[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 11, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55768-55770]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22341]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0932; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-014-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that during a 
test of the oxygen system, an operator found that the passenger oxygen 
masks did not properly flow oxygen, and that a loud noise occurred in 
the overhead area, which was caused by the flex line separating from 
the hard line due to a missing clamshell coupler. This proposed AD 
would require, for certain airplanes, performing a detailed inspection 
of certain areas of the airplane oxygen system to ensure clamshell 
couplers are installed and fully latched, and corrective actions if 
necessary. For all airplanes, this proposed AD would require performing 
and meeting the requirements of the low pressure leak test. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent the oxygen system flex line from 
separating from the hard line, which could cause an oxygen leak and a 
drop in the oxygen system pressure, resulting in improper flow of 
oxygen through the passenger masks and injury to passengers if 
emergency oxygen is needed.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 26, 
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.
     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; 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

[[Page 55769]]

available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Monroe, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6457; 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-2012-0932; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-014-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 a report that during a test of the oxygen system, 
an operator found that the passenger oxygen masks did not properly flow 
oxygen and that a loud noise occurred in the overhead area, which was 
caused by the flex line separating from the hard line due to a missing 
clamshell coupler. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
the oxygen system flex line from separating from the hard line, which 
could cause an oxygen leak and a drop in the oxygen system pressure, 
resulting in improper flow of oxygen through the passenger masks and 
injury to passengers if emergency oxygen is needed.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-0024, 
dated September 1, 2011. The service information describes, for certain 
airplanes, procedures for a detailed inspection of certain areas of the 
airplane oxygen system to ensure clamshell couplers are installed and 
fully latched, corrective actions if necessary; and, for all airplanes, 
performing and meeting the requirements of the low pressure leak test. 
The corrective action is installing or correctly latching the clamshell 
coupler.

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 ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service 
Information.''

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-0024, dated 
September 1, 2011, describes procedures for inspecting to determine if 
a clamshell coupler is installed, but it does not provide a corrective 
action if a clamshell coupler is not installed. This proposed AD would 
require installing a clamshell coupler if any clamshell coupler is not 
installed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 6 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detailed inspection and leak test.....  26 work-hours x $85 per               $0          $2,210         $13,260
                                         hour = $2,210.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
AD.

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:

[[Page 55770]]

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-2012-0932; Directorate Identifier 
2012-NM-014-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 26, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -
300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes; certificated in any 
category; as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
777-35-0024, dated September 1, 2011.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that during a test of the 
oxygen system, an operator found that the passenger oxygen masks did 
not properly flow oxygen and that a loud noise occurred in the 
overhead area, which was caused by the flex line separating from the 
hard line due to a missing clamshell coupler. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent the oxygen system flex line from separating from the hard 
line, which could cause an oxygen leak and a drop in the oxygen 
system pressure, resulting in improper flow of oxygen through the 
passenger masks and injury to passengers if emergency oxygen is 
needed.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
applicable actions in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) For Groups 1-6, 8 and 9 airplanes, as identified in Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-0024, dated September 1, 
2011: Do a detailed inspection of certain areas of the airplane 
oxygen system to ensure clamshell couplers are installed and fully 
latched, and perform and meet the requirements of the low pressure 
leak test, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-0024, dated 
September 1, 2011.
    (2) For Group 7 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-0024, dated September 1, 2011: 
Perform and meet the low pressure leak test, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-35-0024, dated September 1, 2011.

(h) Corrective Action if Clamshell Coupler Is Not Fully Latched

    If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
any clamshell coupler is not fully latched: Before further flight, 
latch the clamshell coupler, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-35-
0024, dated September 1, 2011.

(i) Corrective Action if Clamshell Coupler Is Not Installed

    If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
any clamshell coupler is not installed: Before further flight, 
install a clamshell coupler.

    Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD:  Guidance on installation of 
the clamshell coupler may be found in Subject 35-00-00, Oxygen, of 
Chapter 35, Oxygen, of Part II, Practices and Procedures, of the 
Boeing 777 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 65, May 5, 2012.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Susan Monroe, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, 
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6457; fax: 425-
917-6590; email: [email protected].
    (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; 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 September 4, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-22341 Filed 9-10-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P