FR Doc E6-1686

[Federal Register: February 8, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 26)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 6415-6417]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08fe06-29]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23818; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-228-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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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
repetitive measurements of the rudder and elevator freeplay, repetitive
lubrication of rudder and elevator components, and related
investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results
from reports of freeplay-induced vibration of the rudder and the
elevator. The potential for vibration of the control surface should be
avoided because the point of transition from vibration to divergent
flutter is unknown. We are proposing this AD to prevent excessive
vibration of the airframe during flight, which could result in loss of
control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 27, 2006.

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: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
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.
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: Dennis Stremick, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,

[[Page 6416]]

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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
23818; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-228-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 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 Docket Management System
receives them.

Discussion

We have received reports of freeplay-induced vibration of the
rudder and the elevator on Model 767 airplanes. Excessive corrosion and
wear of components and/or interfaces allow excessive freeplay movement
of the control surfaces and can cause excessive vibration of the
airframe during flight. The potential for vibration of the control
surface should be avoided because the point of transition from
vibration to divergent flutter is unknown. When divergent flutter
occurs, the amplitude of each cycle or oscillation is larger than the
last one and the surface can quickly reach its structural load limits.
Excessive vibration of the airframe, if not corrected, could result in
loss of control of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-27-
0197, dated October 27, 2005 (for Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series
airplanes); and Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-27-0198,
dated October 27, 2005 (for Model 767-400ER series airplanes). The
service bulletins describe procedures for repetitive measurements of
the rudder freeplay and the elevator freeplay for each of the three
power control actuators (PCAs) that move the rudder and elevator. If
the freeplay exceeds certain specified limits, the service bulletins
describe procedures for doing applicable related investigative and
corrective actions. Related investigative actions include doing a
general visual inspection for wear of the affected components such as
the rudder and elevator hinge bolts, bearings, and bushings; elevator
and rudder hinges; and hinge bearings, reaction links, hanger link
bearings, and rod end assemblies. Corrective actions include repairing
or replacing the affected part if necessary and repeating the freeplay
measurement and any related investigative and corrective actions until
the maximum freeplay is within acceptable limits. The service bulletins
also describe procedures for repetitive lubrication of the rudder and
elevator components such as the rudder and elevator hinges; and rudder
and elevator PCA reaction links, hanger links, and rod end assemblies.
The service bulletins note that, if the freeplay measurement and a
lubrication cycle are due at the same time, the freeplay measurement
must be completed before the lubrication. The repetitive interval for
the lubrication varies depending on the type of grease used.
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, except as discussed under
``Difference Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins.''

Difference Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins

Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment
Instructions of the referenced service bulletins describe procedures
for submitting inspections results to the manufacturer, this proposed
AD would not require that action.

Costs of Compliance

There are about 979 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. No parts are necessary
to accomplish either action.

Estimated Costs
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Number of
Average Cost per airplane U.S.-
Action Work hours labor rate $ registered Fleet cost $
per hour $ airplanes
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Freeplay measurement............ 8 65 520, per 423 219,960, per
measurement cycle. measurement
cycle.
Lubrication..................... 27 65 1,755, per 423 42,365, per
lubrication cycle. lubrication
cycle.
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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.

[[Page 6417]]

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 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-2006-23818; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
228-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by March 27,
2006.

Affected ADs

(b) None

Applicability

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from reports of freeplay-induced vibration
of the rudder and the elevator. The potential for vibration of the
control surface should be avoided because the point of transition
from vibration to divergent flutter is unknown. We are issuing this
AD to prevent excessive vibration of the airframe during flight,
which could result in loss of control of 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.

Service Bulletin References

(f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the
Accomplishment Instructions of the following service bulletins, as
applicable:
(1) For Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes: Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-27-0197, dated October 27,
2005; and
(2) For Model 767-400ER series airplanes: Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 767-27-0198, dated October 27, 2005.

Repetitive Measurements

(g) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD:
Measure the rudder and elevator freeplay. Repeat the measurement
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12,000 flight hours or 36
months, whichever occurs first. Do all actions required by this
paragraph in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

(h) If any measurement found in paragraph (g) of this AD exceeds
any applicable limit specified in the service bulletin: Before
further flight, do the applicable related investigative and
corrective actions in accordance with the applicable service
bulletin.

Repetitive Lubrication

(i) Within 9 months after the effective date of this AD:
Lubricate the rudder and elevator components specified in the
service bulletin. Repeat the lubrication thereafter at the
applicable interval in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD. Do all
actions required by this paragraph in accordance with the applicable
service bulletin.
(1) For airplanes on which BMS 3-33 grease is not used: At
intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight hours or 9 months, whichever
occurs first.
(2) For airplanes on which BMS 3-33 grease is used: At intervals
not to exceed 6,000 flight hours or 18 months, whichever occurs
first.

Concurrent Repetitive Cycles

(j) If a freeplay measurement required by paragraph (g) of this
AD and a lubrication cycle required by paragraph (i) of this AD are
due at the same time or will be accomplished during the same
maintenance visit, the freeplay measurement and applicable related
investigative and corrective actions must be done before the
lubrication is accomplished.

No Reporting Required

(k) Although the service bulletins referenced in this AD specify
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
include that requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(l)(1) 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.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized
by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair
method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis
of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this
AD.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 30, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-1686 Filed 2-7-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P