Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 74 (Wednesday, April 18, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19380-19382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-1936]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27898; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-078-AD; 
Amendment 39-15029; AD 2007-07-05 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD), 
which applies to all Boeing Model 777 airplanes. That AD currently 
requires a one-time inspection to determine the part number of the left 
and right air supply and cabin pressure controllers (ASCPCs), and 
installation of new ASCPC software if necessary. This AD requires those 
same actions. This AD also revises the existing AD to allow 
installation of an ASCPC with additional versions of software installed 
and to correct a part number reference. This AD results from a report 
of an ASCPC failure during flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent an 
ASCPC failure that could stop airflow into the airplane, inhibit the 
cabin altitude warning message, and cause an incorrect display of cabin 
altitude. These failures could result in depressurization of the 
airplane without warning.

DATES: The effective date of this AD is April 18, 2007.
    On April 18, 2007 (72 FR 15820, April 3, 2007), the Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-36A0026, Revision 1, dated February 8, 2007.

[[Page 19381]]

    We must receive any comments on this AD by June 18, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD:
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207, for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Webber, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6451; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On March 21, 2007, we issued AD 2007-07-05, amendment 39-15010 (72 
FR 15820, April 3, 2007). That AD applies to all Boeing Model 777 
airplanes. That AD requires a one-time inspection to determine the part 
number of the left and right air supply and cabin pressure controllers 
(ASCPCs), and installation of new ASCPC software if necessary. That AD 
resulted from a report of an ASCPC failure during flight. The actions 
specified in that AD are intended to prevent an ASCPC failure that 
could stop airflow into the airplane, inhibit the cabin altitude 
warning message, and cause an incorrect display of cabin altitude. 
These failures could result in depressurization of the airplane without 
warning.

Actions Since AD Was Issued

    Since we issued that AD, we have determined that additional 
versions of the ASCPC software should be permitted. In paragraph (i) of 
that AD (``Installation of Certain OPS Software Prohibited''), we cited 
a specific part number of operational program software (OPS) that must 
be installed in ASCPCs before they can be installed on any airplane as 
of the effective date of that AD. By citing that specific part number, 
we inadvertently prohibited use of later, acceptable versions of the 
OPS. This was not our intent.
    We have also determined that, in that same paragraph, there is a 
typographical error resulting in an incorrect ASCPC part number.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other airplanes of the same type design. For this reason, we 
are issuing this AD to revise AD 2007-07-05. This new AD retains the 
requirements of the existing AD. This AD also revises the existing AD 
to allow installation of an ASCPC with additional versions of software 
installed and to correct a part number reference.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD; therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment 
before the AD is issued is impracticable, and good cause exists to make 
this AD effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any relevant written 
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an 
address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
27898; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-078-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of that Web 
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Dockets

    You may 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 DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

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 the regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

[[Page 19382]]

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 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
removing amendment 39-15010 (72 FR 15820, April 3, 2007) and adding the 
following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-07-05 R1 Boeing: Amendment 39-15029. Docket No. FAA-2007-27898; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-078-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) The effective date of this AD is April 18, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD revises AD 2007-07-05.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, 
and -300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of an air supply and cabin 
pressure controller (ASCPC) failure during flight. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent an ASCPC failure that could stop airflow into the 
airplane, inhibit the cabin altitude warning message, and cause an 
incorrect display of cabin altitude. These failures could result in 
depressurization of the airplane without warning.

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 to Determine Part Number (P/N) of the ASCPCs

    (f) For all airplanes: Within 90 days after the effective date 
of this AD, perform an inspection of the left and right ASCPCs to 
determine the part number.

ASCPC Software Installation

    (g) For airplanes on which any ASCPC having P/N 1152972-4 is 
found during the inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD: 
Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, install new 
ASCPC operational program software (OPS) in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-36A0026, 
Revision 1, dated February 8, 2007.

Installation of Certain OPS Prohibited

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, installation of OPS P/N 
3673-GRS-101-00, P/N 3670-GRS-102-00, or P/N 3671-GRS-103-00 is 
prohibited.
    (i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an ASCPC, P/N 1152972-4, on any airplane, unless it has had ASCPC 
OPS version P/N 3676-GRS-104-00 or later installed in accordance 
with paragraph (g) of this AD.

Credit for Actions Done Using Previous Service Information

    (j) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-36A0026, dated 
December 19, 2006, are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions specified in this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k)(1) 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.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 777-36A0026, Revision 
1, dated February 8, 2007, to perform the actions that are required 
by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this 
document on April 18, 2007 (72 FR 15820, April 3, 2007). Contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 
98124-2207, for a copy of this service information. You may review 
copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 12, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 07-1936 Filed 4-16-07; 11:59 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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