Schneier's Interview with TSA's Hawley

5 part series.

Flashpoint

In response to the July 1996 TWA Flight 800 disaster, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) collected jet fuel samples from domestic and international flights to determine the actual flash point of jet fuel in service. This data was collected to help determine whether any change in the ASTM D1655 turbine fuel specification would help prevent any future such incident and to use in fuel tank flammability assessments. This report details the flash point results from 293 jet fuel samples collected from April 1998 through September 1999.

The results found no fuel samples to be out of specification. Samples were retrieved at the end of flights, before refueling, that ended in Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY (JFK); and Newark, NJ. These locations provided convenient locations for FAA technicians to be able to obtain samples from fuel from all over the US and abroad. The results helped determine that no change in the turbine fuel specification was required. The flashpoint distribution from the survey was also used in the harmonized FAA special conditions issued for the B-747 and B-737 fuel tank flammability reduction means and in the proposed Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 25 Appendix L that was published in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled, “Reduction of Fuel Tank Flammability in Transport Category Airplanes” (docket number FAA-2005-22997).


Study.

Bureau of Transportation Statistics

Findings.

Frequent Flyer

Mileage Plans.

This is your pilot speaking. . .

Pilot on airline security.

NextGen Aviation Ignores Climate Change

The Bush administration and FAA are currently focusing on a multi-agency effort to enable a major expansion of American air transportation. This effort – the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) – operates under the assumption that the U.S. aviation traffic will triple in the next 20 years. NextGen progress reports make no mention of climate change, global warming, or the carbon dioxide emissions of aircraft.
Currently, aviation accounts for 2-3 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions. This percentage, already significant, is likely to increase substantially as flight numbers rise and emission curbing policies are instituted in other sectors of the economy.
Continuing to ignore these issues could jeopardize the future of American aviation while allowing air travel to have an increasingly harmful effect on the environment. Future global warming emissions reduction policy could place limits on aviation. Federal NextGen planning should be focusing now on systematically reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to position U.S aviation to meet such requirements.

Politically Incorrect.

Right Reverse Thruster Turned Off

Brazil Crash.

Lighters to be back on planes

What part of "ignition source" do you not get?

TSA said it looked like an IED

Then they let me on the plane with it.

Petroleum Refining

The Hard Truths. Because it doesn't matter how much of it you have in the ground if you can't put it in your tank that way.

FAA

Future Funding Structure, GAO.

The 'Single European Sky' plan

Read it and Weep.

Near Miss at Ft. Lauderdale

Jets come within 100 feet of each other.

EU PNR accord

New Deal.

'near miss' cover-up at DFW

Special Counsel Scott Bloch.

Falsified Airman Certificates

Congressional Investigation.

New Rules

Denied Boarding equals triple compensation.

More on Proposed Bumping Rule and link to Comment Record.

I've got nothing to hide. . .

Misunderstanding the Right to Privacy.

When the threat is to the aircraft

SWA incident.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Price Resistance.

Confronting Climate Change (a report)

If you think you're stranded now, just wait.

We're in Hot Water.

Long Lines in EU

Hour Plus wait in EU for ID Scans.

Airline Costs Rise 10.6% in first quarter

ATA Study.

More Stuff from ATA.

Good news for Carriers, Bad news for Pass Riders

RegisteredTraveler will take off soon.

Parts fall off Quantas 76. Fortunately, it was landing at the time.

US Visit, a decade later.

Center fuel tank- 737

737 center fuel tank shut-off.

Oversales and Denied Boarding of Passengers, New Rules.

737 Seat Flammability Standards, there goes your game console.

Fishing confiscated items out of the trash.

The USVisit Program.

Annual Oil Market Survey.

US-EU PNR Accord.

Slate's coverage of aviation terrorist movie plot contest.

Why Terrorist Policy Objectives Remain Out of Reach

Scholarly Article, MIT Press.

Aviation Consumer Action Project

Congressional Testimony.

See also

FlyersRights.

Caribbean Port Secuirty

Not so much.

Passenger Misconduct

Ninth Circuit Affirms Sentence
Of Passenger Who Cried Bomb
SAN FRANCISCO (CN) – The 9th Circuit affirmed the 27-month sentence of a Southwest airline passenger who claimed he was having a heart attack, became hysterical, demanded that the plane land and announced, “I have a bomb.” Shortly after a flight bound for Ontario, Calif., took off from Las Vegas, “the cabin was in total chaos” when Salvador Gonzalez said he had a bomb, the ruling states. A flight attendant claimed passengers were “throwing punches” and “were all on top of Mr. Gonzalez,” who was “hitting and kicking passengers,” while they tried to take him down and restrain him. Gonzalez was eventually handcuffed, and the plane was diverted back to Las Vegas. He pleaded guilty to interfering with a flight crew member and received an enhanced sentence for recklessly endangering the aircraft. The circuit upheld his nine-level sentence enhancement, saying Gonzalez’s hysteria was a threat not only to crew members and passengers, but also to the plane. See ruling in U.S. v. Gonzales via CourthouseNews.

