[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 21, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69859-69861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29376]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-373-AD; Amendment 39-11993; AD 2000-23-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes, that 
requires replacement of certain components. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent corrosion of the axle of the main 
landing gear, which could result in cracking and failure of one or more 
axles, loss of the wheels on the axle, and loss of controllability of 
the airplane on the ground. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective December 26, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 26, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stan Wood, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2772; fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD)

[[Page 69860]]

that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on July 31, 2000 (65 FR 46666). That 
action proposed to require replacement of certain components.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received.
    The commenter states that the unsafe condition in the Discussion 
section of the proposed rule is understated. The commenter also states 
that failure of more than one axle on one main landing gear (MLG) can 
equal two axles or even all three axles, which would increase the 
potential hazard. The commenter further states that there is potential 
for a ``cascade failure scenario.'' From this comment, the FAA infers 
that the commenter is requesting that the unsafe condition be revised 
to include the failure scenario suggested by the commenter. The FAA 
agrees with the commenter that there is always a possibility of 
additional failures (i.e., ``cascade failure scenario'') resulting from 
the initial failure.
    The FAA has revised the unsafe condition of the final rule to read, 
``which could result in cracking and failure of one or more axles, loss 
of the wheels on the axle, and loss of controllability of the airplane 
on the ground.''

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously 
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 8 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 4 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD. It will take between 56 and 93 work hours 
per airplane (depending on which, and how many, of the airplane's MLG 
axles are affected) to accomplish the required replacement, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will be 
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operator. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
between $3,360 and $5,580 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    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  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000-23-20  Boeing: Amendment 39-11993. Docket 99-NM-373-AD.

    Applicability: Model 777-200 series airplanes; line numbers 7 
through 11 inclusive, 26, 28, and 33; 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 (b) 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 prevent corrosion of the axle of the main landing gear, which 
could result in cracking and failure of one or more axles, loss of 
the wheels on the axle, and loss of controllability of the airplane 
on the ground, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace specified axles of the main landing gear with new axles, in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-32A0024, dated 
August 12, 1999.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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. 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 2: 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

    (c) 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

    (d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 777-32A0024, dated August 12, 1999. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained

[[Page 69861]]

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.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on December 26, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 9, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-29376 Filed 11-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P