Proposed Rule2024-13943
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 26, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-300F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that certain cargo compartment insulation blankets do not adequately fit some locations and allow smoke to migrate past the cargo compartment sidewall liners and upward into the main cabin. This proposed AD would require replacing cargo compartment insulation blankets. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 123 (Wednesday, June 26, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 26, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53370-53372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13943]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1698; Project Identifier AD-2024-00005-T]
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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-300F series airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by a determination that certain cargo
compartment insulation blankets do not adequately fit some locations
and allow smoke to migrate past the cargo compartment sidewall liners
and upward into the main cabin. This proposed AD would require
replacing cargo compartment insulation blankets. The FAA is proposing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 12,
2024.
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> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1698; 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 NPRM, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For service information identified in this NPRM, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600;
telephone 562-797-1717; website <a href="http://myboeingfleet.com">myboeingfleet.com</a>.
<bullet> You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2024-1698.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Linn, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3684;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#375d425b5e52195b5e59597751565619505841"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d2b8a7bebbb7fcbebbbcbc92b4b3b3fcb5bda4">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-1698; Project Identifier
AD-2024-00005-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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 proposal 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 NPRM.
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 NPRM 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 NPRM, 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
[[Page 53371]]
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Julie Linn, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone: 206-231-3684; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9df7e8f1f4f8b3f1f4f3f3ddfbfcfcb3faf2eb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e9839c85808cc785808787a98f8888c78e869f">[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.
Background
The FAA issued AD 2021-12-11, Amendment 39-21598 (86 FR 33112, June
24, 2021) (AD 2021-12-11), for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-
200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes. AD 2021-12-11 was
prompted by a report of a fire in the bilge area of the cargo
compartment that burned through the insulation blankets that were
intended to prevent smoke from migrating behind the cargo compartment
sidewall liners and upward into the main cabin. AD 2021-12-11 requires
replacing the cargo compartment insulation blankets with new insulation
blankets that incorporate fire stops by complying with Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-0550, Revision 1, dated December 4,
2019. The FAA issued AD 2021-12-11 to address fire in the bilge area of
the cargo compartment, which if not contained could lead to a smoke and
fire event in the passenger compartment.
Since the FAA issued AD 2021-12-11, the agency determined that for
Model 767-300F series airplanes, certain cargo compartment insulation
blankets installed by complying with Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 767-25-0550, dated January 30, 2015, and Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-0550, Revision 1, dated December 4,
2019, do not adequately fit some locations and allow smoke to migrate
past the cargo compartment. Boeing issued Special Attention Service
Bulletin 767-25-0550, Revision 2, dated December 18, 2023, which
reduced the affected airplanes and changed the design of the cargo
compartment blankets. The FAA is issuing this NPRM to require replacing
the cargo compartment insulation blankets with newly designed blankets.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-
0550, Revision 2, dated December 18, 2023. This service information
specifies procedures for replacing insulation blankets in the cargo
compartment with insulation blankets with integrated fire stops.
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 ADDRESSES.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions identified
as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in the Accomplishment Instructions
of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-0550, Revision 2,
dated December 18, 2023, already described, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
For information on the procedures, see this service information at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2024-1698.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 32 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replacement....................... 270 work-hours x $85 per $35,900 $58,850 $1,883,200
hour = $22,950.
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all the costs of this
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected operators.
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
The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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.
[[Page 53372]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2024-1698; Project Identifier AD-
2024-00005-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by August 12, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767-300F series
airplanes, certificated in any category, identified as Group 7, 11
through 15, and 18 in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-
25-0550, Revision 2, dated December 18, 2023.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that certain cargo
compartment insulation blankets do not adequately fit some locations
and allow smoke to migrate past the cargo compartment. The FAA is
issuing this AD to require replacing these cargo compartment
insulation blankets. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in a fire in the bilge area of the cargo compartment, which
if not contained could lead to a smoke and fire event in the
passenger compartment.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do all
applicable actions identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance)
in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-0550, Revision 2,
dated December 18, 2023.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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#67262a28242701060649000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b6f7fbf9f5f6d0d7d798d1d9c0">[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, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety 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.
(4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs
(h)(4)(i) and (ii) of this AD apply.
(i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply
with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is
required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and
identified figures.
(ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy
condition.
(i) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Julie Linn, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone: 206-231-3684; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4c263920252962202522220c2a2d2d622b233a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8fe5fae3e6eaa1e3e6e1e1cfe9eeeea1e8e0f9">[email protected]</span></a>.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-0550,
Revision 2, dated December 18, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Boeing material, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes,
Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster
Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562-797-
1717; website <a href="http://myboeingfleet.com">myboeingfleet.com</a>.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3553471b5c5b46455056415c5a5b755b5447541b525a43"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aec8dc80c7c0dddecbcddac7c1c0eec0cfdccf80c9c1d8">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on June 20, 2024.
Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-13943 Filed 6-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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