[Federal Register: July 6, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 128)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 38819-38821]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06jy05-24]
[[Page 38819]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-21716; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-080-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F
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 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes.
This proposed AD would require replacing the aileron control override
quadrant with a modified unit. This proposed AD is prompted by a report
of the seizing of the input override mechanism bearings of the lateral
central control actuator on affected airplanes. We are proposing this
AD to prevent corrosion of the input override mechanism bearings of the
lateral central control actuator, which, in the event of a subsequent
jam in the pilot's aileron control system, could result in failure of
the aileron override system and consequent reduced lateral
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 22, 2005.
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.
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, PO 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-2005-21716; the directorate identifier for this docket is
2005-NM-080-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Tsuji, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 917-6487; 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-2005-21716;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-080-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 website, 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 Docket Management System
(DMS) receives them.
Discussion
We have received a report of seized bearings in the input override
mechanism of the lateral central control actuator on the affected
airplanes. The seizing was discovered during an inspection, and it has
been attributed to corrosion on the steel bearings in the override
mechanism. A failed override system is a latent failure and does not
affect normal operation. However, if the pilot's control system were to
jam, seized override bearings could keep the aileron control override
system from operating properly. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in reduced lateral control of the airplane.
Other Relevant Rulemaking
We have previously issued AD 2003-15-03, amendment 39-13245 (68 FR
44197, July 28, 2003), applicable to Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -
300F series airplanes, line numbers (L/Ns) 1 through 836 inclusive.
That AD requires replacement of the aileron control override quadrant
with a modified unit. That AD prevents corrosion of the input override
mechanism bearings of the lateral central control actuator, which, in
the event of a subsequent jam in the pilot's aileron control system,
could result in the failure of the aileron override system and
consequent reduced lateral controllability of the airplane.
Since we issued that AD, we have determined that the same unsafe
condition addressed in that AD may exist on certain additional Boeing
Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. We were advised that
L/Ns 837 through 918 were omitted inadvertently from the applicability
of AD 2003-15-03 because those airplanes had been excluded
inadvertently from the effectivity of Section I.A. of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 767-27A0175, dated October 25, 2001, which was cited
as the appropriate source of service information for the actions in AD
2003-15-03. Therefore, these additional airplanes are also subject to
the same unsafe condition addressed in AD 2003-15-03.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 767-27A0175, Revision 2,
dated August 5, 2004. The procedures in Revision 2 of this service
bulletin are essentially the same as the procedures in the original
issue of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0175, dated October 25,
2001. These service bulletins describe procedures for replacing the
aileron control override quadrant with a modified unit. The
[[Page 38820]]
modification involves replacing the existing steel bearings with
corrosion-resistant steel bearings. Revision 2 includes an additional
procedure for inspecting the cam follower bearing, and replacing it
with a CRES bearing if necessary. Revision 2 also increases the
applicability of the service bulletin. Accomplishment of the actions
specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-27A0175, Revision 2, dated
August 5, 2004 is intended to adequately address the identified 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 Revision 2 of the
service bulletin described previously, except as discussed under
``Difference Between the Proposed AD and Revision 2 of the Service
Bulletin.''
Since this proposed AD would expand the applicability of AD 2003-
15-03, we have considered a number of factors in determining whether to
issue a new AD or to supersede the ``old'' AD. We have considered the
entire fleet size that would be affected by superseding AD 2003-15-03
and the consequent workload associated with revising maintenance record
entries. In light of this, we have determined that a less burdensome
approach is to issue a separate AD applicable only to the additional
airplanes. This proposed AD would not supersede AD 2003-15-03;
airplanes listed in the applicability of AD 2003-15-03 are required to
continue to comply with the requirements of that AD. This proposed AD
is a separate AD action, and is applicable only to Boeing Model 767-
200, -300, and -300F series airplanes, L/N/s 837 through 918 inclusive;
certificated in any category.
Difference Between the Proposed AD and Revision 2 of the Service
Bulletin
Although Boeing Service Bulletin 767-27A0175, Revision 2, dated
August 5, 2004, includes procedures for inspecting the cam follower
bearing, and replacing it with a CRES bearing if necessary, this
proposed AD would not include that action. Failure of the cam follower
bearing would not prevent the operation of the aileron override
mechanism and, therefore, does not pose a safety issue. Although a
failed cam follower bearing would not rotate, the bearing would still
be able to slide against the cam.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 127 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 45 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 10 work hours per
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts
would cost about $146 per airplane. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $35,820, or
$796 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-2005-21716; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
080--AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by August 22, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD is related to AD 2003-15-03, amendment 39-13245 (68
FR 44197, July 28, 2003). AD 2003-15-03 is applicable to Boeing
Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes, certificated in any
category, line numbers (L/Ns) 1 through 836 inclusive.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and --300F
series airplanes, certificated in any category, L/Ns 837 through 918
inclusive.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report of the seizing of the input
override mechanism bearings of the lateral central control actuator
on affected airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent corrosion
of the input override mechanism bearings of the lateral central
control actuator, which, in the event of a subsequent jam in the
pilot's aileron control system, could result in failure of the
aileron override system and consequent reduced lateral
controllability 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.
Replacement
(f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the aileron control override quadrant with a modified unit,
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service
Bulletin 767-27A0175, Revision 2, dated August 5, 2004.
Note 1: This AD does not require accomplishing the actions
specified by Step 5 of Figure 2 of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-27-
A0175, Revision 2.
[[Page 38821]]
Part Installation
(g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install,
on any airplane, an aileron control quadrant override assembly that
has not been modified in accordance with the requirements 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 27, 2005.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-13225 Filed 7-5-05; 8:45 am]
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