Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767–300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that, for certain airplanes, reinforcement straps were not bonded to the center overhead stowage bins in the passenger compartment. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require performing an inspection of reinforcement straps to ensure they are correctly bonded to the center overhead stowage bins, and bonding the reinforcement straps to the center overhead stowage bins if necessary. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require installing reinforcement straps on the center overhead stowage bins. We are proposing this AD to prevent missing or incorrectly bonded reinforcement straps, which could result in the center overhead stowage bins breaking loose and causing injury to passengers and damage to equipment during in-flight turbulence.
We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 30, 2012.
You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
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For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65, Seattle, WA 98124–2207; telephone 206–544–5000, extension 1; fax 206–766–5680; Internet
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at
Sarah Piccola, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM–150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6483; fax: 425–917–6590; email:
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to
We received a report that, for certain airplanes, reinforcement straps installed at specified stations for the center overhead stowage bins in the passenger compartment were not correctly bonded to the stowage bins. In addition, for some airplanes, reinforcement straps may have been missing on the center overhead stowage bins at other specified stations. This condition, if not corrected, could result in the center overhead stowage bins breaking loose and causing injury to passengers and damage to equipment during in-flight turbulence.
We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767–25–0520, dated February 8, 2012. For certain airplanes, this service bulletin describes procedures for general visual and detailed inspections of the existing reinforcement straps installed on the center overhead storage bins in the passenger compartment to ensure they are bonded to the center overhead storage bins. For airplanes on which the straps are incorrectly bonded, this service bulletin describes procedures for bonding the reinforcement straps to the center overhead stowage bins. For certain airplanes, this service bulletin describes procedures for installing reinforcement straps.
We are proposing 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 same type design.
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously.
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 4 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this repair:
According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost estimate.
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.
We 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.
(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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
We must receive comments by November 30, 2012.
None.
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767–300 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767–25–0520, dated February 8, 2012.
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2520, Passenger Compartment Equipment.
This proposed AD was prompted by a report that, for certain airplanes, reinforcement straps were not bonded to the center overhead stowage bins in the passenger compartment. We are issuing this AD to prevent missing or incorrectly bonded reinforcement straps, which could result in the center overhead stowage bins breaking loose and causing injury to passengers and damage to equipment during in-flight turbulence.
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do a general visual or detailed inspection to determine the condition of the reinforcement straps for the center overhead stowage bins, and bond the reinforcement straps to the stowage bins as applicable; and install reinforcement straps as applicable; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767–25–0520, dated February 8, 2012.
(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANM–150S, 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 local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. Information may be emailed to:
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Sarah Piccola, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM–150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; phone: (425) 917–6483; fax: (425) 917–6590; email:
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65, Seattle, WA 98124–2207; telephone (206) 544–5000, extension 1; fax (206) 766–5680; Internet