The National ID Card, Legal Issues

Congressional Research Service Report.

Aviation Consumer Action Project

A Place to Start.

The Economist, June 16th-22nd, Special Report on Air Travel

Don't miss this issue. Excerpt:

"But the impact of air travel on climate change could be even greater than such figures suggest because of other emissions by aircraft, such as nitrogen oxides (NOX), soot and water vapour, which can form condensation trails and cirrus clouds. Scinetists disagree about the exact role of some of these other emissions at high altitudes. The Stern report concluded that they might double the warming effects of the CO2.

Aircraft emissions could be limited by restricting flying. That could be achieved by imposing higher taxes because a large part of the market (mostly leisure) is price sensitive. Many environmentalists think this will become necessary. A report last year by the Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University predicted that aviation would consume such a large proportion of Britian's carbon-emissions budget that the government would have to curb groth in air travel. It acknowledged the industry's efforts to make aircraft more fuel-efficient, but was skeptical about the scope for future improvements."

See

The Economist Magazine.

Lie Dectectors for Travelers

Cannot evaluate the veracity of this piece.

Don't miss Margaret Talbot's New Yorker Magazine (July 2, 2007)article about the use of fMRI to determine when someone is lying.

fuel tank vapors, 777

[Federal Register: July 3, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 127)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 36373-36378]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03jy07-12]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28389; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-171-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and
-300ER Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Boeing Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series
airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the Airworthiness
Limitations (AWLs) section of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness by incorporating new limitations for fuel tank systems to
satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 requirements. This
proposed AD also would require the initial performance of certain
repetitive inspections specified in the AWLs to phase in those
inspections, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD results from a
design review of the fuel tank systems. We are proposing this AD to
prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by
latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, 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 August 17, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow

the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your

comments electronically.
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.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this
proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathrine Rask, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 917-6505; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2007-
28389; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-171-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date

[[Page 36374]]

and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will

also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.


Examining the Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9

a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the
ground floor of the West Building at the DOT street address stated in
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after the Docket Management System receives them.

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 for ignition sources inside fuel
tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance
actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result
in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed the following sections of Boeing 777 Maintenance
Planning Data (MPD) Document D622W001-9, Section 9, Revision March 2006
(hereafter referred to as ``Revision March 2006 of the MPD''):
Section D., ``AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--SYSTEMS, FUEL
SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS''; and
Section E., ``PAGE FORMAT: SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS.''
Those sections of Revision March 2006 of the MPD describe new
airworthiness limitations (AWLs) for fuel tank systems. The new AWLs
include:
AWL inspections, which are periodic inspections of certain
features for latent failures that could contribute to an ignition
source; and
Critical design configuration control limitations (CDCCL),
which are limitation requirements to preserve a critical ignition
source prevention feature of the fuel tank system design that is
necessary to prevent the occurrence of an unsafe condition. The purpose
of a CDCCL is to provide instruction to retain the critical ignition
source prevention feature during configuration changes that may be
caused by alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions. A CDCCL is not
a periodic inspection.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes
of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD,
which would require revising the AWL section of the Instructions for
Continued Airworthiness by incorporating the information in the service
information described previously. The proposed AD also would require
the initial performance of certain repetitive inspections specified in
the AWLs to phase in those inspections, and repair if necessary.

Explanation of Compliance Time

In most ADs, we adopt a compliance time allowing a specified amount
of time after the AD's effective date. In this case, however, the FAA
has already issued regulations that require operators to revise their
maintenance/inspection programs to address fuel tank safety issues. The
compliance date for these regulations is December 16, 2008. To provide
for efficient and coordinated implementation of these regulations and
this proposed AD, we are using this same compliance date in this
proposed AD, instead of the 18-month compliance time recommended by
Boeing.

Rework Required When Implementing AWLs Into an Existing Fleet

The AWL revision for the fuel tank systems specified in paragraph
(g) of this proposed AD, which involves incorporating the information
specified in Revision March 2006 of the MPD, would affect how operators
maintain their airplanes. After doing that AWL revision, operators
would need to do any maintenance on the fuel tank system as specified
in the CDCCLs. Maintenance done before the AWL revision specified in
paragraph (g) would not need to be redone in order to comply with
paragraph (g). For example, the AWL that requires fuel pumps to be
repaired and overhauled per an FAA-approved component maintenance
manual (CMM) applies to fuel pumps repaired after the AWLs are revised;
spare or on-wing fuel pumps do

[[Page 36375]]

not need to be reworked. For AWLs that require repetitive inspections,
the initial inspection interval (threshold) starts from the date the
AWL revision specified in paragraph (g) is done, except as provided by
paragraph (h) of this proposed AD. This proposed AD would require only
the AWL revision specified in paragraph (g), and initial inspections
specified in paragraph (h). No other fleet-wide inspections need to be
done.

