Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 122 (Monday, June 27, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36834-36836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12509]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20660; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-242-AD; 
Amendment 39-14166; AD 2005-13-29]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD 
requires inspecting for the installation of the tie plate for the wire 
bundles routed from lower section 41 into the center control stand in 
the flight deck; inspecting for any wire chafing or damage and repair 
if necessary; and installing a tie plate if necessary. This AD is 
prompted by a report of missing tie plates for the wire bundles. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent wire chafing, which could result in the loss 
of flight control, communication, navigation, and engine fire control 
systems. Loss of these systems could consequently result in a 
significant reduction of safety margins, an increase in flight crew 
workload, and in the case where loss of engine fire control is combined 
with an engine fire, could result in an uncontrollable fire.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 1, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 
1, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
    Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any 
final disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20660; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-242-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 917-6482; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. 
That action, published in the Federal Register on March 22, 2005 (70 FR 
14430), proposed to require inspecting for the installation of the tie 
plate for the wire bundles routed from lower section 41 into the center 
control stand in the flight deck; inspecting for any wire chafing or 
damage and repair if necessary; and installing a tie plate if 
necessary.

Comment

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment that has been 
submitted on the proposed AD. The commenter supports the proposed AD.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment that has been submitted, and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 289 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet.

[[Page 36835]]

The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        Number of U.S.-
                      Action                           Work hour      Average labor        Parts           Cost per        registered       Fleet cost
                                                                      rate per hour                        airplane        airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection........................................               1              $65               $9              $74              130           $9,620
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to 
examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2005-13-29 Boeing: Amendment 39-14166. Docket No. FAA-2005-20660; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-242-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective August 1, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0060, dated September 18, 2003.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of missing tie plates for 
wire bundles that are routed from lower section 41 into the center 
control stand in the flight deck. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
wire chafing, which could result in the loss of flight control, 
communication, navigation, and engine fire control systems. Loss of 
these systems could consequently result in a significant reduction 
of safety margins, an increase in flight crew workload, and in the 
case where loss of engine fire control is combined with an engine 
fire, could result in an uncontrollable fire.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspection

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect for installation of the tie plate for the wire bundles 
routed from lower section 41 into the center control stand in the 
flight deck, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0060, dated September 18, 2003.
    (1) If the tie plate is found to be installed, no further action 
is required by this AD.
    (2) If the tie plate is missing, before further flight, do a 
detailed inspection of the wire bundles for any chafing or damage 
and repair if necessary, and install a tie plate in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0060, 
dated September 18, 2003, to perform the actions that are required 
by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of this 
document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To 
get copies of the service information, contact Boeing Commercial 
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. To view 
the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC. To review copies of the service 
information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.


[[Page 36836]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 14, 2005.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12509 Filed 6-24-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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