Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 112 / Friday, June 10, 2011 / Rules and Regulations 33991 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–1272; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–NM–226–AD; Amendment 

39–16712; AD 2011–12–05] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Model 727, 727C, 727–100, 

727–100C, 727–200, and 727–200F 

Series Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This AD requires 

replacing the existing unshielded fuel 

quantity indication system (FQIS) wire 

bundles with double shielded FQIS wire 

bundles, installing a new wire feedthrough fitting, and grounding the wire 

shields, as applicable; and doing 

repetitive low frequency eddy current 

(LFEC) inspections for cracking of the 

fuselage skin, and corrective actions if 

necessary. This AD also requires 

revising the maintenance program to 

incorporate certain airworthiness 

limitations. This AD was prompted by 

fuel system reviews conducted by the 

manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to 

increase the level of protection from 

lightning strikes and prevent the 

potential of ignition sources inside fuel 

tanks, which, in combination with 

flammable fuel vapors, could result in 

fuel tank explosions and consequent 

loss of the airplane. 

DATES: This AD is effective July 15, 

2011. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in the AD 

as of July 15, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this 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 AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The address for the 

Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is 

Document Management Facility, U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Docket 

Operations, M–30, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, 

DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Louis Natsiopoulos, Aerospace 

Engineer, Systems and Equipment 

Branch, ANM–130S, FAA, Seattle 

Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 

98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6478; fax: 

425–917–6590; e-mail: 

elias.natsiopoulos@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an airworthiness 

directive (AD) that would apply to the 

specified products. That NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

January 3, 2011 (76 FR 31). That NPRM 

proposed to require replacing the 

existing unshielded fuel quantity 

indication system (FQIS) wire bundles 

with double shielded FQIS wire 

bundles, installing a new wire feedthrough fitting, and grounding the wire 

shields, as applicable; and doing 

repetitive low frequency eddy current 

(LFEC) inspections for cracking of the 

fuselage skin, and corrective actions if 

necessary. That NPRM also proposed to 

require revising the maintenance 

program to incorporate certain 

airworthiness limitations. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. The 

following presents the comment 

received on the proposal and the FAA’s 

response to the comment. 

Request for Explanation of Alternative 

Method of Compliance (AMOC) 

Authority for Structures Portions of the 

NPRM 

Boeing requested that we explain that 

some designees with AMOC authority 

may be necessary for the structural 

portions of the AD. Boeing stated that 

repairs to airplane structure, if needed, 

would also be an AMOC to the AD and 

would need to be noted as such and 

approved by the FAA or a Boeing 

Authorized Representative designated 

with AMOC authority for the structural 

aspects of this installation. Boeing 

added that any repair would need to 

address damage tolerance issues 

associated with 14 CFR 25.571 and 14 

CFR part 26, subpart E. of the Federal 

Aviation Regulations. Boeing stated that 

these requirements are the basis for the 

inspections provided in Boeing Service 

Bulletin 727–28–0131, dated August 18, 

2010, and changes to the installation 

with repairs may revise the inspection 

requirements. 

We agree with the request to add 

explanatory information to paragraph (i) 

of this AD. Any structural repairs that 

cannot be done in accordance with the 

accomplishment instructions of Boeing 

Service Bulletin 727–28–0131, dated 

August 18, 2010, will require a request 

for an AMOC. The requested AMOC, if 

it provides an acceptable level of safety, 

may be approved by the Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes Organization 

Designation Authorization (ODA) that 

has been authorized by the Manager, 

Seattle ACO to make those findings. 

Paragraph (i) of this AD has been 

changed to explain that some designees 

with AMOC authority for the structures 

portions of the AD might be necessary. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

with the change described previously 

and minor editorial changes. We have 

determined that these minor changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM for 

correcting the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM. 

We also determined that these 

changes will not increase the economic 

burden on any operator or increase the 

scope of the AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 566 

airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this AD: 

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33992 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 112 / Friday, June 10, 2011 / Rules and Regulations 

ESTIMATED COSTS

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

Installation ............................................. Between 86 and 247 work-hours × 

$85 per hour = Between $7,310– 

$20,995.1

Between $16,191 

and $34,712.1

Between $23,501 

and $55,707.1

Up to 

$27,195,925.2

Inspection .............................................. 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 

per inspection cycle.

