[4910-13-P] DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2024-1699; Project Identifier AD-2023-01084-T] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, and -400ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of multiple engine indicating and crew alerting system messages during the potable water servicing for a Model 777 freighter airplane after the water leaked onto the electronics equipment cooling air filter. Since the Model 767 passenger airplanes are similar in design, we are issuing an AD against the Model 767 passenger airplanes. This proposed AD would require installation of hoseducts around the left-side section 43 potable water supply hoses and connections, a potable water system leakage test, and applicable corrective actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by [INSERT DATE 45 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA2024-1699; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Material Incorporated by Reference: • For service information, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; website myboeingfleet.com. • You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1699. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandon Lucero, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3569; email: Brandon.Lucero@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include “Docket No. FAA-2024-1699; Project Identifier AD-2023-01084-T†at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments. Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM. Confidential Business Information CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.†The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Brandon Lucero, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3569; email: Brandon.Lucero@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives that is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Background The FAA has received a report of multiple engine indicating and crew alerting system messages during the potable water servicing for a Model 777 freighter airplane. The cause was found to be the separation of a fitting and steel water supply tube at a location above an electronics equipment cooling air filter, behind the forward cargo compartment left sidewall. The water from the soaked filter was then blown by the equipment cooling system onto multiple line replaceable units in the main electronics center. Model 767 passenger airplanes are similar in design to Model 777 freighter airplane. Model 767 passenger airplanes pull air with a fan from the area behind the forward cargo compartment left sidewall through an inlet screen and duct to cool main electronics center components. Model 767 passenger airplanes use potable water supply hoses with inner tubes made of flexible silicone-lined polymer and outer tubes made of steel braid at locations typically below the equipment cooling supply air inlet. Also, some Model 767 passenger airplane configurations have potable water system fitting connections and water supply hose routing near the equipment cooling supply air inlet and/or water supply hose routing at locations above it. The water leakage from the potable water system near the equipment cooling supply air inlet, if not addressed, could damage main electronics center components and result in loss of continued safe flight and landing. FAA’s Determination The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. Related Service Information under 1 CFR Part 51 The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-38A0076 RB, dated December 1, 2023. This service information specifies procedures for the following actions at the lower lobe section 43 potable water system plumbing on left side: • Installing hoseducts and support clamps. • Installing spray shields, new tie straps on the supply hose, and tee fitting shrouds, depending on the airplane configuration. • Replacing the supply hoses and tee fittings for certain airplane configurations. • Doing a potable water system leakage test and, for any leakage found, repeating the test until no leakage is found. This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES. Proposed AD Requirements in this NPRM This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information already described, and except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this service information at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1699. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 397 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: Estimated costs Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators Install hose ducts, connections, and leakage test Up to 19 work-hours X $85 per hour = $1,615 Up to $1,130 $2,745 $1,089,765 The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators. 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. The FAA is 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 The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (3) Would 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. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2024-1699; Project Identifier AD-2023-01084T. (a) Comments Due Date The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by [INSERT DATE 45 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, and -400ER series airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-38A0076 RB, dated December 1, 2023. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 38, Water/waste. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of multiple engine indicating and crew alerting system messages during the potable water servicing for a Model 777 freighter airplane after the water leaked onto the electronics equipment cooling air filter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address water leakage from the potable water system near the equipment cooling supply air inlet. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could damage main electronics center components and result in loss of continued safe flight and landing. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable time specified in the “Compliance†paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-38A0076 RB, dated December 1, 2023, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-38A0076 RB, dated December 1, 2023. Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-38A0076, dated December 1, 2023, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-38A0076 RB, dated December 1, 2023. (h) Exception to Service Information Specifications Where the Boeing Recommended Compliance Time columns of the tables in the “Compliance†paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-38A0076 RB, dated December 1, 2023, refer to “the Original Issue date of Requirements Bulletin 767-38A0076 RB,†this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: AMOC@faa.gov. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD. (j) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Brandon Lucero, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3569; email: Brandon.Lucero@faa.gov. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-38A0076 RB, dated December 1, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For service information, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; website myboeingfleet.com. (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on June 20, 2024. Suzanne Masterson, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-13994 Filed: 6/25/2024 8:45 am; Publication Date: 6/26/2024]