[Federal Register: June 20, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 120)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 35093-35095]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20jn08-16]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0646; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-359-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This proposed AD would require
performing an operational test of the engine fuel suction feed of the
fuel system, and other related testing if necessary. This proposed AD
results from a report of in-service occurrences of loss of fuel system
suction feed capability, followed by total loss of pressure of the fuel
feed system. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct failure of
the engine fuel suction feed of the fuel system, which could result in
multi-engine flameout, inability to restart the engines, and consequent
forced landing of the airplane.
[[Page 35094]]
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 4, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue Lucier, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 917-6438; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0646;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-359-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We have received a report of in-service occurrences of loss of fuel
system suction feed capability, followed by total loss of pressure of
the fuel feed system. This report prompted us to review the service
history of all Boeing airplane models, and we found instances of loose
and leaking fuel line fittings. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in multi-engine flameout, inability to restart the engines, and
consequent forced landing of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 727-28-80, dated June 21,
1985. The service bulletin describes procedures for performing an
operational test of the engine fuel suction feed of the fuel system,
and other related testing if necessary. The other related testing
includes doing a vacuum test on the applicable engine for leakage if an
engine's N1, N2, or fuel-flow parameters deteriorate during the test.
If any leakage is found the corrective actions include inspecting and
repairing or replacing any leaking Gamah fittings with new fittings,
and inspecting and repairing any major welded tube assemblies that are
leaking.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because 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,
except as discussed under ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and
Service Information.''
Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Information
The service bulletin recommends accomplishing the initial
operational test ``at the next regularly scheduled C-check following
accumulation of 20,000 total flight hours or seven years age,'' we have
determined that this imprecise compliance time would not address the
identified unsafe condition in a timely manner. In developing an
appropriate compliance time for this AD, we considered not only the
manufacturer's recommendation, but the degree of urgency associated
with addressing the subject unsafe condition, the average utilization
of the affected fleet, and the time necessary to perform the
modifications. In light of all of these factors, we find a compliance
time of 7,000 flight hours for completing the required actions to be
warranted, in that it represents an appropriate interval of time for
affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising safety.
This difference has been coordinated with Boeing.
Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin
specifies that operators may accomplish the other specified actions (a
vacuum test of the fuel feed system) using an operator's equivalent
procedure (with substitute test equipment). However, this proposed AD
would require operators to accomplish the actions using the procedures
specified in Figure 4 of the service bulletin. An ``operator's
equivalent procedure'' may be used only if approved as an alternative
method of compliance according to paragraph (h) of this AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 709 airplanes of
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take 1 work-hour per
product, per test, to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor
rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost
of this proposed AD to the U.S. operators to be $56,720, or $80 per
product, per test.
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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications
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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 this 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.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2008-0646; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
359-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by August 4, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-
100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated in any
category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report of in-service occurrences of
loss of fuel system suction feed capability, followed by total loss
of pressure of the fuel feed system. We are issuing this AD to
detect and correct failure of the engine fuel suction feed of the
fuel system, which could result in multi-engine flameout, inability
to restart the engines, and consequent forced landing of the
airplane.
Compliance
(e) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
Operational Test/Other Specified Actions
(f) Within 7,000 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD, perform an operational test of the engine fuel suction feed of
the fuel system, and perform all other related testing, as
applicable, before further flight, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 727-28-80,
dated June 21, 1985. Repeat the operational test thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 7,000 flight hours.
Operator's Equivalent Procedure
(g) If any discrepancy is found, and Boeing Service Bulletin
727-28-80, dated June 21, 1985, specifies that certain actions
(i.e., a vacuum test of the fuel feed system) may be accomplished
using an operator's ``equivalent procedure'' (with substitute test
equipment): The actions must be accomplished in accordance with
Figure 4 of the service bulletin.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA, ATTN: Sue Lucier,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle ACO,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 917-6438; fax (425) 917-6590, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 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 June 9, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-13920 Filed 6-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P