Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4356-4357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1766]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-374-AD; Amendment 39-11530; AD 2000-02-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:  Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:  Final rule.

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SUMMARY:  This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes, that 
requires the application of sealant to the upper surface on the wing 
center section to ensure the integrity of the secondary fuel barrier. 
This amendment is prompted by reports from the airplane manufacturer 
that the sealant was inadvertently not applied to portions of the wing 
center section on certain Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fuel or fuel 
vapors from entering the cargo and passenger compartments in the event 
of a failure of the primary seal or development of a crack in the wing 
center section structure. Leakage of fuel or fuel vapors into the cargo 
and passenger compartments could be hazardous to personnel, and could 
cause a fire in those compartments.

DATES:  Effective March 2, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 2, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle 
Washington, 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Larry Reising, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2683; fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 777-200 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 16, 1999 
(64 FR 38382). That action proposed to require the application of 
sealant to the front spar and upper surface of the wing center section 
to ensure the integrity of the secondary fuel barrier.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the three comments received.
    One commenter states that it is not affected by the proposed rule.

Request to Revise Applicability

    One commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the applicability of 
the proposed AD be limited to Boeing Model 777-200IGW aircraft as 
listed in the effectivity section of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-57-
0033. (The applicability of the proposed rule reads in part, ``* * * 
Model 777-200 series airplanes, line numbers 41 through 91 inclusive * 
* *.'' As written, the proposed rule does not specifically reference 
Boeing Model 777-200IGW aircraft.) In support of its request, the 
commenter states that only the Boeing Model 777-200IGW aircraft has a 
fuel tank in the wing center section, and that the basic Boeing Model 
777-200 aircraft, by design, has a dry wing center section.
    The FAA concurs with the commenter's request to revise the 
applicability of the proposed AD since the effectivity of the 
referenced service bulletin only specifies Model 777-200 airplanes with 
a fuel tank in the wing center section. Therefore, the FAA has revised 
the applicability of the final rule to specify that it applies to 
Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes, as listed in the service 
bulletin.

Request to Clarify Requirements

    One commenter, the airplane manufacturer, indicates that only the 
upper surface on the wing center section under the overwing stub beam 
on the left and right sides is affected by this proposed AD; the 
forward spar does not require any rework.
    The FAA infers the commenter requests that the FAA clarify the 
location of the rework. The FAA finds that the commenter's description 
of the affected area is accurate, and the final rule has been revised 
accordingly.

Explanation of Additional Service Information

    In the proposed AD, the FAA inadvertently omitted referencing 
Appendix A, dated March 26, 1998, of the Boeing Service Bulletin 777-
57-0033. Therefore, the FAA has revised the final rule throughout to 
reference Appendix A.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously 
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 37 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 8 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $100 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,760, or $220 
per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

[[Page 4357]]

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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000-02-11  Boeing: Amendment 39-11530. Docket 98-NM-374-AD.

    Applicability: Model 777-200 series airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-57-0033, including Appendix A, both 
dated March 26, 1998, certificated in any category.

    Note 1:  This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 prevent fuel or fuel vapors from entering the passenger and 
cargo compartments of the airplane in the event of a failure of the 
primary seal or development of a crack in the wing center section 
structure, accomplish the following:

Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, apply 
sealant to the upper surface on the wing center section under the 
overwing stub beams on the left and right sides of the airplane, in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 777-57-0033, dated March 26, 
1998.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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.

Special Flight Permits

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-57-0033, dated March 26, 1998, including Appendix A, 
dated March 26, 1998. This incorporation by reference was approved 
by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing 
Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle Washington, 98124-
2207. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 2, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 20, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-1766 Filed 1-26-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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