[Federal Register: March 23, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 55)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 14585-14587]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23mr05-32]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20691; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-249-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 Series
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 certain Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require inspecting for the part number, the serial
number, and the mark ``RETESTED'' on the reaction link of the main
landing gear (MLG), and replacing the reaction link of the MLG with a
retested reaction link if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by a
report of faulty welds in
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certain reaction links. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of
the reaction link, collapse of the MLG, and consequently, loss of
control on the ground and possible damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 9, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Weba 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: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-
401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This
docket number is FAA-2005-20691; the directorate identifier for this
docket is 2004-NM-249-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis Stremick, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
917-6450; 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 under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20691;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-249-AD'' in the subject line 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 submitted 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 can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
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 DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
We have received a report indicating that a reaction link for a
Boeing Model 757 series airplane's main landing gear (MLG) fractured
when proof-testing of the welds took place. The fracture occurred at
one of two welds in the reaction link. Due to the weld fracture, other
parts from the same weld lot were proof-tested at a higher load. During
the second test, a second weld fracture occurred, indicating the
potential for poor quality welds to pass the production proof load
specified in the drawing.
Metallurgical examination revealed contamination at the weld
surface. The vendor has since identified a total of 41 suspect reaction
links. All of the suspect reaction links have passed the production
proof load, which is approximately 1.3 times limit load. However, all
of the reaction links welded prior to correcting the contamination
problem must be removed and retested to validate compliance with
ultimate load requirements. The faulty welds, if not corrected, could
result in failure of the reaction link, collapse of the MLG, and
consequently, loss of control on the ground and possible damage to the
airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletins 757-32-0155, dated
September 30, 2004; and 757-32-0156, dated September 30, 2004. The
service bulletins describe procedures for inspecting for the part
number, the serial number, and the mark ``RETESTED'' on the reaction
link of the MLG, and replacing the reaction link of the MLG with a
retested reaction link if necessary. 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. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which
would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously, except as described in ``Difference
Between this Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins.'' The proposed AD
would also require sending the inspection results to the Manager,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA.
Difference Between This Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins
Although the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletins
do not specify an inspection report, this proposed AD would require
submitting an inspection report to the FAA if the inspection finds
reaction links that are required to be replaced. We need further
information on the extent of the quality control (QC) problem. When the
unsafe condition addressed by an AD is likely due to a manufacturer's
QC problem, a reporting requirement is instrumental in ensuring that we
can gather as much information as possible regarding the extent and
nature of the QC problem or breakdown, especially in cases where such
data may not be available through other established means. This
information is necessary to ensure that we can apply knowledge and
lessons learned from these inspections to future MLG actions.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 25 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 23 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed inspection would take about 1 work hour per
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these
figures, the estimated cost of the
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proposed AD for U.S. operators is $1,495, or $65 per airplane.
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 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. 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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2005-20691; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
249-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by May 9, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 series
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in the
Effectivity of Boeing Service Bulletin 757-32-0155 and 757-32-0156,
both dated September 30, 2004, as applicable.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report of faulty welds in certain
reaction links on main landing gears (MLG). We are issuing this AD
to prevent failure of the reaction link, collapse of the MLG, and
consequently, loss of control on the ground and possible damage to
the airplane.
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 and Corrective Action
(f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
inspect for the part number (P/N), the serial number (S/N), and the
presence of the mark ``RETESTED'' on the reaction link of the MLG in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service
Bulletin 757-32-0155 or 757-32-0156, both dated September 30, 2004,
as applicable.
(1) If the P/N and S/N do not match any P/N and S/N listed in
Appendix A of the applicable service bulletin, or if the reaction
link is marked ``RETESTED,'' no further action is required by this
paragraph.
(2) If the P/N and S/N match those listed in Appendix A of the
applicable service bulletin, and the reaction link is not marked
``RETESTED,'' before further flight, replace the reaction link with
a retested reaction link in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of the service bulletin and perform the requirement of
paragraph (g) of this AD at the time specified in paragraph (g).
Inspection Report
(g) For any reaction link with a P/N and S/N listed in the
service bulletin that is or is not marked ``RETESTED'': Within 30
days after accomplishing the inspection required by paragraph (f) of
this AD or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later, submit a report of any positive inspection
results (P/N and S/N of the reaction link match those listed in the
Boeing Service Bulletins) to the Manager, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington. Include the P/N and S/N of the affected reaction link,
and the S/N of the airplane on which the reaction link was found, in
the report. Information collection requirements contained in this AD
have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Parts Installation
(h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
reaction link with a P/N and S/N listed in the service bulletin that
is not marked ``RETESTED,'' on any airplane.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i) The Manager, Seattle ACO, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in
14 CFR 39.19.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 14, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5694 Filed 3-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P