[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 229 (Friday, November 28, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66764-66765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-29697]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-14-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 777 series 
airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the cargo control 
joysticks with new joysticks that include a moisture seal and 
ventilated cover. This action is necessary to prevent water from being 
trapped inside the joystick covers, which could result in uncommanded 
movements of the power drive unit during ground handling of cargo and 
consequent possible injury to ground personnel. This action is intended 
to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 12, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-14-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-14-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clint Jones, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6471; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    [sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2002-NM-14-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 2002-NM-14-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of uncommanded movements of the power 
drive unit (PDU) after the joystick was returned to neutral position 
during cargo bay operations on certain Boeing Model 777 series 
airplanes. Investigation revealed that water trapped inside the 
joystick cover could lead to circuit board corrosion and leakage 
currents. This condition, if not corrected, could result in uncommanded 
movements of the PDU during ground handling of cargo and consequent 
possible injury to ground personnel.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Service Bulletin 777-25-
0191, dated September 13, 2001, which describes procedures for 
replacement of the cargo control joysticks with new joysticks that 
include a moisture seal and ventilated cover. Accomplishment of the 
actions specified in the service

[[Page 66765]]

bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously, except as discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin

    Operators should note that, although the service bulletin 
recommends accomplishing the replacement at the next normally scheduled 
maintenance period, the FAA has determined that such an imprecise 
compliance time would not address the identified unsafe condition in a 
timely manner. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this 
proposed AD, the FAA considered not only the manufacturer's 
recommendation, but the degree of urgency associated with addressing 
the subject unsafe condition, the average utilization of the affected 
fleet, and the time necessary to perform the inspection (three hours). 
In light of all of these factors, the FAA finds an 18-month compliance 
time for completing the required actions to be warranted, in that it 
represents an appropriate interval of time allowable for affected 
airplanes to continue to operate without compromising safety.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 360 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 124 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and 
that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would 
cost approximately $2,200 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$296,980, or $2,395 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of 
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in 
the future if this proposed 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. The manufacturer may 
cover the cost of replacement parts associated with this proposed AD, 
subject to warranty conditions. Manufacturer warranty remedies may also 
be available for labor costs associated with this proposed AD. As a 
result, the costs attributable to the proposed AD may be less than 
stated above.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Boeing: Docket 2002-NM-14-AD.

    Applicability: Model 777 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-25-0191, dated September 13, 2002, certificated 
in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent uncommanded movements of the power drive unit during 
ground handling of cargo and consequent possible injury to ground 
personnel, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the cargo control joysticks with new joysticks, per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-25-0191, 
dated September 13, 2002.

Parts Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a cargo control joystick, part number S283W602-1 or S283W602-2, on 
any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 21, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-29697 Filed 11-26-03; 8:45 am]
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