Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-300 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 13, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31836-31837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14531]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-268-AD; Amendment 39-12258; AD 2001-12-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-300 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 767-300 series airplanes, that 
requires a one-time general visual inspection to find chafing and 
determine adequate clearance of certain wire bundles in the ceiling 
panel near the main passenger door, and corrective actions. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent damage to the wires in the 
bundles due to contact between the bundles and the adjacent ceiling 
support bracket. Such damage could result in electrical arcing, smoke, 
or fire in the cabin, and failure of certain systems essential to safe 
flight and landing of the airplane. This action is intended to address 
the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective July 18, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 18, 2001.

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: Elias Natsiopoulos, Aerospace 
Engineer, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-
1279; 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 767-300 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2001 
(66 FR 14094). That action proposed to require a one-time general 
visual inspection to find chafing and determine adequate clearance of 
certain wire bundles in the ceiling panel near the main passenger door, 
and corrective actions.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 135 Model 767-300 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 53 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,180, or $60 per 
airplane.
    It will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required repair or replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the repair or 
replacement required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$6,360, or $120 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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,

[[Page 31837]]

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 
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:

2001-12-03  Boeing: Amendment 39-12258. Docket 2000-NM-268-AD.

    Applicability: Model 767-300 series airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-33A0085, Revision 2, dated 
December 7, 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 wires in certain wire bundles due to 
contact between the bundles and the adjacent ceiling support 
bracket, which could result in electrical arcing, smoke, or fire in 
the cabin, and failure of certain systems essential to safe flight 
and landing of the airplane, accomplish the following:

One-Time Inspection/Corrective Actions

    (a) Accomplish the requirements in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) 
of this AD, as applicable, at the times specified.
    (1) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
one-time general visual inspection to find chafing and determine 
adequate clearance of the wire bundles above the F4/G2 galley, per 
Figure 1 or Figure 3, as applicable, of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-33A0085, Revision 
2, dated December 7, 2000.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to find obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

    (2) If chafing and/or inadequate clearance is found: Before 
further flight, repair or replace damaged wires in the wire bundles; 
install a bracket assembly on the wire bundle support bracket; 
install nut spacer plates; and re-route the wire bundles away from 
the ceiling support bracket, as applicable, as specified by and per 
Figure 2 or Figure 3, as applicable, of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the alert service bulletin.

    Note 3: Accomplishment of the one-time inspection and corrective 
actions before the effective date of this AD per Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 767-33A0085, dated May 11, 2000; or Revision 1, 
dated August 31, 2000, is considered acceptable for compliance with 
paragraph (a) of this AD.

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 4: 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 actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 767-33A0085, Revision 2, dated December 7, 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 July 18, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 4, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-14531 Filed 6-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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