$0 .......................... $170 ...................... $96,220 per inspection cycle. 

Maintenance Program Revision ........... 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ...... $0 .......................... $85 ........................ $48,110. 

1 Depending on configuration. 

2The cost to U.S. operators is based on configuration and number of airplanes in that configuration. 

We have received no definitive data 

that would enable us to provide a cost 

estimate for the on-condition action 

specified in this AD. 

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 

This AD will not have federalism 

implications under Executive Order 

13132. This AD will 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 this AD: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under 

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. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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): 

2011–12–05 The Boeing Company: 

Amendment 39–16712; Docket No. 

FAA–2010–1272; Directorate Identifier 

2010–NM–226–AD. 

Effective Date 

(a) This AD is effective July 15, 2011. 

Affected ADs 

(b) None. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to The Boeing 

Company Model 727, 727C, 727–100, 727– 

100C, 727–200, and 727–200F series 

airplanes, all variable numbers, certificated 

in any category. 

Note 1: This AD requires revisions to 

certain operator maintenance documents to 

include new inspections. Compliance with 

these inspections is required by 14 CFR 

91.403(c). For airplanes that have been 

previously modified, altered, or repaired in 

the areas addressed by these inspections, the 

operator may not be able to accomplish the 

inspections described in the revisions. In this 

situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), 

the operator must request approval for an 

alternative method of compliance according 

to paragraph (l) of this AD. The request 

should include a description of changes to 

the required inspections that will ensure the 

continued operational safety of the airplane. 

Subject 

(d) Joint Aircraft System Component 

(JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 28, Fuel. 

Unsafe Condition 

(e) This AD was prompted by fuel system 

reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We 

are issuing this AD to increase the level of 

protection from lightning strikes and prevent 

the potential of ignition sources inside fuel 

tanks, which, in combination with flammable 

fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank 

explosions and consequent loss of the 

airplane. 

Compliance 

(f) Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

Installation 

(g) Within 60 months after the effective 

date of this AD, install double shielded fuel 

quantity indicating system (FQIS) wire 

bundles, install a new wire feed-through 

fitting, and ground the wire shields, as 

applicable, in accordance with Part 1 of the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 

Service Bulletin 727–28–0131, dated August 

18, 2010. 

Repetitive Inspections 

(h) At the applicable times specified in 

paragraphs (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, do low 

frequency eddy current (LFEC) inspections 

for cracking of the fuselage skin, in 

accordance with Part 2 of the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 

Service Bulletin 727–28–0131, dated August 

18, 2010. 

(1) For Model 727, 727–100, 727–100C, 

and 727C series airplanes: Before the 

accumulation of 45,000 total flight cycles, or 

within 8,000 flight cycles after the effective 

date of this AD, whichever occurs later. 

Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals 

not to exceed 8,000 flight cycles. 

(2) For Model 727–200 and 727–200F 

series airplanes: Before the accumulation of 

45,000 total flight cycles, or within 16,000 

flight cycles after the effective date of this 

AD, whichever occurs later. Repeat the 

inspections thereafter at intervals not to 

exceed 16,000 flight cycles. 

(i) If any cracking is found during any 

inspection required by paragraph (h) of this 

AD: Before further flight, repair the crack in 

accordance with a method approved by the 

Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA. For a repair 

method to be approved, the repair must meet 

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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 112 / Friday, June 10, 2011 / Rules and Regulations 33993 

the certification basis of the airplane, and the 

approval must specifically refer to this AD. 

An alternative method of compliance 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. 

Maintenance Program Revision 

(j) Before or concurrently with doing the 

actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 

or within 30 days after the effective date of 

this AD, whichever occurs later: Revise the 

maintenance program by incorporating 

airworthiness limitations (AWL) No. 28– 

AWL–18 and 28–AWL–19 in Section D of 

Section 9 (‘‘AIRWORTHINESS 

LIMITATIONS–FUEL SYSTEMS’’) of the 

Boeing 727–100/200 Airworthiness 

Limitations (AWLs) Document, D6–8766– 

AWL, Revision August 2010. The initial 

compliance time for AWL No. 28–AWL–18 is 

within 10 years after the accomplishment of 

paragraph (g) of this AD, or within 10 years 

after the effective date of this AD, whichever 

occurs later. 

