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

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 242 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78138-78141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31893]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1317; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-193-AD; 
Amendment 39-16893; AD 2011-26-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. That AD 
currently requires installing Teflon sleeving under the clamps of 
certain wire bundles routed along the fuel tank boundary structure, and 
cap sealing certain penetrating fasteners of the main and center fuel 
tanks. This AD expands the applicability in the existing AD. This AD 
was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer, 
which determined that electrical arcing on the fuel tank boundary 
structure or inside the fuel tanks could result in a fire or explosion. 
We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 3, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of January 20, 
2011 (75 FR 78588, December 16, 2010).
    We must receive any comments on this AD by January 30, 2012.

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

[[Page 78139]]

Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; 
telephone (206) 544-5000, extension 1; fax (206) 766-5680; email 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may 
review copies of the referenced 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.

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 (phone: (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; phone: 
(425) 917-6500; fax: (425) 917-6590; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On November 18, 2010, we issued AD 2010-24-12, amendment 39-16531 
(75 FR 78588, December 16, 2010), for certain Model 777-200, -300, and 
-300ER series airplanes. That AD requires installing Teflon sleeving 
under the clamps of certain wire bundles routed along the fuel tank 
boundary structure, and cap sealing certain penetrating fasteners of 
the main and center fuel tanks. That AD resulted from fuel system 
reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We issued that AD to prevent 
electrical arcing on the fuel tank boundary structure or inside the 
fuel tanks, which could result in a fire or explosion.

Actions Since AD was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2010-24-12, Amendment 39-16531 (75 FR 78588, 
December 16, 2010), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which 
is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, 
asked that we specify if Model 777-200LR airplanes are affected by the 
existing AD, and clarify Note 1 of the existing AD. We have determined 
that Model 777-200LR airplanes were inadvertently excluded from the 
applicability of the existing AD. The subject airplanes are identified 
in the effectivity of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0059, dated 
October 30, 2008, which was referred to in the existing AD as the 
appropriate source of service information for accomplishing certain 
actions. In light of these facts, we have added Model 777-200LR 
airplanes to the applicability in this AD as they are subject to the 
identified unsafe condition.
    We have also revised Note 1 of the existing AD to further clarify 
the applicability of the AD with regard to Model 777-200 airplanes.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD retains all requirements of AD 2010-24-12, Amendment 39-
16531 (75 FR 78588, December 16, 2010). This AD adds Model 777-200LR 
airplanes to the applicability of the existing AD, and adds paragraph 
(i) to this AD to specify the actions (cap sealing the fasteners) 
required for those airplanes.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    The FAA has found that an additional airplane model has been 
identified which is subject to the same unsafe condition specified in 
AD 2010-24-12, Amendment 39-16531 (75 FR 78588, December 16, 2010). 
There are no U.S.-registered Model 777-200LR airplanes; therefore, we 
find that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are 
unnecessary and that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in less than 30 days.

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 
the docket number FAA-2011-1317; and directorate identifier 2011-NM-
193-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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 129 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
This new AD adds no additional economic burden. The current costs for 
this AD are repeated for the convenience of affected operators, as 
follows:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                    Labor cost         Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2010-24- Between 278 and 358          $2,241   Between $25,871 and  Between $3,337,359
 12, (75 FR 78588, December 16,    work[dash]hours x                     $32,671 per          and $4,214,559.
 2010).                            $85 per hour.                         product.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Currently, there are no affected Model 777-200LR airplanes on the 
U.S. Register. However, if a Model 777-200LR airplane is imported and 
placed on the U.S. Register in the future, the required actions will 
take about 480 work hours, at an average labor rate of $85 per work 
hour. Required parts cost about $2,241 per product. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of this AD for Model 777-200LR airplanes 
to be $43,041 per airplane.

