Rule2023-07037
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
April 5, 2023
Effective
April 20, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 767-2C series airplanes. This AD was prompted by arcing on an electrical terminal lug in a certain electrical power panel that caused heat and smoke damage, as a result of a loose power feeder terminal lug connection. This AD requires inspection of each terminal lug on certain electrical power panels for evidence of arcing and/or loose connection and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 65 (Wednesday, April 5, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 5, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20065-20067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07037]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0433; Project Identifier AD-2022-00619-T;
Amendment 39-22381; AD 2023-05-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
The Boeing Company Model 767-2C series airplanes. This AD was prompted
by arcing on an electrical terminal lug in a certain electrical power
panel that caused heat and smoke damage, as a result of a loose power
feeder terminal lug connection. This AD requires inspection of each
terminal lug on certain electrical power panels for evidence of arcing
and/or loose connection and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective April 20, 2023.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by May 22, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2023-0433; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hien T. Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 405-954-5298; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bcf4d5d9d292e892f2dbc9c5d9d2fcdadddd92dbd3ca"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dc94b5b9b2f288f292bba9a5b9b29cbabdbdf2bbb3aa">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA received a report of an arcing event on an electrical
terminal lug in the P34 panel that caused heat and smoke damage within
the panel. It was determined that the arcing was a result of a loose
power feeder terminal lug connection. An investigation into the root
cause determined that the terminal lug was not torqued to the required
specifications resulting in a loose connection. The under-torqued
terminal lug was determined to be a workmanship issue. Additional
inspections to other electrical power panels resulted in multiple
findings of under-torqued terminal lugs. Under-torqued terminal lugs,
if not addressed, could result in arcing that may lead to loss of
critical function and loss of continued safe flight and landing. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this AD because the agency has determined the
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in
other products of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires a general visual inspection of electrical terminal
lugs, wires, and attached components in certain electrical power panels
for electrical arcing damage, and repair or replacement of any damaged
part; and a detailed inspection of each terminal lug for loose lugs in
certain power panels, and retorquing each loose terminal lug.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to
the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
There are currently no affected airplanes on the U.S. Register.
Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are
unnecessary, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3). In addition, for the
foregoing reason(s), the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under
ADDRESSES. Include Docket No. FAA-2023-0433 and Project Identifier AD-
2022-00619-T at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this final rule because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this final rule.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Hien T.
Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and
[[Page 20066]]
Equipment Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 405-954-5298; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#642c0d010a4a304a2a03111d010a240205054a030b12"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d890b1bdb6f68cf696bfada1bdb698beb9b9f6bfb7ae">[email protected]</span></a>.
Any commentary that the FAA receives that is not specifically
designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this
rulemaking.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment,
RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
Currently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes. For any
affected airplane that is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in
the future, the FAA provides the following cost estimates to comply
with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Inspections............................ 43 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $3,655 per inspection
$3,655 per inspection cycle. cycle.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of the
inspections. The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft
that might need these on-condition actions:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Remove and Replace............................ 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85...... $0 $85
Apply Torque.................................. 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85...... 0 85
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the replacement parts or repairs 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.
The FAA is 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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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
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:
2023-05-12 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22381; Docket No. FAA-
2023-0433; Project Identifier AD-2022-00619-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 20, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 767-2C series
airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical
Power.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of an arcing event on an
electrical terminal lug that caused heat and smoke damage within the
power panel. The FAA is issuing this AD to address under-torqued
power feeder terminal lugs and possible loose connections. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to loss of critical
function and loss of continued safe flight and landing.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Within 10 months after the effective date of this AD, do the
actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD, in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO
Branch, FAA.
(1) Do a general visual inspection (GVI) for electrical arcing
damage of electrical terminal lugs, wires, and attached components
in certain power panels, and before further flight, repair any
damage found.
[[Page 20067]]
(2) Do a detailed inspection of each terminal lug for loose lugs
in power panels, and, before further flight, apply torque to each
loose terminal lug.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office,
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of
the certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (i) of this AD. Information may be emailed
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2d14006c6360007e484c59594148006c6e62006c60626e007f485c58485e595e6d4b4c4c034a425b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1e27335f5053334d7b7f6a6a727b335f5d51335f53515d334c7b6f6b7b6d6a6d5e787f7f30797168">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD
if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle
ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair
method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet
the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(i) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Hien T. Nguyen,
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 405-954-
5298; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3f77565a51116b1171584a465a517f595e5e11585049"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eea6878b80c0bac0a0899b978b80ae888f8fc0898198">[email protected]</span></a>.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on March 9, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-07037 Filed 4-4-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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