[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 96 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29212-29214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11463]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0105; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-123-AD;
Amendment 39-17049; AD 2012-09-14]
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 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports
of fractured and missing latch pin retention bolts that secure the
latch pins on the forward cargo door. This AD requires repetitive
detailed inspections for fractured or missing latch pin retention
bolts, replacement of existing titanium bolts with new Inconel bolts,
and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct fractured and missing latch pin
retention bolts, which could result in potential separation of the
cargo door from the airplane and catastrophic decompression of the
airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective June 21, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of June 21,
2012.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; email [email protected];
Internet https:[sol][sol]www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies
of the referenced service information at the 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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at
http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov; 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: Ana Martinez Hueto, Aerospace
Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6592; 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 include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 8, 2012 (77 FR
[[Page 29213]]
6522). That NPRM proposed to require repetitive detailed inspections
for fractured or missing latch pin retention bolts, replacement of
existing titanium bolts with new Inconel bolts, and related
investigative and corrective actions if necessary.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We have considered the comments received. Boeing and American
Airlines support the NPRM (77 FR 6522, February 8, 2012).
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 148 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
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Inspection........................ 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $12,580
hour = $85.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs 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
repairs:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Cross-bolt replacement............... 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170..... $50 $220
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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):
2012-09-14 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17049; Docket No. FAA-
2012-0105; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-123-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective June 21, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -
300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes; certificated in any
category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
52A0038, Revision 1, dated June 24, 2010.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of fractured and missing latch
pin retention bolts that secure the latch pins on the forward cargo
door. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fractured and
missing latch pin retention bolts, which could result in potential
separation of the cargo door from the airplane and catastrophic
decompression of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspect Retention Bolt of Latch Pin Fittings No. 1 Through No. 8
At the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-52A0038,
Revision 1, dated June 24, 2010, except as specified in paragraph
(i) of this AD: Do a detailed inspection for fractured and/or
[[Page 29214]]
missing latch pin retention bolts of the latch pin fittings of the
lower sill of the forward large cargo door, and do all applicable
related investigative and corrective actions, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
52A0038, Revision 1, dated June 24, 2010, except as provided by
paragraph (h) of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative
and corrective actions at the applicable times specified in
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
777-52A0038, Revision 1, dated June 24, 2010. Repeat the inspection
thereafter at the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-52A0038,
Revision 1, dated June 24, 2010, except as specified in paragraph
(j) of this AD.
(h) Repair
If any cut, crack, or damage is found during any inspection
required by this AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-52A0038,
Revision 1, dated June 24, 2010, specifies to contact Boeing for
appropriate action: Before further flight, repair the cut, crack, or
damage in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle,
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. 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) Exception to Compliance Time
Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-52A0038, Revision 1,
dated June 24, 2010, specifies a compliance time after the date on
that service bulletin, this AD requires compliance within the
specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
(j) Optional Terminating Action for Repetitive Inspections
Replacing latch pin retention bolts made of titanium with new
Inconel bolts, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-52A0038, Revision 1, dated June
24, 2010, terminates the repetitive inspections required by
paragraph (g) of this AD at Stations 509.10, 522.75, 537.50, 554.30,
562.90, 579.70, 591.25, and 604.90, latch pin fittings No. 1 through
No. 8.
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, 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 the
Related Information section 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.
(l) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Ana Martinez Hueto,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch,
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6592; fax: 425-
917-6590; email: [email protected].
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) You must use the following service information to do the
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 of the following service information:
(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-52A0038, Revision 1, dated
June 24, 2010.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; email
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
(3) You may review copies of the referenced service information
at the 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.
(4) You may also review copies of the 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 4, 2012.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-11463 Filed 5-16-12; 8:45 am]
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