16198 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

(g) Additional Information 

The subject of this AD is addressed in 

European Aviation Safety Agency AD No. 

2010–0213, dated October 14, 2010. 

(h) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6320: Main Rotor Gearbox. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 6, 

2013. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–05872 Filed 3–13–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0210; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–053–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 supersede an 

existing airworthiness directive (AD) 

that applies to certain The Boeing 

Company Model MD–11 and MD–11F 

airplanes. The existing AD currently 

requires inspecting to determine if wires 

touch the upper surface of the center 

upper auxiliary fuel tank, and marking 

the location, as necessary; inspecting all 

wire bundles above the center upper 

auxiliary fuel tank for splices and 

damage; inspecting for damage to the 

fuel vapor barrier seal and upper surface 

of the center upper auxiliary fuel tank; 

and performing corrective actions, as 

necessary. The existing AD also requires 

installing nonmetallic barrier/shield 

sleeving, new clamps, new attaching 

hardware, and a new extruded channel. 

The existing AD resulted from fuel 

system reviews conducted by the 

manufacturer. Since we issued that AD, 

we have identified additional center 

upper auxiliary fuel tank locations 

where inspections and corrective 

actions are needed. We are proposing 

this AD to reduce 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: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by April 29, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, 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 AD, contact Boeing Commercial 

Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 

Management, 3855 Lakewood 

Boulevard, MC D800–0019, Long Beach, 

CA 90846–0001; telephone 206–544– 

5000, extension 2; fax 206–766–5683; 

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: 

Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer, 

Propulsion Branch, ANM–140L, FAA, 

Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 

Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 

Lakewood, CA 90712–4137; phone: 

(562) 627–5262; fax: (562) 627–5210; 

email: samuel.lee@faa.gov. 

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–2013–0210; Directorate Identifier 

2012–NM–053–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 December 16, 2009, we issued AD 

2009–26–16, Amendment 39–16155 (74 

FR 69249, December 31, 2009), for 

certain McDonnell Douglas Corporation 

Model MD–11 and MD–11F airplanes. 

That AD requires inspecting to 

determine if wires touch the upper 

surface of the center upper auxiliary 

fuel tank, and marking the location, as 

necessary; inspecting all wire bundles 

above the center upper auxiliary fuel 

tank for splices and damage; inspecting 

for damage to the fuel vapor barrier seal 

and upper surface of the center upper 

auxiliary fuel tank; and corrective 

actions, as necessary. That AD also 

requires installing nonmetallic barrier/ 

shield sleeving, new clamps, new 

attaching hardware, and a new extruded 

channel. That AD resulted from fuel 

system reviews conducted by the 

manufacturer. We issued that AD to 

reduce 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. 

Actions Since AD 2009–26–16, 

Amendment 39–16155 (74 FR 69249, 

December 31, 2009), Was Issued 

AD 2009–26–16, Amendment 39– 

16155 (74 FR 69249, December 31, 

2009) refers to Boeing Service Bulletin 

MD11–28–126, Revision 1, dated June 

18, 2009, as the appropriate source of 

service information for the required 

actions. Boeing has since revised this 

service information. We have reviewed 

Boeing Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, 

Revision 4, dated November 29, 2011, 

which added additional work for certain 

airplanes. This additional work includes 

inspecting an additional wire bundle 

and installing additional sleeving, 

clamping, and an extruded channel over 

the center upper auxiliary fuel tank. 

Relevant Service Information 

We have reviewed Boeing Service 

Bulletin MD11–28–126, Revision 4, 

dated November 29, 2011. For 

information on the procedures and 

compliance times, see this service 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2013 / Proposed Rules 16199 

information at http:// 

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

Docket No. FAA–2013–0210. 

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 these same 

type designs. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would retain all of 

the requirements of AD 2009–26–16, 

Amendment 39–16155 (74 FR 69249, 

December 31, 2009). This proposed AD 

would also require accomplishing the 

actions specified in the service 

information identified previously, 

except as discussed under ‘‘Differences 

Between the AD and the Service 

Information.’’ 

