Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 204 (Friday, October 20, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63005-63006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26707]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-91-AD; Amendment 39-11936; AD 2000-21-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 767 series airplanes, that requires 
installation of sleeving on the 90-minute auxiliary power unit (APU) 
standby power feeder cable at body station 1351. This amendment is 
prompted by a report of damage to the 90-minute APU standby power 
feeder cable caused by shifting of unrestrained cargo containers during 
flight. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent damage 
to the 90-minute APU standby power feeder cable, which could result in 
arcing between the standby power feeder cable and the shroud of the APU 
fuel line, penetration of the fuel line shroud, and a consequent fire 
in the main deck floor above the aft cargo compartment.

DATES: Effective November 24, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 24, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis Kammers, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone 
(425) 227-2956; fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 767 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 12, 2000 (65 FR 
30553). That action proposed to require installation of sleeving on the 
90-minute auxiliary power unit (APU) standby power feeder cable at body 
station 1351.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.

Revise Paragraph (a) of the Proposal

    The commenter notes that paragraph (a) of the proposal states, 
``Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, install sleeving 
on the 90-minute APU standby power feeder cable at body station 1351 on 
the left side of the airplane * * *'' The commenter also reiterates a 
portion of the Discussion section that reads, ``The cargo containers 
damaged the 90-minute APU standby power feeder cable and the cabin 
floor support beam at body station 1351, on the right side of the 
airplane. Investigation revealed evidence of arcing between the cable 
and the beam.'' The commenter inquires as to why there is no proposed 
requirement for sleeving of the cable on the right-hand side of the 
airplane. The commenter further states that even though the fuel line 
is not on the right-hand side of the airplane, any cable arcing may 
still become a potential hazard and should be addressed. Therefore, the 
commenter requests that paragraph (a) of the proposal be revised to 
read, ``* * * on the left and right sides of the airplane * * *''
    The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request. 
Accomplishment of the corrective action of the APU standby power feeder 
cable, as required by paragraph (a) of the final rule, is to reduce the 
fire hazard associated with an unrestrained cargo container impacting 
the cable. Damaging the cable in the region specified could cause 
arcing against the APU fuel line shroud, which could penetrate the fuel 
line and result in a cabin fire. The arcing damage between the APU 
standby power feeder cable and the cargo floor beam, which was reported 
in the initial investigation, although serious in nature, was not 
deemed an unsafe condition or a threat to continued safe operation of 
the airplane. Further investigation determined that no structural or 
fire concerns resulted from the incident. Therefore, sleeving of the 
standby power feeder cable is necessary only in areas where damage to 
the cable may cause arcing to the APU fuel line. No change to paragraph 
(a) of the final rule is necessary in this regard.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 151 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 14 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $840, or $60 
per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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

[[Page 63006]]

responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000-21-04  Boeing: Amendment 39-11936. Docket 2000-NM-91-AD.

    Applicability: Model 767 series airplanes; as listed in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0126, dated February 24, 2000; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent damage to the 90-minute auxiliary power unit (APU) 
standby power feeder cable, which could result in arcing between the 
standby power feeder cable and the shroud of the APU fuel line, 
penetration of the fuel line shroud, and a consequent fire in the 
main deck floor above the aft cargo compartment, accomplish the 
following:

Installation of Sleeving

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, install 
sleeving on the 90-minute APU standby power feeder cable at body 
station 1351 on the left side of the airplane, in accordance with 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0126, dated February 24, 2000.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The installation shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 767-24A0126, dated February 24, 2000. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, 
P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 24, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 12, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-26707 Filed 10-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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