[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 216 (Thursday, November 7, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66859-66861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26708]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0869; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-063-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 767 airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by reports of bearing damage at certain trailing edge (TE)
flap support rib assemblies. This proposed AD would require inspecting
certain TE flap support rib assemblies to determine if the bearings
have a roller retention feature, and performing corrective actions if
necessary; and inspecting for bearing damage of each pair of removed
bearings, and performing related investigative and corrective actions
if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct damage to
the TE flap support bearings, which can result in damage to the TE
rotary actuators and consequent dual flap drive system disconnect in
both TE flap rotary actuators, and a possible flap aerodynamic blowback
with loss of controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 23,
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: Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-
917-6577; 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-2013-0869;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-063-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
We have received reports of bearing damage at the TE flap support
rib assemblies in flap positions 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Bearing damage
in the TE flap support rib assembly is caused by the use of mallets
during the installation of the shaft on the TE flap support rib
assembly when TE flap support bearings without a roller retention
feature are installed. This method of installation may compromise
bearings without a roller retention feature. Damaged TE flap support
bearings can lead to damage to the TE rotary actuators and other TE
flap support rib parts, which could result in a dual flap drive system
disconnect in both TE flap rotary actuators, and a possible flap
aerodynamic blowback with loss of controllability of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0227, dated
February 12, 2013. For information on the procedures and compliance
times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for Docket No. FAA-2013-0869.
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 the service information identified previously, except as discussed
under ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service
Information.''
The phrase ``related investigative actions'' is used in this
proposed AD. ``Related investigative actions'' are follow-on actions
that: (1) Are related to the primary actions, and (2) further
[[Page 66860]]
investigate the nature of any condition found. Related investigative
actions in an AD could include, for example, inspections.
In addition, the phrase ``corrective actions'' is 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 45 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Inspection..................... Up to 40 work-hours x $0 Up to $3,400...... Up to $153,000.
$85 per hour = Up to
$3,400.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection.
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need
these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Bearing replacement and functional Up to 24 work-hours x $85 Up to $5,936.......... Up to $7,976.
test. per hour = Up to $2,040.
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According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
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
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 (AD):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2013-0869; Directorate Identifier
2013-NM-063-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by December 23, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, -
300F, and -400ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, as
identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0227, dated
February 12, 2013.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 27, Flight controls.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of bearing damage at certain
trailing edge (TE) flap support rib assemblies. We are issuing this
AD to detect and correct damage to the TE flap support bearings,
which can result in damage to the TE rotary actuators and consequent
dual flap drive system disconnect in both TE flap rotary actuators,
and a possible flap aerodynamic blowback with loss of
controllability of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Bearing Inspection To Determine Roller Retention Feature and
Corrective Actions
Except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD, at the
applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0227, dated February 12, 2013:
Do a general visual inspection of both bearings at the TE flap
support rib assembly in flap positions 1, 2, 7, and 8 to determine
if the bearings have a roller retention feature; and do all
applicable corrective actions; in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert
[[Page 66861]]
Service Bulletin 767-27A0227, dated February 12, 2013. Do all
applicable corrective actions before further flight.
(h) Bearing Inspection for Damage, Related Investigative Actions, and
Corrective Actions
For each pair of bearings removed as required by paragraph (g)
of this AD: At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0227, dated
February 12, 2013: Do a general visual inspection for bearing damage
of the bearings; and do all applicable related investigative and
corrective actions; in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0227, dated
February 12, 2013. Do all applicable related investigative and
corrective actions before further flight.
(i) Exception to Compliance Time
Where paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 767-27A0227, dated February 12, 2013, specifies a
compliance time ``after the original issue date of this service
bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance within the specified
compliance time ``after the effective date of this AD.''
(j) Credit for Previous Actions Accomplished in Accordance With
Previous Service Information
This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed
before the effective date of this AD using of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 767-27A0222, dated June 24, 2010, which is not incorporated
by reference in this AD.
(k) 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.
(l) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Berhane Alazar,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6577; 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, 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 October 31, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-26708 Filed 11-6-13; 8:45 am]
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