[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 67 (Thursday, April 8, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17889-17891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7946]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0376; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-267-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -
200LR, -300, and -300ER Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require removing and repairing the sealant at the 
four lower corners of the wing center section and the four lower t-
chord segment gaps on each side of the wing center section. This 
proposed AD results from reports of fuel leakage from the center tank. 
We are proposing this AD to detect and correct improperly applied 
sealant, which could result in the disbonding and displacing of 
sealant, and

[[Page 17890]]

consequent fuel leaks. On the ground, uncontained fuel leakage could 
result in pooling, and pooling combined with an ignition source could 
result in a fire.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 24, 2010.

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.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail [email protected]; 
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

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 proposed 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: Kevin Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
(425) 917-6501; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0376; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-267-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

    We have received reports that 7 operators have reported 9 cases of 
fuel leakage from the center tank on 9 airplanes. These airplanes had 
accumulated approximately 10 to 10,000 flight hours, 5 to 2,000 flight 
cycles, and 1 to 26 months in service. The leaks were found at the two 
aft lower corners of the wing center section and one leak was found at 
one of the four gaps between the lower t-chord segments on each side of 
the wing center section. The forward lower corners and the remaining 
gaps between the t-chord segments are also believed to be susceptible 
to fuel leakage. The leaks are believed to be the result of improperly 
applied sealant during production. This condition, if not detected and 
corrected, could result in failing by the disbonding and displacing of 
sealant, which can result in fuel leaks of up to 10 gallons per minute. 
During flight, the fuel would leak into areas that have been designed 
to accommodate fuel leakage, but on the ground, if the fuel leakage is 
not contained, it could result in pooling. This pooling combined with 
an ignition source could result in a fire.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-57-
0063, Revision 1, dated May 14, 2009. The service bulletin describes 
procedures for removing and repairing the sealant at the four lower 
corners of the wing center section and the four lower t-chord segment 
gaps on each side of the wing center section.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. 
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in 
the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 8 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 10 work-hours per 
product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 
per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 
proposed AD to the U.S. operators to be $6,800, or $850 per product.

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 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 this 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.

[[Page 17891]]

    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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-0376; Directorate Identifier 
2009-NM-267-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by May 24, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, 
-300, and -300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category; as 
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-57-0063, 
Revision 1, dated May 14, 2009.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57: Wings.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from reports of fuel leakage from the center 
tank. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct improperly 
applied sealant, which could result in the disbonding and displacing 
of sealant, and consequent fuel leaks. On the ground, uncontained 
fuel leakage could result in pooling, and pooling combined with an 
ignition source, could result in a fire.

Compliance

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

Removal and Repair of Sealant

    (g) Within 36 months or 6,000 flight cycles after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Remove and repair the 
sealant at the four lower corners of the wing center section and the 
four lower t-chord segment gaps on each side of the wing center 
section, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-57-0063, Revision 1, 
dated May 14, 2009.

Credit For Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service 
Bulletin

    (h) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-57-
0063, dated November 20, 2008, are considered acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding action specified in this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to 
ATTN: Kevin Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, 
FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6501; fax 
(425) 917-6590. Information may be e-mailed to: [email protected].
    (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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 1, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-7946 Filed 4-7-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P