Document ID: FAA-2015-3637-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: The Boeing Company Airplanes
Posted Date: 2015-09-29T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58362-58364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24565]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 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.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 188 / Tuesday, September 29, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 58362]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3637; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-219-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 MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by a report of fuel odor in the cabin. Fuel 
was found leaking from a cracked fuel line shroud in the left cargo 
compartment equipment tunnel. This proposed AD would require a check 
for the presence of fuel at the fuel shroud drain; a high frequency 
eddy current (HFEC) inspection for cracked fuel line shrouds; a 
pressure test of the drain system of the tail tank fuel shroud and a 
pressure test of the drain system of the aft fuselage fuel shroud to 
determine cracking; and corrective actions, if necessary. We are 
proposing this AD to detect and correct fuel leaking from a cracked 
fuel line shroud, which could result in fuel accumulation below the 
cargo compartment floor and consequent increased risk of fire.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 13, 
2015.

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 proposed 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 view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2015-3637.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3637; 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: Philip Kush, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; 
telephone: 562-627-5263; fax: 562-627-5210; email: Philip.Kush@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-2015-3637; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-219-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 have received a report of fuel odor in the cabin. Fuel was found 
leaking from a cracked fuel line shroud in the left cargo compartment 
equipment tunnel. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
fuel accumulation below the cargo compartment floor and consequent 
increased risk of fire.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A148, dated August 
29, 2014. The service information describes procedures for checking for 
the presence of fuel at the fuel shroud drain; a HFEC inspection for 
cracked fuel line shrouds; a pressure test of the drain system of the 
tail tank fuel shroud and a pressure test of the drain system of the 
aft fuselage fuel shroud to determine cracking; and corrective actions. 
This service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.

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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 90 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.

[[Page 58363]]

We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check for presence of fuel at the  2 work-hours x $85               $0  $170, per            $15,300, per
 fuel shroud drain.                 per hour = $170,                     inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
                                    per inspection
                                    cycle.
HFEC Inspection (optional).......  5 work-hours x $85                0  $425, per            $38,250, per
                                    per hour = $425,                     inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
                                    per inspection
                                    cycle.
Pressure Test....................  3 work-hours x $85                0  $255, per            $22,950, per
                                    per hour = $255,                     inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
                                    per inspection
                                    cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 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-2015-3637; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-219-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 13, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-11F 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A148, dated August 29, 2014.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of fuel odor in the cabin. Fuel 
was found leaking from a cracked fuel line shroud in the left cargo 
compartment equipment tunnel. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct fuel leaking from a cracked fuel line shroud, which could 
result in fuel accumulation below the cargo compartment floor and 
consequent increased risk of fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Check, Inspection, Test, and Corrective Actions

    Do the actions in paragraphs (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable.
    (1) Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable time in Table 1 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A148, dated August 29, 2014, do 
the actions in paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), and (g)(1)(iii) of 
this AD. Before further flight do all applicable corrective actions, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-28A148, dated August 29, 2014. Repeat the 
actions thereafter at the applicable time in Table 1 of paragraph 
1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A148, 
dated August 29, 2014.
    (i) Check for the presence of fuel at the fuel shroud drain.
    (ii) Do a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection for 
cracked fuel line shrouds.
    (iii) Do a pressure test of the drain system of the tail tank 
fuel shroud and a pressure test of the drain system of the aft 
fuselage fuel shroud to determine if there is cracking.
    (2) Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable time in Table 2 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A148, dated August 29, 2014, do 
the actions in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (g)(2)(ii) of this AD. 
Before further flight do all applicable corrective actions, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-28A148, dated August 29, 2014. Repeat the 
actions thereafter at the applicable time in Table 2 of paragraph 
1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A148, 
dated August 29, 2014.
    (i) Check for the presence of fuel at the fuel shroud drain.
    (ii) Do a pressure test of the drain system of the tail tank 
fuel shroud and a pressure

[[Page 58364]]

test of the drain system of the aft fuselage fuel shroud to 
determine if there is cracking.

(h) Exception to the Service Information

    Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A148, dated August 
29, 2014, specifies a compliance time of ``after the original issue 
date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance within 
the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles 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 (j)(1) of this AD. 
Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-LAACO-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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Philip Kush, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; telephone: 562-627-5263; fax: 562-627-5210; 
email: Philip.Kush@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 view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 17, 2015.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-24565 Filed 9-28-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P