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

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 77 (Thursday, April 21, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22305-22308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9283]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1271; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-187-AD; 
Amendment 39-16667; AD 2011-09-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -300, 
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 the 
products listed above. This AD requires installing an auto shutoff 
feature for the center override/jettison fuel pumps, and installing 
power control circuitry for the center override/jettison and main 
jettison fuel pumps. This AD also requires installing new software in 
the electrical load management system (ELMS) electronics units in 
certain power management panels; installing airplane information 
management system 2 (AIMS-2) software in the AIMS-2 hardware; and 
making certain wiring changes. This AD was prompted by results from 
fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent potential ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in 
combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank 
explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective May 26, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of May 26, 2011.

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

[[Page 22306]]

[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. For GE 
Aviation service information identified in this AD, contact GE 
Aviation, Customer Services--Clearwater, P.O. Box 9013, Clearwater, 
Florida 33758; telephone 727-539-1631; fax 727-539-0680; e-mail 
[email protected]. 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 address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is 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: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6482; fax: 425-917-6590; e-mail: 
[email protected].

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 
the specified products. That NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
December 30, 2010 (75 FR 82337). That NPRM proposed to require 
installing an auto shutoff feature for the center override/jettison 
fuel pumps, and installing power control circuitry for the center 
override/jettison and main jettison fuel pumps. That NPRM also proposed 
to require installing new software in the electrical load management 
system (ELMS) electronics units in certain power management panels; 
installing airplane information management system 2 (AIMS-2) software 
in the AIMS-2 hardware; and making certain wiring changes.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to each comment. Boeing supports the NPRM.

Request To Delay Issuance of AD To Specify Spring Washers Instead of 
Conical Springs

    Japan Airlines (JAL) requested that we delay issuance of the AD 
until GE Aviation Service Bulletins 5000ELM-28-456 and 6000ELM-28-457, 
both Revision 1, both dated January 7, 2010, are revised to correct 
Figure 8. JAL stated that Figure 8 shows conical springs rather than 
spring washers in the diagram. JAL stated that without this change, 
operators will be required to request an alternate method of compliance 
(AMOC).
    We disagree with delaying issuance of this AD. However, we agree 
that clarification is needed in regard to the use of spring washers. 
Certain airplanes may use spring washers in lieu of conical springs in 
their relay assembly. Both the conical springs and spring washers are 
retained from the existing relay assembly to be used with the new 
relay. Either one of them is considered acceptable for use. New 
paragraph (m) has been added to the AD to identify the use of spring 
washers as an acceptable method of compliance if they are part of the 
existing relay assembly.

Request To Delay Issuance of AD To Specify Label Installation

    JAL requested that we delay the issuance of this AD until GE 
Aviation publishes new revisions to their service information 
(referenced in the NPRM) to add another procedure to install labels or 
separate the labels from the conversion kit. JAL explained that when it 
receives the labels as part of the conversion kit, the remaining shelf 
life of the labels is not adequate to allow the labels to be installed 
on the airplanes. JAL is concerned that, unless the service information 
is revised, these issues could delay incorporation of this AD or result 
in multiple AMOC requests.
    We disagree with the request to delay this AD until GE Aviation 
issues revised service information. However, we agree with JAL's 
concerns about the shelf life of the labels possibly affecting 
operators' ability to comply with this AD within the required 
compliance times. This AD requires all actions, including labeling, in 
the Accomplishment Instructions of GE Aviation Service Bulletins 
5000ELM-28-456 and 6000ELM-28-457, both Revision 1, both dated January 
7, 2010, to be accomplished. We have added paragraph (n) to this AD to 
provide an optional method of labeling.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD with the changes described previously. We have determined that 
these changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 2 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Parts                             Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost            cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation: Groups 1 and 2,      149 work-hours x $85 per    $15,719  $28,384............  $56,768.
 Configuration 2.                   hour = $12,665.
Installation: Groups 1 and 2,      2 work-hours x $85 per       15,719  $15,889............  $31,778.
 Configuration 1.                   hour = $170.
Concurrent requirement: Install    3 work-hours x $85 per            0  $255...............  $510.
 ELMS software.                     hour = $255.
Concurrent requirement: Upgrade    Up to 2 work-hours x $85          0  Up to $170.........  Up to $340.
 AIMS-2 software.                   per hour = Up to $170.
Concurrent requirement: P110       3 work-hours x $85 per       $1,164  $1,419.............  $2,838.
 wiring changes.                    hour = $255.

[[Page 22307]]

 
Concurrent requirement: P210       3 work-hours x $85 per        1,164  $1,419.............  $2,838.
 wiring changes.                    hour = $255.
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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),
    (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 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):

2011-09-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16667; Docket No. FAA-
2010-1271; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-187-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective May 26, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER series 
airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-28A0047, Revision 5, dated September 20, 2010.

