[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 12, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47380-47382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22588]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-334-AD; Amendment 39-12435; AD 2001-18-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes, that 
requires inspections for cracking of the web of the horizontal and 
sloping pressure decks of the fuselage and certain stiffener splice 
angles and stiffener end fittings, and repair, if necessary. This 
amendment also provides an optional preventative modification, which 
ends the repetitive inspections. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to find and fix cracking of the web of the horizontal and 
sloping pressure decks, which could result in rapid in-flight 
decompression of the airplane. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective October 17, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 17, 2001.

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, 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

[[Page 47381]]

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) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 777-200 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 27, 2001 
(66 FR 34130). That action proposed to require inspections for cracking 
of the web of the horizontal and sloping pressure decks of the fuselage 
and certain stiffener splice angles and stiffener end fittings, and 
repair, if necessary. That action also proposed to provide an optional 
preventative modification, which ends the repetitive inspections.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 93 Model 777-200 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 27 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 36 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required inspections, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $58,320, or $2,160 per airplane, per 
inspection cycle.
    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:

2001-18-09  BOEING: Amendment 39-12435. Docket 2000-NM-334-AD.
    Applicability: Model 777-200 series airplanes, line numbers 001 
through 093 inclusive, 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 (e) 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 find and fix cracking of the web of the horizontal and 
sloping pressure decks, which could result in rapid in-flight 
decompression of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Initial Inspections

    (a) Do the inspections in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) 
of this AD at the compliance times specified in those paragraphs. Do 
the inspections according to the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-53-0004, dated May 11, 
2000.
    (1) Area 1: Prior to the accumulation of 16,000 total flight 
cycles, do an internal high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection 
or an external low frequency eddy current (LFEC) inspection of the 
horizontal pressure deck web in Inspection Area 1, as defined in the 
service bulletin.
    (2) Area 2: Prior to the accumulation of 31,000 total flight 
cycles, do an internal HFEC inspection or an external LFEC 
inspection of the horizontal pressure deck web, an internal HFEC 
inspection of the sloping pressure deck, and a detailed visual 
inspection of the stiffener end fittings at body station (BS) 1245 
and the stiffener splice angles at BS 1287, in Inspection Area 2, as 
defined in the service bulletin.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

    (3) Area 3: Prior to the accumulation of 46,000 total flight 
cycles, do an internal HFEC inspection or an external LFEC 
inspection of the horizontal pressure deck web, and an internal HFEC 
inspection of the sloping pressure deck, in Inspection Area 3, as 
defined in the service bulletin.

Repetitive Inspections

    (b) Repeat the inspections in paragraph (a) of this AD at least 
every 2,500 flight cycles for areas inspected using the HFEC or 
detailed visual inspection method, or at least every 1,000 flight 
cycles for areas inspected using the LFEC inspection method, until 
paragraph (d) of this AD is done.

Corrective Actions

    (c) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD: Before further flight, repair the 
affected area according to Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
777-53-0004, dated May 11, 2000; except, where the service bulletin 
says to contact Boeing for repairs, repair per a method approved by 
the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or 
per data meeting the type certification basis of the airplane 
approved by a Boeing Company Designated

[[Page 47382]]

Engineering Representative who has been authorized by the Manager, 
Seattle ACO, to make such findings. For a repair method to be 
approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO, as required by this paragraph, 
the Manager's approval letter must specifically reference this AD. 
Repair according to this paragraph ends the repetitive inspections 
required by paragraph (b) of this AD for the repaired area.

Optional Preventative Modification

    (d) Modification of Inspection Areas 1, 2, and 3, according to 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-53-0004, dated May 11, 
2000, ends the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (b) of 
this AD for the modified area.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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 ACO. 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

    (f) 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

    (g) With the exception of certain requirements in paragraph (c) 
of this AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-53-0004, dated May 11, 2000. 
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 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

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on October 17, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 31, 2001.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-22588 Filed 9-11-01; 8:45 am]
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