Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 11, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19306-19308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8513]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-232-AD; Amendment 39-11662; AD 2000-07-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777 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 series airplanes, that requires 
replacement of the clevis ends on the tie rods for the center stowage 
bin supports with improved clevis ends. This amendment is prompted by a 
report that, under ultimate load conditions, the aluminum clevis ends 
on the tie rods for the center stowage bin supports can break. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent broken tie rods, 
which could result in the center stowage bins dropping onto the 
passenger seats below, causing possible injury to the occupants.

DATES: Effective May 16, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 16, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, PO 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: Julie Alger, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport

[[Page 19307]]

Airplane Directorate, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 
Avenue S.W., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2779; 
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 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 27, 1999 (64 
FR 57794). That action proposed to require replacement of the clevis 
ends on the tie rods for the center stowage bin supports with improved 
clevis ends.

Explanation of New Service Information

    Since the issuance of the proposal, the FAA has reviewed and 
approved Boeing Service Bulletin 777-25-0120, Revision 1, dated March 
16, 2000. Revision 1 of the service bulletin is substantially similar 
to the original issue (which was referenced in the proposal as the 
appropriate source of service information for accomplishment of the 
proposed actions) and adds no additional airplanes to the effectivity 
listing. Revision 1 clarifies certain procedures described in the 
service bulletin. Accomplishment of the actions specified in Revision 1 
of the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the unsafe 
condition described previously. Therefore, paragraph (a) of this final 
rule has been revised to reference Revision 1 of the service bulletin 
as the appropriate source of service information for the accomplishment 
of the requirements of that paragraph. In addition, a new ``Note 2'' 
has been added to this AD (and other notes have been renumbered 
accordingly) to specify that replacement of clevis ends prior to the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with the original issue of the 
service bulletin is acceptable for compliance with paragraph (a) of 
this AD.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

    Operators should note that Revision 1 of the service bulletin 
deletes three airplanes from the effectivity listing. The intent of the 
service bulletin was accomplished prior to delivery of those airplanes. 
Therefore, the applicability statement of this final rule has been 
revised accordingly.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

No Objection to the Proposal

    One commenter states that it has no objection to the proposed rule.

Compliance Time May Impact Service

    One commenter states that it agrees with the proposed compliance 
time of four years. However, the commenter is concerned that the 
proposed replacement is intended to be accomplished during a scheduled 
maintenance visit, and, therefore, the replacement will not be 
accomplished on some airplanes for three or four years. The commenter 
also states that any change to the proposed time of compliance would 
impact service to the public. The commenter makes no specific request 
for a change to this AD.
    The FAA acknowledges the commenter's point that the replacement 
required by this AD has the potential to impact service to the public. 
In developing an appropriate compliance time for this action, the FAA 
considered not only the manufacturer's recommendation (as specified in 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-25-0120, dated February 11, 1999), but also 
the safety implications, parts availability, and normal maintenance 
schedules for timely accomplishment of the modification. In 
consideration of these items, the FAA has determined that four years 
represents an appropriate interval of time allowable wherein the 
modifications can be accomplished during scheduled maintenance 
intervals for the majority of affected operators, and an acceptable 
level of safety can be maintained. No change to the final rule is 
necessary in this regard.

Request To Increase Cost Estimate

    One commenter estimates that the replacement of clevis ends 
specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-25-0120 will require 44 work 
hours instead of the 20 work hours estimated in the service bulletin. 
(The cost estimate in the NPRM for accomplishment of the replacement on 
Model 777-200 series airplanes is 12 work hours, excluding the time to 
gain access and close up.) The FAA infers that the commenter is 
requesting that the cost estimate be increased in the final rule.
    The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request. The number of 
work hours necessary to accomplish the required actions, specified as 
12 in the cost impact information below, was provided to the FAA by the 
manufacturer based on the best data available to date. This number 
represents the ``direct'' costs of the specific actions required by 
this AD: the time necessary to perform only the actions actually 
required by this AD. The FAA recognizes that, in accomplishing the 
requirements of any AD, operators may incur ``incidental'' costs in 
addition to the ``direct'' costs. The cost analysis in AD rulemaking 
actions, however, typically does not include incidental costs, such as 
the time required to gain access and close up; planning time; or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions. Because incidental costs 
may vary significantly from operator to operator, they are almost 
impossible to calculate. No change to the final rule is necessary in 
this regard.

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 168 Model 777-200 and 16 Model 777-300 
series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet.
    The FAA estimates that 41 Model 777-200 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 12 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required replacement of clevis 
ends, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $15,938 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$682,978, or $16,658 per airplane.
    Currently, there are no Model 777-300 airplanes on the U.S. 
Register that will be affected by this AD. However, should an 
unmodified airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future, it would take approximately 17 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the actions required by this AD, at an average labor rate of 
$60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $18,457 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the replacement 
required by this AD on these airplanes is estimated to be $19,477 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 19308]]

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

2000-07-08 Boeing: Amendment 39-11662. Docket 99-NM-232-AD.

    Applicability: Model 777 series airplanes, line numbers 2 
through 103 inclusive, 105 through 119 inclusive, 121 through 161 
inclusive, 163 through 177 inclusive, and 179 through 186 inclusive; 
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 prevent broken tie rods, which could result in the center 
stowage bins dropping onto the passenger seats below, causing 
possible injury to the occupants, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 4 years after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the aluminum clevis ends on the tie rods for the center stowage bin 
supports with new steel clevis ends, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-25-0120, 
Revision 1, dated March 16, 2000.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the replacement of clevis ends with 
new steel clevis ends prior to the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 777-25-0120, dated February 
11, 1999, is acceptable for compliance with paragraph (a) of this 
AD.

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 3: 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 replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-25-0120, Revision 1, dated March 16, 2000. 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.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on May 16, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 31, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-8513 Filed 4-10-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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