Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 10, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 73260-73262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20389]


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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.

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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:
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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.

[[Page 73261]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel Dorsey, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3415; email: [email protected].

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:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation of bracket...............  3 work-hours x $85 per               $93            $348          $6,264
                                         hour = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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:

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

    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.

[[Page 73262]]

(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: [email protected].
    (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: [email protected].
    (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 [email protected].

    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

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