[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 241 (Thursday, December 16, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78588-78591]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30606]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27042; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-225-AD; 
Amendment 39-16531; AD 2010-24-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. This AD requires 
installing Teflon sleeving under the clamps of certain wire bundles 
routed along the fuel tank boundary structure, and cap sealing certain 
penetrating fasteners of the main and center fuel tanks. This AD 
results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent electrical arcing on the fuel tank boundary 
structure or inside the fuel tanks, which could result in a fire or 
explosion.

DATES: This AD is effective January 20, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of January 20, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this 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.

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 address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

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

    We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that 
would apply to certain Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER series 
airplanes. That supplemental NPRM was published in the Federal Register 
on June 18, 2010 (75 FR 34663). The original NPRM (72 FR 3956, January 
29, 2007) proposed to require installing Teflon sleeving under

[[Page 78589]]

the clamps of certain wire bundles routed along the fuel tank boundary 
structure, and cap sealing certain penetrating fasteners of the main 
and center fuel tanks. The supplemental NPRM proposed to revise the 
original NPRM by adding airplanes and adding and removing certain 
requirements.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comments received.

Support for Supplemental NPRM

    Boeing concurred with the content of the supplemental NPRM. 
American Airlines has a program in place to address the actions in the 
proposed rule and had no objection to the supplemental NPRM.

Request To Extend Compliance Time

    Air Transport Association (ATA), on behalf of its member Delta Air 
Lines Inc. (Delta), asked that the 60-month compliance time in the 
supplemental NPRM be extended to better align with industry standard 
tank entry intervals. Delta stated that the required modifications will 
require entry into the main and center fuel tanks, and Delta opens 
those fuel tanks at 8- and 4-year intervals, respectively. Delta added 
that the compliance time of 60 months to accomplish the corrective 
action will be acceptable for work in the center fuel tank but will 
force main tank entry earlier than normally scheduled.
    We do not agree to extend the compliance time. In developing an 
appropriate compliance time for this action, we considered the urgency 
associated with the subject unsafe condition and the practical aspect 
of accomplishing the required modification within a period of time that 
corresponds to the normal scheduled maintenance for most affected 
operators. In consideration of these items, in addition to the unsafe 
condition being electrical arcing in the fuel tank, we have determined 
that a 60-month interval will ensure an acceptable level of safety. 
However, according to the provisions of paragraph (j)(1) of this AD, we 
may approve requests to adjust the compliance time if the request 
includes data proving that the requested compliance time would provide 
an acceptable level of safety. We have not changed the AD in this 
regard.

Request To Include Revision 3 of the Referenced Service Bulletin

    Continental Airlines (CAL) asked that the supplemental NPRM be 
changed to include Revision 3 of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-57A0050, 
instead of Revision 2, dated May 14, 2009 (referred to for the 
applicability and for accomplishing certain actions in the supplemental 
NPRM). CAL stated that including Revision 3 may be necessary to avoid 
the alternative methods of compliance approval process because 
technical errors still exist in Revision 2 of Boeing Service Bulletin 
777-57A0050.
    We do not agree to include Revision 3 of the referenced service 
bulletin in this AD, since Revision 3 of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-
57A0050 has not yet been issued. Since Revision 2 of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-57A0050 is expected to be revised after issuance of this 
AD to correct the discrepancies, we might consider approving the 
revised service bulletin as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC), 
according to the provisions of paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. We have not 
changed the AD in this regard.

Clarify Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA)

    CAL stated that proper ICA must be provided in order to prevent 
inadvertent reversal of implemented changes that can lead to violation 
requirements in the final rule. CAL added that it requested a copy of 
the ICA from Boeing to review and better understand the approach being 
taken to support the Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 (``SFAR 
88'') program; however, the ICA has not been received yet.
    We acknowledge the commenter's concern. However, no new ICAs have 
been developed for the design change required by this AD. Operators and 
owners are responsible for ensuring that the configuration mandated by 
this AD is maintained in accordance with section 39.7 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.7).
    If any new airworthiness limitations (AWLs) related to any of the 
design features mandated by this AD are developed, we may consider 
additional rulemaking to mandate incorporations of those AWLs into 
operators' maintenance programs. We have not changed the AD in regard 
to this issue.
    The FAA is working with industry to evaluate potential changes to 
the AD process that are intended to more clearly identify how to 
maintain configurations that are required for AD compliance.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    There are 694 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide 
fleet. This AD affects about 129 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate that it will take between 278 and 358 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. Required parts cost 
about $2,241 per product. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of these actions to the 
U.S. operators to be between $3,337,359 and $4,214,559, or $25,871 and 
$32,671 per product, depending on airplane configuration.
    Currently, there are no affected Group 3 airplanes on the U.S. 
Register. However, if a Group 3 airplane is imported and placed on the 
U.S. Register in the future, the required actions will take about 480 
work hours, at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour. Required 
parts cost about $2,241 per product. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of this AD for Group 3 airplanes to be $43,041 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

