[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 216 (Friday, November 7, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66343-66345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26534]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0755; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-080-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER
series airplanes, Model 757 airplanes, Model 767 airplanes, and Model
777 airplanes. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews
conducted by the manufacturer. This proposed AD would require an
inspection to determine if certain spar-mounted motor-operated valve
actuators for the spar-mounted fuel valves are installed, and
replacement of any affected actuators. We are proposing this AD to
prevent electrical energy from lightning, hot shorts, or fault current
from entering the fuel tank through the actuator shaft, which could
result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 22,
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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0755; 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: Rebel Nichols, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6509; 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-2014-0755;
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-080-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
The FAA has examined the underlying safety issues involved in fuel
tank explosions on several large transport airplanes, including the
adequacy of existing regulations, the service history of airplanes
subject to those regulations, and existing maintenance practices for
fuel tank systems. As a result of those findings, we issued a
regulation titled ``Transport Airplane Fuel Tank System Design Review,
Flammability Reduction and Maintenance and Inspection Requirements''
(66 FR 23086, May 7, 2001). In addition to new airworthiness standards
for transport airplanes and new maintenance requirements, this
[[Page 66344]]
rule included Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 (``SFAR 88,''
Amendment 21-78, and subsequent Amendments 21-82 and 21-83).
Among other actions, SFAR 88 (66 FR 23086, May 7, 2001) requires
certain type design (i.e., type certificate (TC) and supplemental type
certificate (STC)) holders to substantiate that their fuel tank systems
can prevent ignition sources in the fuel tanks. This requirement
applies to type design holders for large turbine-powered transport
airplanes and for subsequent modifications to those airplanes. It
requires them to perform design reviews and to develop design changes
and maintenance procedures if their designs do not meet the new fuel
tank safety standards. As explained in the preamble to the rule, we
intended to adopt airworthiness directives to mandate any changes found
necessary to address unsafe conditions identified as a result of these
reviews.
In evaluating these design reviews, we have established four
criteria intended to define the unsafe conditions associated with fuel
tank systems that require corrective actions. The percentage of
operating time during which fuel tanks are exposed to flammable
conditions is one of these criteria. The other three criteria address
the failure types under evaluation: single failures, single failures in
combination with a latent condition(s), and in-service failure
experience. For all four criteria, the evaluations included
consideration of previous actions taken that may mitigate the need for
further action.
We have determined that the actions identified in this AD are
necessary to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel
tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result
in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.
We are proposing this AD to prevent electrical energy from
lightning, hot shorts, or fault current from entering the fuel tank
through the actuator shaft, which could result in fuel tank explosions
and consequent loss of the airplane.
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 these same type
designs.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require an inspection to determine whether
any spar-mounted motor-operated valve (MOV) actuators for the spar-
mounted fuel valves having part number (P/N) MA20A1001-1 (S343T003-39)
are installed, and replacement of any affected actuator with a
serviceable, FAA-approved MOV actuator other than one having P/N
MA20A1001-1 (S343T003-39).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 2,140 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection to determine part 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $181,900
number. hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace actuator................ 1 work-hour x $85 per $5,000 per actuator $5,085 per actuator.
hour = $85 per actuator.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:
[[Page 66345]]
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-2014-0755; Directorate Identifier
2014-NM-080-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by December 22, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company airplanes identified
in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any
category.
(1) Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series
airplanes.
(2) Model 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes.
(3) Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes.
(4) Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and -777F series
airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel
Selector/Shut-off Valve.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical energy
from lightning, hot shorts, or fault current from entering the fuel
tank through the actuator shaft, which could result in fuel tank
explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection To Determine Part Number
Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: Do an
inspection to determine whether any motor-operated shutoff valve
(MOV) actuators having part number (P/N) MA20A1001-1 (S343T003-39)
for the fuel tanks or fuel feed system are installed on the
airplane. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in
lieu of this inspection if the part number of the actuator can be
conclusively determined from that review.
(h) Replacement
If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
any MOV actuator having (P/N) MA20A1001-1 (S343T003-39) for the fuel
tanks is installed: Within 60 months after the effective date of
this AD, replace the affected MOV actuator with a serviceable, FAA-
approved MOV actuator other than one having P/N MA20A1001-1
(S343T003-39).
(i) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an
MOV actuator having part number MA20A1001-1 (S343T003-39) on any
airplane.
(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, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Rebel Nichols,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6509; fax: 425-917-6590; email:
[email protected].
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 30, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-26534 Filed 11-6-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P