Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10571-10573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3694]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-285-AD; Amendment 39-12113; AD 2001-03-09]
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 nuts on the clevis assemblies that support the auxiliary 
tracks of the inboard leading edge slats. This amendment is necessary 
to prevent loose or missing nuts on the clevis assemblies, which could 
cause the inboard leading edge slats to be loose or in an incorrect 
position and result in partial or total failure or loss of the slats. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective March 23, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 23, 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

[[Page 10572]]

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 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 15, 2000 
(65 FR 68955). That action proposed to require replacement of nuts on 
the clevis assemblies that support the auxiliary tracks of the inboard 
leading edge slats.

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.
    One commenter supports the proposed rule. Another commenter states 
that it is not affected by the proposed rule.

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 121 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 34 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 replacement, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,080, or 
$120 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. 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.

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:

2001-03-09  Boeing: Amendment 39-12113. Docket 2000-NM-285-AD.

    Applicability: Model 777 series airplanes, line numbers 1 
through 155 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 loose or missing nuts on the clevis assemblies that 
support the auxiliary tracks of the inboard leading edge slats, 
which could cause the slats to be loose or in an incorrect position 
and result in partial or total failure or loss of the slats, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace nuts having part number NAS1805-5L on the clevis assemblies 
that support the auxiliary tracks (outboard, center, and inboard) of 
the inboard leading edge slats with new nuts purchased from the 
airplane manufacturer after October 31, 1999, in accordance with 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-57-0038, dated 
February 24, 2000.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
any nut having part number NAS1805-5L on any airplane unless it was 
purchased from the airplane manufacturer after October 31, 1999.

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 Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA. 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) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-57-0038, dated February 24, 
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

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 23, 2001.


[[Page 10573]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 8, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-3694 Filed 2-15-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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