    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,

[[Page 78590]]

    (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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 adding the following new AD:

2010-24-12 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16531. Docket No. FAA-
2007-27042; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-225-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 20, 
2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in the applicable 
service information specified in Table 1 of this AD.

                      Table 1--Service Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                For Model--                           Boeing--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
777-200, -300, and -300ER airplanes.......  Service Bulletin 777-
                                             57A0050, Revision 2, dated
                                             May 14, 2009.
777-200 and -300 airplanes................  Alert Service Bulletin 777-
                                             57A0051, dated May 15,
                                             2006.
777-200, -300, and -300ER airplanes.......  Alert Service Bulletin 777-
                                             57A0057, Revision 1, dated
                                             August 2, 2007.
777-200, -300, and -300ER airplanes.......  Alert Service Bulletin 777-
                                             57A0059, dated October 30,
                                             2008.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: Although Boeing Service Bulletin 777-57A0050, Revision 
2, dated May 14, 2009, refers to ``Model 777-200ER'' airplanes, this 
is a European designation that does not apply to airplanes of U.S. 
registry. Therefore, the applicability of this AD will not specify 
Model 777-200ER airplanes. However, U.S. operators should consider 
any reference to Model 777-200ER airplanes in Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-57A0050, Revision 2, as applicable to Model 777-200 
airplanes as designated by the type certificate data sheet.

Subject

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

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD 
to prevent electrical arcing on the fuel tank boundary structure or 
inside the main and center fuel tanks, which could result in a fire 
or explosion.

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.

Corrective Actions (Installing Teflon Sleeving, Cap Sealing, One-Time 
Inspection)

    (g) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
applicable actions specified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), or 
(g)(4) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-
57A0050, Revision 2, dated May 14, 2009: Install Teflon sleeving 
under the clamps of certain wire bundles routed along the fuel tank 
boundary structure and cap seal certain penetrating fasteners of the 
fuel tanks, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-57A0050, Revision 2, dated May 14, 2009.
    (2) For airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
777-57A0051, dated May 15, 2006: Cap seal certain penetrating 
fasteners of the fuel tanks, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0051, dated May 
15, 2006.
    (3) For airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
777-57A0057, Revision 1, dated August 2, 2007: Do a general visual 
inspection to determine if certain fasteners are cap sealed and do 
all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
57A0057, Revision 1, dated August 2, 2007. Do all applicable 
corrective actions before further flight.
    (4) For airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
777-57A0059, dated October 30, 2008: Cap seal the fasteners in the 
center fuel tanks that were not sealed during production, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 777-57A0059, dated October 30, 2008.

Credit for Actions Done Using Previous Issues of the Service Bulletins

    (h) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 777-57A0050, dated January 26, 2006; or Revision 1, 
dated August 2, 2007; are acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, 
provided that the applicable additional work specified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-57A0050, Revision 2, dated May 14, 2009, is 
done within the compliance time specified in paragraph (g) of this 
AD. The additional work must be done in accordance with Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-57A0050, Revision 2, dated May 14, 2009.
    (i) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 777-57A0057, dated August 7, 2006, are acceptable 
for compliance with the actions required by paragraph (g)(3) of this 
AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(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: 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. Or, e-mail 
information 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.
    (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 the 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization 
(ODA) that 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 and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use the applicable service information contained in 
Table 2 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the 
AD specifies otherwise.

[[Page 78591]]



                                   Table 2--Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Document--                          Revision--                            Date--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0051  Original....................  May 15, 2006
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0057  1...........................  August 2, 2007
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin              Original....................  October 30, 2008
 777[dash]57A0059.
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-57A0050......  2...........................  May 14, 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this 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.
    (3) You may review copies of the 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.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 18, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-30606 Filed 12-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P