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

[[Page 78140]]

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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2010-24-12, amendment 39-16531 (75 FR 78588, December 16, 2010), and 
adding the following new AD:

2011-26-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16893; Docket No. FAA-
2011-1317; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-193-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 3, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2010-24-12, amendment 39-16531 (75 FR 
78588, December 16, 2010).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes, certificated in 
any category, as identified in the applicable service information 
specified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4) of this 
AD.
    (1) For Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER airplanes: Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-57A0050, Revision 2, dated May 14, 2009.
    (2) For Model 777-200 and -300 airplanes: Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 777-57A0051, dated May 15, 2006.
    (3) For Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER airplanes: Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 777-57A0057, Revision 1, dated August 2, 2007.
    (4) For Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER airplanes: 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0059, dated October 30, 2008.

    Note 1:  Operators should consider any reference to Model 777-
200ER airplanes identified in the service information specified in 
paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4) of this AD, as 
applicable, to be to the Model 777-200 airplanes designated by the 
type certificate data sheet.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 57: Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical arcing on 
the fuel tank boundary structure or inside the main and center fuel 
tanks, which could result in a fire or explosion.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2010-24-12, Amendment 39-16531 (75 FR 
78588, December 16, 2010)

(g) Corrective Actions (Installing Teflon Sleeving, Cap Sealing, One-
Time Inspection)

    Within 60 months after January 20, 2011 (the effective date of 
AD 2010-24-12, amendment 39-16531 (75 FR 78588, December 16, 2010)), 
do the applicable actions specified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), 
(g)(3), or (g)(4) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-
57A0050, Revision 2, dated May 14, 2009: Install Teflon sleeving 
under the clamps of certain wire bundles routed along the fuel tank 
boundary structure and cap seal certain penetrating fasteners of the 
fuel tanks, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-57A0050, Revision 2, dated May 14, 2009.
    (2) For airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
777-57A0051, dated May 15, 2006: Cap seal certain penetrating 
fasteners of the fuel tanks, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0051, dated May 
15, 2006.
    (3) For airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
777-57A0057, Revision 1, dated August 2, 2007: Do a general visual 
inspection to determine if certain fasteners are cap sealed and do 
all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
57A0057, Revision 1, dated August 2, 2007. Do all applicable 
corrective actions before further flight.
    (4) For Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER airplanes identified in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0059, dated October 30, 2008: 
Cap seal the fasteners in the center fuel tanks that were not sealed 
during production, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0059, dated 
October 30, 2008.

(h) Credit for Actions Done Using Previous Issues of the Service 
Bulletins

    (1) Actions done before January 20, 2011, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
57A0050, dated January 26, 2006; or Revision 1, dated August 2, 
2007; are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions 
required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, provided that the 
applicable additional work specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-
57A0050, Revision 2, dated May 14, 2009, is done within the 
compliance time specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. The 
additional work must be done in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-57A0050, Revision 2, dated May 14, 2009.
    (2) Actions done before January 20, 2011, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
57A0057, dated August 7, 2006, are acceptable for compliance with 
the actions required by paragraph (g)(3) of this AD.

New Requirements of This AD

(i) Cap Sealing the Fasteners

    For Model 777-200LR airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 777-57A0059, dated October 30, 2008: Within 60 months after 
the effective date of this AD, cap seal the fasteners in the center 
fuel tanks that were not sealed during production, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 777-57A0059, dated October 30, 2008.

 (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly

[[Page 78141]]

to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in the Related Information section of this AD. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair 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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Margaret Langsted, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: (425) 
917-6500; fax: (425) 917-6590; email [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 of the 
following service information on January 20, 2011 (75 FR 78588, 
December 16, 2010).
    (i) Boeing Service Bulletin 777-57A0050, Revision 2, dated May 
14, 2009;
    (ii) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0051, dated May 15, 
2006;
    (iii) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0057, Revision 1, 
dated August 2, 2007; and
    (iv) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0059, dated October 
30, 2008.
    (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; email 
[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 an NARA facility, 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 December 5, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-31893 Filed 12-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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