Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 and 767 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 137 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38204-38206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18933]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-122-AD; Amendment 39-10083; AD 97-15-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 and 767 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to all Boeing Model 757 and 767 series airplanes. This 
action requires repetitive inspections to detect damage and to verify 
proper configuration of the battery ground terminations of the 
auxiliary power unit (APU) at the battery and connected structure; and 
removal, replacement, and repair of the battery ground termination, if 
necessary. This amendment is prompted by reports of smoke or fire 
coming from the APU due to battery grounds that were not installed/
maintained properly. The actions specified in this AD are intended to 
detect and correct such APU battery grounds, which could result in heat 
damage and consequent smoke/fire on the airplane.

DATES: Effective August 1, 1997.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before September 15, 1997.


[[Page 38205]]


ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-122-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    Information concerning this amendment may be obtained from or 
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Forrest Keller, Senior Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment 
Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; telephone (425) 227-2790; fax (425) 
227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received several reports of 
smoke or fire that originated in areas adjacent to the auxiliary power 
unit (APU) battery grounds on Boeing Model 757 and 767 series 
airplanes. Investigation revealed that APU battery grounds were not 
installed/maintained properly on these airplanes. In addition, the 
existing design of the battery ground (i.e., single lug) is prone to 
overheating when installed improperly. Such improper installation/
maintenance, if not corrected, could result in heat damage to the 
battery ground of the APU and consequent smoke/fire on the airplane.

Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Boeing Model 757 and 767 series airplanes of 
the same type design, this AD is being issued to detect and correct 
improperly installed/maintained APU battery grounds, which could result 
in heat damage and consequent smoke/fire on the airplane. This AD 
requires repetitive detailed visual inspections to detect damage and to 
verify proper configuration of the battery ground terminations of the 
APU at the battery and connected structure; and removal, replacement, 
and repair of the battery ground termination, if necessary.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concern with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 97-NM-122-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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, 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:

97-15-09 Boeing: Amendment 39-10083. Docket 97-NM-122-AD.

    Applicability: All Model 757 and 767 series airplanes, 
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 detect and correct improperly installed/maintained auxiliary 
power unit (APU) battery grounds, which could result in heat damage 
and consequent smoke/fire on the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a detailed visual inspection to detect damage and to verify proper 
configuration of the battery ground terminations of the APU at the 
battery and connected structure.
    (1) If no damage is detected and all battery ground terminations 
are configured properly (i.e., all required washer and other parts 
installed, and termination bolts are torqued properly) in accordance 
with Boeing Standard Wiring Practices Manual D6-54446,

[[Page 38206]]

repeat the visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
1,000 flight hours.
    (2) If any damage is detected or any battery ground termination 
is found to be configured improperly, prior to further flight, 
remove, replace, and repair the battery ground termination, as 
applicable, in accordance with Boeing Standard Wiring Practices 
Manual D6-54446 and applicable Boeing drawings. Repeat the detailed 
visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight 
hours.
    (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, Transport Airplane Directorate. 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.

    (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.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on August 1, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 11, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-18933 Filed 7-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P-M

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