[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 235 (Monday, December 8, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68311-68312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30338]



[[Page 68311]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-305-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

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 replacing four socket contacts 
on the four boost pumps of the main fuel tanks with new, high-quality 
gold-plated contacts, and sealing the backshell of the connector with 
potting compound. This action is necessary to prevent a possible source 
of ignition in a flammable leakage zone, which could result in an 
undetected and uncontrollable fire in the wheel well or wing trailing 
edge, and a possible fuel tank explosion. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 22, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-305-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-305-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: Margaret Langsted, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; telephone (425) 917-
6500; 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-305-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-305-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports indicating that a number of boost 
pumps in the main fuel tanks of certain Boeing Model 777 series 
airplanes have been removed due to evidence of severe heat damage to 
the main electrical power connector. The boost pumps are installed on 
the rear spar and in the wheel well. The wing trailing edge and the 
wheel well compartments may have flammable vapor, and do not have fire 
detection or extinguishing systems. Heat damaged boost pump electrical 
connectors, if not corrected, are a possible source of ignition in a 
flammable leakage zone, which could result in an undetected and 
uncontrollable fire in the wheel well or wing trailing edge, and a 
possible fuel tank explosion.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-28-0028, dated October 24, 2002, which describes 
procedures for replacing the socket contacts in certain positions for 
all four boost pumps of the main fuel tanks with high-quality gold-
plated contacts; and sealing the backshell of the connector with 
potting compound. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the 
service 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.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 400 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 133 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $19 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact 
of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $37,107, or 
$279 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

[[Page 68312]]

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-305-AD.

    Applicability: Model 777-200 and 777-300 series airplanes, line 
numbers 001 through 400 inclusive, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent a possible source of ignition in a flammable leakage 
zone, which could result in an undetected and uncontrollable fire in 
the wheel well or wing trailing edge, and a possible fuel tank 
explosion, accomplish the following:

Replace and Seal

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, for 
all four boost pumps of the main fuel tanks, replace the socket 
contacts in positions 2, 4, 6, and 7 with new, high-quality gold-
plated contacts; and seal the backshell of the connector with 
potting compound; per the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0028, dated October 24, 
2002.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 1, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-30338 Filed 12-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P