[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 235 (Friday, December 6, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 73460-73462]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29136]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0978; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-120-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 767-400ER series airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of turbine wheel bursts in the air
driven pump (ADP) turbine gearbox assembly (TGA), which resulted in the
release of high energy fragments. This proposed AD would require
replacing the existing ADP TGA with an improved ADP TGA. We are
proposing this AD to prevent fragments from an uncontained turbine
wheel burst penetrating the fuselage and striking passengers, or
penetrating the wing-to-body fairing and striking ground handling or
maintenance personnel, causing serious injury.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 21,
2014.
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;
[[Page 73461]]
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, Washington. 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: Kenneth Frey, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356;
phone: 425-917-6468; fax: 425-917-6190; 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-2013-0978;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-120-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 received reports of uncontained failures of the turbine wheel in
the ADP TGA assembly. Flightcrews noticed a reduction in center
hydraulic system pressure and upon landing, found damage to the ADP TGA
assembly, the left, aft, wing-to-body fairing, and to the airplane
skin. Boeing's analysis determined that the existing ADP TGA assembly
design cannot adequately contain fragments caused by a turbine wheel
burst. Fragments from an uncontained turbine wheel burst could
penetrate the fuselage and strike passengers, or penetrate the wing-to-
body fairing and strike ground handling or maintenance personnel,
causing serious injury.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-29-0113,
dated May 29, 2013. For information on the procedures and compliance
times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for Docket No. FAA-2013-0978.
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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 37 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replacement....................... 7 work-hours x $85 per $114,705 $115,300 $4,266,100
hour = $595.
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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 proposed 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:
[[Page 73462]]
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-2013-0978; Directorate Identifier
2013-NM-120-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by January 21, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767-400ER series
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-29-0113, dated May 29, 2013.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 29, Hydraulic Power.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of turbine wheel bursts in the
air driven pump (ADP) turbine gearbox assembly (TGA), which resulted
in the release of high energy fragments. We are issuing this AD to
prevent fragments from an uncontained turbine wheel burst
penetrating the fuselage and striking passengers, or penetrating the
wing-to-body fairing and striking ground handling or maintenance
personnel, causing serious injury.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Replacement of Turbine Gearbox Assembly
Except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD: At the time
specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 767-29-0113, dated May 29, 2013, replace
the existing ADP TGA having part number N012000000 or N012000000-1
with an improved ADP TGA having part number N012000000-2 or
N012000000-3, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-29-0113, dated May 29,
2013.
Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Guidance on modifying an
existing ADP TGA so it can be re-identified as part number
N012000000-2 or N012000000-3 can be found in Fairchild Controls
Service Bulletin N012000000-29-03, Revision 2, dated January 29,
2013.
(h) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an
ADP TGA having part number N012000000 or N012000000-1 on any
airplane.
(i) Exception to Service Information Specifications
Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-29-0113,
dated May 29, 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) 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 paragraph (k) 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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Kenneth Frey,
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6468; fax: 425-917-6190; email:
[email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this proposed AD,
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services
Management, P. O. Box 3707, MC2H-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, Washington. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 26, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-29136 Filed 12-5-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P