[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6402-6404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1681]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23817; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-176-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Boeing Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD would require 
repetitive inspections for corrosion or missing corrosion inhibiting 
compound of the fuselage skin under the forward and aft wing-to-body 
fairings for certain airplanes, or the fuselage skin under the forward 
wing-to-body fairings only for other airplanes; and corrective action 
if necessary. The proposed AD would also provide an optional preventive 
modification of the wing-to-body fairing panels, which would terminate 
the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD results from several 
reports indicating that significant levels of corrosion were found on 
the external surface of the fuselage skin under the forward and aft 
wing-to-body fairings. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct 
corrosion, and prevent subsequent fatigue cracks, on the fuselage skin 
under the forward and aft wing-to-body fairings, which could result in 
rapid decompression of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 27, 2006.

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.
     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.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this 
proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Oltman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
917-6443; 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
23817; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-176-AD'' at the beginning 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 received 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 may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may 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 Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    We have received several reports indicating that significant levels 
of corrosion were found on the external surface of the fuselage skin 
under the forward and aft wing-to-body fairings. The depth of the 
corrosion was up to 67 percent of the original skin thickness, and 
corrosion was found on some airplanes as early as four years after 
original delivery of the airplane. During an evaluation done by the 
manufacturer it was determined that water can enter the wing-to-body 
area through the seal and drain holes in the fairings, causing 
corrosion. Inadequate or missing corrosion-inhibiting compound (CIC) on 
the fuselage skin also contributes to early corrosion. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in corrosion and subsequent fatigue 
cracks on the fuselage skin under the forward and aft wing-to-body 
fairings, and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, dated 
July 28, 2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for repetitive 
detailed inspections for corrosion or missing CIC of the fuselage skin 
under the forward and aft wing-to-body fairings for Group 1 airplanes, 
or the fuselage skin under the forward wing-to-body fairings only for 
Group 2 airplanes; and corrective action if necessary. The corrective 
action includes performing a detailed inspection to determine the 
extent of the corrosion, removing any corrosion found, and applying 
CIC. The service bulletin also describes procedures for an optional 
preventive modification of the wing-to-body fairing panels. The 
modification involves applying sealant to certain fasteners, removing 
and replacing the seal, installing scuppers, and applying CIC on the 
fuselage skin. Accomplishing the

[[Page 6403]]

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. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, 
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously, except as discussed under 
``Difference Between Proposed AD and Alert Service Bulletin.''

Difference Between Proposed AD and Alert Service Bulletin

    The service bulletin specifies to contact the manufacturer for 
instructions on how to repair certain conditions, but this proposed AD 
would require repairing those conditions in one of the following ways:
     Using a method that we approve; or
     Using data that meet the certification basis of the 
airplane, and that have been approved by an Authorized Representative 
for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option Authorization 
Organization whom we have authorized to make those findings.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 385 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 140 airplanes of 
U.S. registry.
    The proposed inspection would take about 8 work hours per airplane 
for Group 1 airplanes, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed inspection 
for U.S. operators is $520 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The proposed inspection would take about 4 work hours per airplane 
for Group 2 airplanes, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed inspection 
for U.S. operators is $260 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

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 and placed it in the AD docket. 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2006-23817; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
176-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by March 27, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER 
series airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, dated July 28, 2005.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from several reports indicating that 
significant levels of corrosion were found on the external surface 
of the fuselage skin under the forward and aft wing-to-body 
fairings. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion, 
and prevent subsequent fatigue cracks, on the fuselage skin under 
the forward and aft wing-to-body fairings, which could result in 
rapid decompression of the airplane.

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.

Repetitive Inspections

    (f) At the latest of the compliance times specified in 
paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), and (f)(3) of this AD, as applicable: 
Perform a detailed inspection of the fuselage skin under the wing-
to-body fairings for corrosion or missing corrosion inhibiting 
compound (CIC) by doing all the applicable actions specified in Part 
1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 777-53A0044, dated July 28, 2005. Repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,500 days until the 
requirements of paragraph (h) are accomplished.
    (1) Before the accumulation of 1,500 days since the date of 
issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the 
date of issuance of the original export certificate of 
airworthiness.
    (2) Within 1,500 days after accomplishing the latest zonal or 
surveillance inspection before the effective date of this AD that is 
equivalent to the detailed inspection specified in paragraph (f) of 
this AD.
    (3) Within 750 days after the effective date of this AD.

Corrective Action

    (g) If any corrosion or missing CIC is found during any 
inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD, before further 
flight, do a detailed inspection to determine the full extent of the 
corrosion; repair before further flight by doing all the applicable 
actions specified in Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, dated July 28, 2005. 
Where the alert service bulletin specifies to contact Boeing for 
repair instructions: Repair before further flight, according to a 
method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in 
paragraph (i) of this AD.

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Optional Terminating Action

    (h) Accomplishing the preventive modification of the wing-to-
body fairing panels in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, dated 
July 28, 2005, terminates the repetitive inspections required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD for the modified area only.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures 
found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an 
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized 
by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair 
method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis 
of the airplane.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 30, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-1681 Filed 2-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P