[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 117 (Monday, June 18, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36206-36209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14794]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0597; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-054-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company 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 Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of in-service 
events related to electrical power system malfunctions resulting in 
damage to electrical load management system (ELMS) P200 and P300 power 
panels and the surrounding area. This proposed AD would require 
installing enclosure trays to contain debris in certain ELMS panels, 
and replacing certain ELMS contactors. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent contactor failures, which could result in uncontained hot 
debris flow due to ELMS contactor breakdown, consequent smoke and heat 
damage to airplane structure and equipment during ground operations, 
and possible injuries to passengers and crew.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 2, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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.

[[Page 36207]]

     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For Boeing 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; email [email protected]; 
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. For Smiths Aerospace and GE 
Aviation service information identified in this AD, contact GE 
Aviation, Customer Support Center, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 
45215; telephone: 513-552-3272; email: [email protected]; Internet: 
http://www.geaviation.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, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 
telephone (425) 917-6482; fax (425) 917-6590; email: 
[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-2012-0597; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-054-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 of in-service events related to electrical 
power system malfunctions that resulted in damage to ELMS P200 and P300 
panels.
    Some operators reported severe damage to ELMS panels. No in-flight 
contactor failures have been reported. Extended contactor operation at 
current close to maximum can lead to thermal degradation of the 
material in the contactor, which further reduces contactor protection 
and can lead to loose parts and consequent increased probability of 
electrical arcing. In addition, there was evidence of material buildup 
from normal operation of the contactor and the potential for foreign 
object debris, which could lead to short circuits within the contactor.
    One operator reported that an airplane on the ground experienced 
smoke and heat damage from insulation blankets that smoldered after 
molten debris from a P200 ELMS power panel fell on the insulation 
blankets. When a contactor in the ELMS panel fails and overheats, the 
heat can cause molten debris to fall out of the panel. The bottom of 
the ELMS panel is open without protection to prevent hot debris from 
falling on to the insulation blankets and components below the panel.
    These conditions could result in uncontained hot debris flow due to 
ELMS contactor breakdown, consequent smoke and heat damage to airplane 
structure and equipment during ground operations, and possible injuries 
to passengers and crew.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-24-0106, 
dated July 20, 2007, which describes procedures for installing 
enclosure trays for debris containment. The installation includes 
securing the tray with rivets onto the ELMS panel heat shield. Guidance 
on these procedures can be found in Smiths Service Bulletins 1000ELM-
24-666, Revision 1, dated August 6, 2007; 2000ELM-24-667, Revision 1, 
dated August 13, 2007; and 3000ELM-24-668, Revision 1, dated August 13, 
2007.
    We also reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-24-
0112, Revision 2, dated December 14, 2011, which describes procedures 
for replacing specified contactors in the ELMS P200 and P300 panels 
with new contactors. Guidance on these procedures can be found in GE 
Service Bulletins 2000ELM-24-697 and 3000ELM-24-698, both Revision 2, 
both dated February 3, 2011.

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 Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-24-0106, dated July 
20, 2007, recommends a compliance time of 60 months to install the 
enclosure trays for debris containment. We have determined that these 
trays must be installed sooner--within 36 months--to appropriately 
mitigate the identified unsafe condition. This difference has been 
coordinated with Boeing.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 128 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tray installation..................  3 work-hours x $85 per hour          $1,729          $1,984        $253,952
                                      = $255.
Contactor replacement..............  6 work hours x $85 per hour          49,317          49,827       6,377,856
                                      = $510.
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[[Page 36208]]

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-2012-0597; Directorate Identifier 
2012-NM-054-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 2, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    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 777-24-0106, 
dated July 20, 2007; and Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
777-24-0112, Revision 2, dated December 14, 2011.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical power.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of in-service events related to 
electrical power system malfunctions resulting in damage to 
electrical load management system (ELMS) P200 and P300 power panels 
and the surrounding area. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
contactor failures, which could result in uncontained hot debris 
flow due to ELMS contactor breakdown, consequent smoke and heat 
damage to airplane structure and equipment during ground operations, 
and possible injuries to passengers and crew.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Tray Installation

    For airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-24-0106, dated July 20, 2007: Within 36 months after 
the effective date of this AD, install enclosure trays to contain 
debris in the ELMS panels, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-24-
0106, dated July 20, 2007.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Guidance on the tray 
installation can be found in the service bulletins identified in the 
following paragraphs:
    (1) Smiths Service Bulletin 1000ELM-24-666, Revision 1, dated 
August 6, 2007.
    (2) Smiths Service Bulletin 2000ELM-24-667, Revision 1, dated 
August 13, 2007.
    (3) Smiths Service Bulletin 3000ELM-24-668, Revision 1, dated 
August 13, 2007.

(h) Contactor Replacement

    For airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-24-0112, Revision 2, dated December 14, 2011: Within 60 
months after the effective date of this AD, replace specified 
electrical power contactors in the ELMS P200 and P300 power panels 
with new contactors, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-24-
0112, Revision 2, dated December 14, 2011.

    Note 2 to paragraph (h) of this AD:  Guidance on the contactor 
replacement procedures can be found in GE Service Bulletins 2000ELM-
24-697 and 3000ELM-24-698, both Revision 2, both dated February 3, 
2011.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the replacement of the ELMS 
contactors required by paragraph (h) of this AD, if those actions 
were performed before the effective date of this AD in accordance 
with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-24-0112, dated 
February 19, 2009; or Revision 1, dated June 30, 2011.

(j) Parts Installation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on 
any airplane, a contactor having part number ELM827-1 in the ELMS 
panels and locations identified in this AD.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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 emailed 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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Georgios 
Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue 
SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6482; fax 
(425) 917-6590; email: [email protected].
    (2) For Boeing 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; email 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. For 
Smiths Aerospace and GE Aviation service information identified in 
this AD, contact GE Aviation, Customer Support Center, 1 Neumann 
Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215; telephone: 513-552-3272; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.geaviation.com. You may 
review copies of the referenced service information at the

[[Page 36209]]

FAA, 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 June 7, 2012.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-14794 Filed 6-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P