Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58821-58823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20374]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-8846; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-046-AD; 
Amendment 39-18624; AD 2016-17-11]
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 787-8 airplanes. This AD requires a one-time 
inspection of the engine pylon wiring bracket on the left wing for the 
presence of an existing corner relief fillet, and corrective action if 
necessary. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the engine 
pylon wiring bracket on certain airplanes was missing a corner relief 
fillet, which could result in stress concentration and cracking in the 
engine pylon wiring bracket. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct cracking in the engine pylon wiring bracket. Such cracking 
could result in damage to adjacent power feeders, subsequent electrical 
arcing in a flammable leakage zone, and consequent uncontrollable fire.

DATES: This AD is effective September 12, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
12, 2016.
    We must receive comments on this AD by October 11, 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-
8846.

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-
8846; 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: Fnu Winarto, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6659; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received a report indicating that the engine pylon wiring 
bracket on certain airplanes is missing a corner relief fillet, because 
the engineering graphics for the engine pylon wiring bracket located on 
the left wing did not contain the corner relief fillet. A missing 
corner relief fillet could result in stress concentration and cracking 
in the bracket. The engineering graphics were subsequently revised to 
add the corner relief fillet, but the engine pylon wiring bracket part 
number was not changed. Therefore, brackets with and without an 
existing corner relief fillet have the same bracket part number. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent cracking in the engine pylon wiring bracket. 
Such cracking could result in damage to adjacent power feeders, 
subsequent electrical arcing in a flammable leakage zone, and 
consequent uncontrollable fire.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB570012-00, 
Issue 001, dated March 14, 2013. The service information describes 
procedures for a one-time inspection of the engine pylon wiring bracket 
on the left wing for the presence of existing corner relief fillets, 
re-identification of any bracket with an existing corner relief fillet, 
and replacement of any bracket without an existing corner relief 
fillet. 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.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Currently, there are no domestic operators of the affected 
airplanes on the U.S. Register. 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

[[Page 58822]]

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 and Directorate Identifier 
2016-NM-046-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

    Currently, there are no affected airplanes on the U.S. Register. 
However, if an affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, 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........................  3 work-hours x $85 per                 $0             $255             $255
                                     hour = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary re-
identification or replacement that will be required based on the 
results of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need re-identification or replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Re-identification of bracket...............  2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170.              $0            $170
Replacement of bracket.....................  8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $680.           1,173           1,853
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some 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 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.

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):

2016-17-11 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18624; Docket No. FAA-
2016-8846; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-046-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 12, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin B787-81205-SB570012-00, Issue 001, dated March 14, 2013.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the engine 
pylon wiring bracket on certain airplanes was missing a corner 
relief fillet, which could lead to stress concentration and cracking 
in the engine

[[Page 58823]]

pylon wiring bracket. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
cracking in the engine pylon wiring bracket. Such cracking could 
result in damage to adjacent power feeders, subsequent electrical 
arcing in a flammable leakage zone, and consequent uncontrollable 
fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) One-Time Inspection and Corrective Actions

    Within 88 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a one-
time general visual inspection of the engine pylon wiring bracket on 
the left wing for the presence of an existing corner relief fillet, 
in accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB570012-00, Issue 001, 
dated March 14, 2013. Within 88 months after the effective date of 
this AD, do all applicable corrective actions specified in paragraph 
(g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes on which the engine pylon wiring bracket has a 
corner relief fillet, re-identify the part number of the engine 
pylon wiring bracket, in accordance with Part 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-
81205-SB570012-00, Issue 001, dated March 14, 2013.
    (2) For airplanes on which the engine pylon wiring bracket does 
not have a corner relief fillet, replace the engine pylon wiring 
bracket with a new bracket, in accordance with Part 3 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-
81205-SB570012-00, Issue 001, dated March 14, 2013.

(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 Fnu Winarto, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, 
Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 
425-917-6659; 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-SB570012-00, Issue 
001, dated March 14, 2013.
    (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 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 August 16, 2016.
Dorr M. Anderson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-20374 Filed 8-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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