Document ID: FAA-2013-0797-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: The Boeing Company Airplanes
Posted Date: 2013-09-25T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 25, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58970-58973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23273]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0797; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-007-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 767-300 and 767-300F series airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of malfunctions in the flight 
deck display units resulting in blanking, blurring, or loss of color on 
the display. This proposed AD would require modification and 
installation of components in the main equipment center. For certain 
other airplanes this proposed AD would require modification, 
replacement, and installation of flight deck air relief system (FDARS) 
components. We are proposing this AD to prevent malfunctions of the 
flight deck display units, which could affect the ability of the 
flightcrew to read the displays for airplane attitude, altitude, or 
airspeed, and consequently reduce the ability of the flightcrew to 
maintain control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 12, 
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 Boeing 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; 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: Francis Smith, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Controls Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6596; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
francis.smith@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-2013-0797; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-007-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

[[Page 58971]]

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 have received reports of malfunctions in flight compartment 
display units on Model 767-300F airplanes. Operators of Model 767-300F 
airplanes reported flight deck display unit malfunctions including 
blanking, blurring, or loss of color caused by moisture or condensation 
being collected inside the display units during operation in hot and 
humid environments. The reports range from a malfunction in a single 
display unit to malfunctions in multiple display units. Boeing is aware 
of the likely causes of display unit malfunctions related to moisture 
or condensation ingress. The most frequent instance was display units 
being cold soaked by the air delivered from the air conditioning packs 
by the electronic cooling system through the 3-way valve in hot and 
humid conditions. Malfunctions of the flight deck display units, if not 
corrected, could affect the ability of the flightcrew to read the 
displays for airplane attitude, altitude, or airspeed, and consequently 
reduce the ability of the flightcrew to maintain control of the 
airplane.
    Model 767-300 airplanes have an electronic cooling system design 
similar to the electronic cooling system on the Model 767-300F 
airplane; therefore, Model 767-300 airplanes might be subject to the 
unsafe condition revealed on Model 767-300F airplanes.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed the following service information.
     Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0240, Revision 1, dated 
November 12, 2009.
     Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0244, Revision 1, dated 
March 8, 2010.
     Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0245, Revision 1, dated 
September 30, 2010.
     Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-21A0247, dated October 
10, 2011.
     Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-21A0253, dated October 
12, 2012.
    For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this 
service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
Docket No. FAA-2013-0797.

Concurrent Service Information

    Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0240, Revision 1, dated November 12, 
2009; and Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0244, Revision 1, dated March 
8, 2010 (both for Model 767-300 series airplanes); specify prior or 
concurrent accomplishment of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-31-0073, dated 
October 12, 1995 (for certain Model 767-300 series airplanes).
    Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0245, Revision 1, dated September 
30, 2010 (for Model 767-300F series airplanes), specifies that if the 
3-way valve control logic change in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-
0235, dated July 29, 2011, is done in concurrently with Boeing Service 
Bulletin 767-21-0245, Revision 1, dated September 30, 2010, operators 
only need to do the functional test in the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0245, Revision 1, dated September 30, 
2010.
    Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-21A0247, dated October 10, 2011 
(for Model 767-300F series airplanes), specifies prior or concurrent 
accomplishment of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0235, dated October 8, 
2009; or Revision 1, dated July 29, 2011 (for certain Model 767-300F 
series airplanes).
    For information on the procedures, see this service information at 
http://regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2013-0797.

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 identified previously, except where Boeing 
Service Bulletin 767-21-0240, Revision 1, dated November 12, 2009; and 
Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0244, Revision 1, dated March 8, 2010; 
specify installing carpet in the flight deck, this proposed AD would 
not specifically require that action because it is not critical to 
address the unsafe condition.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 43 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Cost per        Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost          Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pressure switch installation, relay   16 work-hours x $85 per          $6,979          $8,339           $183,458
 replacement, wire routing (Boeing     hour = $1,360.                                             (22 airplanes)
 Alert Service Bulletin 767-21A0247,
 dated October 10, 2011).
Carpet, muffler, and drain tube       37 work-hours x $85 per               0           3,145             50,320
 installation, relay removal and       hour = $3,145.                                             (16 airplanes)
 installation, wire bundle changes
 (Boeing Service Bulletin
 767[dash]21-0240, dated November
 12, 2009; and Boeing Service
 Bulletin 767-21-0244, Revision 1,
 dated March 8, 2010).
Wire bundle and relay changes,        14 work-hours x $85 per           1,148           2,338             11,690
 install 2 diodes (Boeing Service      hour = $1,190.                                              (5 airplanes)
 Bulletin 767-21-0245, Revision 1,
 dated September 30, 2010).
Replace duct, install additional      76 work-hours x $85 per          55,663             N/A                N/A
 duct, valve, altitude switch, and     hour = $6,460.
 pitot tube (Boeing Alert Service
 Bulletin 767-21A0253, dated October
 12, 2012).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

