[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 7, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60331-60334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23545]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0654; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-071-AD;
Amendment 39-17983; AD 2014-20-10]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-11-14 for
certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD
2013-11-14 required repetitive general visual inspections of the strut
forward dry bay for the presence of hydraulic fluid, and related
investigative and corrective actions (including checking drain lines
for blockage due to hydraulic fluid coking, and cleaning or replacing
drain lines to allow drainage) if necessary. This AD adds airplanes to
the applicability. This AD was prompted by reports of hydraulic fluid
contamination (including contamination caused by hydraulic fluid in its
liquid, vapor, and/or solid (coked) form) found in the strut forward
dry bay. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct hydraulic fluid
contamination of the strut forward dry bay, which could result in
hydrogen embrittlement of the titanium forward engine mount bulkhead
fittings, and consequent inability of the fittings to carry engine
loads, resulting in engine separation. Hydrogen embrittlement also
could cause a through-crack formation across the fittings through which
an engine fire could breach into the strut, resulting in an uncontained
strut fire.
DATES: This AD is effective October 22, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 22,
2014.
We must receive any comments on this AD by November 21, 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: 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 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.
You may view the 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-
0654; 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: Kevin Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer,
[[Page 60332]]
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone: 425-
917-6501; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On May 24, 2013, we issued AD 2013-11-14, Amendment 39-17474 (78 FR
35749, June 14, 2013), for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and
-300 series airplanes. AD 2013-11-14 required repetitive general visual
inspections of the strut forward dry bay for the presence of hydraulic
fluid, and related investigative and corrective actions (including
checking drain lines for blockage due to hydraulic fluid coking, and
cleaning or replacing drain lines to allow drainage) if necessary. AD
2013-11-14 resulted from reports of hydraulic fluid contamination
(including contamination caused by hydraulic fluid in its liquid,
vapor, and/or solid (coked) form) found in the strut forward dry bay.
We issued AD 2013-11-14 to detect and correct hydraulic fluid
contamination of the strut forward dry bay, which could result in
hydrogen embrittlement of the titanium forward engine mount bulkhead
fittings, and consequent inability of the fittings to carry engine
loads, resulting in engine separation. Hydrogen embrittlement also
could cause a through-crack formation across the fittings through which
an engine fire could breach into the strut, resulting in an uncontained
strut fire.
Actions Since AD 2013-11-14, Amendment 39-17474 (78 FR 35749, June 14,
2013) was Issued
Since we issued AD 2013-11-14, Amendment 39-17474 (78 FR 35749,
June 14, 2013), we have received reports that a production change
installed on certain airplanes that would have eliminated the need for
the inspections required by AD 2013-11-14 could not be installed;
therefore, the inspection of these airplanes is now necessary. We are
issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-54-0028,
Revision 1, dated December 10, 2013. For information on the procedures
and compliance times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2014-0654.
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
Although this AD does not explicitly restate the requirements of AD
2013-11-14, Amendment 39-17474 (78 FR 35749, June 14, 2013), this AD
retains all of the requirements of AD 2013-11-14. Those requirements
are referenced in the service information identified previously, which,
in turn, is referenced in paragraph (g) of this AD. This AD continues
to require repetitive general visual inspections of the strut forward
dry bay for the presence of hydraulic fluid, and related investigative
and corrective actions (including checking drain lines for blockage due
to hydraulic fluid coking, and cleaning or replacing drain lines to
allow drainage) if necessary, except as discussed under ``Differences
Between this AD and the Service Information.'' This AD also adds
airplanes to the applicability.
The phrase ``related investigative actions'' is used in this AD.
``Related investigative actions'' are follow-on actions that (1) are
related to the primary actions, and (2) further investigate the nature
of any condition found. Related investigative actions in an AD could
include, for example, inspections.
The phrase ``corrective actions'' is used in this AD. ``Corrective
actions'' are actions that correct or address any condition found.
Corrective actions in an AD could include, for example, repairs.
