[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 125 (Monday, June 30, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36678-36680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15250]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0426; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-231-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 767 and 777 airplanes. This proposed
AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded door closure of the large
lower lobe cargo door. This proposed AD would require inspecting for
part numbers and serial numbers of the rotary actuators of the large
forward and aft lower lobe cargo doors, as applicable, and corrective
action if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct
rotary actuators made with a material having poor actuator gear wear
characteristics, which could result in failure of the rotary actuators
for the large forward or aft lower lobe cargo door and subsequent
uncommanded door closure, which could possibly result in injury to
people on the ground.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 14, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
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.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For Boeing service information identified in this proposed 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. For Eaton service information identified in this
proposed AD, contact Eaton Corporation, Aerospace Operations, 3 Park
Plaza, Suite 1200, Irvine, CA 92614; telephone 949-253-2100; fax 949-
253-2111; Internet http://www.eaton.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.
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-2014-
0426; 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 proposed 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: 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:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0426;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-231-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed 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 proposed AD.
Discussion
We received reports of uncommanded door closure of the large lower
lobe cargo door. One incident occurred while the door was being opened,
a second one while the door was stationary in the open position, and
the third incident occurred as the door was being closed. It was
determined that all of the doors' rotary actuators had failed (two
actuators per door). The three incidents occurred on Model 767
airplanes, but the same rotary actuator part numbers are also used on
the large lower lobe cargo doors installed on the Model 777 airplanes.
Examination of five of the failed rotary actuators found significant
wear in the gear box and failure of the first stage input sun gear set.
The sixth failed rotary actuator had a failed third-stage input sun
gear from an overload condition. All three affected airplanes had
between 12,500 and 13,500 total flight cycles. The failed actuators
were manufactured with Nitralloy 135M steel between August 1994 and
December 2000. Actuators manufactured before or after that timeframe
were made with 9310 steel. The rotary actuators made from 9310 steel
material are considered safe. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in failure of the rotary actuators for the large lower lobe
cargo door, and subsequent uncommanded door closures, which could
possibly result in injury to people on the ground.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Service Bulletins 767-52A0100, Revision 2, dated
September 26, 2013; and 777-52-0053, Revision 1, dated September 26,
2013. 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-2014-0426.
Boeing Service Bulletins 767-52A0100, Revision 2, dated September
26, 2013; and 777-52-0053, Revision 1, dated September 26, 2013; refer
to Eaton Service Bulletin 692D100-52-4, Revision 2, dated August 1,
2013, which provides serial number information and certain corrective
actions (rework of certain rotary actuators or reidentification of
certain other rotary actuators).
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or
[[Page 36679]]
develop in other products of these same type designs.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require inspecting for part numbers and
serial numbers of the rotary actuators of the large forward and aft
lower lobe cargo doors, as applicable, and corrective actions if
necessary, as specified in the service information described
previously.
The phrase ``corrective actions'' is used in this proposed AD.
``Corrective actions'' are actions that correct or address any
condition found. Corrective actions in an AD could include, for
example, repairs.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 510 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspection for part number and 1 work-hour x $85 per None................ $85 $43,350.
serial number. hour = $85.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary re-
identification or replacements that would be required based on the
results of the proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the
number of aircraft that might need these re-identifications or
replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Re-identification..................... Up to 1 work-hour x $85 $1 Up to $86.
per hour = $85.
Replacement........................... Up to 9 work-hours x $85 19,700 Up to $20,465.
per hour = $765.
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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 proposed 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
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2014-0426; Directorate Identifier
2013-NM-231-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by August 14, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any
category.
(1) Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes, as
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-52A0100, Revision 2, dated
September 26, 2013.
(2) Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series
airplanes, as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-52-0053,
Revision 1, dated September 26, 2013.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded door closure of
the large lower lobe cargo door. We are issuing this AD to detect
and correct rotary actuators made with a material having poor wear
characteristics, which could result in failure of the rotary
actuators for the large forward or aft lower lobe cargo door and
subsequent uncommanded door closure, which could possibly result in
injury to people on the ground.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection for Part Numbers, and Re-Identification or Replacement,
for Model 767 Airplanes
For Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes:
Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect each
rotary actuator installed in the forward
[[Page 36680]]
and aft large lower lobe cargo doors, as applicable, to determine
the part number and serial number, and do all applicable corrective
actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Service Bulletin 767-52A0100, Revision 2, dated September 26,
2013; and Eaton Service Bulletin 692D100-52-4, Revision 2, dated
August 1, 2013. Do the applicable corrective actions at the
applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of
Boeing Service Bulletin 767-52A0100, Revision 2, dated September 26,
2013, except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD. A review of
maintenance records for the part number and serial number is
acceptable in lieu of the inspection if the part and serial numbers
of the rotary actuator can be conclusively determined from that
review.
(h) Inspection for Part Numbers, and Re-Identification or Replacement,
for Model 777 Airplanes
For Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series
airplanes: Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD,
inspect each rotary actuator installed in the forward and aft large
lower lobe cargo doors, as applicable, to determine the part number
and serial number, and do all applicable corrective actions, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service
Bulletin 777-52-0053, Revision 1, dated September 26, 2013; and
Eaton Service Bulletin 692D100-52-4, Revision 2, dated August 1,
2013. Do the applicable corrective actions at the applicable time
specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Service
Bulletin 777-52-0053, Revision 1, dated September 26, 2013, except
as required by paragraph (i) of this AD. A review of maintenance
records for the part number and serial number is acceptable in lieu
of the inspection if the part and serial numbers of the rotary
actuator can be conclusively determined from that review.
(i) Exception to the Service Information
Where Boeing Service Bulletin 767-52A0100, Revision 2, dated
September 26, 2013; and Boeing Service Bulletin 777-52-0053,
Revision 1, dated September 26, 2013, specify a compliance time
after the issue date ``of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires
compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective
date of this AD.
(j) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no rotary actuator having
Boeing part number S135W132-3 (supplier part number 692D100-13) may
be installed on any airplane.
(k) 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 (l)(1) 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.
(l) Related Information
(1) 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].
(2) 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. For Eaton service information
identified in this AD, contact Eaton Corporation, Aerospace
Operations, 3 Park Plaza, Suite 1200, Irvine, CA 92614; telephone
949-253-2100; fax 949-253-2111; Internet http://www.eaton.com. You
may view this 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 19, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-15250 Filed 6-27-14; 8:45 am]
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