Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 93 (Monday, May 15, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27949-27953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4423]



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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 93 / Monday, May 15, 2006 / Rules and 
Regulations

[[Page 27949]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22529; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-099-AD; 
Amendment 39-14592; AD 2006-10-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), which applies to certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F 
series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections of 
the lubrication passage and link assembly joint in the inboard and 
outboard flaps of the trailing edge for discrepancies, and corrective 
action if necessary. This new AD requires new inspections for cracking 
or severe wear of the bearings of the link assembly, inspections of any 
link assembly not previously inspected for damage, and corrective 
actions if necessary. This AD also ends the existing repetitive 
inspections for certain airplanes, and extends the repetitive interval 
for the existing repetitive inspections and the compliance time for the 
corrective action on certain other airplanes. This AD also provides an 
optional terminating action. This AD results from additional reports 
indicating fractured bearings of the link assembly joint in the inboard 
and outboard flaps of the trailing edge. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the bearings in the link assembly joint, which could 
result in separation of the inboard or outboard flap and consequent 
loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 19, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of June 19, 2006.
    On February 14, 2002 (67 FR 4328, January 30, 2002), the Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0167, dated December 7, 2000.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207, for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Candice Gerretsen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
917-6428; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management 
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office 
(telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 2002-01-15, amendment 
39-12609 (67 FR 4328, January 30, 2002). The existing AD applies to 
certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. That 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 27, 2005 (70 FR 
56383). That NPRM proposed to require the following actions:
    <bullet> Repetitive inspections of the lubrication passage and link 
assembly joint in the inboard and outboard flaps of the trailing edge 
for discrepancies, and corrective action if necessary.
    <bullet> New inspections for cracking or severe wear of the 
bearings of the link assembly, and corrective actions if necessary.
    <bullet> Inspections of any link assembly not previously inspected 
for damage, and replacement with a new assembly if necessary.

That NPRM also proposed to end the existing repetitive inspections for 
certain airplanes, and extend the repetitive interval for the existing 
repetitive inspections and the compliance time for the corrective 
action on certain other airplanes. That NPRM also provided an optional 
terminating action that would end the repetitive inspections.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments that have been 
received on the NPRM.

Support for the Proposed AD

    One commenter, US Airways, supports the NPRM.

Request To Clarify Compliance Times

    Boeing requests that we clarify a compliance time stated in 
paragraph (g)(2) of the NPRM. For an airplane on which the lubrication 
passage was blocked but no fractured bearing or loose or damaged joint 
was found, paragraph (g)(2) of the NPRM would require doing the actions 
in Part 2 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0167 within 24 months 
after doing the initial inspection in accordance with Part 1 of the 
service bulletin. The commenter notes that the relevant point in time 
is the most recent inspection in accordance with Part 1 of the service 
bulletin, which is not necessarily the time of the initial inspection. 
The commenter requests that we revise paragraph (g)(2) to require doing 
the actions in Part 2 of the service bulletin within 24 months after 
the most recent inspection in accordance with paragraph (a) of AD 2002-
01-15.
    We agree with the request and have revised paragraph (g)(2) of this 
AD for the reasons that Boeing states. For clarification, we have also 
included references to repetitive inspections performed in accordance 
with

[[Page 27950]]

paragraph (b)(1) of AD 2002-01-15 and inspections performed in 
accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD.
    Similarly, Boeing requests that we clarify the compliance time in 
paragraph (h) of the NPRM. Paragraph (h) of the NPRM states a 
compliance time of ``24 months after the most recent inspection in 
accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of AD 2002-01-15.'' The commenter 
notes that paragraph (b)(1) of AD 2002-01-15 states only the repetitive 
inspection interval. It is possible that the most recent inspection may 
have been the initial inspection in accordance with paragraph (a) of AD 
2002-01-15.
    We agree. We have revised paragraph (h) of this AD to state a 
compliance time of ``24 months after the most recent inspection in 
accordance with paragraph (a) or (b)(1) of AD 2002-01-15, or paragraph 
(f) of this AD, as applicable.''

Request To Clarify Appropriate Source of Service Information

    The Air Transport Association (ATA), on behalf of one of its 
members, Delta Airlines (Delta), requests that we revise paragraphs (f) 
and (g) of the NPRM, which restate paragraphs (a) and (b) of AD 2002-
01-15. The commenter would like us to remove references to Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 767-27A0167, dated December 7, 2000, in those 
paragraphs. Delta feels that the reference to the original issue of the 
service bulletin is confusing and should be deleted from paragraphs (f) 
and (g) of the NPRM, in light of the fact that these paragraphs state 
``After the effective date of this AD, only Revision 2 of the service 
bulletin may be used.''
    We do not agree. We are restating the requirements of AD 2002-01-
15, including the references to the original issue of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 767-27A0167, to ensure that operators who have 
previously done required actions in accordance with that service 
bulletin are still in compliance with the AD. If we remove the 
reference to the original issue of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
27A0167 and refer to only Revision 2 of that service bulletin, then 
operators who previously did the required actions in accordance with 
the original issue of the service bulletin would be out of compliance 
as of the effective date of the new AD. We find that inspections that 
have been done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with 
the instructions in the original issue of the service bulletin will 
provide an acceptable level of safety until the newly required actions 
are done. We have not changed the AD in this regard.