Changes to Fuel Tank System AWLs

Paragraph (g) of this proposed AD would require revising the AWL
section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by
incorporating certain information specified in Revision March 2006 of
the MPD into the MPD. Paragraph (g) allows accomplishing the AWL
revision in accordance with later revisions of the MPD as an acceptable
method of compliance if they are approved by the Manager, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. In addition, Section E. of
Revision March 2006 of the MPD specifies that any deviations from the
published AWL instructions, including AWL intervals, in that MPD must
be approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO. Therefore, after the AWL
revision, any further revision to an AWL or AWL interval should be done
as an AWL change, not as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC).
For U.S.-registered airplanes, operators must make requests through an
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) or Principal
Avionics Inspector (PAI) for approval by the Manager, Seattle ACO. A
non-U.S. operator should coordinate changes with its governing
regulatory agency.

Exceptional Short-Term Extensions

Section D. of Revision March 2006 of the MPD has provisions for an
exceptional short-term extension of 30 days. An exceptional short-term
extension is an increase in an AWL interval that may be needed to cover
an uncontrollable or unexpected situation. For U.S.-registered
airplanes, the FAA PMI or PAI must concur with any exceptional short-
term extension before it is used, unless the operator has identified
another appropriate procedure with the local regulatory authority. The
FAA PMI or PAI may grant the exceptional short-term extensions
described in Section D. without consultation with the Manager, Seattle
ACO. A non-U.S. operator should coordinate changes with its governing
regulatory agency. As explained in Revision March 2006 of the MPD,
exceptional short-term extensions must not be used for fleet AWL
extensions. An exceptional short-term extension should not be confused
with an operator's short-term escalation authorization approved in
accordance with the Operations Specifications or the operator's
reliability program.

Ensuring Compliance With Fuel Tank System AWLs

Boeing has revised applicable maintenance manuals and task cards to
address AWLs and to include notes about CDCCLs. Operators that do not
use Boeing's revision service should revise their maintenance manuals
and task cards to highlight actions tied to CDCCLs to ensure that
maintenance personnel are complying with the CDCCLs. Appendix 1 of this
proposed AD contains a list of Air Transport Association (ATA) sections
for the revised maintenance manuals. Operators might wish to use the
appendix as an aid to implement the AWLs.

Recording Compliance With Fuel Tank System AWLs

The applicable operating rules of the Federal Aviation Regulations
(14 CFR parts 91, 121, 125, and 129) require operators to maintain
records with the identification of the current inspection status of an
airplane. Some of the AWLs contained in Section E of Revision March
2006 of the MPD are inspections for which the applicable sections of
the operating rules apply. Other AWLs are CDCCLs, which are tied to
conditional maintenance actions. An entry into an operator's existing
maintenance record system for corrective action is sufficient for
recording compliance with CDCCLs, as long as the applicable maintenance
manual and task cards identify actions that are CDCCLs.

Changes to CMMs Cited in Fuel Tank System AWLs

Some of the AWLs in Section E of Revision March 2006 of the MPD
refer to specific revision levels of the CMMs as additional sources of
service information for doing the AWLs. Boeing is referring to the CMMs
by revision level in the applicable AWL for certain components rather
than including information directly in the MPD because of the volume of
that information. As a result, the Manager, Seattle ACO, must approve
the CMMs. Any later revision of those CMMs will be handled like a
change to the AWL itself. Any use of parts (including the use of parts
manufacturer approval (PMA) approved parts), methods, techniques, and
practices not contained in the CMMs needs to be approved by the
Manager, Seattle ACO, or governing regulatory authority. For example,
pump repair/overhaul manuals must be approved by the Manager, Seattle
ACO.

Changes to AMMs Referenced in Fuel Tank System AWLs

In other AWLs in Section E of Revision March 2006 of the MPD, the
AWLs contain all the necessary data. The applicable section of the
maintenance manual is usually included in the AWLs. Boeing intended
this information to assist operators in maintaining the maintenance
manuals. A maintenance manual change to these tasks may be made without
approval by the Manager, Seattle ACO, through an appropriate FAA PMI or
PAI, by the governing regulatory authority, or by using the operator's
standard process for revising maintenance manuals. An acceptable change
would have to maintain the information specified in the AWL such as the
pass/fail criteria or special test equipment.

Costs of Compliance

There are about 564 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 125 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD at an average labor rate
of $80 per work hour.

Estimated Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Actions Work hours airplane Fleet cost
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maintenance program revision..... 8 $640 $80,000
Inspections...................... 8 640 80,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 36376]]

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 have 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 that the 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); 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2007-28389; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
171-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August
17, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -
300ER series airplanes; certificated in any category; with an
original standard airworthiness certificate or original export
certificate of airworthiness issued before June 1, 2006.

Note 1: Airplanes with an original standard airworthiness
certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued
on or after June 1, 2006, must be already in compliance with the
airworthiness limitations specified in this AD because those
limitations were applicable as part of the airworthiness
certification of those airplanes.


Note 2: This AD requires revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new inspections and maintenance
actions. Compliance with these limitations is required by 14 CFR
43.16 and 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously
modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these
limitations, the operator may not be able to accomplish the actions
described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR
43.16 and 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for revision
to the airworthiness limitations (AWLs) in the Boeing 777
Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document D622W001-9 according to
paragraph (g) or (i), as applicable, of this AD.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank
systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential for
ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures,
alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination
with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and
consequent loss of the airplane.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.

Service Information

(f) The term ``Revision March 2006 of the MPD'' as used in this
AD, means Section 9 of Boeing 777 MPD Document D622W001-9, Revision
March 2006.

Revision of AWLs Section

(g) Before December 16, 2008, revise the AWLs section of the
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating the
information in the sections specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and
(g)(2) of this AD into the MPD, except that the initial inspections
specified in paragraph (h) of this AD must be done at the compliance
times specified in paragraph (h) of this AD. Accomplishing the
revision in accordance with a later revision of the MPD is an
acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.
(1) Section D., ``AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--SYSTEMS, FUEL
SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,'' of Revision March 2006 of the
MPD.
(2) Section E., ``PAGE FORMAT: SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS
LIMITATIONS,'' of Revision March 2006 of the MPD.

Initial Inspections and Repair

(h) Do the inspections described in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2)
of this AD at the compliance times specified in paragraphs (h)(1)
and (h)(2); in accordance with the AWLs described in Section E.,
``PAGE FORMAT: SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,'' of Revision
March 2006 of the MPD. If any discrepancy is found during this
inspection, repair the discrepancy before further flight in
accordance with Revision March 2006 of the MPD. Accomplishing the
actions in accordance with a later revision of the MPD is an
acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the
Manager, Seattle ACO.
(1) At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(1)(i)
and (h)(1)(ii) of this AD, do a detailed inspection of external
wires over the center fuel tank for damaged clamps, wire chafing,
and wire bundles in contact with the surface of the center fuel
tank, and repair any discrepancy; in accordance with 28-AWL-01.
(i) Before the accumulation of 36,000 total flight cycles, or
within 120 months since the date of issuance of the original
standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the
original export certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs
first.
(ii) Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD.

Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is:
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

(2) At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(2)(i)
and (h)(2)(ii) of this AD, do a special detailed inspection
(resistance test) of the lightning shield-to-ground termination of
the out tank wiring of the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS)
and, as applicable, repair (restore) the bond to ensure the shield-
to-ground termination meets specified resistance values; in
accordance with 28-AWL-03.
(i) Before the accumulation of 36,000 total flight cycles, or
within 120 months since the date of issuance of the original
standard

[[Page 36377]]

airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original
export certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs first.
(ii) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.

Note 4: For the purposes of this AD, a special detailed
inspection is: ``An intensive examination of a specific item,
installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or
irregularity. The examination is likely to make extensive use of
specialized inspection techniques and/or equipment. Intricate
cleaning and substantial access or disassembly procedure may be
required.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(i)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures
found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.

Appendix 1.--Fuel Tank System Airworthiness Limitations--Applicable Maintenance Manuals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATA Section or CMM
AWL No. ALI/CDCCL document \1\ Task title Task
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28-AWL-01...................... ALI................ AMM 28-11-00/601.. External Wires 28-11-00-210-801.
Over the Center
Tank--Inspection.
28-AWL-02...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-10-11..... Wiring Assembly
and Installation
Configuration.
28-AWL-03...................... ALI................ AMM 05-55-54/601.. Fuel Quantity 05-55-54-200-801.
Indicator System
(FQIS)--Inspectio
n/Check.
28-AWL-04...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-10-15..... Assemble Shield
Ground Wires.
28-AWL-05...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-22-15/401.. Install Fuel Line, 28-22-15-400-802-0
Fitting and 02.
Coupling.
28-AWL-06...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 29-11-60/401.. Install Heat 29-11-60-000-801.
Exchanger.
Bonding 29-11-60-765-801.
Resistances of
the Hydraulic
Tubes for the
Heat Exchanger.
28-AWL-07...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-20-42,
revision 7; CMM
28-20-45,
revision 3; CMM
28-20-47,
revision 2; or
subsequent
revisions.
28-AWL-08...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-11-06/401.. Install Sump Drain 28-11-06-400-801.
Valve.
28-AWL-09...................... CDCCL.
28-AWL-10...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-22-06/401.. Install Override/ 28-22-06-400-801.
Jettison Pump
Motor-Impeller.
Install Override/ 28-22-06-400-802.
Jettison Pump
Housing.
AMM 28-22-05/401.. Install Boost Pump 28-22-05-400-801.
Motor-Impeller.
.................. Install Boost Pump 28-22-05-400-802.
Housing.
28-AWL-11...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-10-11..... Wiring Assembly
and Installation
Configuration.
28-AWL-12...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-21-02/401.. Install Refuel 28-21-02-400-801.
Valve.
28-AWL-13...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-47-69,
revision 1; CMM
28-47-65,
revision 3; or
subsequent
revisions.
28-AWL-14...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-47-58,
revision 4; CMM
28-47-59,
revision 1; CMM
28-47-60,
revision 4; CMM
28-48-03,
revision 2; or
subsequent
revisions.
28-AWL-15...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-14-12..... Repair FQIS Wire
Harness.
AMM 28-41-05/401.. Install FQIS In- 28-41-05-404-801.
Tank Wire Harness.
28-AWL-16...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-11-01/401.. Install Main Tank 28-11-01-400-801.
Access Door.
AMM 28-11-02/401.. Install Center 28-11-02-400-801.
Tank Access Door.
AMM 28-11-07/401.. Replace Rubber 28-11-07-900-801.
Door Seal.
AMM 28-11-03/401.. Install Surge Tank 28-11-03-400-801.
Access Door.
AMM 28-13-05/401.. Install Surge Tank 28-13-05-420-801.
Vent Flame
Arrestor.
28-AWL-17...................... CDCCL.............. FIM 28-22-00/201.
28-AWL-18......................
28-AWL-19...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-22-02/401.. Install Engine 28-22-02-400-802.
Fuel Spar Valve
Actuator.
AMM 28-22-01/401.. Install Engine 28-22-01-400-803.
Fuel Spar Valve
Adapter/Shaft.
AMM 28-22-03/401.. Install Engine 28-22-03-400-803.
Fuel Crossfeed
Valve Adapter/
Shaft.

[[Page 36378]]


AMM 28-22-04/401.. Install FWD/AFT 28-22-04-400-802.
Fuel Crossfeed
Valve Actuator.
AMM 28-26-01/401.. Install Defuel 28-26-01-400-803.
Valve Adapter/
Shaft.
AMM 28-26-02/401.. Install Defuel 28-26-02-400-802.
Valve Actuator.
AMM 28-31-02/401.. Install Fuel 28-31-02-400-801.
Jettison Nozzle
Valve Adapter/
Shaft.
AMM 28-31-03/401.. Install Fuel 28-31-03-400-801.
Nozzle Valve
Actuator.
AMM 28-31-04/401.. Install Fuel 28-31-04-400-803.
Jettison
Isolation Valve
Adapter/Shaft.
AMM 28-31-05/401.. Install Fuel 28-31-05-400-802.
Jettison
Isolation Valve
Actuator.
28-AWL-20...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-20-21.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ CMMs per applicable manufacturer.


Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 22, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-12835 Filed 7-2-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

FAA Directive, 76 fuel tank systems

[Federal Register: July 3, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 127)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 36391-36397]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03jy07-16]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28388; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-163-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and
-400ER Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series
airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the FAA-approved
maintenance program to incorporate new airworthiness limitations (AWLs)
for fuel tank systems to satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation
No. 88 requirements. This proposed AD would also require the initial
inspection of certain repetitive AWL inspections to phase in those
inspections, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD results from a
design review of the fuel tank systems. ***********************************************

We are proposing this AD to
prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by
latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which,
in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank
explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
*********************************************************************

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 17, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow

the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your

comments electronically.
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.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this
proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathrine Rask, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Ave SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 917-6505; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2007-
28388; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-163-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal


[[Page 36392]]

information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed
AD. Using the search function of that Web site, anyone can find and
read the comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the
individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an
association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.


Examining the Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9

a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the
ground floor of the West Building at the DOT street address stated in
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after the Docket Management System receives them.

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''
(67 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 action. 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 another 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 proposed AD
are necessary to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel
tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result
in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Subsection D, ``AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--
SYSTEMS,'' of Boeing 767 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document,
D622T001-9, Section 9, Revision March 2006 (hereafter referred to as
``Revision March 2006 of the MPD''). Subsection D of Revision March
2006 of the MPD describes new airworthiness limitations (AWLs) for fuel
tank systems. The new AWLs include:
AWL inspections, which are periodic inspections of certain
features for latent failures that could contribute to an ignition
source; and
Critical design configuration control limitations
(CDCCLs), which are limitation requirements to preserve a critical
ignition source prevention feature of the fuel tank system design that
is necessary to prevent the occurrence of an unsafe condition. The
purpose of a CDCCL is to provide instruction to retain the critical
ignition source prevention feature during configuration change that may
be caused by alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions. A CDCCL is
not a periodic inspection.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes
of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD,
which would require revising the FAA-approved maintenance program to
incorporate the information in Subsection D of Revision March 2006 of
the MPD. This proposed AD would also require the initial inspection of
certain repetitive AWL inspections to phase in those inspections, and
repair if necessary.

Explanation of Compliance Time

In most ADs, we adopt a compliance time allowing a specified amount
of time after the AD's effective date. In this case, however, the FAA
has already issued regulations that require operators to revise their
maintenance/inspection programs to address fuel tank safety issues. The
compliance date for these regulations is December 16, 2008. To provide
for efficient and coordinated implementation of these regulations and
this proposed AD, we are using this same compliance date in this
proposed AD, instead of the 18-month compliance time recommended by
Boeing.

Rework Required When Implementing AWLs Into an Existing Fleet

The maintenance program revision for the fuel tank systems
specified in paragraph (g) of this proposed AD, which involves
incorporating the information specified in Revision March 2006 of the
MPD, would affect how operators maintain their airplanes. After doing
that maintenance program revision, operators would need to do any
maintenance on the fuel tank system as specified in the CDCCLs.
Maintenance done before the maintenance program revision specified in
paragraph (g) would not need to be redone in order to comply with
paragraph (g). For example, the AWL that requires fuel pumps to be
repaired and overhauled per an FAA-approved component maintenance
manual (CMM) applies to fuel pumps repaired after the maintenance
programs are revised; spare or on-wing fuel pumps do not need to be
reworked. For AWLs that require repetitive inspections, the initial
inspection interval (threshold) starts from the date the maintenance
program revision specified in paragraph (g) is done, except as provided
by paragraph (h) of this proposed AD. This proposed AD would require
only the maintenance program revision specified in paragraph (g), and
initial inspections specified in

[[Page 36393]]

paragraph (h). No other fleet-wide inspections need to be done.

Changes to Fuel Tank System AWLs

Paragraph (g) of this proposed AD would require revising the FAA-
approved maintenance program by incorporating certain information
specified in Revision March 2006 of the MPD. Paragraph (g) allows
accomplishing the maintenance program revision in accordance with later
revisions of the MPD as an acceptable method of compliance if they are
approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA. Paragraph (h) allows accomplishing the initial inspections and
repair in accordance with later revisions of the MPD as an acceptable
method of compliance if they are approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO.
In addition, Subsection D of Revision March 2006 of the MPD specifies
that any deviations from the published AWL instructions, including AWL
intervals, in that MPD must be approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO.
Therefore, after the maintenance program revision, any further revision
to an AWL or AWL interval should be done as an AWL change, not as an
alternative method of compliance (AMOC). For U.S.-registered airplanes,
operators must make requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector (PMI) or Principal Avionics Inspector (PAI) for
approval by the Manager, Seattle ACO. A non-U.S. operator should
coordinate changes with its governing regulatory agency.

Exceptional Short-Term Extensions

Subsection D of Revision March 2006 of the MPD has provisions for
an exceptional short-term extension of 30 days. An exceptional short-
term extension is an increase in an AWL interval that may be needed to
cover an uncontrollable or unexpected situation. For U.S.-registered
airplanes, the FAA PMI or PAI must concur with any exceptional short-
term extension before it is used, unless the operator has identified
another appropriate procedure with the local regulatory authority. The
FAA PMI or PAI may grant the exceptional short-term extensions
described in Subsection D without consultation with the Manager,
Seattle ACO. A non-U.S. operator should coordinate changes with its
governing regulatory agency. As explained in Revision March 2006 of the
MPD, exceptional short-term extensions must not be used for fleet AWL
extensions. An exceptional short-term extension should not be confused
with an operator's short-term escalation authorization approved in
accordance with the Operations Specifications or the operator's
reliability program.

Ensuring Compliance With Fuel Tank System AWLs

Boeing has revised applicable maintenance manuals and task cards to
address AWLs and to include notes about CDCCLs. Operators that do not
use Boeing's revision service should revise their maintenance manuals
and task cards to highlight actions tied to CDCCLs to ensure that
maintenance personnel are complying with the CDCCLs. Appendix 1 of this
proposed AD contains a list of Air Transport Association (ATA) sections
for the revised maintenance manuals. Operators might wish to use the
appendix as an aid to implement the AWLs.

Recording Compliance With Fuel Tank System AWLs

The applicable operating rules of the Federal Aviation Regulations
(14 CFR parts 91, 121, 125, and 129) require operators to maintain
records with the identification of the current inspection status of an
airplane. Some of the AWLs contained in Subsection D of Revision March
2006 of the MPD are inspections for which the applicable sections of
the operating rules apply. Other AWLs are CDCCLs, which are tied to
conditional maintenance actions. An entry into an operator's existing
maintenance record system for corrective action is sufficient for
recording compliance with CDCCLs, as long as the applicable maintenance
manual and task cards identify actions that are CDCCLs.

Changes to CMMs Cited in Fuel Tank System AWLs

Some of the AWLs in Subsection D of Revision March 2006 of the MPD
refer to specific revision levels of the CMMs as additional sources of
service information for doing the AWLs. Boeing is referring to the CMMs
by revision level in the applicable AWL for certain components rather
than including information directly in the MPD because of the volume of
that information. As a result, the Manager, Seattle ACO, must approve
the CMMs. Any later revision of those CMMs will be handled like a
change to the AWL itself. Any use of parts (including the use of parts
manufacturer approval (PMA) approved parts), methods, techniques, and
practices not contained in the CMMs need to be approved by the Manager,
Seattle ACO, or governing regulatory authority. For example, certain
pump repair/overhaul manuals must be approved by the Manager, Seattle
ACO.

Changes to AMMs Referenced in Fuel Tank System AWLs

In other AWLs in Subsection D of Revision March 2006 of the MPD,
the AWLs contain all the necessary data. The applicable section of the
maintenance manual is usually included in the AWLs. Boeing intended
this information to assist operators in maintaining the maintenance
manuals. A maintenance manual change to these tasks may be made without
approval by the Manager, Seattle ACO, through an appropriate FAA PMI or
PAI, by the governing regulatory authority, or by using the operator's
standard process for revising maintenance manuals. An acceptable change
would have to maintain the information specified in the AWL such as the
pass/fail criteria or special test equipment.

Costs of Compliance

There are about 824 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs, at
an average labor rate of $80 per hour, for U.S. operators to comply
with this proposed AD.

Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of U.S.-
Action Work hours Parts Cost per registered Fleet cost
airplane airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maintenance program revision. 8 None............. $640 332 $212,480
Inspections.................. 8 None............. 640 332 212,480
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 36394]]

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 have 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 that the 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); 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2007-28388; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
163-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August
17, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -
400ER series airplanes, certificated in any category; with an
original standard airworthiness certificate or original export
certificate of airworthiness issued before April 22, 2006.

Note 1: Airplanes with an original standard airworthiness
certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued
on or after April 22, 2006, must already be in compliance with the
airworthiness limitations specified in this AD because those
limitations were applicable as part of the airworthiness
certification of those airplanes.


Note 2: This AD requires revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new inspections and maintenance
actions. Compliance with these limitations is required by 14 CFR
43.16 and 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously
modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these
limitations, the operator may not be able to accomplish the actions
described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR
43.16 and 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for revision
to the airworthiness limitations (AWLs) in the Boeing 767
Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, D622T001-9, according to
paragraph (g) or (i) of this AD, as applicable.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank
systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential for
ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures,
alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination
with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion
and consequent loss of the airplane.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.

Service Information Reference

(f) The term ``Revision March 2006 of the MPD'' as used in this
AD, means Boeing 767 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document,
D622T001-9, Section 9, Revision March 2006.

Maintenance Program Revision

(g) Before December 16, 2008, revise the FAA-approved
maintenance program by incorporating the information in Subsection
D, ``AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--SYSTEMS,'' of Revision March 2006 of
the MPD; except that the initial inspections specified in Table 1 of
this AD must be done at the compliance times specified in Table 1.
Accomplishing the revision in accordance with a later revision of
the MPD is an acceptable method of compliance if the revision is
approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), FAA.

Initial Inspections and Repair if Necessary

(h) Do the inspections specified in Table 1 of this AD and
repair any discrepancy, in accordance with Subsection D,
``AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--SYSTEMS,'' of Revision March 2006 of
the MPD. The repair must be done before further flight.
Accomplishing the actions required by this paragraph in accordance
with a later revision of the MPD is an acceptable method of
compliance if the revision is approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO.

Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is:
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning
and elaborate procedures may be required.''


Note 4: For the purposes of this AD, a special detailed
inspection is: ``An intensive examination of a specific item,
installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or
irregularity. The examination is likely to make extensive use of
specialized inspection techniques and/or equipment. Intricate
cleaning and substantial access or disassembly procedure may be
required.''


[[Page 36395]]



Table 1.--Initial Inspections
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compliance time (whichever occurs later)
AWL No. Description -------------------------------------------------
Threshold Grace period
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28-AWL-01......................... A detailed inspection of Before the accumulation of Within 72 months
external wires over the 36,000 total flight after the effective
center fuel tank for cycles, or within 144 date of this AD.
damaged clamps, wire months since the date of
chafing, and wire bundles issuance of the original
in contact with the standard airworthiness
surface of the center certificate or the date
fuel tank. of issuance of the
original export
certificate of
airworthiness, whichever
occurs first.
8-AWL-05........................ A special detailed Before the accumulation of Within 60 months
inspection of the 25,000 total flight after the effective
bulkhead fitting bond for cycles, or within 72 date of this AD.
the hydraulic line tank months since the date of
penetration. issuance of the original
standard airworthiness
certificate or the date
of issuance of the
original export
certificate of
airworthiness, whichever
occurs first.
8-AWL-18........................ A special detailed Before the accumulation of Within 24 months
inspection of the 36,000 total flight after the effective
lightning shield to cycles, or within 144 date of this AD.
ground termination on the months since the date of
out-of-tank fuel quantity issuance of the original
indicating system to standard airworthiness
verify functional certificate or the date
integrity. of issuance of the
original export
certificate of
airworthiness, whichever
occurs first.
8-AWL-26........................ A special detailed Before the accumulation of Within 24 months
inspection of the 36,000 total flight after the effective
lightning shield to cycles, or within 144 date of this AD.
ground termination on the months since the date of
out-of-tank surge tank issuance of the original
fuel level sensor to standard airworthiness
verify functional certificate or the date
integrity. of issuance of the
original export
certificate of
airworthiness, whichever
occurs first.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(i)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.

