Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 224 (Thursday, November 20, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69035-69037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26831]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0256; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-214-AD; 
Amendment 39-18020; AD 2014-23-04]
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 777-200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of dual pitch rate sensor 
(PRS) failures causing the primary flight computers to transition from 
primary mode to secondary mode, resulting in autopilot disconnects. 
This AD requires an inspection to determine the PRS part number, and 
replacement if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent a dual PRS 
failure that could cause an automatic disengagement of the autopilot 
and autoland, which may prevent continued safe flight and landing if 
disengagement occurs at low altitude and the flight crew is unable to 
safely assume control and execute a go-around or manual landing.

DATES: This AD is effective December 26, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 26, 
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-2014-
0256; 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: Douglas Tsuji, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
phone: 425-917-6546; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain the Boeing Company 
Model 777 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
April 25, 2014 (79 FR 22908). The NPRM was prompted by reports of dual 
PRS failures, resulting in autopilot disconnects. The NPRM proposed to 
require an inspection to determine the PRS part number, and replacement 
if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent a dual PRS failure that 
could cause an automatic disengagement of the autopilot and autoland, 
which may prevent continued safe flight and

[[Page 69036]]

landing if disengagement occurs at low altitude and the flight crew is 
unable to safely assume control and execute a go-around or manual 
landing.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM (79 
FR 22908, April 25, 2014), and the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM (79 FR 22908, April 25, 2014)

    Boeing stated that it concurs with the contents of the NPRM (79 FR 
22908, April 25, 2014).

Request To Revise Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Approval 
Authority

    American Airlines requested that we revise paragraph (j) of the 
NPRM (79 FR 22908, April 25, 2014) to add information regarding 
Boeing's authority to approve an AMOC. American Airlines stated that 
paragraph (j) of the NPRM does not provide operators information as to 
whether Boeing has the ability to grant AMOC approvals.
    We do not agree with the commenter's request. At this time, the FAA 
has delegated AMOC approvals to Boeing Authorized Representatives for 
structural modifications only. This AD requires an inspection or 
maintenance records check to determine the part numbers of the four 
PRSs, and replacement if necessary. This AD does not require, and 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0115, dated May 22, 
2013, does not include, any structural modifications. We have not 
changed this AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 22908, April 25, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 22908, April 25, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 47 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..........................  2 work-hours x $85 per               $0             $170           $7,990
                                       hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
received no definitive data that would enable us to provide the cost of 
parts specified in this AD. We have no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that might need these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Action                          Labor cost             Parts cost         Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement (Up to 4 PRSs per airplane)  Up to 4 work-hours x $85                $0   Up to $340.
                                          per hour = $340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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):

2014-23-04 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18020; Docket No.

[[Page 69037]]

FAA-2014-0256; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-214-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 26, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200LR, -300, -
300ER, and 777F series airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0115, 
dated May 22, 2013.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of dual pitch rate sensor (PRS) 
failures causing the primary flight computers to transition from 
primary mode to secondary mode, resulting in autopilot disconnects. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent a dual PRS failure that could 
cause an automatic disengagement of the autopilot and autoland, 
which may prevent continued safe flight and landing if disengagement 
occurs at low altitude and the flight crew is unable to safely 
assume control and execute a go-around or manual landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect to 
determine the part numbers of all four PRSs, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-27-0115, dated May 22, 2013. For airplanes in group 1, 
as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-
0115, dated May 22, 2013: A review of airplane maintenance records 
is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number of the 
PRS can be conclusively determined from that review.

(h) Replacement

    If any PRS having P/N 402875-05-01 is found during the 
inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further 
flight, replace with a PRS having P/N 402875-03-01, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 777-27-0115, dated May 22, 2013.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a PRS 
having P/N 402875-05-01 on any airplane.

(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 paragraph (k) 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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Douglas Tsuji, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6546; 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 777-27-0115, dated 
May 22, 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, 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 November 5, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-26831 Filed 11-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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