Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 227 (Monday, November 26, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70355-70357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27908]



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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 227 / Monday, November 26, 2012 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 70355]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0595; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-055-AD; 
Amendment 39-17262; AD 2012-23-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports 
of failure of wire support clamps in the forward section of the aft 
pressure bulkhead. This AD requires a detailed inspection of the clamps 
on the power feeder cable of the auxiliary power unit (APU) to 
determine if certain clamps are installed, and related investigative 
and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the clamp, which could result in wire chafing and potential 
arcing and consequent fire in section 48 (a flammable fluid leakage 
zone) or heat damage to the APU power feeder cable, insulation 
blankets, or pressure bulkhead.

DATES: This AD is effective December 31, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of December 31, 
2012.

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; 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 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, WA 98057-3356; 
phone: (425) 917-6482; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 12, 2012 (77 FR 
34876). That NPRM proposed to require a detailed inspection of the 
clamps on the power feeder cable of the APU to determine if certain 
clamps are installed, and related investigative and corrective actions 
if necessary.

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. American Airlines and United 
Airlines stated they will incorporate the requirements of the NPRM (77 
FR 34876, June 12, 2012).

Request To Remove Paragraph (h) of the NPRM (77 FR 34876, June 12, 
2012)

    Boeing requested that paragraph (h) of the NPRM (77 FR 34876, June 
12, 2012), ``Exception to the Service Bulletin,'' be removed from the 
NPRM. Boeing stated that paragraph (h) of the NPRM requires repair of 
the APU power feeder, insulation blankets, and clamps, if no primer 
discoloration or structural damage is found. Boeing stated that 
paragraph (h) of the NPRM is redundant to steps 3.B.6.f.(2) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
24A0119, dated November 11, 2011, which accomplishes the replacement 
and repair of all damaged components found during the progressive 
detailed inspection outlined in that service bulletin.
    We disagree with Boeing's request to remove paragraph (h) of this 
AD. Step 3.B.6.f.(2) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 777-24A0119, dated November 11, 2011, is part of the 
requirements of step 3.B.6.b. of that service bulletin, which states, 
``If visual indications of heat damage are found, do steps 6.c through 
6.f.'' However, if no primer discoloration or structural deterioration 
is detected after doing the inspection specified in 3.B.6.a. of that 
service bulletin, the service information does not specify which step 
to accomplish next, which is repairing the APU power feeder cable and 
insulation blanket, and replacing the existing clamps. We have not 
changed this final rule in this regard.

Request To Clarify the ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and the 
Service Information'' Section of the NPRM (77 FR 34876, June 12, 2012)

    FedEx requested clarification regarding the statement in the 
``Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information'' 
section of the NPRM (77 FR 34876, June 12, 2012), and the statement in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-24A0119, dated November 11, 2011, to 
contact Boeing for repair instructions. FedEx stated that, in the 
``Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information'' 
section, the repairs will be addressed in one of the following ways: In 
accordance with a method approved by the FAA, or using data that meets 
the certification basis of the airplane, and

[[Page 70356]]

has been approved by Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization 
Designation Authorization (ODA). FedEx stated that it would like to 
know if any repair design by the airline will require an alternative 
method of compliance (AMOC), and whether Boeing will provide repair 
methods in a revised service bulletin, or if the airline will have to 
provide Boeing with information on the damage and request a repair. 
FedEx stated that standard repair methods, if listed in the service 
information, would expedite the repair, especially if the repair would 
need to be ``bought off'' by an airline certified structures inspector.
    We agree to clarify the intent of the ``Differences Between the 
Proposed AD and the Service Information'' section in the NPRM (77 FR 
34876, June 12, 2012). Any deviation from the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-24A0119, dated 
November 11, 2011, requires an AMOC approval. Also, as stated in 
paragraph (i) of this AD, where that service bulletin specifies to 
contact Boeing for the repair, the repair must be done in accordance 
with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD, which is the 
``Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)'' paragraph of this AD. The 
AMOC requests, whether the structural repair design is developed by the 
airline or by Boeing engineering, could either be approved by the 
Manager of the Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, or by the Boeing 
ODA that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to approve 
AMOC requests specifically for this AD. We understand FedEx's concern 
on the potential delays due to the absence of standard structural 
repair methods in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-24A0119, dated 
November 11, 2011; however, we have not received any information from 
the manufacturer on whether that service bulletin will be revised. We 
have not changed this final rule in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 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 164 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection and Clamp Replacement....  8 work-hours x $85 per             $500           $1,180         $193,520
                                       hour = $680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs that 
would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no 
way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this repair:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection and Repair of the Pressure          48 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $0           $4,080
 Bulkhead.                                      $4,080.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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):

2012-23-06 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17262; Docket No. FAA-
2012-0595; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-055-AD.

[[Page 70357]]

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 31, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -
300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
24A0119, dated November 11, 2011.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2421; AC Generator-Alternator.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of failure of wire support 
clamps in the forward section of the aft pressure bulkhead. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the clamp, which could result 
in wire chafing and potential arcing and consequent fire in section 
48 (a flammable fluid leakage zone) or heat damage to the auxiliary 
power unit (APU) power feeder cable, insulation blankets, or 
pressure bulkhead.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Detailed Inspection of the Clamps

    Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
detailed inspection of the clamps on the APU power feeder cable to 
determine if TA027063 clamps are installed, and all applicable 
related investigative and corrective actions, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
24A0119, dated November 11, 2011, except as required by paragraphs 
(h) and (i) of this AD. Do all related investigative and corrective 
actions before further flight.

(h) Exception to the Service Information

    If during any inspection of the fuselage structure required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, no primer discoloration or structural 
deterioration is found, before further flight, repair the APU power 
feeder cable and insulation blanket and replace the existing clamps, 
in accordance with steps 3.B.7, 3.B.8, and 3.B.9 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
24A0119, dated November 11, 2011.

(i) Repair Approval

    Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-24A0119, dated November 
11, 2011, specifies to do the repair in accordance with the 
instruction from Boeing, before further flight, repair using a 
method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in 
paragraph (j) of this AD.

(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 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 structural 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 structural 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 Georgios Roussos, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6482; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-24A0119, dated November 
11, 2011.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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; Internet 
https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this 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.
    (5) You may view this 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 8, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-27908 Filed 11-23-12; 8:45 am]
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