No Alternative Inspections, Inspection 

Intervals, or Critical Design Configuration 

Control Limitations (CDCCLs) 

(k) After accomplishing the action 

specified in paragraph (j) of this AD, no 

alternative inspections, inspection intervals, 

or CDCCLs may be used unless the 

inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are 

approved as an alternative method of 

compliance in accordance with the 

procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this 

AD. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(l)(1) The Manager, Seattle 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 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 

(m) For more information about this AD, 

contact Louis Natsiopoulos, Aerospace 

Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, 

ANM–130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 

Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 

Renton, Washington 98057–3356; phone: 

425–917–6478; fax: 425–917–6590; e-mail: 

elias.natsiopoulos@faa.gov. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

(n) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 

727–28–0131, dated August 18, 2010; and 

Section 9 of the Boeing 727–100/200 

Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) Section 9, 

Document D6–8766–AWL, Revision August 

2010; to do the actions required by this AD, 

unless the AD specifies otherwise. ‘‘Section 

9’’ is referenced only in the List of Effective 

Pages section of the Boeing 727–100/200 

AWLs Document. 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

the service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 

and 1 CFR part 51. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this 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. 

(3) You may review copies of the 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. 

(4) You may also review copies of the 

service information that is incorporated by 

reference at the National Archives and 

Records Administration (NARA). For 

information on the availability of this 

material at an NARA facility, call 202–741– 

6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/ 

federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ 

ibr_locations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 11, 

2011. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–13652 Filed 6–9–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

22 CFR Part 62 

[Public Notice 7500] 

RIN 1400–ZA20 

Exchange Visitor Program 

AGENCY: Department of State. 

ACTION: Notice of suspension of 

applicability of certain requirements. 

SUMMARY: The Department is 

temporarily suspending the application 

of certain requirements governing 

program status and on-campus and offcampus employment for J–1 Libyan 

students. This action is necessary to 

mitigate the adverse impact upon these 

students due to political turmoil in their 

home country. 

DATES: This action is effective June 10, 

2011, and will remain in effect until 

December 31, 2011. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Nicole Deaner, Senior Advisor, Private 

Sector Exchange, 2200 C Street NW., 

SA–5, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20522; 

e-mail JExchanges@state.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Recent 

political turmoil in Libya has affected 

Exchange Visitor Program college and 

university students studying in the 

United States. Many of the students 

dependent upon financial support 

originating in their home country have 

found themselves without funds. To 

ameliorate the hardship arising from 

this lack of financial support and 

facilitate these students’ continued 

studies, the Department is suspending 

the application of the full course of 

study requirement set forth at 22 CFR 

62.23(e), the application of the 

requirements governing student 

employment set forth at 22 CFR 

62.23(g), and the application of the 

duration of participation requirements 

set forth at 22 CFR 62.23(h) effective 

June 10, 2011 until December 31, 2011. 

The temporary suspension of certain 

requirements governing program status 

and on-campus and off-campus 

employment for J–1 Libyan students 

does not apply to Federal Work-Study 

jobs. 

College and university students in J– 

1 status whose means of financial 

support come from Libya and whose 

financial support has been disrupted, 

reduced, or eliminated due to turmoil in 

their home country may be authorized 

by the Responsible Officer of their 

academic institution to pursue full-time 

or part-time on-campus or off-campus 

employment. A reduction in the 

students’ academic course load may also 

be necessary due to this employment 

and accordingly, such students will be 

deemed to be in valid J–1 Exchange 

Visitor Program student status if they 

are (i) an undergraduate student and 

enrolled for not less than six semester 

hours of academic credit or its 

recognized equivalent; (ii) a graduate 

student enrolled for not less than three 

hours of academic credit or its 

recognized equivalent; (iii) a non-degree 

student actively participating on not 

less than a half-time equivalent basis in 

the prescribed course of study for which 

the student was initially authorized J–1 

student status; or (iv) a non-degree 

student actively pursuing English 

language instruction on not less than a 

half-time equivalent basis. 

Responsible officers who authorize 

on-campus or off-campus employment 

for these students should update the 

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