Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777-200LR and -300ER Series Airplanes Equipped with GE90-100 Series Engines

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 156 (Friday, August 13, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49375-49377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19293]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0704; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-037-AD; 
Amendment 39-16389; AD 2010-16-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777-200LR and 
-300ER Series Airplanes Equipped with GE90-100 Series Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Model 777-200LR and -300ER series airplanes equipped with GE90-100 
series engines. This AD requires replacing the insulation blanket 
fasteners of the lower aft cowl of the thrust reverser. This AD also 
requires inspecting the oil scavenge tube on the turbine rear frame of 
the engine for damage, and replacement if necessary. This AD results 
from a determination of insufficient clearance and subsequent 
interference between the oil scavenge tube on the turbine rear frame of 
the engine and the bolt on the aft cowl insulation blanket of the 
thrust reverser. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage and possible 
puncture of the oil scavenge tube and consequent oil loss, which could 
result in an in-flight shutdown of the engine.

DATES: This AD is effective August 30, 2010.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of August 30, 
2010.
    We must receive comments on this AD by September 27, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    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 street address for 
the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Langsted, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
(425) 917-6500; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    Boeing has determined that insufficient clearance and subsequent 
interference exists between the oil scavenge tube on the turbine rear 
frame of the engine and the bolt on the aft cowl insulation blanket. 
This location could encounter interference under flight loads. Damage 
to the oil scavenge tube was confirmed after flight on undelivered 
airplanes. Several in-service airplanes had sustained damage (dents, 
gouges, or chafing) because of the interference condition. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in possible puncture of the 
oil scavenge tube and consequent oil loss, resulting in an in-flight 
shutdown of the engine.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-78A0070, dated 
November 20, 2008. This service bulletin describes

[[Page 49376]]

procedures for replacing the insulation blanket fasteners of the lower 
aft cowl of the thrust reverser.
    Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-78A0070, dated November 20, 2008, 
specifies prior or concurrent accomplishment of an inspection of the 
oil scavenge tube on the turbine rear frame of the engine for damage, 
and replacement if damage is found, in accordance with General Electric 
GE90-100 Service Bulletin 79-0017, dated March 3, 2008.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    No airplanes affected by this AD are on the U.S. Register. We are 
issuing this AD because the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design 
that could be registered in the United States in the future. This AD 
requires replacing the insulation blanket fasteners of the lower aft 
cowl of the thrust reverser. This AD also requires inspecting the oil 
scavenge tube on the turbine rear frame of the engine for damage, and 
replacement if necessary.
    Since no airplanes are affected by this AD, notice and opportunity 
for public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments before it becomes effective. However, we invite 
you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send 
your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include 
``Docket No. FAA-2010-0704; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-037-AD'' at 
the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the 
overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend this AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

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:

2010-16-12 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16389. Docket No. FAA-
2010-0704; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-037-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 30, 
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 777-78A0070, dated November 20, 
2008.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 78: Engine 
exhaust.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from a determination of insufficient 
clearance and subsequent interference between the oil scavenge tube 
on the turbine rear frame of the engine and the bolt on the aft cowl 
insulation blanket of the thrust reverser. The Federal Aviation 
Administration is issuing this AD to prevent damage and possible 
puncture of the oil scavenge tube and consequent oil loss, which 
could result in an in-flight shutdown of the engine.

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.

Fastener Replacement

    (g) Within 180 days or 300 flight cycles after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever is later: Replace the insulation blanket 
fasteners of the lower aft cowl of the thrust reverser, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 777-78A0070, dated November 20, 2008.

Inspect and Replace

    (h) Before or concurrently with accomplishing the requirements 
in paragraph (g) of this AD: Do a detailed inspection of the oil 
scavenge tube on the turbine rear frame of the engine for damage, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of General Electric 
GE90-100 Service Bulletin 79-0017, dated March 3, 2008. If any 
damage is found, before further flight, replace the tube, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of General Electric 
GE90-100 Service Bulletin 79-0017, dated March 3, 2008.

    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)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to

[[Page 49377]]

approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Margaret Langsted, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6500; fax (425) 917-6590. 
Information may be e-mailed 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-78A0070, 
dated November 20, 2008; and General Electric GE90-100 Service 
Bulletin 79-0017, dated March 3, 2008; as applicable; 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 July 27, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-19293 Filed 8-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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