[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 61 (Thursday, March 31, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16449-16451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6349]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20732; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-278-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 replacing the battery packs of the emergency 
power assist system (EPAS) of the left and right non-overwing exit 
doors with new or modified battery packs. This proposed AD is prompted 
by intermittent failures of the EPAS battery pack found during testing, 
which are due to switch contamination, cam alignment problems, and 
inadequate self-test capability. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
failure of the EPAS, which could result in the inability to open the 
exit door during an emergency evacuation.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 16, 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-2005-20732; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2004-NM-278-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgios Roussos, 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-2005-20732; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-278-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 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.

[[Page 16450]]

Discussion

    We have received a report indicating that, during testing on Boeing 
Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes, several intermittent failures 
of the battery packs of the emergency power assist system (EPAS) of the 
left and right non-overwing exit doors occurred. Investigation revealed 
that the failures are due to switch contamination, cam alignment 
problems, and inadequate self-test capability in the exit door. These 
problems could cause loss of the power that is necessary to operate the 
EPAS. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in failure of 
the EPAS and consequent inability to open the exit door during an 
emergency evacuation.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 777-52-0033, Revision 1, 
dated June 12, 2003. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
replacing the battery packs of the EPAS of the left and right non-
overwing exit doors with new battery packs for Group 1 and 2 airplanes. 
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.
    Boeing has also issued Component Service Bulletin 285W0955-24-01, 
dated November 21, 2002, which describes procedures for modifying the 
battery packs of the EPAS. This is an optional modification for Group 2 
airplanes and may be done in lieu of the replacement specified in 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-52-0033, Revision 1.

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.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 348 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 134 airplanes of 
U.S. registry.
    For all affected airplanes: The proposed replacement would take 
about 8 work hours per airplane (1 work hour per battery pack), at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
about $29,058 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost 
of the proposed replacement for U.S. operators is $29,578 per airplane.
    For Group 2 airplanes: The optional modification, if accomplished, 
would take about 16 work hours per airplane (2 work hours per battery 
pack), at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts 
would cost about $789 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost is $1,829 per airplane.

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 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-2005-20732; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
278-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by May 16, 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 
Service Bulletin 777-52-0033, Revision 1, dated June 12, 2003.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by intermittent failures of the 
emergency power assist system (EPAS) battery pack found during 
testing, which are due to switch contamination, cam alignment 
problems, and inadequate self-test capability. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the EPAS, which could result in the 
inability to open the exit door during an emergency evacuation.

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.

Replacement

    (f) For Group 1 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-52-0033, Revision 1, dated June 12, 2003: Within 24 
months after the effective date of this AD, replace the battery 
packs of the EPAS of the left and right non-overwing exit doors with 
new battery packs by doing all the actions specified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-52-0033, Revision 1, dated June 12, 2003.

Replacement or Modification

    (g) For Group 2 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-52-0033, Revision 1, dated June 12, 2003: Within 24 
months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions 
specified in either paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Replace the battery packs as required by paragraph (f) of 
this AD.
    (2) Modify the battery packs by doing all the actions specified 
in Boeing Component

[[Page 16451]]

Service Bulletin 285W0955-24-01, dated November 21, 2002.

Credit for Actions Accomplished Previously

    (h) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (f) or (g) 
before the effective date of this AD, in accordance with Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-52-0033 dated November 21, 2002, is considered 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions in this AD. 
The manufacturer issued Information Notice (IN) 777-52-0033 IN 01 
dated January 9, 2003, to inform operators of an error in the part 
number for a 9-volt alkaline battery as specified in Paragraph 
2.C.2. of the original issue of the service bulletin.

Parts Installation

    (i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
EPAS battery pack, part number (P/N) S283W203-1 or P/N 285W0955-101, 
on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (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 March 21, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6349 Filed 3-30-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P