.' ~

AIRBORNE

EXPRESS.

June 19,2002

RECEIVED

JUN 242002

ANM -114

J

Federal Aviation Administration

Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114

1601 Lind Avenue, SW

Renton, Washington 98055-4056

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-12-AD

Subject: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Static Inverters Installed on Certain

Boeing Airplanes; Federal Register, May 17,2002, Page 35057

Ladies/Gentlemen:

Airborne Express submits the following comments in response to the Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking entitled Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-300, -400, -500, -600,

-700, -700C, -800, -900; 747-400; 757; 767; and 777 Series Airplanes. Docket No. 2002-

NM-12-AD.

Airborne Express finds Table I of the proposed rule confusing. The leaders in the

Model/series block imply that there is a one-to-one relationship between the airplane

model and inverter part number. For example, it could be interpreted that the only 767s

applicable are 767s that are equipped with static inverter part number 1-002-0 I02-1 000.

We do not think that is the meaning of this table. Airborne Express requests the

applicability be changed to eliminate this confusion. If the leaders in the Model/series

block are omitted and the airplane models are separated from each other with semicolons, this may reduce the confusion. See attached for example.

Regards,

~~e1~

Manager, Quality Assurance

Airborne Air Park. 145 Hunter Drive. WilminglOn.OH 45177 • (937) 382-559t
35058 Federal Register / Vol. 67. No. 96/ Friday, May 17. 2002/ Proposed Rules

Cost Impact

There are approximately 3.832

airplanes of the affected design in the

worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that

1,882 airplanes of U,S. registry would be

affected by this proposed AD.

The cost impact discussed in ADs is

based on assumptions that no operator

has yet accomplished any of the

proposed requirements. and that no

operator would accomplish those

actions in the future if the proposed AD

were not adopted, However, the FAA

has been advised that manufacturer

warranty remedies are available for the

cost of modified replacement parts and

labor associated with accomplishing the

actions specified by this proposed AD.

Therefore. the economic cost impact of

this proposed AD on U.S. operators may

be minimal. The cost impact figures

discussed in AD rulemaking actions

represent only the time necessary to

perform the specific actions actually

required by the AD. These figures

typically do not include incidental

costs. such as the time required to gain

access and close up. planning time. or

time necessitated by other

administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein

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. Therefore.

it is determined that this proposal

would not have federalism implications

under Executive Order 13132.

For the reasons discussed above. I

certify that this proposed regulation (lJ

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) if

promulgated. 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. A copy of the draft

regulatory evaluation prepared for this

action is contained in the Rules Docket.

A copy of it may be obtained by

contacting the Rules Docket at the

TABLE I.-ApPLICABILITY

location provided under the caption

ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation

safety. Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the

authority delegated to me by the

Administrator. the Federal Aviation

Administration proposes to amend part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations

(14 eFR part 391 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.

~39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended bv

adding the following new airwo;thiness

directive:

Hoeing:Docket 2002NM-12AD.

Applicability: The following airplanes,

certificated in any category:

Model/series

Equipped withAvionicInstrumentsJnc.static inverters having

any of the followingpart numbers

(PINs)-

1--{)02-0102--{)265

1--{)02--{)102--{)714

1-111-0102-0714

1-002--{)102-1000

Whichcorrespond 10

BoeingP/NsS262TOO4-5

S282TOO4-7

S262T004-8

S262T004-10

Deld~.

Note t: This AD applies to each airplane

identified in the preceding applicability

provision, regardless of whether it has been

modified. altered. or repaired in the area

subject to the requirements of this AD. For

airplanes that have been modified, altered. or

repaired so that the performance of the

requirements of this AUis affected. the

owner/operator must request approval for an

alternative method of compliance in

accordance with paragraph (cl of this AD.

The request should include an assessment of

the effect of the modification, alteration, or

repair on the unsafe condition addressod by

this AD;and, if the unsafe condition has not

been eliminated. the request should include

specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated. unless

accomplished previously.

To prevent a standby static inverter from

overheating. which could result in smoke in

the flight deck and cabin and loss of the

electrical standby power system. accomplish

the following:

Modification

(a) Within 18months after the effective

dale of this AD:Modify the static inverter by

relocating resistor R170 ofthe static inverter

bridge assembly and reidentifying the static

inverter to indicate the new modification

level. in accordance with BoeingService

Letters 737-SL-24-165, 747-SL-24-Q58.

757-SL-24-Q69. 767-SL-24-047. and 777-

SL-24-028; dated October 3. 2000.

Note 2: The Boeing service leHersrefer to

Avionic Instruments Inc. Service Bulletin 1-

002-QI02-1000-24-24, dated July 19, 1999.

as an additional source ofservice information

for the modification required by paragraph

(a) of this AD.

SpaN! Parts

(b) As of the effective date of this AD. no

person may install, on any airplane. a static

inverter having a part number listed in the

applicability section of this AD. unless the

static inverter has been modified in

accordance with the requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(c) An alternative method of compliance or

adjustment of the compliance time that

provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager. Seattle

Aircraft Certification Office (ACOI.FAA.

Operators shall submit their requests through

an appropriat6 FAA Principal Maintenanc6

Inspector. who may add comments and then

send it to the Manager.Seattle ACo.

Note 3: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any. may be

obtained from the Seattle ACO.

Special flight Permits

(d) Spedal flight permits may be issued in

accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199

of the Federal Aviation Regulations(14CFR

21.197 and 21.199)to operate the airplano 10

a location where the requirements of this AD

can be accomplished.

Issued in Renton, Washington. on May 10,

2002.

Ali Bahrami.

Acting Manager. Transport Airplane

Directorate. Aircraft Certification Service.

IFRDoc. 02-12323 Filed 5-16-02; 8:45ami

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