89 FR 175 pgs. 73260-73262 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Type: RULEVolume: 89Number: 175Pages: 73260 - 73262
Pages: 73260, 73261, 73262Docket number: [Docket No. FAA-2024-1005; Project Identifier AD-2022-00996-T; Amendment 39-22796; AD 2024-15-05]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2024-20389 Filed 9-9-24; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1005; Project Identifier AD-2022-00996-T; Amendment 39-22796; AD 2024-15-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by report that some Model 767-300 series airplanes that had been converted into a freighter configuration are missing an electrical bracket for a wire bundle in the main equipment center. This AD requires installing an electrical support bracket and re-installing wire bundles. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES:
This AD is effective October 15, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 15, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1005; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For Boeing material, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110 SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562 797 1717; website myboeingfleet.com.
• You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1005.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Samuel Dorsey, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3415; email: samuel.j.dorsey@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to The Boeing Company Model 767-300 airplanes with certain line numbers. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 23, 2024 (89 FR 30284). The NPRM was prompted by a report that some Model 767-300 series airplanes that had been modified to operate in a freighter configuration by the manufacturer are missing an electrical support bracket for a wire bundle in the main equipment center. The missing electrical support bracket affects wire separation configuration requirements for fuel quantity indicating system wiring and could result in an electrical fault condition. In addition, the missing electrical support bracket is needed for some Model 767-300 cargo airplanes to accomplish the service bulletin required by the alternative actions in paragraph (h)(2)(ii) of AD 2020-18-16, Amendment 39-21237 (85 FR 62993, October 6, 2020).
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require installing an electrical support bracket and re-installing wire bundles. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent possible ignition sources in the fuel tank due to an electrical fault, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from two commenters.
The Air Line Pilots Association, International, supported the NPRM without change.
Aviation Partners Boeing stated that installing winglets under Supplemental Type Certificate ST01920SE does not affect compliance with the proposed actions. The FAA agrees. The FAA has not changed this AD in this regard.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0261, Revision 1, dated August 17, 2022. This material specifies procedures for installing an electrical support bracket in the main equipment center and re-installing wire bundles. This material is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 18 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
| Action | Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product | Cost on U.S. operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation of bracket | 3 work-hours × $85 per hour = $255 | $93 | $348 | $6,264 |
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.
The FAA is 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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) 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 Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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.
§?39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends §?39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
2024-15-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22796; Docket No. FAA-2024-1005; Project Identifier AD-2022-00996-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 15, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
[top] This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767-300 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0261, Revision 1, dated August 17, 2022.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical Power.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that some Model 767-300 series airplanes that have been modified to operate in a freighter configuration are missing an electrical bracket for a wire bundle in the main equipment center, which affects wire separation configuration requirements for fuel quantity indicating system wiring and could result in an electrical fault condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent possible ignition sources in the fuel tank due to an electrical fault, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0261, Revision 1, dated August 17, 2022, do all applicable actions identified as "RC" (required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0261, Revision 1, dated August 17, 2022.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
Where the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0261, Revision 1, dated August 17, 2022, refers to the Revision 1 date of this service bulletin, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Service Bulletin 767-24-0261, dated May 19, 2021.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: AMOC@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.
(4) Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: For material that contains steps that are labeled as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (j)(4)(i) and (ii) of this AD apply.
(i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled "RC Exempt," then the RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and identified figures.
(ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Samuel Dorsey, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3415; email: samuel.j.dorsey@faa.gov.
(2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraph (l)(3) of this AD.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0261, Revision 1, dated August 17, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For the material identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; website myboeingfleet.com.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov.
Issued on September 5, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-20389 Filed 9-9-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P