Request To Revise Compliance Time for Restated Actions

    Boeing requests that we revise the compliance time for the initial 
inspection in paragraph (f) of the NPRM. Paragraph (f) of the NPRM 
specifies compliance ``within 90 days after February 14, 2002 (the 
effective date of AD 2002-01-15), or within 36 months after date of 
manufacture of the airplane, whichever is later.'' The commenter 
requests that we change this compliance time to ``within 90 days after 
the effective date to this AD, or within 6 months after the most recent 
inspection in accordance with paragraph (a) of AD 2002-01-15, whichever 
is later.'' The commenter states that airplanes will be out of 
compliance upon the effective date of the new AD, even if the 
inspections in accordance with Part 1 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
767-27A0167 are currently being done.
    We do not agree. As explained previously, paragraph (f) of this AD 
restates the initial inspection requirements of paragraph (a) of AD 
2002-01-15. Our research indicates that inspections in accordance with 
paragraph (a) of that AD should have been accomplished on affected 
airplanes no later than 2004, considering that the last affected 
airplane was manufactured in 2000. We find that any affected airplane 
currently on the U.S. Register is already required to be in compliance 
with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD. Further, because the 
compliance time for these requirements has passed, the inspections 
required by paragraph (f) of this AD would have to be accomplished on 
any airplane that is not currently on the U.S. Register before that 
airplane could be added to the Register. We have not changed the AD in 
this regard.

Request To Rearrange Paragraphs

    ATA, on behalf of UPS, requests that paragraph (g) of the NPRM be 
included under the heading ``NEW REQUIREMENTS OF THIS AD,'' and that 
paragraph (h) of the NPRM be restated as paragraph (g)(1). UPS states 
that the requirements of paragraph (g) do not reflect the requirements 
of paragraph (b) of AD 2002-01-15.
    We acknowledge that paragraph (g) of this AD is different than 
paragraph (b) of AD 2002-01-15. Compliance times for certain actions 
specified in paragraph (g) have been extended beyond the compliance 
times that are currently required by paragraph (b) of AD 2002-01-15. 
Also, the repetitive inspection requirement has been removed for 
airplanes on which no discrepancy was found during the initial 
inspection. However, we consider paragraph (g) of this AD to be a 
restatement of the requirements of paragraph (b) of AD 2002-01-15 
because the actions remaining in paragraph (g) are essentially the same 
as those in paragraph (b), and the changes to the compliance times are 
relieving, giving affected operators more time to comply with the 
existing requirements or obviating the need to continue repetitive 
inspections. We have revised the heading that precedes paragraph (g) of 
this AD to acknowledge that we have changed the compliance times in 
that paragraph from the times specified in AD 2002-01-15. We find that 
no further change to the AD is necessary in this regard.

Request To Extend Compliance Times

    ATA, on behalf of UPS, requests that we extend the compliance time 
for doing Part 2 of the service bulletin from 24 months after the 
initial or most recent inspection in accordance with AD 2002-01-15, as 
applicable (as stated in paragraphs (g)(2) and (h) of the NPRM), to 24 
months after the effective date of the new proposed AD. The commenter 
states that this change would ensure an acceptable level of safety and 
alleviate potential scheduling burdens. The commenter did not provide 
data supporting its position.
    We do not agree. The compliance time of 24 months since the most 
recent inspection in accordance with AD 2002-01-15 is based on service 
history of bearing failure, as well as recommendations by the 
manufacturer based on extensive testing. We measure the compliance time 
from the most recent inspection to preserve the existing inspections 
and prevent a lapse in maintenance. This compliance time represents the 
maximum compliance time allowable to adequately ensure safety. Revising 
the compliance time to 24 months after the effective date of the AD may 
inadvertently extend the compliance time by as long as 18 months. We 
find that this would not adequately ensure safety. We have not changed 
the AD in this regard.

Request To Allow Continued Repetitive Inspections Until Extended 
Compliance Time

    ATA, on behalf of UPS, requests that we allow repetitive 
inspections in accordance with Part 1 of the service bulletin to 
continue at the 6-month interval specified in paragraph (b) of AD 2002-
01-15, until Parts 2 and 3 of the service bulletin are done. (This 
request is related to the same commenter's request, discussed 
previously, to extend

[[Page 27951]]

the compliance time for Part 2 to 24 months after the effective date of 
this AD.) The commenter states that allowing repetitive inspections to 
continue would ensure an acceptable level of safety.
    We do not agree. As we explained in the preamble of the NPRM, there 
have been numerous additional findings of fractured bearings of the 
link assembly joint since we issued AD 2002-01-15. These findings 
occurred during accomplishment of Part 2 of the service bulletin, 
providing evidence that the bearings of the link assembly joint may 
fail even when they are properly lubricated, and the inspections in 
Part 1 are not adequate to detect fractured bearings. We have not 
changed the AD in this regard.

Request To Extend Grace Period for Part 3 of Service Bulletin

    ATA, on behalf of UPS, requests that we extend the grace period for 
doing Part 3 of the service bulletin from 18 months after the effective 
date of the AD (as stated in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of the NPRM) 
to 24 months after the effective date of the AD. The commenter 
indicates that these grace periods would alleviate scheduling burdens 
associated with the 18-month compliance time. The commenter provides no 
justification for its request.
    We do not agree. Though the service bulletin does not provide a 
grace period for doing the actions in Part 3 of the service bulletin, 
we have included a grace period of 18 months. In establishing this 
grace period, we considered the manufacturer's recommendation, typical 
operators' maintenance schedules, and the degree of urgency associated 
with the subject unsafe condition. We also considered the small number 
of airplanes included in Group 2 in the service bulletin. Based on 
these factors, we find that the 18-month grace period will not create 
scheduling burdens because the actions in Part 3 of the service 
bulletin are required at 72 months after accomplishing the Part 2 
inspection (for Group 1 airplanes), or 72 months since the date of 
issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date 
of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness (for 
Group 2 airplanes); or 18 months after the effective date of the AD. We 
have not changed the AD in this regard.

Request To Clarify Meaning of ``Initial Inspection''

    ATA, on behalf of UPS, requests that we revise paragraph (i)(2) of 
the NPRM to more specifically define that the ``initial'' inspection 
specified for Group 2 airplanes in that paragraph means the inspection 
in accordance with Part 3 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0167, 
Revision 2, dated October 7, 2004. We infer that the commenter is 
concerned about the potential for misunderstanding the difference 
between the ``initial inspection'' specified in paragraph (f) of the 
NPRM and the inspection in accordance with Part 3 of the service 
bulletin that is specified in paragraph (i) of the NPRM.
    We agree with the commenter's request. We have revised the wording 
of paragraph (i)(2) to remove the words, ``Do the initial inspection.'' 
This change results in the wording of paragraph (i)(2) now paralleling 
the wording of paragraph (i)(1).

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments that have been received, and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described 
previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase 
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 855 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this AD, at an average labor rate of $65 
per work hour.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Number  of U.S.-
              Action                Work hours    Cost per airplane   registered  airplanes       Fleet cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 1 of Boeing Alert Service               6  $390 \1\............  332 \1\..............  $129,480.\1\
 Bulletin 767-27A0167 (required
 by AD 2002-01-151).
Part 2 of Boeing Alert Services             17  $1,105..............   Up to 332 \2\.......   Up to $366,860.
 Bulletin 767-27A0167 (new                                                                    \2\
 requirement \2\).
Part 3 of Boeing Alert Service               8  $520, per inspection  371..................  $192,920, per
 Bulletin 767-27A0167 (new                       cycle.                                       inspection cycle.
 requirement).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Repetitive Part 1 inspections are required only on condition, and only until Part 2 of Boeing Alert Service
  Bulletin 767-27A0167 has been done.
\2\ Applies to airplanes on which Part 2 has not been previously accomplished: not all airplanes will be subject
  to this action.

    The optional terminating action provided in this AD, if 
accomplished, would take about 23 work hours per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
about $3,885 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost 
of the optional terminating action specified in this AD is $5,380 per 
airplane.

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 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 have determined that 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,

[[Page 27952]]

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) 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
removing amendment 39-12609 (67 FR 4328, January 30, 2002) and by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-10-08 Boeing: Amendment 39-14592. Docket No. FAA-2005-22529; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-099-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective June 19, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2002-01-15.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F 
series airplanes; certificated in any category; identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0167, Revision 2, dated October 7, 
2004.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from additional reports indicating fractured 
bearings of the link assembly joint in the inboard and outboard 
flaps of the trailing edge. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the bearings in the link assembly joint, which could 
result in separation of the inboard or outboard flap and consequent 
loss of control of the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Requirements of AD 2002-01-15

Initial Inspection

    (f) For airplanes having line numbers 1 through 819 inclusive, 
on which Part 2 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0167 has not 
been done: Within 90 days after February 14, 2002 (the effective 
date of AD 2002-01-15), or within 36 months after date of 
manufacture of the airplane, whichever is later, do detailed 
inspections of the lubrication passage and link assembly joint in 
the inboard and outboard flaps of the trailing edge for 
discrepancies (e.g., lubrication passage blocked, fractured bearing, 
loose or damaged joint); per Part 1 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0167, dated 
December 7, 2000; or Revision 2, dated October 7, 2004. After the 
effective date of this AD, only Revision 2 of the service bulletin 
may be used.

