FR Doc E7-17294

[Federal Register: August 31, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 169)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 50276-50278]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31au07-17]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-29063; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-049-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Boeing Model 767 airplanes. This proposed AD would require a
one-time inspection to determine the material of the forward and aft
gray water drain masts. For airplanes having composite gray water drain
masts, this proposed AD would also require installation of a ground
bracket and a copper bonding jumper between a ground bracket and the
clamp on the tube of the forward and aft gray water composite drain
masts. This proposed AD results from a report of charred insulation
blankets and burned wires around the forward gray water composite drain
mast found during an inspection of the forward cargo compartment. We
are proposing this AD to prevent a fire near a composite drain mast and
possible disruption of the electrical power system caused by a
lightning strike on a composite drain mast, which could result in the
loss of several functions essential for safe flight.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 15,
2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-

[[Page 50277]]

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue,
SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this
proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcia Smith, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington
98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6484; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2007-
29063; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-049-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the
ground floor of the West Building at the DOT street address stated in
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after the Docket Management System receives them.

Discussion

We have received a report indicating that, during an inspection of
the forward cargo compartment on a Model 767-300F airplane, an operator
found charred insulation blankets and burned wires around the forward
gray water composite drain mast. Additional charring on the insulation
blankets was noticed several feet away along the routing of the drain
mast's ground wire and power wires. Analysis of the damaged parts
revealed that a lightning strike on the composite drain mast caused the
damage to the wires and insulation blankets. This condition, if not
corrected, could cause disruption of electrical power and fire and heat
damage to equipment in the event of a lightning strike on the composite
drain mast, which could result in the potential loss of several
functions essential for safe flight.
A design review of the gray water composite drain mast installation
on Model 737, 757, 767, and 777 airplanes revealed that the
installation of a heavier bonding jumper is necessary to provide
adequate lightning protection to the gray water composite drain mast
installation. We are currently considering additional rulemaking to
address the identified unsafe condition on Model 737, 757, and 777
airplanes.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-30-
0047, dated January 25, 2007 (for Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F
series airplanes); and Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-
30-0048, dated January 25, 2007 (for Boeing Model 767-400ER series
airplanes). The service bulletins describe procedures for installing a
new ground bracket and a 135-ampere copper bonding jumper between the
ground bracket and the clamp on the tube of the forward and aft gray
water composite drain masts. Accomplishing the actions specified in the
service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe
condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes
of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD,
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

There are about 86 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.

Estimated Costs
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Work Average labor Number of U.S.-
Action hours rate per hour Parts Cost per airplane registered airplanes Fleet cost
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Inspection to determine gray water 1 $80 None................. $80.................. 41................... $3,280.
drain mast material.
Installation of bonding jumper.... 4 80 Up to $654........... Up to $974........... Up to 41............. Up to $39,934.
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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

[[Page 50278]]

that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 proposed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2007-29063; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
049-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October
15, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from a report of charred insulation blankets
and burned wires around the forward gray water composite drain mast
found during an inspection of the forward cargo compartment. We are
issuing this AD to prevent a fire near a composite drain mast and
possible disruption of the electrical power system caused by a
lightning strike on a composite drain mast, which could result in
the loss of several functions essential for safe flight.

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.

Inspection To Determine Material of Gray Water Drain Mast

(f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD,
inspect the forward and aft gray water drain masts to determine
whether the drain mast is made of aluminum or composite. A review of
airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this
inspection if the material of the forward and aft gray water drain
masts can be conclusively determined from that review.
(1) For any aluminum gray water drain mast identified during the
inspection or records check required by paragraph (f) of this AD, no
further action is required by this AD for that drain mast only.
(2) For any composite gray water drain mast identified during
the inspection or records check required by paragraph (f) of this
AD, do the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

Installation of New Ground Bracket and Bonding Jumper

(g) For any composite gray water drain mast identified during
the inspection or records check required by paragraph (f) of this
AD: Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, install a
135-ampere copper bonding jumper between the new ground bracket and
the clamp on the tube of the gray water composite drain mast, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 767-30-0047, dated January 25, 2007 (for
Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes); and Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 767-30-0048, dated January 25, 2007 (for
Model 767-400ER series airplanes).

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 17, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-17294 Filed 8-30-07; 8:45 am]

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