The phrase ‘‘related investigative 

actions’’ might be used in this proposed 

AD. ‘‘Related investigative actions’’ are 

follow-on actions that: (1) Are related to 

the primary actions, and (2) are actions 

that further investigate the nature of any 

condition found. Related investigative 

actions in an AD could include, for 

example, inspections. 

In addition, the phrase ‘‘corrective 

actions’’ might be used in this proposed 

AD. ‘‘Corrective actions’’ are actions 

that correct or address any condition 

found. Corrective actions in an AD 

could include, for example, repairs. 

Differences Between the Proposed AD 

and the Service Information 

The Accomplishment Instructions of 

Boeing Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, 

Revision 4, dated November 29, 2011, 

specify to contact Boeing for additional 

inspection and repair instructions, but 

this proposed AD would require 

operators to perform those actions using 

a method approved by the FAA. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 125 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 

Inspection/installation retained [actions 

from existing AD 2009–26–16, 

Amendment 39–16155 (74 FR 

69249, December 31, 2009].

168 to 182 work-hours × $85 per hour 

= $14,280 to $15,470 per inspection 

cycle.

$9,405 to $12,201 $23,685 to 

$27,671 per inspection cycle.

$2,865,885 to 

$3,348,191 per 

inspection cycle. 

Inspection/installation Groups 1, 2, and 

5, all Configuration 2 airplanes [new 

proposed action].

Up to 9 work–hours × $85 per hour = 

$765.

$2,863 ................... Up to $3,628 ......... Up to $438,988. 

Inspection/installation Group 6 airplanes [new proposed action].13 work-hours × $85 per hour = 

$1,105.

$7,932 ................... $9,037 ................... $36,148. 

We have received no definitive data 

that would enable us to provide cost 

estimates for the on-condition actions 

specified in this proposed 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 

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), 

(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 

removing airworthiness directive (AD) 

2009–26–16, Amendment 39–16155 (74 

FR 69249, December 31, 2009), and 

adding the following new AD: 

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 

2013–0210; Directorate Identifier 2012– 

NM–053–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

AD action by April 29, 2013. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD supersedes AD 2009–26–16, 

Amendment 39–16155 (74 FR 69249, 

December 31, 2009). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

Model MD–11 and MD–11F airplanes, 

certificated in any category, as identified in 

Boeing Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, 

Revision 4, dated November 29, 2011. 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
16200 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 28, Fuel. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by fuel system 

reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We 

are issuing this AD to reduce 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. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Retained Inspection and Corrective 

Action 

This paragraph restates the requirements of 

paragraph (g) of AD 2009–26–16, 

Amendment 39–16155 (74 FR 69249, 

December 31, 2009), with revised service 

information. For airplanes identified in 

Boeing Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, 

Revision 1, dated June 18, 2009: Within 60 

months after February 4, 2010 (the effective 

date of AD 2009–26–16), do the actions 

specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(5) 

of this AD, and do all applicable corrective 

actions, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 

Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, Revision 1, 

dated June 18, 2009; or Boeing Service 

Bulletin MD11–28–126, Revision 4, dated 

November 29, 2011; except as required by 

paragraph (j) of this AD. After the effective 

date of this AD, only Boeing Service Bulletin 

MD11–28–126, Revision 4, dated November 

29, 2011, may be used. Do all applicable 

corrective actions before further flight. 

(1) Do a general visual inspection of the 

wire bundles between Stations 1238.950 and 

1361.000 to determine if wires touch the 

upper surface of the center upper auxiliary 

fuel tank, and mark the location, as 

applicable. 

(2) Do a detailed inspection for splices and 

damage of all wire bundles above the center 

upper auxiliary fuel tank between Stations 

1218.950 and 1381.000. 

(3) Do a detailed inspection for damage 

(burn marks) of the upper surface of the 

center upper auxiliary fuel tank. 

(4) Do a detailed inspection for damage 

(burn marks) on the fuel vapor barrier seal. 