Repetitive Inspections/Corrective Action With New Compliance Times

    (g) For airplanes having line numbers 1 through 819 inclusive, 
on which Part 2 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0167 has not 
been done: Do the actions required by paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or 
(g)(3) of this AD, as applicable, at the time specified, per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
27A0167, dated December 7, 2000; or Revision 2, dated October 7, 
2004. After the effective date of this AD, only Revision 2 of the 
service bulletin may be used.
    (1) If the lubrication passage is not blocked and no fractured 
bearing or loose or damaged joint is found, do paragraph (h) of this 
AD.
    (2) If the lubrication passage is blocked and no fractured 
bearing or loose or damaged joint is found, repeat the inspection 
required by paragraph (f) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 60 
days, and within 24 months after the most recent inspection required 
by paragraph (a) or (b)(1) of AD 2002-01-15, or paragraph (f) of 
this AD, as applicable, do the actions required by paragraph (g)(3) 
of this AD.
    (3) If any fractured bearing or loose or damaged joint is found, 
before further flight, do the corrective action (including removal 
of the link assembly, inspection for damage, and replacement with a 
new assembly if damaged), as specified in Part 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.

New Requirements of This AD

    (h) For airplanes having line numbers 1 through 819 inclusive, 
on which the lubrication passage has not been found blocked and no 
fractured bearing or loose or damaged joint has been found, and on 
which Part 2 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0167 has not 
been done: Within 24 months after the most recent inspection in 
accordance with paragraph (a) or (b)(1) of AD 2002-01-15, or 
paragraph (f) of this AD, as applicable, remove the link assembly, 
perform a detailed inspection of the link assembly for damage, and 
reinstall the undamaged link or replace it with a new link assembly 
that has been inspected and found to be free of damage or other 
discrepancy, in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0167, Revision 
2, dated October 7, 2004.

Detailed Inspection of Bearing Ball and Outer Race

    (i) For all airplanes: Remove the link assembly, and perform a 
detailed inspection for cracking of the bearing ball, and for severe 
wear of the outer race of the bearing, in accordance with Part 3 of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
767-27A0167, Revision 2, dated October 7, 2004. Do this action at 
the time specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable. Then, repeat this action at intervals not to exceed 72 
months. If any cracking or severe wear is found during any 
inspection required by this paragraph: Before further flight, do the 
corrective action in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0167, Revision 
2, dated October 7, 2004, or do paragraph (j) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes identified in the service bulletin as being in 
Group 1: Within 72 months after doing Part 2 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0167, dated 
December 7, 2000; or Revision 2, dated October 7, 2004, or within 18 
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever is later.
    (2) For airplanes identified in the service bulletin as being in 
Group 2: Within 72 months since the date of issuance of the original 
standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the 
original export certificate of airworthiness; or within 18 months 
after the effective date of this AD; whichever is later.

Optional Terminating Action

    (j) For all airplanes: Replacing the existing link assemblies of 
the trailing edge flaps with new, improved or modified assemblies 
that contain new bearings, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-27-0196, dated April 21, 
2005, ends the repetitive removal/inspections required by paragraph 
(g), (h), and (i) of this AD, as applicable.

Actions Accomplished Previously

    (k) Inspections and corrective actions done before the effective 
date of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0167, Revision 1, dated June 
6, 2002, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
actions required by this AD.

No Reporting Requirement

    (l) Although Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0167, Revision 
2, dated October 7, 2004, specifies to submit certain information

[[Page 27953]]

to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (m)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
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 an 
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who 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.
    (4) AMOCs approved previously according to AD 2002-01-15 are 
approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (n) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0167, 
dated December 7, 2000; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
27A0167, Revision 2, dated October 7, 2004; as applicable; to 
perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise. If you accomplish the optional terminating 
action, you must use Boeing Service Bulletin 767-27-0196, dated 
April 21, 2005.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
27A0167, Revision 2, dated October 7, 2004; and Boeing Service 
Bulletin 767-27-0196, dated April 21, 2005; in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) On February 14, 2002 (67 FR 4328, January 30, 2002), the 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0167, dated 
December 7, 2000.
    (3) Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207, for a copy of this service information. You 
may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call 
(202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 4, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-4423 Filed 5-12-06; 8:45 am]
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