[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 224 (Thursday, November 20, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69035-69037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26831]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0256; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-214-AD;
Amendment 39-18020; AD 2014-23-04]
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 777-200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of dual pitch rate sensor
(PRS) failures causing the primary flight computers to transition from
primary mode to secondary mode, resulting in autopilot disconnects.
This AD requires an inspection to determine the PRS part number, and
replacement if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent a dual PRS
failure that could cause an automatic disengagement of the autopilot
and autoland, which may prevent continued safe flight and landing if
disengagement occurs at low altitude and the flight crew is unable to
safely assume control and execute a go-around or manual landing.
DATES: This AD is effective December 26, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 26,
2014.
ADDRESSES: 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 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-
0256; 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: Douglas Tsuji, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356;
phone: 425-917-6546; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain the Boeing Company
Model 777 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
April 25, 2014 (79 FR 22908). The NPRM was prompted by reports of dual
PRS failures, resulting in autopilot disconnects. The NPRM proposed to
require an inspection to determine the PRS part number, and replacement
if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent a dual PRS failure that
could cause an automatic disengagement of the autopilot and autoland,
which may prevent continued safe flight and
[[Page 69036]]
landing if disengagement occurs at low altitude and the flight crew is
unable to safely assume control and execute a go-around or manual
landing.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM (79
FR 22908, April 25, 2014), and the FAA's response to each comment.
Support for the NPRM (79 FR 22908, April 25, 2014)
Boeing stated that it concurs with the contents of the NPRM (79 FR
22908, April 25, 2014).
Request To Revise Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Approval
Authority
American Airlines requested that we revise paragraph (j) of the
NPRM (79 FR 22908, April 25, 2014) to add information regarding
Boeing's authority to approve an AMOC. American Airlines stated that
paragraph (j) of the NPRM does not provide operators information as to
whether Boeing has the ability to grant AMOC approvals.
We do not agree with the commenter's request. At this time, the FAA
has delegated AMOC approvals to Boeing Authorized Representatives for
structural modifications only. This AD requires an inspection or
maintenance records check to determine the part numbers of the four
PRSs, and replacement if necessary. This AD does not require, and
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0115, dated May 22,
2013, does not include, any structural modifications. We have not
changed this AD in this regard.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have
determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (79 FR 22908, April 25, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 22908, April 25, 2014).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 47 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.......................... 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $7,990
hour = $170.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have
received no definitive data that would enable us to provide the cost of
parts specified in this AD. We have no way of determining the number of
airplanes that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement (Up to 4 PRSs per airplane) Up to 4 work-hours x $85 $0 Up to $340.
per hour = $340.
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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):
2014-23-04 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18020; Docket No.
[[Page 69037]]
FAA-2014-0256; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-214-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective December 26, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200LR, -300, -
300ER, and 777F series airplanes, certificated in any category, as
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0115,
dated May 22, 2013.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
Controls.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of dual pitch rate sensor (PRS)
failures causing the primary flight computers to transition from
primary mode to secondary mode, resulting in autopilot disconnects.
We are issuing this AD to prevent a dual PRS failure that could
cause an automatic disengagement of the autopilot and autoland,
which may prevent continued safe flight and landing if disengagement
occurs at low altitude and the flight crew is unable to safely
assume control and execute a go-around or manual landing.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection
Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect to
determine the part numbers of all four PRSs, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 777-27-0115, dated May 22, 2013. For airplanes in group 1,
as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-
0115, dated May 22, 2013: A review of airplane maintenance records
is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number of the
PRS can be conclusively determined from that review.
(h) Replacement
If any PRS having P/N 402875-05-01 is found during the
inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further
flight, replace with a PRS having P/N 402875-03-01, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 777-27-0115, dated May 22, 2013.
(i) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a PRS
having P/N 402875-05-01 on any airplane.
(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.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Douglas Tsuji,
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6546; 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 777-27-0115, dated
May 22, 2013.
(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, WA 98124-2207;
telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet
https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
(4) You may view this service information at 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 November 5, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-26831 Filed 11-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P