[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 1 (Monday, January 3, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31-34]
[FR Doc No: 2010-33002]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1272; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-226-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 727, 727C,
727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD would require replacing the
existing unshielded fuel quantity indication system (FQIS) wire bundles
with double shielded FQIS wire bundles, installing a new wire feed-
through fitting, and grounding the wire shields, as applicable; and
doing repetitive low frequency eddy current (LFEC) inspections for
cracking of the fuselage skin, and corrective actions if necessary.
This proposed AD also would require revising the maintenance program to
incorporate certain airworthiness limitations. This proposed AD was
prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are
proposing this AD to increase the level of protection from lightning
strikes and prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel
tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result
in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 17,
2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
     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,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1; fax<PHONE_NUMBER>; e-mail<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call<PHONE_NUMBER>.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; 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:<PHONE_NUMBER>) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louis Natsiopoulos, Aerospace
Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax<PHONE_NUMBER>; e-mail:
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
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-2010-1272;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-226-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

    The FAA has examined the underlying safety issues involved in fuel
tank explosions on several large transport airplanes, including the
adequacy of existing regulations, the service history of airplanes
subject to those regulations, and existing maintenance practices for
fuel tank systems. As a result of those findings, we issued a
regulation titled ``Transport Airplane Fuel Tank System Design Review,
Flammability Reduction and Maintenance and Inspection Requirements''
(66 FR 23086, May 7, 2001). In addition to new airworthiness standards
for transport airplanes and new maintenance requirements, this rule
included Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 (``SFAR 88,''
Amendment 21-78, and subsequent Amendments 21-82 and 21-83).
    Among other actions, SFAR 88 requires certain type design (i.e.,
type certificate (TC) and supplemental type certificate (STC)) holders
to substantiate that their fuel tank systems can prevent ignition
sources in the fuel tanks. This requirement applies to type design
holders for large turbine-powered transport airplanes and for
subsequent modifications to those airplanes. It requires them to
perform design reviews and to develop design changes and maintenance
procedures if their designs do not meet the new fuel tank safety
standards. As explained in the preamble to the rule, we intended to
adopt airworthiness directives to mandate any changes found necessary
to address unsafe conditions identified as a result of these reviews.
    In evaluating these design reviews, we have established four
criteria intended to define the unsafe conditions associated with fuel
tank systems that require corrective actions. The percentage of
operating time during which fuel tanks are exposed to flammable
conditions is one of these criteria. The other three criteria address
the failure types under evaluation: Single failures, single failures in
combination with a latent condition(s), and in-service failure
experience. For all four criteria, the evaluations included
consideration of previous actions taken that may mitigate the need for
further action.
    We have determined that the actions identified in this AD are
necessary to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel
tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result
in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.
    A safety assessment has determined that shielding was not provided
for the FQIS wire bundles. Unshielded wire bundles could result in a
reduced level of protection against a lightning strike which could be a
potential ignition source for the fumes in the fuel tanks. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in fuel tank explosions and
consequent loss of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 727-28-0131, dated August 18,
2010. The service information describes procedures for the following:
     For airplanes in Groups 1, 12, 13, and 14: Replacing the
FQIS wire bundles between the fitting and ground brackets at the
pressure seal and the tank connectors on the wing tanks with double
shielded wire bundles; installing a new wire feed-through fitting and
ground brackets for the wires at the pressure seal, and ground brackets
at the wing tank connectors; and grounding the wire shields at the
pressure seal feed-through fitting and ground brackets and at the tank
connector brackets.
     For airplanes in Groups 2 through 11 and 15 through 49:
Replacing the FQIS wire bundles between the pressure seal and the
volumetric top-off (VTO) connectors with double shielded wire bundles
and working the ground wires at the VTO connectors.
     For all airplanes: Doing repetitive LFEC inspections for
cracking in the fuselage skin on the left and right sides of the
airplane, and contacting Boeing for repair instructions and doing the
repair if necessary.
    We have also reviewed Section 9 of the Boeing 727-100/200
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs), D6-8766-AWL, Revision August 2010.
Sub-Section D of Section 9 of the Boeing 727-100/200 Airworthiness
Limitations (AWLs), D6-8766-AWL describes AWLs for fuel tank systems,
including the following fuel system AWLs:
     AWL No. 28-AWL-18 which is a check of the fuel quantity
indicating system (FQIS)--out-tank wiring lightning shield to ground
termination, applicable to all Model 727-100 and -200 airplanes that
have incorporated Boeing Service Bulletin 727-28-0131.
     AWL No. 28-AWL-19 which is a critical design configuration
control limitation (CDCCL) that specifies to do a check of the FQIS--
out-tank wiring lightning shield to ground termination, following any
FQIS out-tank wire bundle replacement, wire bundle shield repair or
shield path to ground reconnection, applicable to all Model 727-100 and
-200 airplanes that have incorporated Boeing Service Bulletin 727-28-
0131.

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, except as discussed
under ``Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin.''

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin

    Although Boeing Service Bulletin 727-28-0131, dated August 18,
2010, specifies that operators may contact the manufacturer for
disposition of certain repair conditions, this proposed AD would
require operators to repair those cracks using a method approved by the
FAA.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 566 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
    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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation...................  Between 86 and 247      Between $16,191    Between $23,501    Up to
                                  work-hours x $85 per    and $34,712.\1\    and $55,707.\1\    $27,195,925.\2\
                                  hour = Between $7,310-
                                  $20,995.\1\
Inspection.....................  2 work-hours x $85 per  0................  170..............  96,220 per
                                  hour = $170 per                                               inspection
                                  inspection cycle.                                             cycle.
Maintenance Program Revision...  1 work-hour x $85 per   0................  85...............  48,110.
                                  hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Depending on configuration.
\2\ The cost on U.S. operators is based on configuration and number of airplanes in that configuration.

