[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 75 (Thursday, April 18, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23110-23112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08907]
[[Page 23110]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0932; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-014-AD;
Amendment 39-17426; AD 2013-08-09]
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 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that during a test of the
oxygen system, an operator found that the passenger oxygen masks did
not properly flow oxygen, and that a loud noise occurred in the
overhead area, which was caused by the flex line separating from the
hard line due to a missing clamshell coupler. This AD requires, for
certain airplanes, performing a detailed inspection of certain areas of
the airplane oxygen system to ensure clamshell couplers are installed
and fully latched, and corrective actions if necessary. For all
airplanes, this AD requires performing and meeting the requirements of
the low pressure leak test. We are issuing this AD to prevent the
oxygen system flex line from separating from the hard line, which could
cause an oxygen leak and a drop in the oxygen system pressure,
resulting in improper flow of oxygen through the passenger masks and
injury to passengers if emergency oxygen is needed.
DATES: This AD is effective May 23, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 23, 2013.
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; Internet https://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://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: Susan Monroe, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6457; 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 September 11, 2012 (77
FR 55768). That NPRM proposed to require, for certain airplanes,
performing a detailed inspection of certain areas of the airplane
oxygen system to ensure clamshell couplers are installed and fully
latched, and corrective actions if necessary. For all airplanes, that
NPRM proposed to require performing and meeting the requirements of the
low pressure leak test.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The Boeing Company and Kristopher Charles Kleiner supported
this final rule. The following presents the comment received on the
NPRM (77 FR 55768, September 11, 2012) and the FAA's response to the
comment.
Request Clarification of Note 1 to Paragraph (i) of NPRM (77 FR 55768,
September 11, 2012)
Air New Zealand requested clarification of Note 1 to paragraph (i)
of the NPRM (77 FR 55768, September 11, 2012). Air New Zealand asked if
the FAA intended to state a specific revision for the installation of
the clamshell coupler in Subject 35-00-00, Oxygen, of Chapter 35,
Oxygen, of Part II, Practices and Procedures, of the Boeing 777
Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 65, dated May 5, 2012, knowing
that it will be revised within the time frame of this NPRM. Air New
Zealand also asked if an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) will
be required if an operator intends to use a later revision of the
maintenance manual.
We agree to provide clarification of Note 1 to paragraph (i) of the
NPRM (77 FR 55768, September 11, 2012). Note 1 to paragraph (i) of the
NPRM is provided as guidance and is not an AD requirement; therefore,
approval of an AMOC will not be required for using later revisions of
the maintenance manual. Since we issued the NPRM, the aircraft
maintenance manual has been revised. We have updated Note 1 to
paragraph (i) of this AD with the latest revision. We have changed this
AD accordingly.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the
AD with the change described previously--and minor editorial changes.
We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (77 FR 55768, September 11, 2012) for correcting the unsafe
condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 55768, September 11, 2012).
We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 6 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 23111]]
Estimated Costs
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Parts Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost cost product operators
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Detailed inspection and leak test.......... 26 work-hours x $85 per hour $0 $2,210 $13,260
= $2,210.
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We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
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):
2013-08-09 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17426; Docket No. FAA-
2012-0932; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-014-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective May 23, 2013.
(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 Special Attention Service Bulletin
777-35-0024, dated September 1, 2011.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that during a test of the
oxygen system, an operator found that the passenger oxygen masks did
not properly flow oxygen and that a loud noise occurred in the
overhead area, which was caused by the flex line separating from the
hard line due to a missing clamshell coupler. We are issuing this AD
to prevent the oxygen system flex line from separating from the hard
line, which could cause an oxygen leak and a drop in the oxygen
system pressure, resulting in improper flow of oxygen through the
passenger masks and injury to passengers if emergency oxygen is
needed.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection
Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do the
applicable actions in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD.
(1) For Groups 1-6, 8, and 9 airplanes, as identified in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-0024, dated September 1,
2011: Do a detailed inspection of certain areas of the airplane
oxygen system to ensure clamshell couplers are installed and fully
latched, and perform and meet the requirements of the low pressure
leak test, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-0024, dated
September 1, 2011.
(2) For Group 7 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-0024, dated September 1, 2011:
Perform and meet requirements of the low pressure leak test, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-0024, dated September 1, 2011.
(h) Corrective Action if Clamshell Coupler Is Not Fully Latched
If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
any clamshell coupler is not fully latched: Before further flight,
latch the clamshell coupler, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-
0024, dated September 1, 2011.
(i) Corrective Action if Clamshell Coupler Is Not Installed
If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
any clamshell coupler is not installed: Before further flight,
install a clamshell coupler.
Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD: Guidance on installation of
the clamshell coupler may be found in Subject 35-00-00, Oxygen, of
Chapter 35, Oxygen, of Part II, Practices and Procedures, of the
Boeing 777 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 67, dated January
5, 2013.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle 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 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,
[[Page 23112]]
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 Susan Monroe,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch,
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6457; 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 777-35-0024, dated
September 1, 2011.
(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, Washington 98124-2207;
telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet
https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
(4) 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.
(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 5, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-08907 Filed 4-17-13; 8:45 am]
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