[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 22, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14430-14432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5573]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20660; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-242-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (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 inspecting for the installation of the tie 
plate for the wire bundles routed from lower section 41 into the center 
control stand in the flight deck, and inspecting for any wire chafing 
or damage and repair if necessary, and installing a tie plate if 
necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of missing tie 
plates for the wire bundles. We are proposing this AD to prevent wire 
chafing, which could result in the loss of flight control, 
communication, navigation, and engine fire control systems. Loss of 
these systems could consequently result in a significant reduction of 
safety margins, an increase in flight crew workload, and in the case 
where loss of engine fire control is combined with an engine fire, 
could result in an uncontrollable fire.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 6, 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. This docket 
number is FAA-2005-20660; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2004-NM-242-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 917-6482; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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-2005-20660; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-242-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.

[[Page 14431]]

    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 Web site, 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.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://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 manufacturing, 
the plastic tie plate for the wire bundle support was found missing on 
certain Boeing Model 777 series airplanes. Investigation by the 
manufacturer revealed ambiguity on the wire bundle installation drawing 
as a root cause of the missing tie plates. The tie plate prevents the 
wire bundles from chafing against adjacent structures. These wire 
bundles are routed from the lower section 41 into the center control 
stand in the flight deck. Wire chafing, if not corrected, could result 
in loss of flight control, communication, navigation and engine fire 
control systems. Loss of these systems could consequently result in a 
significant reduction of safety margins, an increase in flight crew 
workload, and in the case where loss of engine fire control is combined 
with an engine fire, could result in an uncontrollable fire.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0060, dated 
September 18, 2003. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
inspecting for the installation of the tie plate for the wire bundles 
routed from lower section 41 into the center control stand, inspecting 
for any wire chafing or damage, repairing any wire chafing or damage, 
and installing a tie plate. 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 below in 
``Difference Between this Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin'' and 
``Clarification of Error in the Service Bulletin.''

Difference Between This Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin

    The service bulletin refers only to an ``inspection'' for chafing 
or damage of the wire bundles. We have determined that the procedures 
in the service bulletin should be described as a ``detailed 
inspection.'' Note 1 has been included in this AD to define this type 
of inspection.

Clarification of Error in the Service Bulletin

    There is a typographical error in the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-27A0060, dated September 18, 2003. 
Illustration D in Sheet 3 of 4, Figure 1: Wire Bundle Tie Plate 
Installation, identifies a part as a ``nut cup.'' The correct part name 
is ``nut clip.'' Boeing may issue an Information Notice on this error.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 289 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Number of
                                               Average                    Cost per        U.S.-
           Action               Work hour    labor rate       Parts       airplane     registered    Fleet cost
                                              per hour                                  airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection..................            1           $65            $9           $74           130        $9,620
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Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. 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.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe 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 
rulemaking action.

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

[[Page 14432]]

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-2005-20660; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
242-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by May 6, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0060, dated September 18, 2003.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of missing tie plates for 
wire bundles that are routed from lower section 41 into the center 
control stand in the flight deck. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
wire chafing, which could result in the loss of flight control, 
communication, navigation, and engine fire control systems. Loss of 
these systems could consequently result in a significant reduction 
of safety margins, an increase in flight crew workload, and in the 
case where loss of engine fire control is combined with an engine 
fire, could result in an uncontrollable fire.

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.

Inspection

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect for installation of the tie plate for the wire bundles 
routed from lower section 41 into the center control stand in the 
flight deck, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0060, dated September 18, 2003.
    (1) If the tie plate is found to be installed, no further action 
is required by this AD.
    (2) If the tie plate is missing, before further flight, do a 
detailed inspection of the wire bundles for any chafing or damage 
and repair if necessary, and install a tie plate in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 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 March 9, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5573 Filed 3-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P