Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 5, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12363-12366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04548]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0125; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-119-AD; 
Amendment 39-17778; AD 2014-05-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

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 
The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This AD requires, for certain 
airplanes, replacing radio altimeter transceivers with upgraded units, 
and, for all airplanes, replacing low range radio altimeter antennas 
with new antennas. This AD was prompted by operator reports of erratic 
low range radio altimeter (LRRA) operation while the airplane is 
airborne. We are issuing this AD to prevent adverse system responses 
and flight deck effects that could result in loss of controllability of 
the airplane or landing short of the runway during landing.

DATES: This AD is effective March 20, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 20, 
2014.
    We must receive comments on this AD by April 21, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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-

[[Page 12364]]

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, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-5000, 
extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. 
You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0125; 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: Walter Cameron, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
phone: (425) 917-6460; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We have received operator reports of erratic low range radio 
altimeter (LRRA) operation while the airplane is airborne. The symptoms 
of erratic LRRA can include the following:
    <bullet> Large differences between captain's and first officer's 
radio altitudes or a negative altitude in air.
    <bullet> ``NO LAND 3'' or ``NO AUTOLAND'' Engine Indication and 
Crew Alerting System (EICAS) message.
    <bullet> Autopilot disconnect, inability to engage autopilot, or 
flight directors bias-out-of view.
    <bullet> Autothrottle disconnect, autothrottle retard, or inability 
to engage autothrottle into SPD (Speed) mode.
    <bullet> Unexpected configuration warnings after takeoff, during 
approach, or during go-around
    <bullet> Missing or inappropriate aural height callouts
    <bullet> Unavailability of auto speedbrake via ``AUTO SPEEDBRAKE'' 
EICAS message.
    <bullet> Nuisance or missing Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) 
warnings.
    <bullet> Electronic Engine Control (EEC) indicating ground mode and 
engine going to ground idle.
    <bullet> Inability to engage Lateral Navigation (LNAV).
    Erratic LRRA operation events have been determined to possibly 
result from the following causes:
    <bullet> Antenna alteration at the antenna level can create micro 
cracks on the electrical grounding connection, damage the coax cables 
or the coax connector center pin contact. Any one of these damages to 
the antenna assembly can affect the radio altimeter system 
functionality.
    <bullet> The currently installed radio altimeter transceivers on 
some airplanes may not have adequate antenna monitoring capabilities 
for detecting antenna deterioration caused by environmental conditions 
or damage to the antenna during antenna alteration (which can result in 
breaks in the coaxial cables or damage to the coax connector).
    These conditions, if not corrected, could result in adverse system 
responses and flight deck effects that could result in loss of 
controllability of the airplane or landing short of the runway during 
landing. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on 
these products.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-34A0191, Revision 1, 
dated March 23, 2012, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-34A0192, 
dated December 14, 2012. For information on the procedures and 
compliance times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2014-0125.

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 requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information identified previously.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    There are no products of this type currently registered in the 
United States. However, this rule is necessary to ensure that the 
described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these products are 
placed on the U.S. Register in the future. 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 was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. 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-2014-0125 and 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-119-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 0 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 12365]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transceiver Replacement............  2 work-hours x $85 per hour          $9,515          $9,685              $0
                                      = $170.
Antenna Replacement................  7 work-hours x $85 per hour           2,703           3,298               0
                                      = $595.
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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):

2014-05-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17778; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0125; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-119-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 20, 2014.

(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-
34A0192, dated December 14, 2012.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 34, Navigation.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by operator reports of erratic low range 
radio altimeter (LRRA) operation while the airplane is airborne. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent adverse system responses and flight 
deck effects that could result in loss of controllability of the 
airplane or landing short of the runway during landing.

(f) Compliance

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

 (g) Replacement of Radio Altimeter Transceivers

    For airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
34A0191, Revision 1, dated March 23, 2012: Within 24 months after 
the effective date of this AD, replace radio altimeter transceivers 
with upgraded units, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-34A0191, Revision 
1, dated March 23, 2012.

 (h) Replacement of Radio Altimeter Antennas

    For all airplanes: Within 36 months after the effective date of 
this AD, replace low range radio altimeter transmit and receive 
antennas with new antennas, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-34A0192, dated 
December 14, 2012.

 (i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
34A0191, dated September 20, 2011, which is not incorporated by 
reference in 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 Seattle ACO, send it to 
the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(1) 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Walter Cameron, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6460; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference in this AD may be obtained at the address 
specified in paragraph (l)(3) of this AD.

(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.

[[Page 12366]]

    (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-34A0191, Revision 1, dated 
March 23, 2012.
    (ii) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-34A0192, dated December 
14, 2012.
    (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, WA 98124-2207; 
telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet 
https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 
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 February 7, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04548 Filed 3-4-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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