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 the FAAapproved maintenance program by incorporating the information in Sections A, B, C, and D of Document D68766AWL. This proposed AD would also require the initial inspection of a certain repetitive AWL inspection to phase in that inspection, and repair if necessary.

Difference Between Proposed AD and Service Bulletin

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 18month compliance time recommended in the service bulletin.
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 Document D68766AWL, 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 FAAapproved component maintenance manual (CMM) applies to fuel pumps repaired after the maintenance programs are revised; spare or onwing 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
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program revision specified in paragraph (g), and initial inspections specified in paragraph (h). No other fleetwide 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 Document D68766AWL. Paragraph (g) allows accomplishing the maintenance program revision in accordance with later revisions of the Document D68766AWL 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 inspection and repair in accordance with later revisions of Document D68766AWL as an acceptable method of compliance if they are approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO. In addition, Section B of Document D68766AWL specifies that any deviations from the published AWL instructions, including AWL intervals, 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 nonU.S. operator should coordinate changes with its governing regulatory agency.

Exceptional ShortTerm Extensions

Section B of Document D68766AWL has provisions for an exceptional shortterm extension of 30 days. An exceptional shortterm 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 shortterm 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 shortterm extensions described in Section B without consultation with the Manager, Seattle ACO. A non U.S. operator should coordinate changes with its governing regulatory agency. As explained in Document D68766AWL, exceptional shortterm extensions must not be used for fleet AWL extensions. An exceptional shortterm 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 D of Document D68766 AWL 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 D of Document D68766AWL 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 Document D68766AWL 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, 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 D of Document D68766AWL, 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 530 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 Cost per U.S. Action Work hours Parts airplane registered Fleet cost airplanes Maintenance program revision........ 8 None.................. $640 272 $174,080 Inspection.......................... 8 None.................. 640 272 174,080 [[Page 36904]]

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 39AIRWORTHINESS 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. FAA200728382; Directorate Identifier 2006NM 179AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August 20, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727100, 727 100C, 727200, and 727200F series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Note 1: 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 in the Boeing 727100/200
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs), D68766AWL, 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 ``Document D68766AWL'' as used in this AD, means Boeing 727100/200 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs), D68766AWL, original release, dated March 2006.
Maintenance Program Revision
(g) Before December 16, 2008, revise the FAAapproved
maintenance program to incorporate the information in the sections specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), and (g)(4) of this AD; except that the initial inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD must be done at the applicable compliance time specified in that paragraph. Accomplishing the revision in accordance with a later revision of Document D68766AWL is an acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.
(1) Section A, ``SCOPE'' of Document D68766AWL.
(2) Section B, ``FUEL SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,'' of Document D68766AWL.
(3) Section C, ``SYSTEM AWL PAGE FORMAT,'' of Document D68766 AWL.
(4) Section D, ``AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONSFUEL SYSTEMS,'' of Document D68766AWL.
Initial Inspection and Repair if Necessary
(h) At the later of the compliance times specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, do a detailed inspection of the wire bundles routed over the center fuel tank for damaged clamps, wire chafing, and wire bundles in contact with the surface of the center fuel tank, in accordance with AWL Number 28AWL01 of Section D of Document D68766AWL. If any discrepancy is found during the inspection, repair the discrepancy before further flight in accordance with AWL Number 28AWL01 of Section D of Document D6 8766AWL. Accomplishing the actions required by this paragraph in accordance with a later revision of Document D68766AWL is an acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO.

Note 2: 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.''
(1) Prior to the accumulation of 36,000 total flight hours, or within 120 months since the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certification or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, whichever ever occurs first.
(2) Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD. 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.
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Appendix 1.Implementing Fuel Tank System Airworthiness Limitations on Model 727, 727C, 727100, 727100C, 727 200, 727200F Series Airplanes ATA section or CMM AWL No. ALI/CDCCL document Task title 28AWL01......................... ALI.................. AMM 281100/601.......... External Wires Over the Tank No. 2 Inspection. 28AWL02......................... CDCCL................ SWPM 201011............. Wiring Assembly and Installation Configuration. 28AWL03......................... CDCCL................ SWPM 201011............. Wiring Assembly and Installation Configuration. 28AWL04......................... CDCCL................ CMM 284101, Revision 12; CMM 284102, Revision 5; CMM 284103, Revision 3; CMM 284106, Revision 8; CMM 284107, Revision 17; CMM 284108, Revision 9; CMM 284109, Revision 8; CMM 284123, Revision 10; or subsequent revisions. 28AWL05......................... CDCCL................ CMM 284003, Revision 5; CMM 284106, Revision 8; or subsequent revisions. 28AWL06......................... CDCCL................ SWPM 201412............. Repair of Fuel Quantity Indicator System (FQIS) Wire Harness. AMM 284121/401 Remove/Install Fuel Tank Bulkhead (Spar) Receptacle Wire Harness. 28AWL07......................... CDCCL................ AMM 291153/401.......... Install System A Hydraulic Fluid Heat Exchanger. AMM 291261/401 Install System B Hydraulic Fluid Heat Exchanger. 28AWL08......................... CDCCL................
28AWL09......................... CDCCL................ CMM 28201, Revision 7; CMM 28205, Revision 6; CMM 282006, Revision 6; or subsequent revisions. 28AWL10......................... CDCCL................ AMM 282221/401.......... Install Fuel Boost Pump. 28AWL11......................... CDCCL................ AMM 282193/401.......... Remove the Auxiliary Tank Fueling Float Switch. AMM 282193/401 Install the Auxiliary Tank Fueling Float Switch. 28AWL12......................... CDCCL................ AMM 281121/401.......... Removal/Installation Cast Fuel Tank Access Panels. 28AWL13......................... CDCCL................ AMM 281121/401.......... Removal/Installation Machined Fuel Tank Access Panels. AMM 281311/401 Install the Relief Valve. 28AWL14......................... CDCCL................ AMM 282221/601.......... Fuel Boost Pump Inspection/Check. 28AWL15......................... CDCCL................ AMM 282200/101.......... Engine Fuel Feed System Trouble Shooting.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 22, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E713115 Filed 7507; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 491013P

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Kathrine Rask, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 980573356; telephone (425) 9176505; fax (425) 9176590.