 757 airplanes. $85 per hour =
$1,955.
Install new air/ground relay, Up to 35 work- Up to $881...... Up to $3,856.... Up to $1,584,816.
411 Model 767 airplanes. hours x $85 per
hour = $2,975.
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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.
We are 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
We 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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
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
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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-1229; Directorate Identifier
2012-NM-135-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by February 4, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes, certificated in
any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Model 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes, as
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0132,
Revision 1, dated June 19, 2012.
(2) Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes, as
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-24-0200,
Revision 1, dated September 13, 2012.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical Power.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a standby power relay failure and
subsequent illumination of the ``STANDBY BUS OFF'' light, which led
the flightcrew to set the standby power switch to the ``BAT''
position, isolating the battery and standby buses, disabling the
battery charger, and eventually causing the main battery to be
depleted. We are issuing this AD to prevent discharge of the main
battery, which could result in multiple system degradation, reduced
airplane controllability, and runway excursion upon landing.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Installation
Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: Do wiring
changes and install a new air/ground relay to the battery charger
system, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0132, Revision 1, dated
June 19, 2012; or Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-24-
0200, Revision 1, dated September 13, 2012; as applicable.
(h) Credit for Previous Actions
(1) For Model 757 airplanes: This paragraph provides credit for
the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD if those actions
were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-24-0132, dated April 14,
2011, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
(2) For Model 767 airplanes: This paragraph provides credit for
the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD if those actions
were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-24-0200, dated April 14,
2011, which is not incorporated by reference, provided that a
functional test of the battery charger system
[[Page 75404]]
is done, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-24-0200, Revision 1,
dated September 13, 2012, within 60 months after the effective date
of this AD.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
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 local
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the
attention of the person identified in the Related Information
section 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 local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by the
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization
(ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO to make
those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must
meet the certification basis of the airplane and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Marie Hogestad,
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6418; fax: 425-917-6590;
email: [email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P. O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.You may review copies of the referenced
service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, the
FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 12, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-30666 Filed 12-19-12; 8:45 am]
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