[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 22, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71635-71637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33167]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-323-AD; Amendment 39-11456; AD 99-25-13 C1]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; correction.
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SUMMARY: This document corrects two typographical errors that appeared
in airworthiness directive (AD) 99-25-13 that applies to all Boeing
Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. That AD currently requires
revising the Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight Manual to
prohibit the dispatch of certain airplanes under certain conditions.
That AD also requires repetitive inspections to ensure correct
operation of the backup generators; and, for certain airplanes, a one-
time inspection to detect damage of the engine external gearbox; and
corrective actions, if necessary. This document corrects incorrect
paragraph references. This correction is necessary to ensure that
operators accomplish the appropriate requirements of the AD.
DATES: Effective December 23, 1999. The incorporation by reference of
certain publications listed in the regulations was previously approved
by the Director of the Federal Register as of December 23, 1999 (64 FR
68618, December 8, 1999).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed Hormel, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2681; fax (425) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-25-13,
amendment 39-11456, applicable to all Boeing Model 777-200 and -300
series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on December 8,
1999 (64 FR 68618). That AD requires revising the Limitations Section
of the Airplane Flight Manual to prohibit the dispatch
[[Page 71636]]
of certain airplanes under certain conditions. That AD also requires
repetitive inspections to ensure correct operation of the backup
generators; and, for certain airplanes, a one-time inspection to detect
damage of the engine external gearbox; and corrective actions, if
necessary. That AD was prompted by reports of inflight shutdowns due to
sheared backup generator shafts. The actions specified by that AD are
intended to prohibit the dispatch of an airplane with an engine-mounted
backup generator having a sheared shaft; and to detect and correct
damage to the engine, which could result in inflight shutdowns.
Need for the Correction
Information obtained recently by the FAA indicates that paragraph
(e) of AD 99-25-13 contains two typographical errors. That paragraph
specifies ``paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2)'' as the appropriate paragraph
references for the action required after replacement of the backup
generators.
The FAA has determined that a correction to AD 99-25-13 is
necessary. The correction to paragraph (e) of that AD will specify
``paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2)'' as the appropriate paragraph
references.
Correction of Publication
This document corrects the errors and correctly adds the AD as an
amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
39.13).
The AD is reprinted in its entirety for the convenience of affected
operators. The effective date of the AD remains December 23, 1999.
Since this action only corrects typographical errors, it has no
adverse economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any person.
Therefore, the FAA has determined that notice and public procedures are
unnecessary.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Correction
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Corrected]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by correctly adding the following
airworthiness directive (AD):
99-25-13 C1 Boeing: Amendment 39-11456. Docket 99-NM-323-AD.
Applicability: Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped
with Rolls-Royce Trent 800, General Electric GE90, or Pratt &
Whitney PW4000 series turbofan engines; certificated in any
category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (f) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prohibit dispatch of an airplane with an engine-mounted
backup generator having a sheared shaft; and to detect and correct
damage to the engine, which could result in inflight shutdowns;
accomplish the following:
Revisions to the Airplane Flight Manual
(a) For all airplanes: Within 14 days after the effective date
of this AD, revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the following information.
This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.
``Dispatch of the airplane with an engine-mounted backup
generator having a sheared shaft is prohibited.
Following replacement of the backup generator on both the left
and right engines, extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) flight is
prohibited until a non-ETOPS flight of at least one hour in duration
is accomplished.''
Prohibited Servicing or Replacement
(b) For all airplanes: As of 14 days after the effective date of
this AD, servicing of both the left and right backup generators or
replacement of both backup generators with new or serviceable
components by the same individual prior to the same flight is
prohibited.
One-Time Actions for Rolls-Royce Engines
(c) For airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 800 series
turbofan engines: Within 14 days after the effective date of this
AD, determine whether the status message ``ELEC BACKUP GEN L(R)''
and the maintenance message ``Backup generator L(R) has a sheared
shaft'' have occurred within the last 250 flight hours prior to the
effective date of this AD. If these messages have occurred during
that time, accomplish follow-on corrective actions, as applicable,
at the times specified in paragraphs C.1.(c) and D. of Rolls-Royce
Service Bulletin RB.211-72-C813, Revision 1, dated July 16, 1999, in
accordance with the procedures specified in the service bulletin.
