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[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 141 (Friday, July 23, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43097-43099]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-18017]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0698; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-264-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 757 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 supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) that applies to all Model 757 airplanes. The existing AD 
currently requires sealing the fasteners on the front and rear spars 
inside the left and right main fuel tanks and on the rear spar and 
lower panel of the center fuel tank. That AD also requires inspections 
of the wire bundle support installations to verify if certain clamps 
are installed and if Teflon sleeving covers the wire bundles inside the 
left and right equipment cooling system bays, on the left and right 
rear spars, and on the left and right front spars; and corrective 
actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also require sealing the 
additional fasteners on the rear spar inside the left and right main 
fuel tanks. This proposed AD results from a fuel system review 
conducted by the manufacturer. We have received reports from the 
manufacturer that additional fasteners in the main fuel tanks must be 
sealed for lightning strike protection. We are proposing this AD to 
detect and correct improper wire bundle support installation and 
sleeving and to prevent improperly sealed fasteners in the main and 
center fuel tanks from becoming an ignition source, in the event of a 
fault current or lightning strike, which could result in a fuel tank 
explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 7, 
2010.

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 proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P. 
O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail me.boecom@boeing.com; 
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

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: Tak Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
(425) 917-6499; 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-2010-0698; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-264-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

    On October 24, 2008, we issued AD 2008-23-19, Amendment 39-15740 
(73 FR 71534, November 25, 2008), for all Model 757 series airplanes. 
That AD requires sealing the fasteners on the front and rear spars 
inside the left and right main fuel tanks and on the rear spar and 
lower panel of the center fuel tank. That AD also requires inspections 
of the wire bundle support installations to verify if certain clamps 
are installed and if Teflon sleeving covers the wire bundles inside the 
left and right equipment cooling system bays, on the left and right 
rear spars, and on the left and right front spars; and corrective 
actions if necessary. That AD resulted

[[Page 43098]]

from a fuel system review conducted by the manufacturer. We issued that 
AD to detect and correct improper wire bundle support installation and 
sleeving and to prevent improperly sealed fasteners in the main and 
center fuel tanks from becoming an ignition source, in the event of a 
fault current, which could result in a fuel tank explosion and 
consequent loss of the airplane.

Clarification of Applicability

    The applicability of AD 2008-23-19 refers to Model 757-200, -200CB, 
-200PF, and -300 series airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 757-57A0064, dated July 16, 2007. Since that service 
bulletin affects all Model 757 airplanes, we have revised paragraph (c) 
of this AD to include all Model 757 airplanes.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2008-23-19, we have received reports that it is 
possible for some fuel tank fasteners, in the event of a lightning 
strike, to become an ignition source. Additional fasteners in the main 
fuel tanks must be sealed for lightning strike protection.

Relevant Service Information

    AD 2008-23-19 referred to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-
57A0064, dated July 16, 2007, as the appropriate source of service 
information for the required actions. Boeing has since revised the 
service bulletin. Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-57A0064, Revision 
1, dated October 5, 2009, identifies additional fasteners on the rear 
spar inside the left and right main fuel tanks that must be sealed.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to develop on other airplanes of the 
same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, which 
would supersede AD 2008-23-19 and would retain the requirements of the 
existing AD. This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions 
specified in the Relevant Service Information described previously.

Change to Existing AD

    This proposed AD would retain all requirements of AD 2008-23-19. 
Since AD 2008-23-19 was issued, the AD format has been revised, and 
certain paragraphs have been rearranged. As a result, the corresponding 
paragraph identifiers have changed in this proposed AD, as listed in 
the following table:

                      Revised Paragraph Identifiers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Corresponding requirement in this
    Requirement in AD 2008-23-19                 proposed AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             paragraph (d)                        paragraph (e)
             paragraph (e)                        paragraph (f)
             paragraph (f)                        paragraph (g)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 1,036 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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                                                                                                                          Number of U.S.-
                  Action                             Work hours            Average labor       Parts         Cost per       registered      Fleet cost
                                                                           rate per hour                     airplane        airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fastener Sealing and Inspections (required  Up to 545 hours per airplane             $85            $325         $46,650             667     $31,115,550
 by AD 2008[dash]23[dash]19).                depending on airplane
                                             configuration.
Main Tank Fastener Sealing (new proposed    30..........................              85               0           2,550             667       1,700,850
 action).
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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 
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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 removing Amendment 39-15740 (73 FR 
71534, November 25, 2008), and adding the following new AD:

[[Page 43099]]

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-0698; Directorate Identifier 
2009-NM-264-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by September 
7, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-23-19, Amendment 39-15740.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -
200CB, -200PF, and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57: Wings.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from a fuel system review conducted by the 
manufacturer. We have received reports from the manufacturer that 
additional fasteners in the main fuel tanks must be sealed for 
lightning strike protection. The Federal Aviation Administration is 
issuing this AD to detect and correct improper wire bundle support 
installation and sleeving and to prevent improperly sealed fasteners 
in the main and center fuel tanks from becoming an ignition source, 
in the event of a fault current or lightning strike, which could 
result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2008-23-19, With Revised Service 
Information

Fastener Sealing and Inspections

    (g) Within 60 months after December 30, 2008 (the effective date 
of AD 2008-23-19), seal the applicable fasteners and do the general 
visual inspections of the wire bundle support installations, and do 
all the applicable corrective actions before further flight, by 
accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-
57A0064, dated July 16, 2007; or Part 1 through Part 10 of the Work 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-57A0064, Revision 
1, dated October 5, 2009.

New Requirements of This AD

Fastener Sealing on the Rear Spar

    (h) For airplanes on which Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-
57A0064, dated July 16, 2007, was done: Within 60 months after 
December 30, 2008 (the effective date of AD 2008-23-19), seal the 
fasteners on the rear spar inside the left and right main fuel 
tanks, in accordance with Part 11 of the Work Instructions of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 757-57A0064, Revision 1, dated October 5, 
2009.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to 
ATTN: Tak Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-
140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6499; fax 
(425) 917-6590. Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
    (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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2008-23-19, 
Amendment 39-15740, are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding 
provisions of paragraph (g) of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 15, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-18017 Filed 7-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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