Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 7, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36452-36454]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12842]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3987; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-066-AD; 
Amendment 39-18544; AD 2016-11-17]
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 787-8 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 
report of wire chafing caused by a left wing spoiler actuator wire not 
having enough separation from a certain bracket when the spoiler is in 
the deployed position. This AD requires measuring the separation 
between a certain electro-mechanical actuator wire of the left wing, 
spoiler 4, and the support bracket of the flap variable camber trim 
unit; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We 
are issuing this AD to detect and correct wire chafing. Such chafing 
could result in an electrical short and potential fire in a flammable 
fluid leakage zone and possible loss of several functions essential for 
safe flight.

DATES: This AD is effective July 12, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 12, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: 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-2015-
3987.

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-2015-
3987; 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: Sean J. Schauer, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6479; 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 787-8 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
October 19, 2015 (80 FR 63132) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by 
a report of insufficient clearance and wire chafing between the wiring 
to the number 4 spoiler electro-mechanical actuator and a bracket of 
the flap variable camber trim unit with the spoiler fully deployed. The 
NPRM proposed to require measuring the separation between a certain 
electro-mechanical actuator wire of the left wing, spoiler 4, and the 
support bracket of the flap variable camber trim unit, and related 
investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this 
AD to detect and correct wire chafing. Such chafing could result in an 
electrical short and potential fire in a flammable fluid leakage zone 
and possible loss of several functions essential for safe flight.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM

    United Airlines stated that it agrees with the NPRM, has completed 
the actions specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-
SB270024-00, Issue 001, dated September 24, 2014, and has no technical 
findings/issues to report.

[[Page 36453]]

    We acknowledge United Airlines' comment.
    An anonymous commenter stated that it is in the airplane 
manufacturer's best interest to address the faulty wire as soon as 
possible as this safety issue may have an impact on profits because of 
the impact to the company's image.
    We agree with the commenter in so much as the identified unsafe 
condition needs to be addressed on the affected airplanes. No change to 
this final rule was requested.

Request To Clarify the Issue That Prompted the NPRM

    Boeing requested that we revise the Discussion section of the NPRM 
to clarify that the safety issue was prompted by a report of wire 
chafing caused by insufficient clearance between the wiring to the 
number 4 spoiler electro-mechanical actuator and a bracket of the flap 
variable camber trim unit with the spoiler fully deployed.
    We agree with Boeing's statement regarding the action that prompted 
this AD. We have revised the Discussion section of this final rule 
accordingly.

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 for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB270024-00, 
Issue 001, dated September 24, 2014. The service information describes 
procedures for accomplishing the following actions.
    <bullet> Measuring the separation between the electro-mechanical 
actuator wire W801182 of the left wing, spoiler 4, and the support 
bracket of the flap variable camber trim unit.
    <bullet> Related investigative actions and corrective actions such 
as doing a general visual inspection for chafing of the electro-
mechanical actuator wire W801182 of the left wing, spoiler 4; adjusting 
the electro-mechanical actuator wire W801182 of the left wing, spoiler 
4; and replacing the electro-mechanical actuator wire W801182 of the 
left wing, spoiler 4.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 12 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                  product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Measurement...............................  6 work-hours x $85 per hour = $510            $510           $6,120
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 this 
replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                  Action                                Labor cost                 Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related investigative and corrective        2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170             $24             $194
 actions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, all of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all the available costs in 
our cost estimate.

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.

[[Page 36454]]

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):

2016-11-17 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18544 ; Docket No. FAA-
2015-3987; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-066-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 12, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB270024-00, Issue 001, dated 
September 24, 2014.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical 
power.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of wire chafing caused by a 
left wing spoiler actuator wire not having enough separation from a 
certain bracket when the spoiler is in the deployed position. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct wire chafing; such chafing 
could result in an electrical short and potential fire in a 
flammable fluid leakage zone and possible loss of several functions 
essential for safe flight.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Wire Separation Measurement, Related Investigative Actions, and 
Corrective Actions

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Measure 
the separation between the electro-mechanical actuator wire W801182 
of the left wing, spoiler 4, and the support bracket of the flap 
variable camber trim unit, and do all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-
81205-SB270024-00, Issue 001, dated September 24, 2014. Do all 
applicable related investigative and corrective actions before 
further flight.

(h) 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 (i) 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.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Sean J. Schauer, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, 
Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 
425-917-6479; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].

(j) 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-SB270024-00, Issue 
001, dated September 24, 2014.
    (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 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 May 20, 2016.
Victor Wicklund,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-12842 Filed 6-6-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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