Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 88 (Friday, May 6, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27300-27303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10404]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6149; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-047-AD; 
Amendment 39-18510; AD 2016-09-12]
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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[[Page 27301]]

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes. This AD requires 
repetitive inspections of the bilge barriers located in the forward and 
aft cargo compartments for disengaged decompression panels, and 
reinstalling any disengaged panels. This AD was prompted by several 
reports of disengaged decompression panels found on in-service 
airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct disengaged 
decompression panels from the bilge barriers located in the forward and 
aft cargo compartments. In the event of a cargo compartment fire, this 
condition would provide a path for smoke and Halon to enter the flight 
compartment and passenger cabin, which could result in the inability to 
contain and extinguish a fire.

DATES: This AD is effective May 23, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 23, 
2016.
    We must receive comments on this AD by June 20, 2016.

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-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 final rule, 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
6149.

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-2016-
6149; 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: Caspar Wang, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6414; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We have received several reports of disengaged decompression panels 
found on in-service airplanes. It appears these decompression panels 
disengaged prior to delivery, during test flights. Tests done by the 
airplane manufacturer revealed some decompression panels disengage at a 
pressure differential below the design/intended value. This condition, 
if not corrected, would provide a path for smoke and Halon to enter the 
flight compartment and passenger cabin in the event of a cargo 
compartment fire, which could result in the inability to contain and 
extinguish a fire.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB500009-00, 
Issue 001, dated November 16, 2015. The service information describes 
procedures for repetitive inspections of the bilge barriers located in 
the forward and aft cargo compartments for disengaged decompression 
panels, and reinstalling any disengaged panels. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in the ADDRESSES section.

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 described previously.
    For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this 
service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2016-6149.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. The airplane manufacturer is 
currently developing a modification that will address the unsafe 
condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is developed, 
approved, and available, we might consider additional rulemaking.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because if 
any decompression panel is disengaged from the bilge barriers located 
in the forward and aft cargo compartments and a cargo compartment fire 
were to occur, the fire could not be contained or extinguished. 
Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior public comment 
are impracticable 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-2016-6149 and 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-047-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.

[[Page 27302]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 42 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Action                          Labor cost            Parts cost        Cost per product                Cost on U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection............................  3 work-hours x $85 per                 $0   $255 per inspection       $10,710 per inspection cycle.
                                         hour = $255 per                             cycle.
                                         inspection cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary reinstallation 
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 
action:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reinstallation...............................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour =                 $0              $85
                                                $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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):

2016-09-12 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18510; Docket No. FAA-
2016-6149; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-047-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 23, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB500009-00, Issue 001, dated 
November 16, 2015.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by several reports of disengaged 
decompression panels found on in-service airplanes. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct disengaged decompression panels from 
the bilge barriers located in the forward and aft cargo 
compartments. In the event of a cargo compartment fire, this 
condition would provide a path for smoke and Halon to enter the 
flight compartment and passenger cabin, which could result in the 
inability to contain and extinguish a fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Repetitive Inspections

    At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) 
of this AD: Do a general visual inspection of the bilge barriers 
located in the forward and aft cargo compartments for disengaged 
decompression panels, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB500009-
00, Issue 001, dated November 16, 2015. Repeat the inspection 
thereafter at the applicable times specified in paragraph 5., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-
SB500009-00, Issue 001, dated November 16, 2015.
    (1) For Group 1 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin B787-81205-SB500009-00, Issue 001, dated November 16, 2015: 
Inspect within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For Group 2 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin B787-81205-SB500009-00, Issue 001, dated November 16, 2015: 
Inspect within 180 flight cycles or within 90 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(h) Reinstallation of Decompression Panels

    If any disengaged decompression panel is found during any 
inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further 
flight, reinstall the panel, in accordance with the

[[Page 27303]]

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-
81205-SB500009-00, Issue 001, dated November 16, 2015.

(i) 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 (j) 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, modification, or alteration 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. To be approved, the 
repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must 
meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs 
(i)(4)(i) and (i)(4)(ii) of this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, 
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Caspar Wang, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, 
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6414; fax: 
425-917-6590; email: [email protected].

(k) 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 B787-81205-SB500009-00, Issue 
001, dated November 16, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may view this 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 April 25, 2016.
Ross Landes,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-10404 Filed 5-5-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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