(5) Install a nonmetallic barrier/shield 

sleeving, new clamps, new attaching 

hardware, and a new extruded channel. 

(h) New Inspections and Corrective Action 

for Group 1, Configuration 2; Group 2, 

Configuration 2; and Group 5, Configuration 

2 Airplanes 

For airplanes in Group 1, Configuration 2; 

Group 2, Configuration 2; and Group 5, 

Configuration 2; as identified in Boeing 

Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, Revision 4, 

dated November 29, 2011: Within 60 months 

after the effective date of this AD, do a 

detailed inspection of wire bundles for 

splices and damage (chafing, arcing, and 

broken insulation) and damage (burn marks) 

on the upper surface of the center upper 

auxiliary fuel tank and fuel vapor barrier 

seal; install barrier/shield sleeving and 

clamping; and do all applicable corrective 

actions at the locations specified in 

paragraphs (h)(1) through (h)(3) of this AD, 

in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 

MD11–28–126, Revision 4, dated November 

29, 2011, except as required by paragraph 

(k)(3) of this AD. Do all applicable corrective 

actions before further flight. 

(1) For Group 1, Configuration 2 airplanes: 

between Stations 1238.950 and 1381.000, and 

Stations 1238.950 and 1256.000, and Stations 

1238.950 and 1256.800, depending on 

passenger or freighter configuration. 

(2) For Group 2, Configuration 2 airplanes: 

between Stations 1238.950 and 1275.250, and 

Stations 1238.950 and 1275.250, passenger 

configuration only. 

(3) For Group 5, Configuration 2 airplanes: 

between Stations 1381.000 and 1238.950. 

(i) Credit for Previous Actions 

(1) This paragraph provides credit for 

actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 

if those actions were performed before the 

effective date of this AD, using the service 

bulletins specified in paragraphs (i)(1)(i), 

(i)(1)(ii), or (i)(1)(iii) of this AD. 

(i) Boeing Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, 

Revision 1, dated June 18, 2009. 

(ii) Boeing Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, 

Revision 2, dated November 18, 2010, which 

is not incorporated by reference in this AD. 

(iii) Boeing Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, 

Revision 3, dated June 3, 2011, which is not 

incorporated by reference in this AD. 

(2) This paragraph provides credit for 

actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD, 

if those actions were performed before the 

effective date of this AD, using Boeing 

Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, Revision 3, 

dated June 3, 2011. 

(j) Repair 

Where Boeing Service Bulletin MD11–28– 

126, Revision 1, dated June 18, 2009; or 

Boeing Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, 

Revision 4, dated November 29, 2011; 

specifies to contact The Boeing Company for 

repair instructions: Before further flight, 

repair the auxiliary fuel tank in accordance 

with a method approved by the Manager, Los 

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 

FAA. 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. 

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 

ACO, send it to the attention of the person 

identified in the Related Information section 

of this AD. 

(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 

Structures Authorized Representative for the 

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Delegation 

Option Authorization Organization who has 

been authorized by the Manager, Los Angeles 

ACO, to make those findings. For a repair 

method to be approved, the repair must meet 

the certification basis of the airplane, and 14 

CFR 25.571, Amendment 45, and the 

approval must specifically refer to this AD. 

(4) AMOCs approved for AD 2009–26–16, 

Amendment 39–16155 (74 FR 69249, 

December 31, 2009), are approved as AMOCs 

for the corresponding requirements of this 

AD. 

(l) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer, 

Propulsion Branch, ANM–140L, FAA, Los 

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 

Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712– 

4137; phone: (562) 627–5262; fax: (562) 627– 

5210; email: samuel.lee@faa.gov. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Boeing Commercial 

Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 

Management, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC 

D800–0019, Long Beach, CA 90846–0001; 

telephone 206–544–5000, extension 2; fax 

206–766–5683; 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. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 8, 

2013. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–05864 Filed 3–13–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0240; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–SW–060–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter 

France Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model 

AS350 and AS355 helicopters. This 

proposed AD would require inspecting 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS