76 fuel filter

[Federal Register: April 23, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 79)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 21811-21813]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23ap08-2]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0411; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-061-AD;
Amendment 39-15488; AD 2008-09-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 Airplanes and Model
767-200, 767-300, and 767-300F Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Boeing Model 757 airplanes and Model 767-200, 767-300, and 767-300F
series airplanes. This AD requires revising the Limitations section of
the airplane flight manual to advise the flight crew of procedures to
follow to ensure that a fuel filter impending bypass condition due to
gross fuel contamination is detected in a timely manner. This AD was
prompted by an error in the operating program software (OPS) of the
engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS). The error prevents
the display of an advisory message to the flight crew of a left engine
fuel filter contamination and imminent bypass condition, which may
indicate an imminent multiple engine thrust loss or engine malfunction
event due to fuel contamination. We are issuing this AD to prevent
malfunction and thrust loss on both engines, which could result in a
forced off-airport landing.

DATES: This AD is effective May 8, 2008.
We must receive comments on this AD by June 23, 2008.

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: 202-493-2251.
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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judy Coyle, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind

[[Page 21812]]

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6497;
fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We have been advised that an operator discovered an error in the
Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) operating program
software (OPS) Version 6. This software error prevents the display of
the ``L ENG FUEL FILT'' advisory message to the flight crew. This
message was intended to be displayed if an impending clogging condition
of the left engine fuel filter exists. (The corresponding message for
the right engine functions normally.) Boeing has determined that this
software error is isolated to the EICAS OPS Version 6. This software is
currently approved for installation on all Boeing Model 757 airplanes,
and Model 767-200, 767-300, and 767-300F series airplanes. (Model 767-
400ER series airplanes use different software.) OPS Version 6 was
approved in mid-2007 for production and retrofit installation. Boeing's
records show that the majority of the affected airplanes currently have
Version 6 software installed. Absence of an engine fuel filter bypass
indication for each engine eliminates the only effective advance
warning the flight crew will receive of potential engine malfunction
due to a gross fuel contamination event on the airplane. Without such
advance warning, malfunction and thrust loss on both engines due to
fuel contamination could cause a forced off-airport landing.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

We are issuing 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(se) same type
design(s). This AD requires revising the Limitations section of the
airplane flight manual (AFM) to advise the flight crew of procedures to
follow to ensure that a fuel filter impending bypass condition due to
gross fuel contamination is detected in a timely manner.
The actions specified by paragraph (f) of this AD are not required
when all affected airplanes in an operator's fleet have been verified
by the operator to have an EICAS computer with a particular part number
and EICAS OPS versions other than Version 6 software. This exception is
currently available for Model 757 and 767 passenger airplanes and for
new production freighter airplanes, but will be available for non-
production-modified freighter airplanes only when OPS versions later
than Version 6 software become available. Non-production-modified
freighter airplanes include, but are not limited to, Model 757
airplanes modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate
(STC) ST01920LA, and Model 767 series airplanes modified in accordance
with design approvals granted to Boeing for the Boeing Converted
Freighter (BCF) or Special Freighter (SF) configurations. Only OPS
Version 6 software or a later OPS version was approved by the FAA for
use on non-production-modified freighter airplanes; this is because
cargo door indications required for certification of those freighter
conversion modifications were introduced at Version 6.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

Because of our requirement to promote safe flight of civil
aircraft, and thus the critical need to ensure that the flight crew has
procedures to follow to ensure that a fuel filter impending bypass
condition due to gross fuel contamination is detected in a timely
manner, and because of the short compliance time involved with this
action, this AD must be issued immediately.
Because an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we find that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to
provide your comments before it becomes effective. However, we invite
you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send
your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include
``Docket No. FAA-2008-0411; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-061-AD'' at
the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the
overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may
amend this 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 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

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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

[[Page 21813]]

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2008-09-07 Boeing: Amendment 39-15488. Docket No. FAA-2008-0411;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-061-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 8, 2008.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, -200CB,
and -300 series airplanes, and Model 767-200, 767-300, and 767-300F
series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD was prompted by an error in the operating program
software (OPS) of the engine indication and crew alerting system
(EICAS). The error prevents the display of an advisory message to
the flight crew of a left engine fuel filter contamination and
imminent bypass condition, which may indicate an imminent multiple
engine thrust loss or engine malfunction event due to fuel
contamination. We are issuing this AD to prevent malfunction and
thrust loss on both engines, which could result in a forced off-
airport landing.

Compliance

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

Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

(f) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Limitations section of the applicable AFM to include the
following. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the
AFM.

``If the STATUS cue shows while on the ground after engine start
or during flight, select the status page on the secondary EICAS
display, and verify the ``L ENG FUEL FILT'' message is not shown. If
the ``L ENG FUEL FILT'' message is not shown on the status page, the
secondary engine parameters may be reselected on the secondary EICAS
display, or the display may be blanked. If the ``L ENG FUEL FILT''
message is shown on the status display, accomplish the ENGINE FUEL
FILTER non-normal checklist as published in the Boeing Quick
Reference Handbook. If on the ground, check the Dispatch Deviations
Guide (DDG), or operator equivalent.
In the event that the status level ``L ENG FUEL FILT'' and
advisory level ``R ENG FUEL FILT'' messages are simultaneously
shown, an impending fuel filter bypass condition exists on both
engines. With both messages shown, airplane fuel system
contamination may be present and may result in erratic engine
operation or flameout.
Further flight crew action in response to either or both the ``L
ENG FUEL FILT'' status-level message and the ``R ENG FUEL FILT''
advisory level messages being shown are not established by Boeing or
the FAA. Any further flight crew action should be determined by
individual operator policy.
Boeing policy on flight crew use of status-level messages has
not changed. After engine start, any condition having an adverse
effect on safe continuation of the flight appears as an EICAS alert
message (Warning, Caution, or Advisory). If other status-level
messages are shown as a consequence of complying with these
temporary operating instructions, the flight crew should respond in
accordance with the appropriate operator policy.
Dispatch of the airplane with an inoperative EICAS display unit
is prohibited.

(g) If all affected airplanes in an operator's fleet have been
verified by the operator to have EICAS computer part number
S242N701-1001 and only EICAS OPS versions other than Version 6
software that are FAA approved for that airplane, then
accomplishment of the actions specified in paragraph (f) of this AD
is not required.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, ATTN: Judy Coyle, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-
140S, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356;
telephone (425) 917-6497; fax (425) 917-6590; has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) None.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 14, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-8653 Filed 4-22-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P