Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 50 (Monday, March 15, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12060-12061]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5430]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-14-AD; Amendment 39-13521; AD 2004-05-26]
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 cargo control joysticks with new joysticks that 
include a moisture seal and ventilated cover. This action is necessary 
to prevent water from being trapped inside the joystick covers, which 
could result in uncommanded movements of the power drive unit during 
ground handling of cargo and consequent possible injury to ground 
personnel. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective April 19, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 19, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 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: Clint Jones, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6471; fax (425) 917-6590.

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 28, 2003 
(68 FR 66764). That action proposed to require replacement of the cargo 
control joysticks with new joysticks that include a moisture seal and 
ventilated cover.

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.

Support for Proposed AD

    One commenter concurs with the proposed AD.

Request To Correct Date of Referenced Service Information

    One commenter requests that the proposed AD be revised to reference 
the correct issue date for Boeing Service

[[Page 12061]]

Bulletin 777-25-0191. The commenter points out that the correct issue 
date of that document is September 13, 2001. The FAA agrees and has 
revised this final rule to correct the typographical error.

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 change previously 
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 360 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 124 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $2,200 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $296,980, or 
$2,395 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. The manufacturer may cover the cost of 
replacement parts associated with this AD, subject to warranty 
conditions. Manufacturer warranty remedies may also be available for 
labor costs associated with this AD. As a result, the costs 
attributable to the AD may be less than stated above.

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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-05-26 Boeing: Amendment 39-13521. Docket 2002-NM-14-AD.

    Applicability: Model 777 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-25-0191, dated September 13, 2001; certificated 
in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent uncommanded movements of the power drive unit during 
ground handling of cargo and consequent possible injury to ground 
personnel, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the cargo control joysticks with new joysticks, per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-25-0191, 
dated September 13, 2001.

Parts Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a cargo control joystick, part number S283W602-1 or S283W602-2, on 
any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-25-0191, dated September 13, 2001. 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 Airplanes, 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 April 19, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 3, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-5430 Filed 3-12-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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