Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 75 (Thursday, April 18, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23110-23112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08907]



[[Page 23110]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0932; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-014-AD; 
Amendment 39-17426; AD 2013-08-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company 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 
The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that during a test of the 
oxygen system, an operator found that the passenger oxygen masks did 
not properly flow oxygen, and that a loud noise occurred in the 
overhead area, which was caused by the flex line separating from the 
hard line due to a missing clamshell coupler. This AD requires, for 
certain airplanes, performing a detailed inspection of certain areas of 
the airplane oxygen system to ensure clamshell couplers are installed 
and fully latched, and corrective actions if necessary. For all 
airplanes, this AD requires performing and meeting the requirements of 
the low pressure leak test. We are issuing this AD to prevent the 
oxygen system flex line from separating from the hard line, which could 
cause an oxygen leak and a drop in the oxygen system pressure, 
resulting in improper flow of oxygen through the passenger masks and 
injury to passengers if emergency oxygen is needed.

DATES: This AD is effective May 23, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 23, 2013.

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: Susan Monroe, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6457; 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 September 11, 2012 (77 
FR 55768). That NPRM proposed to require, for certain airplanes, 
performing a detailed inspection of certain areas of the airplane 
oxygen system to ensure clamshell couplers are installed and fully 
latched, and corrective actions if necessary. For all airplanes, that 
NPRM proposed to require performing and meeting the requirements of the 
low pressure leak test.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The Boeing Company and Kristopher Charles Kleiner supported 
this final rule. The following presents the comment received on the 
NPRM (77 FR 55768, September 11, 2012) and the FAA's response to the 
comment.

Request Clarification of Note 1 to Paragraph (i) of NPRM (77 FR 55768, 
September 11, 2012)

    Air New Zealand requested clarification of Note 1 to paragraph (i) 
of the NPRM (77 FR 55768, September 11, 2012). Air New Zealand asked if 
the FAA intended to state a specific revision for the installation of 
the clamshell coupler in Subject 35-00-00, Oxygen, of Chapter 35, 
Oxygen, of Part II, Practices and Procedures, of the Boeing 777 
Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 65, dated May 5, 2012, knowing 
that it will be revised within the time frame of this NPRM. Air New 
Zealand also asked if an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) will 
be required if an operator intends to use a later revision of the 
maintenance manual.
    We agree to provide clarification of Note 1 to paragraph (i) of the 
NPRM (77 FR 55768, September 11, 2012). Note 1 to paragraph (i) of the 
NPRM is provided as guidance and is not an AD requirement; therefore, 
approval of an AMOC will not be required for using later revisions of 
the maintenance manual. Since we issued the NPRM, the aircraft 
maintenance manual has been revised. We have updated Note 1 to 
paragraph (i) of this AD with the latest revision. We have changed this 
AD accordingly.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD with the change described previously--and minor editorial changes. 
We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (77 FR 55768, September 11, 2012) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 55768, September 11, 2012).
    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 6 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 23111]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Parts     Cost per   Cost on U.S.
                   Action                              Labor cost              cost     product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detailed inspection and leak test..........  26 work-hours x $85 per hour          $0     $2,210         $13,260
                                              = $2,210.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in 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),
    (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):

2013-08-09 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17426; Docket No. FAA-
2012-0932; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-014-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 23, 2013.

(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 Special Attention Service Bulletin 
777-35-0024, dated September 1, 2011.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that during a test of the 
oxygen system, an operator found that the passenger oxygen masks did 
not properly flow oxygen and that a loud noise occurred in the 
overhead area, which was caused by the flex line separating from the 
hard line due to a missing clamshell coupler. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent the oxygen system flex line from separating from the hard 
line, which could cause an oxygen leak and a drop in the oxygen 
system pressure, resulting in improper flow of oxygen through the 
passenger masks and injury to passengers if emergency oxygen is 
needed.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
applicable actions in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) For Groups 1-6, 8, and 9 airplanes, as identified in Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-0024, dated September 1, 
2011: Do a detailed inspection of certain areas of the airplane 
oxygen system to ensure clamshell couplers are installed and fully 
latched, and perform and meet the requirements of the low pressure 
leak test, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-0024, dated 
September 1, 2011.
    (2) For Group 7 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-0024, dated September 1, 2011: 
Perform and meet requirements of the low pressure leak test, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-0024, dated September 1, 2011.

(h) Corrective Action if Clamshell Coupler Is Not Fully Latched

    If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
any clamshell coupler is not fully latched: Before further flight, 
latch the clamshell coupler, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-
0024, dated September 1, 2011.

(i) Corrective Action if Clamshell Coupler Is Not Installed

    If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
any clamshell coupler is not installed: Before further flight, 
install a clamshell coupler.

    Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD:  Guidance on installation of 
the clamshell coupler may be found in Subject 35-00-00, Oxygen, of 
Chapter 35, Oxygen, of Part II, Practices and Procedures, of the 
Boeing 777 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 67, dated January 
5, 2013.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle 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,

[[Page 23112]]

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight 
standards district office/certificate holding district office.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Susan Monroe, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, 
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6457; 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 Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-0024, dated 
September 1, 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 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.
    (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 April 5, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-08907 Filed 4-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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