[Federal Register: June 24, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 121)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 36474-36476]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24jn05-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-18784; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-59-AD;
Amendment 39-14157; AD 2005-13-20]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400, -400D, -400F;
767-200, -300, -300F; and 777-200 and -300 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 747-400, -400D, -400F; 767-200, -300, -300F; and
777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires installing a jumper
wire between the wiring of the fire extinguisher switch and the fuel
shutoff switch for each engine, and other specified actions. This AD is
prompted by a certain combination of conditions, which could cause the
fuel spar shutoff valves to remain partially open. We are issuing this
AD to prevent a latent open circuit that could leave the fuel spar
shutoff valve in a partially open position when the engine fire switch
is activated, which could result in fuel from the engine feeding an
uncontrolled fire in the engine or the strut.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 29, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of July
29, 2005.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any
final disposition. You can examine the 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 U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401,
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2004-18784; the directorate
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-59-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sulmo Mariano, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone
(425) 917-6501; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with an AD for certain Boeing Model 747-400, -400D, -400F; 767-200, -
300, -300F; and 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. That action,
published in the Federal Register on August 6, 2004 (69 FR 47802),
proposed to require installing a jumper wire between the wiring of the
fire extinguisher switch and the fuel shutoff switch for each engine,
and other specified actions.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments that have been
submitted on the proposed AD.
Supportive Comment
One commenter states that they have accomplished the necessary
airplane modifications on all affected Model 777-200 series airplanes
in their fleet. In addition, the commenter states that no additional
work is necessary to comply with Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28-0025,
Revision 1, dated March 17, 2005. The commenter did not state any
finding of service problems or errors in either the service bulletins
or the AD, nor has the commenter suggested any change to the AD. We
infer that the commenter has no objections to the AD.
Request to Revise Service Bulletin References
One commenter requests that we coordinate the release of this AD
with the pending revisions to Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletins 747-28-2238, dated October 18, 2001; and 777-28-0025, dated
January 10, 2002. The commenter states that several information notices
describe changes to the work instructions that will be incorporated
into pending service bulletin revisions. If this AD is released calling
for the un-revised service bulletins, each airline would need to
request an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to allow the
incorporation of the revised work instructions. We infer that the
commenter wants the AD to reference the revised service bulletins.
We agree with the commenter's request to reference the revised
service bulletins. We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletins 747-28-
2238, Revision 1; and 777-28-0025, Revision 1; both dated March 17,
2005. The revisions incorporate the changes described in the
information notices. Paragraph (f) of this AD has been revised to refer
to Revision 1 of Boeing Service Bulletins 747-28-2238 and 777-28-0025.
Paragraph (g) of the
[[Page 36475]]
proposed AD already gives credit for actions done before the effective
date of this AD in accordance with the original issues of these service
bulletins, so no change is needed to the final rule in this regard.
Request To Allow Standard Parts
One commenter requests that the AD be revised to allow the use of
standard materials in accordance with Chapter 20 of the Boeing Standard
Wiring Practices Manual in place of the specific Boeing part number
called out in the applicable Boeing service bulletins. While no
justification is provided, the commenter contends that the use of such
standard materials would maintain an equivalent level of safety for the
modification.
We do not agree with the commenter's request to use the standard
materials since it is not clear what materials would be substituted or
how the materials are equivalent in safety. The final rule has not been
changed in this regard. However, if operators care to provide technical
justification, they may request approval of an AMOC from the FAA in
accordance with paragraph (h) of this AD.
Clarification of Revision to Paragraph (g) of This AD
We have removed reference to Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 767-28-0066, Revision 1, dated May 29, 2003, from paragraph
(g) of this AD. The reference is the same as that in paragraph (f) of
this AD. Paragraph (e) of this AD already gives credit for work done
before the effective date of the AD.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments that have been submitted, 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
This AD will affect about 1,882 airplanes worldwide. We estimate
that 579 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD. The
following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to
comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
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Average
Action model series Work hours labor rate Parts Cost per
per hour airplane
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Installation 747-400, -400D, -400F...................... 4 65 1,450 1,710
Test 747-400, -400D, 400F............................... 2 65 (*) 130
Installation 767-200, -300, -300F....................... 4 65 (*) 760
Test 767-200, -300, -300F............................... 2 65 (*) 130
Installation............................................ 4 65 220 480
Test 777-200, -300...................................... 2 65 (*) 130
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*None.
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, 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. 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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2005-13-20 Boeing: Amendment 39-14157. Docket No. FAA-2004-18784;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-59-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective July 29, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F
series airplanes, line numbers 1 through 1276 inclusive; Model 767-
200, -300, and -300F series airplanes, line numbers 1 through 850
inclusive; and Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes, line numbers
1 through 360 inclusive; certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a certain combination of conditions,
which could cause the fuel spar shutoff valves to remain
[[Page 36476]]
partially open. We are issuing this AD to prevent a latent open
circuit that could leave the fuel spar shutoff valve in a partially
open position when the engine fire switch is activated, which could
result in fuel from the engine feeding an uncontrolled fire in the
engine or the strut.
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.
Installation of Jumper Wire
(f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD:
Install a jumper wire between the wiring of the fire extinguisher
switch and the fuel shutoff switch for each engine, and do all other
specified actions in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Service Bulletin 747-28-2238, Revision 1, dated March 17, 2005 (for
Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes); Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 767-28-0066, Revision 1, dated May 29,
2003 (for Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes); or
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28-0025, Revision 1, dated March 17,
2005 (for Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes); as applicable.
Credit for Actions Accomplished Previously
(g) Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (f) of
this AD before the effective date of this AD, in accordance with
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-28-2238, dated October
18, 2001; or 777-28-0025, dated January 10, 2002; as applicable; is
considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action
in paragraph (f) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h) 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use the service information listed in Table 1 of
this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless
the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register
approves the incorporation by reference of these documents in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of
the service information, go to Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box
3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. To view the AD docket, go to
the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation,
400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington,
DC. To review copies of the service information, go to 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
.
Table 1.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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Revision
Service bulletin level Date
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Boeing Service Bulletin 747-28- 1 March 17, 2005.
2238.
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28- 1 March 17, 2005.
0025.
Boeing Special Attention 1 May 29, 2003.
Service Bulletin 767-28-0066.
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Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 14, 2005.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12311 Filed 6-23-05; 8:45 am]
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