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

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes, that requires replacement of the existing potable water fill line tube with a new hose. This action is necessary to prevent fracture of a clamshell coupling on the potable water fill line, which could cause water to flow into the aft cargo compartment. A large amount of water in the cargo compartment could cause large shifts in the airplane's center of gravity, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective June 1, 2001.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 1, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Don Eiford, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2788; fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2000 (65 FR 80390). That action proposed to require replacement of the existing potable water fill line tube with a new hose.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comments received.

Support for the Proposal

One commenter supports the proposed rule, and two other commenters state no objection to the proposed rule because they do not operate airplanes subject to the proposed rule.

Request To Limit Applicability

One commenter requests that the FAA revise the applicability of the proposed AD to state that the actions are only required for airplanes equipped with a potable water system. The commenter states that it operates several airplanes included in the applicability statement of the proposed rule that are not equipped with a potable water system. The unsafe condition addressed by the proposed AD may occur when water is being pumped into the airplane to fill the potable water system. However, if the airplane has no potable water system, there is no cause for water to be pumped into the airplane. Thus, airplanes without a potable water system would not be subject to the unsafe condition. The FAA concurs, and has revised the applicability statement of this AD to include only Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-38A0057, dated July 13, 2000, that are equipped with a potable water system.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available data, including the comments noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 159 Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 18 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $482 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,756, or $542 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Incorporation by reference
• Safety

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2001-08-22 Boeing: Amendment 39-12199. Docket 2000-NM-296-AD.

Applicability: Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-38A0057, dated July 13, 2000; equipped with a potable water system; certificated in any category.

Note 1:

This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent fracture of a clamshell coupling on the potable water fill line, which could cause a large amount of water to flow into the aft cargo compartment, and result in large shifts in the airplane's center of gravity and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Replacement

(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the existing potable water fill line tube with a new flexible hose, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-38A0057, dated July 13, 2000.

Spares

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install a potable water fill line tube, part number 417T2021-179, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.

Note 2:

Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Seattle ACO.

Special Flight Permits

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

(e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-38A0057, dated July 13, 2000. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

(f) This amendment becomes effective on June 1, 2001.