We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide a
cost estimate for the on-condition action 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

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-1272; Directorate Identifier
2010-NM-226-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by February 17, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 727, 727C, 727-
100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, all variable
numbers, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must
request approval for an alternative method of compliance according
to paragraph (l) of this AD. The request should include a
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure
the continued operational safety of the airplane.

Subject

    (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to increase the level of
protection from lightning strikes and prevent the potential of
ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and
consequent loss of the airplane.

Compliance

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

Installation

    (g) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD,
install double shielded fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) wire
bundles, install a new wire feed-through fitting, and ground the
wire shields, as applicable, in accordance with Part 1 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 727-28-0131,
dated August 18, 2010.

Repetitive Inspections

    (h) At the applicable times specified in paragraphs (h)(1) or
(h)(2) of this AD, do low frequency eddy current (LFEC) inspections
for cracking of the fuselage skin, in accordance with Part 2 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 727-28-0131,
dated August 18, 2010.
    (1) For Model 727, 727-100, 727-100C, and 727C series airplanes:
Before the accumulation of 45,000 total flight cycles, or within
8,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 8,000 flight cycles.
    (2) For Model 727-200 and 727-200F series airplanes: Before the
accumulation of 45,000 total flight cycles, or within 16,000 flight
cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 16,000
flight cycles.
    (i) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (h) of this AD: Before further flight, repair the crack in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For a repair method to be approved,
the repair must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and
the approval must specifically refer to this AD.

Maintenance Program Revision

    (j) Before or concurrently with doing the actions required by
paragraph (g) of this AD, or within 30 days after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs later: Revise the maintenance program
by incorporating airworthiness limitations (AWL) No. 28-AWL-18 and
28-AWL-19 in Section D of Section 9 (``AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--
FUEL SYSTEMS'') of the Boeing 727-100/200 Airworthiness Limitations
(AWLs) Document, D6-8766-AWL, Revision August 2010. The initial
compliance time for AWL No. 28-AWL-18 is within 10 years after the
accomplishment of paragraph (g) of this AD, or within 10 years after
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

No Alternative Inspections, Inspection Intervals, or Critical Design
Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs)

    (k) After accomplishing the action specified in paragraph (j) of
this AD, no alternative inspections, inspection intervals, or CDCCLs
may be used unless the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are
approved as an Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) in accordance
with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (l)(1) The Manager, Seattle 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 the Related Information
section of this AD. Information may be e-mailed to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your Principal
Maintenance Inspector or Principal Avionics Inspector, as
appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight
Standards District Office.

Related Information

    (m) For more information about this AD, contact Louis
Natsiopoulos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-
130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax
(425) 917-6590; e-mail<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (n) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P. O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax<PHONE_NUMBER>; e-mail
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call<PHONE_NUMBER>.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 17, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-33002 Filed 12-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register: May 29, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 104)]
[Notices]
[Page 30993-30994]
[DOCID:fr29my08-139]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Agency Information Collection Activity Seeking OMB Approval

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request
the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current
information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day
comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of
information was published on March 31, 2008, vol. 73, no. 62, pages
16923-16924. To determine regulatory compliance, there is a need for
airmen to maintain records of certain training and recentness of
experience.

DATES: Please submit comments by June 30, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carla Mauney at<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

    Title: Certificated Training Centers--Simulator Rule, Part 142.
    Type of Request: Extension without change of a currently approved
collection.
    OMB Control Number: 2120-0570.
    Forms(s): There are no FAA forms associated with this collection.
    Affected Public: An estimated 108 Respondents.
    Frequency: This information is collected on occasion.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Response: Approximately 1,177.5 hours
per response.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: An estimated 127,180 hours annually.
    Abstract: To determine regulatory compliance, there is a need for
airmen to maintain records of certain training and recentness of
experience; training center have to maintain records of students'
training, employee qualification and training, and training program
approvals.

ADDRESSES:  Interested persons are invited to submit written comments
on the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be
addressed to Nathan Lesser, Desk Officer, Department of Transportation/
FAA, and sent via electronic mail to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or
faxed to<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collection of
information

is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the
Department, including whether the information will have practical
utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimates of the burden of
the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents,
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 19, 2008.
Carla Mauney,
FAA Information Collection Clearance Officer, IT Enterprises Business
Services Division, AES-200.
[FR Doc. E8-11826 Filed 5-28-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-M


[Federal Register: October 29, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 210)]
[Notices]
[Page 64338]
[DOCID:fr29oc08-73]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2008-D-0030] (formerly Docket No. 2004D-0466)

Agency Information Collection Activities; Announcement of Office
of Management and Budget Approval; Substantiation for Dietary
Supplement Claims Made Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

AGENCY:  Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:  Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY:  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that a
collection of information entitled ``Substantiation for Dietary
Supplement Claims Made Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act''
has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Jonna Capezzuto, Office of
Information Management (HFA-710), Food and Drug Administration, 5600
Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857,<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of April 25, 2008
(73 FR 22423), the agency announced that the proposed information
collection had been submitted to OMB for review and clearance under 44
U.S.C. 3507. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays
a currently valid OMB control number. OMB has now approved the
information collection and has assigned OMB control number 0910-0626.
The approval expires on August 31, 2011. A copy of the supporting
statement for this information collection is available on the Internet
at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

    Dated: October 22, 2008.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning.
[FR Doc. E8-25791 Filed 10-28-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160-01-S