Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 116 (Friday, June 15, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32530-32531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14725]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-303-AD; Amendment 39-12265; AD 2001-12-10]
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 repetitive detailed visual and ultrasonic inspections of the 
lower flange of the flaperon inboard support to find cracking, and 
corrective actions, if necessary. This AD also requires a modification, 
which terminates the repetitive inspections. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent fracture of the inboard support 
structure, which could result in an in-flight loss of the inboard 
flaperon, structural damage, and consequent reduced controllability of 
the airplane.

DATES: Effective July 20, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 20, 2001.

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: Stan Wood, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2772; 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 January 16, 
2001 (66 FR 3521). That action proposed to require repetitive detailed 
visual and ultrasonic inspections of the lower flange of the flaperon 
inboard support to find cracking; corrective actions, if necessary; and 
a modification, which terminates the repetitive inspections.

Comments

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

Support for the Proposed Rule

    One commenter supports the proposed rule. The second commenter, an 
airline, states that the proposed rule does not apply to its fleet and 
offers no further comment.

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 as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 9 Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet.
    The FAA estimates that 1 airplane of U.S. registry will be affected 
by this AD. It will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required inspections, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
inspections required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$180 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    It will take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required terminating action, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $2,932 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the terminating action 
required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,292 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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

[[Page 32531]]

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:

2001-12-10  Boeing: Amendment 39-12265. Docket 2000-NM-303-AD.

    Applicability: Model 777-200 series airplanes, line numbers (L/
N) 1 through 9 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 (c) 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 fracture of the inboard support structure of the 
flaperon, which could result in an in-flight loss of the inboard 
flaperon, structural damage, and consequent reduced controllability 
of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Repetitive Inspections

    (a) Before the accumulation of 4,000 total flight cycles, or 
within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later: Do a detailed visual and an ultrasonic inspection of the 
lower flange of the flaperon inboard support to find cracks, per 
Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 777-57A0036, dated June 24, 1999.
    (1) If no cracking is found: Repeat the applicable inspections 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 flight cycles until 
accomplishment of the terminating action specified in paragraph (b) 
of this AD.
    (2) If any cracking is found, before further flight, do the 
terminating action required by paragraph (b) of this AD, except, 
where the service bulletin specifies to contact Boeing for 
instructions, before further flight, repair per a method approved by 
the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or 
per data meeting the type certification basis of the airplane 
approved by a Boeing Company Designated Engineering Representative 
(DER) who has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make 
such findings. For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, 
Seattle ACO, as required by this paragraph, the approval letter must 
specifically reference this AD.

Terminating Action

    (b) On or before the accumulation of 8,000 total flight cycles, 
or within 1,200 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later: Do the terminating action (a high frequency 
eddy current inspection to find cracks of the aft holes that attach 
the failsafe strap to the lower flange, oversizing of the holes if 
cracks are found, and installation of a failsafe strap), per Part 2 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
777-57A0036, dated June 24, 1999. Accomplishment of this paragraph 
terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a) of 
this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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 ACO. 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

    (d) 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

    (e) Except as provided by paragraph (a)(2) of this AD, the 
actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 777-57A0036, dated June 24, 1999. 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

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 20, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 6, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-14725 Filed 6-14-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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