Subject

    (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD was prompted by results from fuel system reviews 
conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
potential ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination 
with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion 
and consequent loss of the airplane.

Compliance

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

Installation

    (g) For airplanes in Groups 1 and 2, Configuration 2, as 
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0047, Revision 5, dated 
September 20, 2010: Within 36 months after the effective date of 
this AD, install a new P301 panel on the left side of the airplane, 
install a new P302 panel on the right side of the airplane, and 
change the wiring, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0047, Revision 5, 
dated September 20, 2010, except as required by paragraphs (m) and 
(n) of this AD.
    (h) For airplanes in Groups 1 and 2, Configuration 1, as 
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0047, Revision 5, dated 
September 20, 2010: Within 36 months after the effective date of 
this AD, perform bonding resistance measurements and rework the 
airplane installation as applicable, depending on airplane 
configuration, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0047, Revision 5, dated September 20, 
2010.

Concurrent Requirements

    (i) Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the requirements 
of paragraph (g) of this AD, do the actions specified in paragraphs 
(i)(1), (i)(2), (i)(3), and (i)(4) of this AD.
    (1) Install new software in the electrical load management 
system (ELMS) electronics units in the P110, P210, and P310 power 
management panels, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0040, Revision 1, 
dated March 18, 2010.
    (2) Install airplane information management system 2 (AIMS-2) 
software in the AIMS-2 hardware, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-31-0097, Revision 3, dated February 22, 2007.
    (3) Modify the P110 left power management panel by incorporating 
wiring changes, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of GE Aviation Service Bulletin 5000ELM-28-456, Revision 1, dated 
January 7, 2010, except as provided by paragraphs (m) and (n) of 
this AD.
    (4) Modify the P210 right power management panel by 
incorporating wiring changes, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of GE Aviation Service Bulletin 6000ELM-28-457, 
Revision 1, dated January 7, 2010, except as provided by paragraphs 
(m) and (n) of this AD.

Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    (j) Installations done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-28A0040, dated 
April 13, 2007, are acceptable for compliance with the requirements 
of paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
    (k) Installations done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0047, Revision 3, 
dated June 11, 2009; or Revision 4, dated May 20, 2010; are 
acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (g) 
and (h) of this AD.
    (l) Installations done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-31-
0097, dated March 30, 2006; Revision 1, dated August 10, 2006; or 
Revision 2, dated October 26, 2006; are acceptable for

[[Page 22308]]

compliance with the requirements of paragraph (i)(2) of this AD.

Optional Methods of Compliance With Certain Actions

    (m) Where paragraph 2.A.(16) and Figure 8 of GE Aviation Service 
Bulletins 5000ELM-28-456 and 6000ELM-28-457, both Revision 1, both 
dated January 7, 2010, identify the installation of conical springs 
for the relay to relay base fixing, installation of spring washers 
is an acceptable method of compliance when they are part of the 
existing relay assembly.
    (n) Where paragraphs 2.A.(24) and 2.A.(25) of GE Aviation 
Service Bulletins 5000ELM-28-456 and 6000ELM-28-457, both Revision 
1, both dated January 7, 2010, specify the installation of a label 
to identify work carried out and to identify the appropriate service 
bulletin, an acceptable method of compliance is to use a suitable 
method to indelibly mark the appropriate service bulletin number on 
the reworked panel. Boeing Standard BAC5307 may be used as an 
additional source of guidance for part marking.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (o)(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 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 e-mailed 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.

Related Information

    (p) For more information about this AD, contact Georgios 
Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, 
FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6482; fax: 425-917-
6590; e-mail: [email protected].

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (q) You must use the applicable service information contained in 
table 1 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the 
AD specifies otherwise.

             Table 1--All Material Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Document               Revision                Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-               5  September 20, 2010.
 28A0047.
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-               1  March 18, 2010.
 28A0040.
Boeing Special Attention                   3  February 22, 2007.
 Service Bulletin 777-31-
 0097.
GE Aviation Service Bulletin               1  January 7, 2010.
 5000ELM-28-456.
GE Aviation Service Bulletin               1  January 7, 2010.
 6000ELM-28-457.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information contained in 
Table 1 of this AD under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For Boeing 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. For GE 
Aviation service information identified in this AD, contact GE 
Aviation, Customer Services--Clearwater, P.O. Box 9013, Clearwater, 
Florida 33758; telephone 727-539-1631; fax 727-539-0680; e-mail 
[email protected].
    (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 April 12, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-9283 Filed 4-20-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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