Document ID: FAA-2008-0411-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 Airplanes and Model 767-200, 767-300, and 767-300F Series Airplanes
Posted Date: 2008-04-23T04:00Z

[Federal Register: April 23, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 79)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 21811-21813]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23ap08-2]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0411; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-061-AD; 
Amendment 39-15488; AD 2008-09-07]
RIN 2120-AA64

 
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 Airplanes and Model 
767-200, 767-300, and 767-300F Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Boeing Model 757 airplanes and Model 767-200, 767-300, and 767-300F 
series airplanes. This AD requires revising the Limitations section of 
the airplane flight manual to advise the flight crew of procedures to 
follow to ensure that a fuel filter impending bypass condition due to 
gross fuel contamination is detected in a timely manner. This AD was 
prompted by an error in the operating program software (OPS) of the 
engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS). The error prevents 
the display of an advisory message to the flight crew of a left engine 
fuel filter contamination and imminent bypass condition, which may 
indicate an imminent multiple engine thrust loss or engine malfunction 
event due to fuel contamination. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
malfunction and thrust loss on both engines, which could result in a 
forced off-airport landing.

DATES: This AD is effective May 8, 2008.
    We must receive comments on this AD by June 23, 2008.

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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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 street address for 
the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judy Coyle, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind

[[Page 21812]]

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6497; 
fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We have been advised that an operator discovered an error in the 
Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) operating program 
software (OPS) Version 6. This software error prevents the display of 
the ``L ENG FUEL FILT'' advisory message to the flight crew. This 
message was intended to be displayed if an impending clogging condition 
of the left engine fuel filter exists. (The corresponding message for 
the right engine functions normally.) Boeing has determined that this 
software error is isolated to the EICAS OPS Version 6. This software is 
currently approved for installation on all Boeing Model 757 airplanes, 
and Model 767-200, 767-300, and 767-300F series airplanes. (Model 767-
400ER series airplanes use different software.) OPS Version 6 was 
approved in mid-2007 for production and retrofit installation. Boeing's 
records show that the majority of the affected airplanes currently have 
Version 6 software installed. Absence of an engine fuel filter bypass 
indication for each engine eliminates the only effective advance 
warning the flight crew will receive of potential engine malfunction 
due to a gross fuel contamination event on the airplane. Without such 
advance warning, malfunction and thrust loss on both engines due to 
fuel contamination could cause a forced off-airport landing.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    We are issuing 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(se) same type 
design(s). This AD requires revising the Limitations section of the 
airplane flight manual (AFM) to advise the flight crew of procedures to 
follow to ensure that a fuel filter impending bypass condition due to 
gross fuel contamination is detected in a timely manner.
    The actions specified by paragraph (f) of this AD are not required 
when all affected airplanes in an operator's fleet have been verified 
by the operator to have an EICAS computer with a particular part number 
and EICAS OPS versions other than Version 6 software. This exception is 
currently available for Model 757 and 767 passenger airplanes and for 
new production freighter airplanes, but will be available for non-
production-modified freighter airplanes only when OPS versions later 
than Version 6 software become available. Non-production-modified 
freighter airplanes include, but are not limited to, Model 757 
airplanes modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate 
(STC) ST01920LA, and Model 767 series airplanes modified in accordance 
with design approvals granted to Boeing for the Boeing Converted 
Freighter (BCF) or Special Freighter (SF) configurations. Only OPS 
Version 6 software or a later OPS version was approved by the FAA for 
use on non-production-modified freighter airplanes; this is because 
cargo door indications required for certification of those freighter 
conversion modifications were introduced at Version 6.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Because of our requirement to promote safe flight of civil 
aircraft, and thus the critical need to ensure that the flight crew has 
procedures to follow to ensure that a fuel filter impending bypass 
condition due to gross fuel contamination is detected in a timely 
manner, and because of the short compliance time involved with this 
action, this AD must be issued immediately.
    Because an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we find that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments before it becomes effective. However, we invite 
you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send 
your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include 
``Docket No. FAA-2008-0411; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-061-AD'' at 
the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the 
overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend this 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 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); and
    (3) 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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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.

[[Page 21813]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2008-09-07 Boeing: Amendment 39-15488. Docket No. FAA-2008-0411; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-061-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 8, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, 
and -300 series airplanes, and Model 767-200, 767-300, and 767-300F 
series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by an error in the operating program 
software (OPS) of the engine indication and crew alerting system 
(EICAS). The error prevents the display of an advisory message to 
the flight crew of a left engine fuel filter contamination and 
imminent bypass condition, which may indicate an imminent multiple 
engine thrust loss or engine malfunction event due to fuel 
contamination. We are issuing this AD to prevent malfunction and 
thrust loss on both engines, which could result in a forced off-
airport landing.

Compliance

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

Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    (f) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations section of the applicable AFM to include the 
following. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the 
AFM.

    ``If the STATUS cue shows while on the ground after engine start 
or during flight, select the status page on the secondary EICAS 
display, and verify the ``L ENG FUEL FILT'' message is not shown. If 
the ``L ENG FUEL FILT'' message is not shown on the status page, the 
secondary engine parameters may be reselected on the secondary EICAS 
display, or the display may be blanked. If the ``L ENG FUEL FILT'' 
message is shown on the status display, accomplish the ENGINE FUEL 
FILTER non-normal checklist as published in the Boeing Quick 
Reference Handbook. If on the ground, check the Dispatch Deviations 
Guide (DDG), or operator equivalent.
    In the event that the status level ``L ENG FUEL FILT'' and 
advisory level ``R ENG FUEL FILT'' messages are simultaneously 
shown, an impending fuel filter bypass condition exists on both 
engines. With both messages shown, airplane fuel system 
contamination may be present and may result in erratic engine 
operation or flameout.
    Further flight crew action in response to either or both the ``L 
ENG FUEL FILT'' status-level message and the ``R ENG FUEL FILT'' 
advisory level messages being shown are not established by Boeing or 
the FAA. Any further flight crew action should be determined by 
individual operator policy.
    Boeing policy on flight crew use of status-level messages has 
not changed. After engine start, any condition having an adverse 
effect on safe continuation of the flight appears as an EICAS alert 
message (Warning, Caution, or Advisory). If other status-level 
messages are shown as a consequence of complying with these 
temporary operating instructions, the flight crew should respond in 
accordance with the appropriate operator policy.
    Dispatch of the airplane with an inoperative EICAS display unit 
is prohibited.

    (g) If all affected airplanes in an operator's fleet have been 
verified by the operator to have EICAS computer part number 
S242N701-1001 and only EICAS OPS versions other than Version 6 
software that are FAA approved for that airplane, then 
accomplishment of the actions specified in paragraph (f) of this AD 
is not required.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, ATTN: Judy Coyle, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-
140S, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 
telephone (425) 917-6497; fax (425) 917-6590; has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) None.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 14, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-8653 Filed 4-22-08; 8:45 am]

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