[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 5, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12375-12378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04547]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0830; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-128-AD; 
Amendment 39-17776; AD 2014-05-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company 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 
The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 
report of cracking in the fuselage skin underneath the satellite 
communication (SATCOM) antenna adapter. This AD requires repetitive 
inspections of the visible fuselage skin and doubler if installed, for 
cracking, corrosion, and any indication of contact of a certain 
fastener to a bonding jumper, and repair if necessary. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct cracking and corrosion in the fuselage 
skin, which could lead to rapid decompression and

[[Page 12376]]

loss of structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective April 9, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 9, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service information 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA. 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
0830; 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 Docket 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: Melanie Violette, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6422; 
fax: (425) 917-6590; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company 
Model 777 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
September 26, 2013 (78 FR 59293). The NPRM was prompted by a report of 
cracking in the fuselage skin underneath the satellite communication 
(SATCOM) antenna adapter. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive 
inspections of the visible fuselage skin and doubler if installed, for 
cracking, corrosion, and any indication of contact of a certain 
fastener to a bonding jumper, and repair if necessary. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct cracking and corrosion in the fuselage 
skin, which could lead to rapid decompression and loss of structural 
integrity of the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
(78 FR 59293, September 26, 2013) and the FAA's response to each 
comment.

Request To Revise Paragraph (h)(1) of the NPRM (78 FR 59293, September 
26, 2013) To Include Footnotes

    Boeing requested that paragraph (h)(1) of the NPRM (78 FR 59293, 
September 26, 2013) be revised to include the footnotes to Tables 1, 5, 
and 9 of paragraph 1.E. ``Compliance,'' in addition to the 
``Questionnaire Column,'' specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013. Boeing stated that the statement, 
``at the time of the original issue date of this service bulletin'' is 
not only used in the ``Condition Questionnaire'' column of Tables 1, 5, 
and 9 of paragraph 1.E. ``Compliance,'' but it is also used in the 
footnotes.
    We agree with Boeing's request. We have revised paragraph (h)(1) of 
this final rule by removing the phrase ``the `Condition Questionnaire' 
column in'' so that the exception applies to the entire table including 
the footnotes.

Request To Revise Paragraph (h)(1) of the NPRM (78 FR 59293, September 
26, 2013) To Include the Compliance Time Column of Tables 2 Through 12

    American Airlines (AA) requested that paragraph (h)(1) of the NPRM 
(78 FR 59293, September 26, 2013) be revised to include exceptions for 
the footnotes in Tables 1, 5, and 9, and the compliance times in Tables 
2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12, as specified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013. AA stated that paragraph 
(h)(1) of the NPRM creates exceptions to the service information in the 
``Condition Questionnaire'' column in Tables 1, 5, and 9 of paragraph 
1.E. ``Compliance'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated 
June 12, 2013, in that it allows a change in wording from ``. . . at 
the time of the original issue of this service bulletin'' to ``. . . as 
of the effective date of this AD.'' AA stated that this exception 
should be allowed for Tables 2 through 12 of paragraph 1.E. 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated 
June 12, 2013.
    We partially agree with AA's request. As stated previously, we have 
revised paragraph (h)(1) of this final rule to address the footnotes in 
Tables 1, 5, and 9, of paragraph 1.E. ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013. However, paragraph 
(h)(2) of this final rule already provides the exception for certain 
compliance times for Tables 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12, of 
paragraph 1.E. ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
53A0068, dated June 12, 2013. Therefore, no change is necessary to the 
final rule in this regard.

Request To Add a Terminating Action

    FedEx requested that a terminating action be added prior to the 
release of the final rule. FedEx stated that Boeing should revise 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013, to 
include a terminating action. FedEx stated that although the initial 
inspection can be planned during a scheduled maintenance visit, the 
repetitive inspections will require additional, unscheduled, and out of 
service time. FedEx also stated that the terminating action would 
alleviate any additional maintenance, scheduled or otherwise.
    We disagree. We do not consider that delaying this action until 
after the release of new service information is warranted. We do not 
agree to delay this final rule while a terminating action is being 
developed due to the unsafe condition that exists. However, under the 
provisions of paragraph (i)(1) of this final rule, we will consider 
alternative methods of compliance if sufficient data are submitted to 
substantiate that the change would provide an acceptable level of 
safety. We have not changed this final rule in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the change described previously, and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (78 FR 59293, September 26, 2013) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 59293, September 26, 2013).
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

[[Page 12377]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 120 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Action                Labor cost           Parts cost       Cost per product     Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.............  Up to 36 work-hours x               $0   Up to $3,060 per        Up to $367,200 per
                          $85 per hour = $3,060                    inspection cycle.       inspection cycle.
                          per inspection cycle.
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    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this 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

    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 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):

2014-05-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17776; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0830; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-128-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 9, 2014.

(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 Alert Service Bulletin 777-
53A0068, dated June 12, 2013.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of cracking in the fuselage 
skin underneath the satellite communication (SATCOM) antenna 
adapter. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking and 
corrosion in the fuselage skin, which could lead to rapid 
decompression and loss of structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Repetitive Inspections

    (1) For Groups 1-4 airplanes, and Group 5, Configurations 3 and 
4 airplanes, identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
53A0068, dated June 12, 2013: Except as required by paragraphs 
(h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, within the applicable compliance times 
specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013, do internal detailed and 
surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the 
visible fuselage skin, and doubler if installed, for cracking; do 
external detailed and surface HFEC inspections of the visible 
fuselage skin, and doubler if installed, for cracking, corrosion, 
and any indication that shows a contact of a certain fastener to a 
bonding jumper; and do all applicable repairs; in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013, except as required by paragraph 
(h)(3) of this AD. Thereafter, repeat the inspections at the 
applicable intervals specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013. Do 
all applicable repairs before further flight.
    (2) For Group 5, Configurations 1, 2, and 5 airplanes, 
identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 
12, 2013: No action is required by this AD.

(h) Exceptions to the Service Information

    (1) Tables 1, 5, and 9 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013, 
refer to airplanes with certain conditions ``at the time of the 
original issue date of this service bulletin.'' For this AD, use 
``as of the effective date of this AD'' instead of ``at the time of 
the original issue date of this service bulletin.''
    (2) Where paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013, specifies a 
compliance time ``after the original issue date of this service 
bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance within the specified 
compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) If any crack, corrosion, or indication that shows a contact 
of the fastener attaching the SATCOM lug adapter plate to the 
bonding plate is found during any inspection required by this AD, 
and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013, 
specifies to contact Boeing for repair instructions: Before further 
flight, repair using a method approved in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.

[[Page 12378]]

 (i) 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 paragraph (i) 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.
    (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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Melanie Violette, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM 120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057 3356; 
phone: (425) 917-6422; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 
2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Boeing service information identified in this AD, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 
Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; 
telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet 
https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425 227-1221.
    (5) You may view this 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 18, 2014.
Ross Landes,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04547 Filed 3-4-14; 8:45 am]
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