[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 14, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55320-55321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20119]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-305-AD; Amendment 39-13787; AD 2004-18-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777 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 series airplanes, that requires 
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: Effective October 19, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 19, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 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 National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

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: 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 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2003 (68 
FR 68311). That action proposed to 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.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Support for Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)

    Two commenters generally support the intent of the NPRM.

Request To Reference Latest Service Bulletin

    One of the two commenters requests that the NPRM be revised to 
refer to Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0028, 
Revision 1 or latest revision. The commenter notes that the NPRM refers 
to Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0028, dated October 
24, 2002, as the appropriate source of service information for the 
proposed actions. Based on Boeing Service Bulletin Information Notice 
777-28-0028 IN 01, dated February 13, 2003, the commenter states that 
the airplane manufacturer is planning to revise the subject service 
bulletin.
    The FAA agrees with the commenter to refer to Revision 1 of Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-28-0028, dated July 15, 2004. Since the issuance 
of the NPRM, we have reviewed Revision 1. Revision 1 is essentially 
identical to the original issue of the service bulletin, which is 
referred to as the appropriate source of service information in the 
NPRM. No more work is necessary on airplanes changed as shown in the 
original issue. The only relevant changes are a revised listing of 
current operators of affected airplanes. Revision 1 incorrectly refers 
to June 06, 2002, as the date of issuance of the original issue of the 
service bulletin; the correct date is October 24, 2002. We have revised 
the final rule to refer to Revision 1 as the appropriate source of 
service information for the required actions and to include a new 
paragraph that gives operators credit for accomplishing the required 
actions before the effective date of this AD in accordance with 
original issue.

Request To Revise Work Hour Estimate

    One commenter states that the labor estimate of 4 work hours in the 
Cost Impact section of the NPRM is unrealistic. The commenter states 
that there are four main tank boost pump positions, and that four work 
hours per airplane equates to one work hour per pump position. The 
commenter also states that the proposed replacement is comprised of the 
following tasks: preparing the airplane for rework, gaining access to 
each pump connector, re-terminating four sockets per connector, potting 
in connector sealant, etc. Excluding the sealant cure time, the 
commenter estimates that labor work hours are approximately three hours 
per pump position or 12 work hours per airplane.
    From this comment, we infer that the commenter is requesting that 
the work hour estimate in the Cost Impact section of the NPRM be 
revised. We partially agree. We do agree that the work hour estimate 
can be increased, but only somewhat. The cost impact information, 
below, describes only the ``direct'' costs of the specific actions 
required by this AD. The number of work hours necessary to accomplish 
the required actions represents the time necessary to perform the 
replacement required by this AD. We recognize that, in accomplishing 
the requirements of any AD, operators may incur ``incidental'' costs in 
addition to the ``direct'' costs. The cost analysis in AD rulemaking 
actions, however, typically does not include incidental costs, such as 
the time required to gain access and close up; planning time; or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions. Because incidental costs 
may vary significantly from operator to operator, they are almost 
impossible to calculate. Therefore, based on the information

[[Page 55321]]

supplied by the commenter, we now recognize that it will take 
approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions. We have revised the Cost Impact section of the final rule 
accordingly.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously described. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 400 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. We estimate that 133 airplanes of U.S. registry will 
be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours 
per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$19 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $54,397, or $409 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. The manufacturer may cover the cost of 
replacement parts associated with this AD, subject to warranty 
conditions. Manufacturer warranty remedies may also be available for 
labor costs associated with this AD. As a result, the costs 
attributable to the AD may be less than stated above.

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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-18-09 Boeing: Amendment 39-13787. 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; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28-0028, Revision 1, dated July 15, 
2004.

    Note 1: Revision 1 of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28-0028 
incorrectly refers to June 06, 2002, as the date of issuance of the 
original issue of the service bulletin; the correct date is October 
24, 2002.

    (b) Replacements done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-
0028, dated October 24, 2002, as revised by Boeing Service Bulletin 
Information Notice 777-28-0028 IN 01, dated February 13, 2003; are 
acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of 
this AD.

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 (AMOCs) for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-28-0028, Revision 1, dated July 15, 2004. 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 Airplanes, 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 National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 19, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 25, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-20119 Filed 9-13-04; 8:45 am]
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