Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 46 (Monday, March 10, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13206-13208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04588]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0789; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-127-AD; 
Amendment 39-17782; AD 2014-05-09]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-12-08 for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 
2012-12-08 required an inspection for the part number of the main 
landing gear retract actuator fuse pin, and replacement of the pin if 
necessary. This new AD retains the actions required by AD 2012-12-08 
and adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by a 
determination that additional airplanes may be subject to the 
identified unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
structural damage to the side and drag brace lock assemblies, which 
could result in landing gear collapse during touchdown, rollout, or 
taxi.

DATES: This AD is effective April 14, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 14, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: 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-2013-
0789; 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 Docket 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: Melanie Violette, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6422; 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 supersede AD 2012-12-08, Amendment 39-17088 (77 FR 37781, 
June 25, 2012). (A correction of AD 2012-12-08 was published in the 
Federal Register on July 20, 2012 (77 FR 42625)). AD 2012-12-08 applied 
to certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 19, 2013 (78 FR 
57542). The NPRM was prompted by a determination that additional 
airplanes may be subject to the identified unsafe condition. The NPRM 
also proposed to continue to require the actions required by AD 2012-
12-08. The NPRM also proposed to add airplanes to the applicability; 
and to require an inspection for the part number of the main landing 
gear retract actuator fuse pin, and replacement of the pin if 
necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent structural damage to the 
side and drag brace lock assemblies, which could result in landing gear 
collapse during touchdown, rollout, or taxi.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
(78 FR 57542, September 19, 2013) and the FAA's response to each 
comment.

Request for Clarification of Compliance Time

    Boeing requested that we revise the last sentence of paragraph (g) 
of the NPRM (78 FR 57542, September 19, 2013) to add the phrase, 
``Except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD,'' at the beginning of 
the sentence. Boeing reasoned that it is unclear if the replacement 
referred to in the last sentence should be done within the specified 
compliance time after the release date of Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 777-32-0083, Revision 2, dated May 2, 2013, or within 
the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
    We agree to revise this final rule for the reasons stated by 
Boeing. We have revised paragraph (g) of this final rule accordingly.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this 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 (78 FR 57542, September 19, 2013) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 57542, September 19, 2013).
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 129 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 13207]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Parts     Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                 Action                            Labor cost            cost       product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection..............................  5 work-hours x $85 per hour       $0          $425            $54,825
                                           = $425.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                         Labor cost                Parts cost           Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pin Replacement....................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour   $700 per pin..........  $785 per pin.
                                      = $85 per pin.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    We have determined that 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2012-12-08, Amendment 39-17088 (77 FR 37781, June 25, 2012; corrected 
July 20, 2012 (77 FR 42625)), and adding the following new AD:

2014-05-09 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17782; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0789; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-127-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 14, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2012-12-08, Amendment 39-17088 (77 FR 
37781, June 25, 2012; corrected July 20, 2012 (77 FR 42625)).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-32-0083, Revision 2, 
dated May 2, 2013.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
Gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that additional 
airplanes may be subject to the identified unsafe condition. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent structural damage to the side and drag 
brace lock assemblies, which could result in landing gear collapse 
during touchdown, rollout, or taxi.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Part Number Inspection and Replacement

    Except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD, at the 
applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-32-0083, Revision 2, 
dated May 2, 2013: Inspect the retract actuator fuse pin to 
determine the part number, and replace any retract actuator fuse pin 
having part number 112W1769-1, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-32-
0083, Revision 2, dated May 2, 2013. A review of airplane 
maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the 
part number of the retract actuator fuse pin can be conclusively 
determined from that review. Except as required by paragraph (h) of 
this AD, do all applicable replacements at the applicable time 
specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-32-0083, Revision 2, dated May 2, 
2013.

 (h) Exception to Service Information Specifications

    Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-32-0083, 
Revision 2, dated May 2, 2013, specifies a compliance time ``after 
the Revision 2 date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires 
compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective 
date of this AD.

 (i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    (1) For airplanes identified in Group 1 of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-32-0083, Revision 2, dated May 2, 
2013: As of July 30, 2012 (the effective date of AD 2012-12-08, 
Amendment 39-17088 (77 FR 37781, June 25, 2012; corrected July 20, 
2012 (77 FR 42625)), no person may install a retract actuator fuse 
pin having part number 112W1769-1 on any airplane.

[[Page 13208]]

    (2) For airplanes identified in Group 2 of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-32-0083, Revision 2, dated May 2, 
2013: As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
retract actuator fuse pin having part number 112W1769-1 on any 
airplane.

 (j) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of AD 2012-12-08, Amendment 39-17088 (77 FR 37781, 
June 25, 2012; corrected July 20, 2012 (77 FR 42625)), using Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-32-0083, dated February 5, 
2009, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (2) 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 Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-32-0083, Revision 1, dated February 17, 2011, which is 
not incorporated by reference in this AD.

(k) 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 paragraph (l)(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, and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Melanie 
Violette, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6422; 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 
addresses specified in paragraphs (m)(3) and (m)(4) of this AD.

(m) 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 777-32-0083, 
Revision 2, dated May 2, 2013.
    (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, WA 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 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 February 18, 2014.
Ross Landes,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04588 Filed 3-7-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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