Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777-200LR and -300ER Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35609-35611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-14977]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0280; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-259-AD; 
Amendment 39-16334; AD 2010-13-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777-200LR and 
-300ER Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Model 777-200LR and -300ER series airplanes. This AD requires doing a 
high frequency eddy current inspection for cracking of the keyway of 
the fuel tank access door cutout on the left and right wings between 
wing rib numbers 8 (wing station 387) and 9 (wing station 414.5), and 
related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD 
results from reports of cracks emanating from the keyway of the fuel 
tank access door cutout of the lower wing skin between wing rib numbers 
8 and 9. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of the lower wing skin 
load path, which could cause catastrophic structural failure of the 
wing.

DATES: This AD is effective July 28, 2010.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of July 28, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail [email protected]; 
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Duong Tran, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
917-6452; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to 
certain Model 777-200LR and -300ER series airplanes. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on April 2, 2010 (75 FR 16683). That 
NPRM proposed to require doing a high frequency eddy current inspection 
for

[[Page 35610]]

cracking of the keyway of the fuel tank access door cutout on the left 
and right wings between wing rib numbers 8 (wing station 387) and 9 
(wing station 414.5), and related investigative and corrective actions 
if necessary.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comment received. Boeing supports the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 16 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
also estimate that it takes 2 work-hours per product to comply with 
this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be 
$2,720, or $170 per product.

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

    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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

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 AD:

2010-13-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16334. Docket No. FAA-
2010-0280; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-259-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 28, 
2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200LR and -
300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified 
in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0069, dated November 5, 
2009.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57: Wings.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from reports of cracks emanating from the 
keyway of the fuel tank access door cutout of the lower wing skin 
between wing rib numbers 8 and 9. The Federal Aviation 
Administration is issuing this AD to prevent loss of the lower wing 
skin load path, which could cause catastrophic structural failure of 
the wing.

Compliance

    (f) 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

    (g) At the applicable time specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and 
(g)(2) of this AD, do a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) 
inspection for cracking of the keyway of the fuel tank access door 
cutout on the left and right wings between wing rib numbers 8 (wing 
station 387) and 9 (wing station 414.5), and do all applicable 
corrective actions including applicable related investigative action 
(an HFEC inspection for cracking of machined areas), in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 777-57A0069, dated November 5, 2009, except as required by 
paragraph (h) of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative 
and corrective actions before further flight.
    (1) For Group 1, Configuration 1 airplanes, as identified in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0069, dated November 5, 2009: 
Before the accumulation of 3,500 total flight cycles, or within 500 
flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later.
    (2) For Group 1, Configuration 2 airplanes and Group 2 
airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
57A0069, dated November 5, 2009, on which a crack was found in the 
cutout keyway when the cutout keyway was changed: Within 1,125 days 
after the effective date of this AD.

    Note 1:  For Group 1, Configuration 2 airplanes and Group 2 
airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
57A0069, dated November 5, 2009, on which no crack was found in the 
cutout keyway when the cutout keyway was changed: No further action 
is required by this AD.

Exceptions to Service Bulletin

    (h) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by 
this AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0069, dated 
November 5, 2009, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate 
action: Before further flight, repair the crack using a method 
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph 
(i) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to 
ATTN: Duong Tran, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, 
FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 917-6452; fax (425) 917-6590. Or, e-mail 
information to [email protected].
    (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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair

[[Page 35611]]

required by this AD if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial 
Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been 
authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO to make those findings. For a 
repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification 
basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to 
this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0069, 
dated November 5, 2009, to do the actions required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 10, 2010.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-14977 Filed 6-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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