Note 2: Boeing Service Letter 777-SL-24-023-B, dated August 16,
1999, references Rolls-Royce Service Bulletin RB.211-72-C813,
Revision 1, dated July 16, 1999, as an additional source of service
information to accomplish certain actions required by this AD.
Inspections and Corrective Actions
(d) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, and
thereafter prior to each flight: Accomplish paragraph (d)(1),
(d)(2), or (d)(3) of this AD, as applicable.
Rolls-Royce Engines
(1) For airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 800 series
turbofan engines, accomplish paragraphs (d)(1)(i) and (d)(1)(ii) of
this AD.
(i) Inspect the Electrical Maintenance Page of the engine
indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS), and perform follow-on
corrective actions, as applicable, at the times specified in and in
accordance with the procedures specified in Boeing Service Letter
777-SL-24-023-B, dated August 16, 1999.
(ii) If the status message ``ELEC BACKUP GEN L(R)'' is active:
Prior to further flight, inspect the Maintenance Access Terminal
(MAT) for certain maintenance messages indicating a sheared shaft or
low oil pressure, as specified in Step 2.a. of Boeing Service Letter
777-SL-24-023-B, dated August 16, 1999; and accomplish the
corrective actions specified in Steps 2.a.(1) or 2.a.(2), as
applicable, in accordance with that service letter.
General Electric Engines
(2) For airplanes equipped with General Electric GE90 series
turbofan engines: If the status message ``ELEC BACKUP GEN L(R)'' is
active, prior to further flight, inspect the MAT for certain
maintenance messages indicating a sheared shaft or low oil pressure,
as specified in Step 1.a. of Boeing Service Letter 777-SL-24-024,
dated August 16, 1999; and accomplish the corrective actions
specified in Steps 1.a.(1) or 1.a.(2), as applicable, in accordance
with the service letter.
Pratt & Whitney Engines
(3) For Model 777 series airplanes equipped with Pratt & Whitney
PW4000 series turbofan engines: If the status message ``ELEC BACKUP
GEN L(R)'' is active, prior to further flight, inspect the MAT for
certain maintenance messages indicating a sheared shaft or low oil
pressure, as specified in Step 1.a. of Boeing Service Letter 777-SL-
24-025, dated August 18, 1999, in accordance with that service
letter.
(i) If any of the specified maintenance messages is active,
prior to further flight, remove and replace the backup generator in
accordance with Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM) 24-25-01-000-801
or 24-25-01-400-801, as applicable.
(ii) If the backup generator shaft is found to be sheared, or
either of the low oil
[[Page 71637]]
pressure messages are active, prior to further flight, accomplish
the corrective actions specified in Step 1.a.(1) of Boeing Service
Letter 777-SL-24-025, dated August 18, 1999, in accordance with that
service letter.
Flight Test After Replacement of Backup Generators
(e) For all airplanes: As of 14 days after the effective date of
this AD, following any replacement of the backup generator on both
the left and right engines, accomplish paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2)
of this AD at the times specified in those paragraphs.
(1) Prior to any ETOPS flight, conduct a non-revenue test flight
of at least one hour in duration, or a non-ETOPS flight that is
either a non-revenue or revenue flight of at least one hour in
duration.
(2) Prior to further flight after accomplishment of the action
required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD: Verify accomplishment of
the maintenance actions required by paragraph (d)(1), (d)(2), or
(d)(3) of this AD, as applicable.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Seattle ACO.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(g) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Incorporation by Reference
(h) Except as provided by paragraphs (a) and (d)(3)(i) of this
AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with Rolls-Royce Service
Bulletin RB.211-72-C813, Revision 1, dated July 16, 1999; Boeing
Service Letter 777-SL-24-023-B, dated August 16, 1999; Boeing
Service Letter 777-SL-24-024, dated August 16, 1999; or Boeing
Service Letter 777-SL-24-025, dated August 18, 1999; as applicable.
This incorporation by reference was approved previously by the
Director of the Federal Register as of December 23, 1999 (64 FR
68618, December 8, 1999). Copies may be obtained from Boeing
Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
(i) The effective date of this amendment remains December 23,
1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 16, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-33167 Filed 12-21-99; 8:45 am]
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