Voglio sapere a riguardo di…

Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 24, 2021 / Rules and Regulations valve failed inoperative in the open position.
The FAA agrees with the commenters request for the reasons provided by the commenter. The FAA has accordingly revised the description of the unsafe condition and AD requirements in the SUMMARY and Background sections of this final rule, and in paragraphs e and g of this AD.

khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES

Request for Clarification Regarding Revisions to MMEL Items for Model 747SP Series Airplanes A commenter requested clarification regarding revisions to MMEL items for Model 747SP series airplanes. The commenter stated the company he is affiliated with operates two Model 747SP series airplanes and asked if the final instruction would require eliminating ATA 2820 2 through 6
from its MEL, or if those sections would be revised with different maintenance instructions, which would allow dispatching an airplane with only one inoperative refueling valve deactivated in the open position, or if there would be a revision to those sections with different maintenance instructions allowing dispatching an airplane with inoperative refueling valves deactivated in the closed position for example, if the refueling valves could be manually opened on the ground for re-fueling and then closed for flight if only the valves actuator is defective.
The FAA provides the following explanations to the commenters questions. This AD eliminates the relief provided by the dispatch provisions of ATA 2820 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 from the Boeing 747 B747100/200/300/SP
SERIES MMEL. This AD therefore prohibits dispatch of an airplane with any of the subject refuel valves inoperative in the open position, regardless of the existence of any MMEL
provisions. If the MMEL items are revised in the future, the FAA might issue global AMOCs to provide relief for operation under specified conditions.
This AD does not change the MMEL
dispatch provisions for refuel valves inoperative in the closed position.
Request To Reduce the Compliance Time The Air Line Pilots Association, International ALPA requested that the compliance time specified in the proposed AD be reduced from 60 days after the effective date of the AD to 15
days. The commenter stated that operators have had sufficient time from the publication date of the proposed AD
September 9, 2020 until the publication date of the final rule to address the prohibition of dispatching
VerDate Sep<11>2014

15:49 Mar 23, 2021

Jkt 253001

airplanes with more than one affected refuel valve inoperative.
The FAA disagrees with the commenters request. After considering all of the available information, the FAA
determined that the compliance time, as proposed, represents an appropriate interval of time for operators to comply with the AD, and still maintain an adequate level of safety. In developing an appropriate compliance time, the FAA considered the safety implications of operating an airplane with any inoperative refuel valve. In addition, reducing the compliance time of the proposed AD would necessitate under the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act reissuing the notice, reopening the period for public comment, considering additional comments subsequently received, and eventually issuing a final rule. That procedure could add unwarranted time to the rulemaking process. In light of this, and in consideration of the amount of time that has already elapsed since issuance of the original notice, the FAA
determined that further delay of this AD
is not appropriate. However, if additional data are presented that would justify a shorter compliance time, the FAA may consider further rulemaking on this issue. The FAA has not revised this AD in regard to this issue.
Request To Include MMEL Item for Model 7478 Passenger Airplanes Boeing and AMES Sarl CAMO
requested that MMEL Item 282102
01A, Refuel Valves, which applies to passenger airplanes, be included in paragraph h4 of the proposed AD.
The commenters noted that in paragraph h4 of the proposed AD, only MMEL Item 28210101A, Refuel Valves, is specified, and that MMEL item is applicable only to Model 7478F airplanes, which are freighter airplanes.
The FAA agrees with the commenters requests for the reasons provided by the commenters and has revised paragraph h4 of this AD accordingly.
Request To Remove Reference to MMEL
Items for Model 7672C Series Airplanes Boeing requested that MMEL items referring to Model 7672C series airplanes be removed from paragraph h6 of the proposed AD because an FAA-approved MMEL document does not exist for this model. The commenter explained that only a Dispatch Deviation Guide DDG has been issued for Model 7672C series airplanes and that the MMEL items referenced in paragraphs h6i and ii of the proposed AD are found only in the DDG

PO 00000

Frm 00013

Fmt 4700

Sfmt 4700

15573

and are not public documents; therefore it is not appropriate to reference these MMEL items in the proposed AD.
The FAA agrees with the commenters request for the reasons provided by the commenter. The FAA has removed paragraph h6 of this AD because there is no published MMEL for Model 7672C series airplanes.
Request To Remove References to Model KC46A Airplanes Boeing requested that all text referring to Model KC46A airplanes be removed from the NPRM. The commenter explained that for type certification purposes, Model KC46A airplanes are covered under the type certificate for Model 7672C series airplanes.
The FAA agrees with the commenters request for the reason provided by the commenter. As stated previously, paragraph h6 of the proposed AD, which provided MMEL information for Model 7672C airplanes, has been removed from this AD.
Request for Clarification of Affected Fuel Tanks in Paragraph g of the Proposed AD
Boeing requested that paragraph g of the proposed AD be revised to clarify which fuel tanks are affected. The commenter stated that the identified unsafe condition is not evident when an airplane is operating using the existing DDG and MMEL relief for fuel tanks with refuel valves that are isolated from the main manifold that provides fuel to the wing tanks. The commenter explained that the fuel tanks that are not affected include the auxiliary tanks and the horizontal stabilizer tank on Model 747 series airplanes and the body fuel tanks on Model 7672C series airplanes.
The FAA agrees with the commenters request. The FAA has determined that this clarification could reduce confusion among operators regarding which fuel tanks are affected by the unsafe condition identified in this AD. The FAA has revised this final rule to clarify that this AD prohibits operation of an airplane with any inoperative refuel valve fueling shut-off valve of the reserve tank on Model 747 series airplanes, main tank, or center tank that has failed in the open position.
Request To Revise Paragraph g of the Proposed AD To Prohibit Dispatch if More Than One Refuel Valve Is Inoperative United Parcel Service UPS Airlines requested that paragraph g of the proposed AD be revised to specify that dispatch of an airplane is allowed if there is only one inoperative refuel valve. The commenter agreed that if
E:FRFM24MRR1.SGM

24MRR1