Appendix 1.--Implementing Fuel Tank System Airworthiness Limitations on Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER
Series Airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATA section or CMM
AWL No. ALI/CDCCL document Task title Task No.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28-AWL-01...................... ALI................ AMM 28-11-00/601.. External Wires 28-11-00-206-258.
Over the Center
Tank Inspection.
28-AWL-02...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-10-11..... Wiring Assembly ..................
and Installation
Configuration.
28-AWL-03...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-22-07/401.. Install the Fuel Varies with
Lines and configuration.
Fittings.
28-AWL-04...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 29-11-27/401.. Install the Heat 29-11-27-424-015.
Exchanger.
28-AWL-05...................... ALI................ AMM 29-11-27/601.. Bonding Resistance 29-11-27-026-001.
Check of the Heat
Exchanger Lines.
28-AWL-06...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-22-01, ..................
Revision 12; CMM
28-22-12,
Revision 16; CMM
28-22-21,
Revision 7; or
subsequent
revisions.
28-AWL-07...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-22-03/401.. Install the 28-22-03-404-027.
Housing of the
Fuel Boost Pump.
AMM 28-22-05/401.. Install the Varies with
Housing of the configuration.
Override (or
Override/
jettison) Pump.
28-AWL-08...................... CDCCL. ..................
28-AWL-09...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-10-11..... Wiring Assembly ..................
and Installation
Configuration.
28-AWL-10...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-21-02/401.. Install the 28-21-02-404-021.
Fueling Shutoff
Valve.
AMM 28-21-12/401.. Install the 28-21-12-404-021.
Control Unit of
the Fueling
Shutoff Valve.
28-AWL-11...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-41-68, ..................
Revision 4 or
subsequent
revisions.

[[Page 36396]]


28-AWL-12...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-40-56, ..................
Revision 4; CMM
28-40-59,
Revision 4; CMM
28-40-62,
Revision 3; CMM
28-41-68,
Revision 4; CMM
28-41-01,
Revision 5; CMM
28-41-07,
Revision 4; CMM
28-41-09,
Revision 6; CMM
28-41-30,
Revision 1; CMM
28-41-33,
Revision 2; CMM
28-41-34,
Revision 1; CMM
28-41-35,
Revision 1; CMM
28-41-36,
Revision 7; CMM
28-41-39,
Revision 7; CMM
28-41-41,
Revision 5; CMM
28-41-42,
Revision 0; or
subsequent
revisions.
28-AWL-13...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-14-12..... Repair of Fuel ..................
Quantity
Indicator System
(FQIS) Wire
Harness.
AMM 28-41-09/401.. Install the Tank Varies with
Wiring Harness. configuration.
28-AWL-14...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-11-01/401.. Install the Main 28-11-01-404-005.
Tank Access Door.
AMM 28-11-02/401.. Install the 28-11-02-404-013.
Auxiliary Tank
Access Door.
AMM 28-11-03/401.. Install the Surge 28-11-03-404-011.
Tank Access Door.
28-AWL-15...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-21-01, ..................
Revision 1 or
subsequent
revisions.
28-AWL-16...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-14-12..... Repair of Fuel ..................
Quantity
Indicator System
(FQIS) Wire
Harness.
AMM 28-21-11/401.. Surge Tank Sensor 28-21-11-424-032.
Harness
Installation.
28-AWL-17...................... CDCCL.............. FIM 28-22-00/101. ..................
28-AWL-18...................... ALI................ AMM 20-55-54/601.. FQIS Wiring and 20-55-54-206-002.
Bonding
Inspection/Check.
28-AWL-19...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-10-15..... Assembly of Shield ..................
Ground Wires.
28-AWL-20...................... ALI................ AMM 28-22-00/501.. Override Pump Auto 28-22-00-725-529.
Shutoff
Functional Test.
28-AWL-21...................... ..................
28-AWL-22...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-41-24/401.. Densitometer Hot 28-41-24-404-017.
Short Protector
Installation.
28-AWL-23...................... CDCCL.............. AMM 28-22-01/401.. Install the 28-22-01-404-030.
Adapter Shaft of
the Engine Fuel
Shutoff Valve.
AMM 28-22-02/401.. Install the 28-22-02-404-023.
Adapter Shaft of
the Engine
Crossfeed Valve.
AMM 28-22-11/401.. Install the 28-22-11-404-008.
Actuator of the
Engine Fuel
Shutoff Valve.
AMM 28-22-12/401.. Install the 28-22-12-404-010.
Actuator of the
Engine Fuel
Crossfeed Valve.
AMM 28-26-01/401.. Install the 28-26-01-404-059.
Adapter Shaft of
the Defueling
Valve.
AMM 28-26-02/401.. Install the 28-26-11-404-020.
Defueling Valve
Actuator.
28-AWL-24...................... CDCCL.............. CMM 28-20-21. ..................
28-AWL-25...................... CDCCL.............. SWPM 20-10-15..... Assembly of Shield ..................
Ground Wires.
28-AWL-26...................... ALI................ AMM 20-55-54/601..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



[[Page 36397]]

Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 22, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-12817 Filed 7-2-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Refinery Capacity

Class, compare and contrast this spreadsheet after hurricane season.

Can we say "shortsighted", boys and girls?.

11 category A incursions

Incidence of near runway collisions.