Differences Between this AD and the Service Information
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-54-0028, Revision 1,
dated December 10, 2013, specifies to contact the manufacturer for
instructions on how to repair certain conditions, but this AD would
require repairing those conditions in one of the following ways:
In accordance with a method that we approve; or
Using data that meet the certification basis of the
airplane, and that have been approved by the Boeing Commercial
Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) whom we have
authorized to make those findings.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
Since the airplanes added to the applicability are not on the U.S.
Register, notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this
AD are unnecessary. 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 we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to
provide your comments before it becomes effective. 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 FAA-2014-0654 and directorate identifier 2014-NM-071-
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
We estimate that this AD affects 54 airplanes of U.S. registry. We
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Inspection per inspection cycle.. 5 work-hours x $85 $0 $425 per inspection $22,950 per
per hour = $425 per cycle. inspection cycle.
inspection cycle.
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[[Page 60333]]
Since none of the newly added airplanes is on the U.S. Register,
the requirements of this AD add no additional economic burden.
We estimate the following costs to do any necessary actions 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
actions:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Detailed inspection........................... 16 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $1,360
$1,360.
Check drain lines (including cleaning or 5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $425
replacing). $425.
Detailed inspection and high frequency eddy 16 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $1,360
current inspection. $1,360.
Clean and restore sealant, primer, and 5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $425
leveling compound. $425.
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We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
a cost estimate for the on-condition repair specified in this AD.
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 part 39 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2013-11-14, Amendment 39-17474 (78 FR 35749, June 14, 2013), and adding
the following new AD:
2014-20-10 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17983; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0654; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-071-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective October 22, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2013-11-14, Amendment 39-17474 (78 FR 35749,
June 14, 2013).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300
series airplanes, certificated in any category, equipped with Pratt
& Whitney PW4000 series engines.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 54, Nacelles/
pylons.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of hydraulic fluid contamination
(including contamination caused by hydraulic fluid in its liquid,
vapor, and/or solid (coked) form) found in the strut forward dry
bay. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct hydraulic fluid
contamination of the strut forward dry bay, which could result in
hydrogen embrittlement of the titanium forward engine mount bulkhead
fittings, and consequent inability of the fittings to carry engine
loads, resulting in engine separation. Hydrogen embrittlement also
could cause a through-crack formation across the fittings through
which an engine fire could breach into the strut, resulting in an
uncontained strut fire.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection
At the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-54-
0028, Revision 1, dated December 10, 2013, except as required by
paragraph (h)(1) of this AD: Do a general visual inspection for
hydraulic fluid contamination (including contamination caused by
hydraulic fluid in its liquid, vapor, and/or solid (coked) form) of
the interior of the strut forward dry bay, and do all applicable
related investigative and corrective actions (including checking
drain lines for blockage due to hydraulic fluid coking, and cleaning
or replacing drain lines to allow drainage, as applicable), in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 777-54-0028, Revision 1, dated December
10, 2013, except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD. Repeat
the inspection thereafter at the times specified in paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-54-
0028, Revision 1, dated December 10, 2013. Do all applicable related
investigative and corrective actions at the times specified in
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 777-54-0028, Revision 1, dated December 10, 2013.
[[Page 60334]]
(h) Exceptions to the Service Information
(1) Where the Compliance Time column of paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-54-
0028, Revision 1, dated December 10, 2013, refers to the compliance
time ``after the Revision 1 date of this service bulletin,'' this AD
requires compliance after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-54-0028,
Revision 1, dated December 10, 2013, specifies to contact Boeing for
repair: At the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-54-
0028, Revision 1, dated December 10, 2013, repair, using a method
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph
(j) of this AD.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 777-54-0028, dated May 25, 2012.
(j) 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 (k) 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.
(4) AMOCs approved for AD 2013-11-14, Amendment 39-17474 (78 FR
35749, June 14, 2013), are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding
provisions of this AD.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Kevin Nguyen,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
98057-3356; telephone: 425-917-6501; 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.
(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on
October 22, 2014.
(i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-54-0028,
Revision 1, dated December 10, 2013.
(ii) Reserved.
(4) 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.
(5) You may view the 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.
(6) 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 September 23, 2014.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager. Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-23545 Filed 10-6-14; 8:45 am]
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