[[Page 58972]]

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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2013-0797; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NM-007-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 12, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767-300 and 767-300F 
series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in the 
service information specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(5) of 
this AD.
    (1) Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0240, Revision 1, dated 
November 12, 2009.
    (2) Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0244, Revision 1, dated March 
8, 2010.
    (3) Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0245, Revision 1, dated 
September 30, 2010.
    (4) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-21A0247, dated October 10, 
2011.
    (5) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-21A0253, dated October 12, 
2012.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2158, Air Conditioning.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of malfunctions in the flight 
deck display units resulting in blanking, blurring, or loss of color 
on the display. We are issuing this AD to prevent malfunctions of 
the flight deck display units, which could affect the ability of the 
flightcrew to read the displays for airplane attitude, altitude, or 
airspeed, and consequently reduce the ability of the flightcrew to 
maintain control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Modification, Replacement, and Installation of Flight Deck Air 
Relief System (FDARS) Components

    For Model 767-300F series airplanes as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 767-21A0253, dated October 12, 2012: Within 
72 months after the effective date of this AD, in the main equipment 
center and the area under the left and right sides of the flight 
deck door, replace the existing duct with a new duct, install new 
FDARS components (including mounting brackets, ducts, orifice, 
outlet valve, and screen), modify wiring, modify the relay 
installation in panel P36, and install a new altitude switch and 
pitot tube, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-21A0253, dated October 12, 2012.

(h) Modification and Installation of Components in the Main Equipment 
Center

    (1) For Model 767-300F series airplanes as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 767-21A0247, dated October 10, 2011: Within 
72 months after the effective date of this AD, in the main equipment 
center, install a new bracket on the E8 Engine Indication and Crew 
Alerting System (EICAS) rack at station 266.5, install a new 
pressure switch to the bracket at the E8 EICAS rack, make changes to 
wire bundles W176, W596, W1114, W1702, W2000, replace relay K10355 
with a new relay K10718, and flush the pitot static system, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 767-21A0247, dated October 10, 2011.
    (2) For Model 767-300F series airplanes as identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 767-21-0245, Revision 1, dated September 30, 2012: 
Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, in the main 
equipment center, replace relay K10355 with a new relay K10718, add 
two diodes in the E8 EICAS rack, and make changes to wire bundles 
W0176, W596, W1702, W2000, and W2006, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instruction of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0245, 
Revision 1, dated September 30, 2012, except as provided by 
paragraph (i) of this AD.
    (3) For Model 767-300 series airplanes as identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 767-21-0240, Revision 1, dated November 12, 2009; 
and Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0244, Revision 1, dated March 8, 
2010: Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, in the 
main equipment center, install drain tubing and muffler assemblies, 
change wire bundle W1718, change relays, placards, and wire bundle 
W5075 in the P136 left relay panel, change wire bundle W2006 in the 
E8 EICAS rack; and change wire bundle W1114 in the P50 electrical 
systems card file; in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0240, Revision 1, 
dated November 12, 2009; or Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0244, 
Revision 1, dated March 8, 2010; as applicable.

(i) Exception to Paragraph (h) of This AD

    For Model 767-300F series airplanes identified as Group 1 
airplanes in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0245, Revision 1, dated 
September 30, 2010: If the 3-way valve control logic change in 
Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0235, dated July 29, 2011, is done 
prior to or concurrent with the actions required by paragraph (h)(2) 
of this AD, operators need to do only the functional test of the 
manifold interconnect valve control logic modification, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 767-21-0245, Revision 1, dated September 30, 2010. 
Operators do not need to do the other actions specified in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0245, 
Revision 1, dated September 30, 2010, if the actions in the 
Accomplishment Instructions in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0235, 
dated July 29, 2011, are done concurrently. If the functional test 
fails, before further flight, do corrective actions that are 
approved in accordance with

[[Page 58973]]

the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.

(j) Concurrent Requirements

    For Model 767-300 series airplanes as identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 767- 21-0240, Revision 1, dated November 12, 2009; 
and Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-0244, Revision 1, dated March 8, 
2012: Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the requirements 
of paragraph (h)(3) of this AD, do all of the actions specified in 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-31-
0073, dated October 12, 1995.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using Boeing Service Bulletin 767-21-
0245, dated April 16, 2010, which is not incorporated by reference 
in this AD.

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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 paragraph (m)(1) of this AD. 
Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-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.

(m) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Francis Smith, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Controls Branch, 
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6596; fax: 
425-917-6590; email: francis.smith@faa.gov.
    (2) 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; 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 September 16, 2013.
Ross Landes,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-23273 Filed 9-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P