This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

59590 

Vol. 76, No. 187 

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–0993; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–018–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

The Boeing Company Model 767–200 

and –300 series airplanes. This 

proposed AD would require repetitive 

inspections for cracking of the aft 

pressure bulkhead at station (STA) 

1582, repair or replacement of any 

cracked bulkhead, and eventual 

replacement of the aft pressure 

bulkhead at STA 1582 with a new 

bulkhead. Accomplishing the 

replacement would terminate the 

repetitive inspections specified in this 

proposed AD. This proposed AD was 

prompted by reports of multiple site 

damage cracks in the radial web lap and 

tear strap splices of the aft pressure 

bulkhead at STA 1582 due to fatigue. 

We are proposing this AD to prevent 

fatigue cracking of the aft pressure 

bulkhead, which could result in rapid 

decompression of the airplane and 

possible damage or interference with the 

airplane control systems that penetrate 

the bulkhead, and consequent loss of 

controllability of the airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by November 14, 

2011. 

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: Deliver to Mail 

address above 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, WA 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 

(phone: 800–647–5527) is in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; phone (425) 

917–6577; fax (425) 917–6590; e-mail: 

berhane.alazar@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposal. Send your comments to 

an address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 

2011–0993; Directorate Identifier 2011– 

NM–018–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 

We received reports of multiple site 

damage (MSD) cracks in the radial web 

lap and tear strap splices of the aft 

pressure bulkhead at station (STA) 1582 

due to fatigue. This cracking was found 

on multiple airplanes with 31,746 to 

36,597 total flight cycles. On four 

airplanes, the crack findings revealed 

MSD fatigue cracking common to the 

radial web lap splices. Design changes 

to improve the durability of the 

bulkhead were made in production. 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

result in rapid decompression of the 

airplane and possible damage or 

interference with the airplane control 

systems that penetrate the bulkhead, 

and consequent loss of controllability of 

the airplane. 

Other Relevant Rulemaking 

On February 25, 2004, we issued AD 

2004–05–16, Amendment 39–13511 (69 

FR 10917, March 9, 2004), for certain 

Model 767–200 and –300 series 

airplanes. That AD requires repetitive 

inspections of the aft pressure bulkhead 

web, and corrective action if necessary. 

On January 31, 2005, we issued AD 

2005–03–11, Amendment 39–13967 (70 

FR 7174, February 11, 2005), corrected 

on February 28, 2005 (70 FR 12119, 

March 11, 2005), for certain Model 767 

airplanes. That AD requires repetitive 

detailed and eddy current inspections of 

the aft pressure bulkhead for damage 

and cracking, and repair if necessary. 

That AD also requires one-time detailed 

and high frequency eddy current 

inspections of any ‘‘oil-can’’ located on 

the aft pressure bulkhead, and related 

corrective actions if necessary. 

Since issuance of AD 2004–05–16, 

Amendment 39–13511 (69 FR 10917, 

March 9, 2004); and AD 2005–03–11, 

Amendment 39–13967 (70 FR 12119, 

March 11, 2005); the manufacturer has 

developed design changes that improve 

the durability of the bulkhead; therefore, 

mstockstill on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 187 / Tuesday, September 27, 2011 / Proposed Rules 59591 

we have determined that further 

rulemaking is necessary, and this 

proposed AD follows from that 

determination. Accomplishing the 

inspections required by this AD 

terminates the repetitive inspections 

required by paragraph (b) of AD 2004– 

05–16, and paragraph (f) of AD 2005– 

03–11. 

Relevant Service Information 

We reviewed Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 767–53A0139, dated November 

12, 2009. The service information 

describes procedures for repetitive 

detailed, low- and mid-frequency eddy 

current inspections of the aft pressure 

bulkhead at STA 1582 for cracks and 

replacement or repair of any cracked 

bulkhead found. The service 

information also describes procedures 

for eventual replacement of the aft 

pressure bulkhead at STA 1582 with a 

new bulkhead, which eliminates the 

need for the repetitive inspections. 

FAA’s Determination 

We are proposing this AD because we 

evaluated all the relevant information 

and determined the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop in other products of the same 

type design. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information described 

previously, except as discussed under 

‘‘Difference Between the Proposed AD 

and Service Information.’’ 

Difference Between the Proposed AD 

Service Information 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767– 

53A0139, dated November 12, 2009, 

recommends accomplishing the 

inspections within 1,600 flight cycles 

after the most recent inspection done in 

accordance with Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 767–53A0026, Revision 5, 

dated January 29, 2004; however, it does 

not include a grace period for airplanes 

that might have exceeded that number 

of flight cycles since accomplishing the 

most recent inspection, or for airplanes 

on which the inspections have not been 

initiated. This proposed AD includes a 

grace period of 1,600 flight cycles for all 

airplanes. 

Clarification of Certain Requirements 

Paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767– 

53A0139, dated November 12, 2009, 

specifies replacing the bulkhead at STA 

1582 with a new bulkhead if any crack 

is found during any inspection; 

however, paragraph 3.B.2., of the 

Accomplishment Instructions specifies 

repairing or replacing the bulkhead at 

STA 1582 if any crack is found. This 

proposed AD requires either replacing 

or repairing any cracked bulkhead and 

doing the repetitive inspections if the 

crack is repaired, until the replacement 

required by paragraph (h) of this 

proposed AD is done. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 83 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Inspections .......................... 22 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,870 per inspection 

cycle.

0 $1,870 $155,210 

Replacement ....................... 1,541 work-hours × $85 per hour = $130,985 ............... $399,539 530,524 44,033,492 

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 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 this 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), 

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation 

in Alaska, and 

(4) 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. 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 

2011–0993; Directorate Identifier 2011– 

NM–018–AD. 

