[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 18, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2846-2848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-876]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1312; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-220-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 the 
products listed above. This proposed AD would require installing 
foreign object debris (FOD) rubber shields over the primary and 
secondary external power connectors for certain airplanes, and wrapping 
fire-resistant silicone tape around the hydraulic tube for certain 
other airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a fire in 
the main equipment center due to failure of an external power 
connector, which caused high-temperature arcing and subsequent splatter 
of molten copper on an adjacent hydraulic tube, creating a hole in the 
tube and spraying hydraulic fluid into the power connector, resulting 
in a fire. In addition there were several reports of overheating or 
arcing of external power connectors, and one report of a fire due to 
arcing caused by FOD. We are proposing this AD to prevent FOD from 
entering the primary and secondary external power connectors, which 
could result in overheating or arcing and consequent fire in the main 
equipment center.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 4, 2011.

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: Deliver to Mail address above 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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 917-6482; fax (425) 917-6590; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-1312; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-220-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 received a report of a fire in the main equipment center due to 
failure of an external power connector, which caused high-temperature 
arcing and subsequent splatter of molten copper on an adjacent 
hydraulic tube, creating a hole in the tube and spraying hydraulic 
fluid into the power connector, resulting in a fire. In addition there 
were several reports of overheating or arcing of external power 
connectors, and one report of a fire due to arcing caused by FOD. 
During one incident a fire occurred on an airplane in the factory at 
the secondary external power connector location. Investigation revealed 
that the overheating and arcing events were caused by FOD; during a 
maintenance check a washer was found inside the external power 
connector. FOD in the primary and secondary external power connectors 
could result in overheating or arcing and consequent fire in the main 
equipment center.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-29-0032, 
dated August 9, 2007 (for Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER 
airplanes); and Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0102, Revision 1, dated 
June 17, 2010 (for Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER airplanes 
that require rubber FOD shields).
    Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-29-0032, dated August 
9, 2007, describes procedures for wrapping self-fusing fire-resistant 
silicone tape around the alternate extension hydraulic tube section of 
the nose landing gear adjacent to the P30 panel.
    Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0102, Revision 1, dated June 17, 
2010, describes procedures for installing new FOD rubber shields over 
the primary and secondary external power connectors at approximately 
station 350 in the main equipment center.

FAA's Determination

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

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously, except as discussed 
under ``Difference Between the Proposed AD and the Service 
Information.''

Difference Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0102, Revision 1, dated June 17, 
2010, does not provide a compliance time for installing new FOD rubber 
shields; however, this proposed AD requires that installation be done 
within 36 months after the effective date of this AD. We considered the 
manufacturer's

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recommendation that the compliance time coincide with the compliance 
time specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-29-
0032, dated August 9, 2007.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 126 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Number of
               Action                       Labor cost         Parts cost    Cost per    airplanes    Fleet cost
                                                                             product      affected
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install FOD rubber shields..........  6 work-hour x $85 per          $134         $644          124      $79,856
                                       hour = $510.
Wrap silicone tape..................  2 work-hour x $85 per            $0         $170          126      $21,420
                                       hour = $170.
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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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

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 
airworthiness directive (AD):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-1312; Directorate Identifier 
2010-NM-220-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by March 4, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -
200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes; certificated in any 
category.

Subject

    (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America Codes 29: Hydraulic power; and 24: 
Electrical power.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD was prompted by a report of a fire in the main 
equipment center due to failure of an external power connector, 
which caused high-temperature arcing and subsequent splatter of 
molten copper on an adjacent hydraulic tube, creating a hole in the 
tube and spraying hydraulic fluid into the power connector, 
resulting in a fire. In addition there were several reports of 
overheating or arcing of external power connectors, and one report 
of a fire due to arcing caused by foreign object damage (FOD). We 
are issuing this AD to prevent FOD from entering the primary and 
secondary external power connectors, which could result in 
overheating or arcing, and consequent fire in the main equipment 
center.

Compliance

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

Modification

    (g) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-
0102, Revision 1, dated June 17, 2010: Install FOD rubber shields 
over the primary and secondary external power connectors, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-24-0102, Revision 1, dated June 17, 2010.
    (2) For airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-29-0032, dated August 9, 2007: Wrap fire-resistant 
silicone tape around the hydraulic tube, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-29-0032, dated August 9, 2007.

Exception to Service Information

    (h) Figure 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-29-0032, dated August 9, 
2007, does not identify the dimensions of the electrical tape which 
is installed on the hydraulic tube; those dimensions should be 
measured in inches.

Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    (i) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0102, dated July 12, 
2007, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
requirements of this paragraph (g)(1) 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. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19,

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send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. 
Information may be e-mailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your Principal 
Maintenance Inspector or Principal Avionics Inspector, as 
appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight 
Standards District Office.

Related Information

    (k) For more information about this AD, contact Georgios 
Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, 
FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6482; fax (425) 
917-6590; e-mail: [email protected].
    (l) 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. 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington on January 10, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-876 Filed 1-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P