Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 Series Airplanes Equipped With Rolls Royce Model RB211 Engines

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 757 series airplanes, that requires repetitive detailed inspections of the support brackets and associated fasteners for the hydraulic lines located in the nacelle struts, and related investigative and corrective actions as necessary. This action also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This action is necessary to prevent flammable fluids from leaking into the interior compartment of the nacelle struts where ignition sources exist, which could result in the ignition of flammable fluids and an uncontained fire. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective March 7, 2005. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 7, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 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 National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tom Thorson, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6508; fax (425) 917-6590.

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 757 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 17, 2004 (69 FR 27866). That action proposed to require repetitive detailed inspections of the support brackets and associated fasteners for the hydraulic lines located in the nacelle struts, and related investigative and corrective actions as necessary. That action also proposed to provide an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

Comments

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

Request To Revise Paragraph (b), Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

The commenter, an operator, supports the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a) of the proposed AD, but requests that the related investigative and corrective actions required by paragraph (b) of the proposed AD be applicable only to a pylon (nacelle strut) that has damaged or loose hydraulic line support brackets or associated fasteners. (If either pylon has loose or damaged parts, the proposed AD requires that operators do all of the related investigative and corrective actions on both pylons concurrently.) The commenter states that, if the inspection results show that a pylon has no damaged or loose hydraulic line attachment hardware, operators should be given the opportunity to repetitively inspect that pylon until damaged or loose attachment hardware is found. The commenter notes that the service bulletins estimate 15 labor hours per pylon to modify the hydraulic line brackets. That modification is the terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a) of the proposed AD. We infer that the commenter is making this request to conserve resources and not expend labor hours to do the terminating action on a pylon that does not have damaged or loose hydraulic line attachment hardware.

The FAA agrees that operators should be required to only perform the related investigative and corrective actions on a nacelle strut that has damaged or loose hydraulic line support brackets or associated fasteners. We have revised paragraph (b) of this AD accordingly. We have determined that this allowance will not affect continued operational safety. If the results of any inspection indicate that a nacelle strut has no damaged or loose hydraulic line attachment hardware, operators must continue to repetitively inspect that strut in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD until damaged or loose attachment hardware is found, at which time the requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD must be accomplished.

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the comments that have been submitted, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the change described previously. We have 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 603 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 325 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 22 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $464,750, or $1,430 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.

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 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:

2005-02-10 Boeing: Amendment 39-13955. Docket 2003-NM-252-AD.

Applicability: Model 757 series airplanes; certificated in any category; line numbers 1 through 1018 inclusive; equipped with Rolls Royce Model RB211 engines.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent flammable fluids from leaking into the interior compartment of the nacelle struts where ignition sources exist, which could result in the ignition of flammable fluids and an uncontained fire, accomplish the following:

Inspection

(a) Within 3,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Do a detailed inspection of the support brackets and associated fasteners for the hydraulic lines located in the nacelle struts for loose or damaged parts, by accomplishing all of the actions specified in Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-54A0045 (for Model 757-200 series airplanes), dated May 22, 2003; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-54A0046 (for Model 757-300 series airplanes), dated May 29, 2003; as applicable. Do the actions per the applicable service bulletin. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight hours.

Note 1:

For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is defined as: “An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.”

Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

(b) Except as required by paragraph (d) of this AD: If any loose or damaged parts are found during any inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, before further flight, for the affected nacelle strut only, do all of the related investigative and corrective actions specified in Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-54A0045 (for Model 757-200 series airplanes), dated May 22, 2003; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-54A0046 (for Model 757-300 series airplanes), dated May 29, 2003; as applicable. Do the actions in accordance with the applicable service bulletin. Accomplishment of these actions constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD for that nacelle strut only.

Optional Terminating Action

(c) If performed on both nacelle struts concurrently: Accomplishment of all of the actions specified in Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-54A0045 (for Model 757-200 series airplanes), dated May 22, 2003; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-54A0046 (for Model 757-300 series airplanes), dated May 29, 2003; as applicable; constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

Repair Information

(d) If any damage is found during any inspection required by this AD, and the service bulletin specifies contacting Boeing for appropriate action. Before further flight, repair per a method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically refer to this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle ACO, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

(f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-54A0045, dated May 22, 2003; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-54A0046, dated May 29, 2003; as applicable. 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 Airplanes, 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 National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal _register/code_ of_federal_ regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Effective Date

(g) This amendment becomes effective on March 7, 2005.