[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 2, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 73168-73169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28158]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1241; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-121-AD; 
Amendment 39-15754; AD 2006-20-51 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200LR Series Airplanes 
Powered by General Electric (GE) Model GE90-110B Engines, and Model 
777-300ER Series Airplanes Powered by GE Model GE90-115B Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Boeing Model 777-200LR and -300ER series airplanes. 
That AD currently requires revising the airplane flight manual to 
prohibit takeoffs at less than full-rated thrust. This new AD reduces 
the applicability of the existing AD. This AD results from a report of 
two occurrences of engine thrust rollback during takeoff. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent dual-engine thrust rollback during the 
takeoff phase of flight, which could result in the airplane failing to 
lift off before reaching the end of the runway or failing to clear 
obstacles below the takeoff flight path.

DATES: This AD is effective January 6, 2009.
    We must receive comments on this AD by February 2, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Langsted, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
(425) 917-6500; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On October 2, 2006, we issued AD 2006-20-51, amendment 39-14786 (71 
FR 59651, October 11, 2006), for certain Boeing Model 777-200LR and -
300ER series airplanes. That AD requires revising the airplane flight 
manual to prohibit takeoffs at less than full-rated thrust. That AD 
resulted from a report of two occurrences of engine thrust rollback 
(reduction) during takeoff. We issued that AD to prevent dual-engine 
thrust rollback, which could result in the airplane failing to lift off 
before reaching the end of the runway or failing to clear obstacles 
below the takeoff flight path.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since issuance of AD 2006-20-51, Boeing has informed us that no 
U.S.-registered airplanes have full authority digital engine control 
(FADEC) software version A.0.4.5 installed, and that software version 
A.0.4.6 is being installed in production. In addition, we have 
determined that the affected airplanes are limited to those subject to 
the identified unsafe condition with FADEC electronic engine control 
(EEC) software version A.0.4.5 installed. We have also determined that 
FADEC software version A.0.4.6 has incorporated software revisions that 
prevent the reported roll-back conditions from occurring. Therefore, we 
also have determined that the applicability of AD 2006-20-51 can be 
revised to apply only to affected airplanes equipped with FADEC 
software version A.0.4.5.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    No airplanes affected by this AD are on the U.S. Register. We are 
issuing this AD because the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of the(se) same type 
design(s) that could be registered in the United States in the future. 
This AD revises AD 2006-20-51. This AD retains the requirements of the 
existing AD and reduces the applicability of the existing AD.
    Since no U.S. registered airplanes are affected by this AD, notice 
and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
unnecessary.

Interim Action

    We consider the requirements of this AD ``interim action.'' The 
manufacturer is developing a modification to address the unsafe 
condition (i.e., decreased takeoff thrust). We might consider further 
rulemaking if a modification is developed, approved, and available.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments before it becomes effective. However, we invite 
you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send 
your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include 
``Docket No. FAA-2008-1241; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-121-AD'' at 
the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the 
overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend this AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

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

[[Page 73169]]

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing amendment 39-14786 (71 FR 
59651, October 11, 2006) and adding the following new AD:

2006-20-51-R1 Boeing: Amendment 39-15754. Docket No. FAA-2008-1241; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-121-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 6, 
2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD revises AD 2006-20-51.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to airplanes in Table 1 of this AD, 
certificated in any category.

                         Table 1--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Equipped with full
                                  Powered by General   authority digital
         Boeing model--              Electric (GE)      engine control
                                        model--       software version--
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 777-200LR series airplanes..  GE90-110B engines.  A.0.4.5
(2) 777-300ER series airplanes..  GE90-115B engines.  A.0.4.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of two occurrences of engine 
thrust rollback during takeoff. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
dual-engine thrust rollback during the takeoff phase of flight, 
which could result in the airplane failing to lift off before 
reaching the end of the runway or failing to clear obstacles below 
the takeoff flight path.

Compliance

    (e) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

Restatement of AD 2006-20-51:

Revision of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    (f) Within 24 hours after October 16, 2006 (the effective date 
of 2006-20-51), revise the Certificate Limitations Section of the 
AFM to include the following statement. This may be done by 
inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.

Use of reduced thrust takeoff ratings determined by either the 
assumed temperature method or the fixed de-rate method or a 
combination of both, is prohibited. Full-rated thrust must be used 
for takeoff.

    Note 1: When a statement identical to that in paragraph (f) of 
this AD has been included in the general revisions of the AFM, the 
general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, and the copy of this 
AD may be removed from the AFM.

Special Flight Permit

    (g) Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), are not allowed.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, ATTN: Margaret Langsted, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, 
ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6500; fax (425) 917-6590; 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) None.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 16, 2008.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-28158 Filed 12-1-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P