Comments Due Date 

(a) We must receive comments by 

November 14, 2011. 

Affected ADs 

(b) Certain requirements of this AD affect 

certain requirements of AD 2004–05–16, 

Amendment 39–13511 (69 FR 10917, March 

9, 2004); and AD 2005–03–11, Amendment 

39–13967 (70 FR 7174, February 11, 2005), 

mstockstill on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

59592 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 187 / Tuesday, September 27, 2011 / Proposed Rules 

corrected on February 28, 2005 (70 FR 12119, 

March 11, 2005). 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to The Boeing 

Company Model 767–200 and -300 series 

airplanes, certificated in any category, as 

identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

767–53A0139, dated November 12, 2009. 

Subject 

(d) Joint Aircraft System Component 

(JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 53: Fuselage. 

Unsafe Condition 

(e) This AD was prompted by reports of 

multiple site damage cracks in the radial web 

lap and tear strap splices of the aft pressure 

bulkhead at station (STA) 1582 due to 

fatigue. We are issuing this AD to prevent 

fatigue cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead, 

which could result in rapid decompression of 

the airplane and possible damage or 

interference with the airplane control 

systems that penetrate the bulkhead, and 

consequent loss of controllability of the 

airplane. 

Compliance 

(f) Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

Repetitive Inspections 

(g) Except as provided by paragraph (h) of 

this AD: Before the accumulation of 43,000 

total flight cycles, or within 1,600 flight 

cycles after the effective date of this AD, 

whichever occurs later, do detailed, lowfrequency eddy current, and mid-frequency 

eddy current inspections for cracking of the 

aft pressure bulkhead at STA 1582, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

767–53A0139, dated November 12, 2009. If 

any crack is found, before further flight, 

replace the bulkhead as required by 

paragraph (h) of this AD, or repair the crack 

in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

767–53A0139, dated November 12, 2009, and 

repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals 

not to exceed 1,600 flight cycles. If no crack 

is found, repeat the inspections thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 1,600 flight cycles. 

Accomplishing the inspections required by 

this paragraph terminates the repetitive 

inspections required by paragraph (b) of AD 

2004–05–16, Amendment 39–13511 (69 FR 

10917, March 9, 2004); and paragraph (f) of 

AD 2005–03–11, Amendment 39–13967 (70 

FR 7174, February 11, 2005), corrected on 

February 28, 2005 (70 FR 12119, March 11, 

2005). 

Replacement 

(h) Except as provided by paragraph (g) of 

this AD: Before the accumulation of 43,000 

total flight cycles, or within 5,000 flight 

cycles after the effective date of this AD, 

whichever occurs later: Replace the aft 

pressure bulkhead at STA 1582 with a new 

bulkhead, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 767–53A0139, dated 

November 12, 2009. Accomplishing the 

replacement in this paragraph terminates the 

repetitive inspections required by paragraph 

(g) of this AD. 

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. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 

send your request to your principal inspector 

or local Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 

attention of the person identified in the 

Related Information section of this AD. 

Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/ 

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 the 

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization 

Designation Authorization (ODA) that 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. 

Related Information 

(j) For more information about this AD, 

contact Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle 

Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057– 

3356; phone (425) 917–6577; fax (425) 917– 

6590; e-mail: berhane.alazar@faa.gov. 

(k) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Boeing Commercial 

Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 

Management, P. O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65, 

Seattle, WA 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 98057–3356. For information on 

the availability of this material at the FAA, 

call 425–227–1221. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

September 7, 2011. 

Jeffrey E. Duven, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–24748 Filed 9–26–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 

17 CFR Parts 400, 401, 402, 403, 405, 

and 420 

[Docket No. BPD GSRS 11–01] 

RIN 1535–AA02 

Government Securities Act 

Regulations; Replacement of 

References to Credit Ratings and 

Technical Amendments 

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant 

Secretary for Financial Markets, 

Treasury. 

ACTION: Proposed rule. 

SUMMARY: The Department of the 

Treasury (‘‘Treasury’’ or ‘‘We’’) is 

issuing this proposed rule to solicit 

public comment on a proposed 

amendment to the regulations issued 

under the Government Securities Act of 

1986, as amended (‘‘GSA’’), to replace 

references to credit ratings in our rules 

with alternative requirements. Section 

939A of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street 

Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 

2010 requires Federal agencies to 

remove from their applicable 

regulations any reference to or 

requirement of reliance on credit ratings 

and to substitute a standard of 

creditworthiness as the agency 

determines appropriate for such 

regulations. In this release Treasury is 

requesting comment on a substitute 

standard of creditworthiness for use in 

the liquid capital rule required by GSA 

regulations. Separately, we are 

proposing in this release several nonsubstantive, technical amendments to 

Treasury’s GSA regulations to update 

certain information or to delete certain 

requirements that are no longer 

applicable. 

DATES: Submit comments on or before 

November 28, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: Comments may be 

submitted by any of the following 

methods: 

Electronic Comments 

Use the Federal eRulemaking Portal 

(http://www.regulations.gov) and follow 

the instructions for submitting 

comments through the Web site. You 

may download this proposed 

amendment from http:// 

www.regulations.gov or the Bureau of 

the Public Debt’s Web site at http:// 

www.treasurydirect.gov. 

Paper Comments 

Send paper comments to Bureau of 

the Public Debt, Government Securities 

Regulations Staff, 799 9th Street, NW., 

Washington, DC 20239–0001. 

mstockstill on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS