[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 7, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70574-70575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26795]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19764; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-02-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require applying an anti-static conductive coating to 
the fuel access and thermal anti-icing blowout doors at the location of 
the bonding fasteners on the leading edge of the wings, and performing 
a resistance test on the new coating to ensure correct ground path 
resistance. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that an anti-
static coating was not applied correctly on doors located within a 
flammable fluid leakage zone. We are proposing this AD to prevent an 
uncontrollable fire in the leading edge of the wing, which could damage 
critical wing structures and cause a fuel tank explosion.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 21, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     By fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: Margaret 
Langsted, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6500; fax (425) 917-6590.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19764; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-02-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that website, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet athttp://dms.dot.gov, 
or in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket 
Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the 
plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT street address stated in 
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    We have received a report indicating that, during production, an 
anti-static coating was not applied correctly on fuel access and 
thermal anti-icing blowout doors at the location of the bonding 
fasteners on the leading edge of the wings on certain Boeing Model 777-
200 and -300 series airplanes. The anti-static coating is necessary to 
help ensure an electrical bond ground path at the doors, which are 
located within a flammable fluid leakage zone. Without the anti-static 
coating, a static charge may build up and provide an ignition source 
for flammable vapors when the static discharges. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in an uncontrollable fire in the leading edge 
of the wing, which could damage critical wing structures and cause a 
fuel tank explosion.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-57-
0046, dated September 25, 2003. The service bulletin describes 
procedures for applying an anti-static conductive coating on the fuel 
access and thermal

[[Page 70575]]

anti-icing blowout doors, and performing a resistance test on the new 
coating to ensure correct ground path resistance. Accomplishing the 
actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately 
address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously, except as discussed in ``Difference 
Between this Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin.''

Difference Between This Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin

    Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-57-0046, dated 
September 25, 2003, does not specify any action if the resistance does 
not meet the limits specified in the service bulletin. The proposed AD 
would require that operators reapply and retest the anti-static coating 
if the resistance does not meet the limits specified in the service 
bulletin, and contact the FAA for disposition of repairs if multiple 
reapplications and retests do not meet the specified limits after the 
fifth repetition of the test.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 65 airplanes worldwide and 18 
airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 5 
work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. 
operators is $5,850, or $325 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106, 
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, 
Aviation Programs describes in more detail the scope of the agency's 
authority.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, the FAA is charged with promoting 
safety flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
proposed AD.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2004-19764; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
02-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by January 21, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 
series airplanes, certificated in any category; as listed in Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-57-0046, dated September 25, 
2003.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report that an anti-static coating 
was not applied correctly on doors located within a flammable fluid 
leakage zone. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncontrollable 
fire in the leading edge of the wing, which could damage critical 
wing structures and cause a fuel tank explosion.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Modification and Resistance Test

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, apply 
an anti-static conductive coating to the fuel access and thermal 
anti-icing blowout doors at the location of the bonding fasteners, 
and perform a resistance test on the new coating, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-57-0046, dated September 25, 2003.
    (1) If the resistance measured between the door surface and a 
fastener located within the doors' surrounding support structure is 
within the limits specified in the service bulletin, no further 
action is required by this paragraph.
    (2) If the resistance measured between the door surface and a 
fastener located within the doors' surrounding support structure is 
outside the limits specified in the service bulletin, before further 
flight, repeat the actions as required by paragraph (f) of this AD 
up to five times, as applicable. If the results of the fifth test 
exceed the limits specified in the service bulletin, before further 
flight, contact the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, for disposition of repairs.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures 
found in 14 CFR 39.19.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 26, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-26795 Filed 12-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P