AD 97-15-09

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AD Number:
97-15-09
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
97-NM-122-AD
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 and 767 Series Airplanes
Subject:
Auxiliary Power Unit Battery Grounds
Status:
Current
Citation:
(Federal Register: July 17, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 137))
Citation Publish Date:
07/17/1997
Effective Date:
08/01/1997
Make:
The Boeing Company
Model:
757-200 Series | 757-200CB Series | 757-200PF Series | 757-300 Series | 767-200 Series | 767-300 Ser...Show more
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Large Airplane
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39 (62 FR 38204 NO. 137 07/17/97)
Comments:
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 97-15-09
CITATION:   [Federal Register: July 17, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 137)]

PAGE NUMBER:   [Page 38204]

DOCKET NUMBER:   97-NM-122-AD

AMENDMENT:   39-10083

AD NUMBER:   97-15-09

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 and 767 Series Airplanes

ACTION:   Final rule; request for comments

SUMMARY:  
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all Boeing Model 757 and 767 series airplanes. This action requires repetitive inspections to detect damage and to verify proper configuration of the battery ground terminations of the auxiliary power unit (APU) at the battery and connected structure; and removal, replacement, and repair of the battery ground termination, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by reports of smoke or fire coming from the APU due to battery grounds that were not installed/maintained properly. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and correct such APU battery grounds, which could result in heat damage and consequent smoke/fire on the airplane.

DATES:   Effective August 1, 1997. Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before September 15, 1997.

ADDRESSES:  
Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),
Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-122-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

Information concerning this amendment may be obtained from or examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  
Forrest Keller, Senior Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; telephone (425) 227-2790; fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  
The FAA has received several reports of smoke or fire that originated in areas adjacent to the auxiliary power unit (APU) battery grounds on Boeing Model 757 and 767 series airplanes. Investigation revealed that APU battery grounds were not installed/maintained properly on these airplanes. In addition, the existing design of the battery ground (i.e., single lug) is prone to overheating when installed improperly. Such improper installation/maintenance, if not corrected, could result in heat damage to the battery ground of the APU and consequent smoke/fire on the airplane.

Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other Boeing Model 757 and 767 series airplanes of the same type design, this AD is being issued to detect and correct improperly installed/maintained APU battery grounds, which could result in heat damage and consequent smoke/fire on the airplane. This AD requires repetitive detailed visual inspections to detect damage and to verify proper configuration of the battery ground terminations of the APU at the battery and connected structure; and removal, replacement, and repair of the battery ground termination, if necessary.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of this regulation, it is found 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

Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption "ADDRESSES." All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: "Comments to Docket Number 97-NM-122-AD." The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft, and that it is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption "ADDRESSES."

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 - [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

REGULATORY TEXT:  
97-15-09 BOEING: Amendment 39-10083. Docket 97-NM-122-AD.

Applicability: All Model 757 and 767 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To detect and correct improperly installed/maintained auxiliary power unit (APU) battery grounds, which could result in heat damage and consequent smoke/fire on the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a detailed visual inspection to detect damage and to verify proper configuration of the battery ground terminations of the APU at the battery and connected structure.

(1) If no damage is detected and all battery ground terminations are configured properly (i.e., all required washer and other parts installed, and termination bolts are torqued properly) in accordance with Boeing Standard Wiring Practices Manual D6-54446, repeat the visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight hours.

(2) If any damage is detected or any battery ground termination is found to be configured improperly, prior to further flight, remove, replace, and repair the battery ground termination, as applicable, in accordance with Boeing Standard Wiring Practices Manual D6-54446 and applicable Boeing drawings. Repeat the detailed visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight hours.

(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Seattle ACO.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on August 1, 1997.

FOOTER: