[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13074-13075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5086]



[[Page 13074]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1156; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-128-AD; 
Amendment 39-16622; AD 2011-05-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -
200LR, -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 the 
products listed above. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections 
for disbonding and tearing and measurements for wear of the internal 
diameter (ID) of the Karon-lined bushings of the bulkhead support 
jackscrew fitting and of the jackscrew fitting of the horizontal 
stabilizer; and reinstallation of the horizontal stabilizer trim 
actuator (HSTA) after inspection and measurement; and if necessary, 
replacement of the bushings with new bushings and all applicable 
related investigative and corrective actions. This AD was prompted by a 
report indicating that a Karon-lined bushing with the liner broken into 
five pieces was found during a scheduled inspection of the HSTA 
components; the broken liner had worn and disbonded from the bushing. 
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct discrepancies of the HSTA 
attachment locations, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent loss of 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective April 14, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of April 14, 
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. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356. 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is 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: Duong Tran, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
917-6452; fax (425) 917-6590; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to 
the specified products. That NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
December 1, 2010 (75 FR 74668, January 18, 2011). That NPRM proposed to 
require repetitive detailed inspections for disbonding and tearing and 
measurements for wear of the internal diameter (ID) of the Karon-lined 
bushings of the bulkhead support jackscrew fitting and of the jackscrew 
fitting of the horizontal stabilizer; repetitive installations of the 
horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA); and if necessary, 
replacement of the bushings with new bushings and all applicable 
related investigative and corrective actions.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comments received. Boeing and American 
Airlines support the NPRM.

Clarification of AD Summary

    We determined that the requirement specified in the Summary section 
of the NPRM for ``repetitive installations of the HSTA'' should be more 
clearly described as ``reinstallation of the HSTA after inspection and 
measurement.'' The Summary section of this AD has been revised 
accordingly. No change has been made to other sections of this AD in 
this regard.

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

    We estimate that this AD affects 145 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
also estimate that it will take about 7 work-hours per product to 
comply with the detailed inspection, measurement, and installation in 
this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be 
$86,275, or $595 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

    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),
    (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

[[Page 13075]]

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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2011-05-12 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16622; Docket No. FAA-
2010-1156; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-128-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective April 14, 2011.

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 Alert Service Bulletin 777-55A0017, dated May 
20, 2010.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55: 
Stabilizers.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from a report indicating that a Karon-lined 
bushing with the liner broken into five pieces was found during a 
scheduled inspection of the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator 
(HSTA) components; the broken liner had worn and disbonded from the 
bushing. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to 
detect and correct discrepancies of the HSTA attachment locations, 
which could result in reduced structural integrity of the horizontal 
stabilizer and consequent loss of controllability of the airplane.

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.

Inspection/Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

    (g) Before the accumulation of 32,000 total flight cycles, or 
within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later: Do a detailed inspection for disbonding and tearing, 
and a measurement for wear of the internal diameter (ID) of the 
Karon-lined bushings of the bulkhead support jackscrew fitting and 
of the jackscrew fitting of the horizontal stabilizer; replace 
bushings with new bushings, as applicable; do all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions; and install either a known 
serviceable or overhauled HSTA. Do the actions in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
777-55A0017, dated May 20, 2010, except as provided by paragraph (h) 
of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective 
actions before further flight. Repeat the actions required by this 
paragraph thereafter at intervals not to exceed 16,000 flight 
cycles.

Exceptions to Corrective Actions

    (h) If, during any inspection or measurement required by this 
AD, any damage is found, or the inner diameter is greater than the 
allowable hole diameter, and Part 1, Step 3.B.2.a.(1)(a)1)a) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
55A0017, dated May 20, 2010, specifies to contact Boeing for 
appropriate action: Before further flight, do the repair using a 
method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in 
paragraph (i) of 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. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, 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 appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/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 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.

Related Information

    (j) For more information about this AD, contact Duong Tran, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
(425) 917-6452; fax (425) 917-6590; email [email protected].

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-55A0017, 
dated May 20, 2010, to do the actions required by this AD, unless 
the AD specifies otherwise.
    (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 
incorporated by reference at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 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 an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, February 22, 2011.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-5086 Filed 3-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P