[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 5, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12363-12366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04548]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0125; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-119-AD;
Amendment 39-17778; AD 2014-05-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This AD requires, for certain
airplanes, replacing radio altimeter transceivers with upgraded units,
and, for all airplanes, replacing low range radio altimeter antennas
with new antennas. This AD was prompted by operator reports of erratic
low range radio altimeter (LRRA) operation while the airplane is
airborne. We are issuing this AD to prevent adverse system responses
and flight deck effects that could result in loss of controllability of
the airplane or landing short of the runway during landing.
DATES: This AD is effective March 20, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 20,
2014.
We must receive comments on this AD by April 21, 2014.
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-
[[Page 12364]]
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
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-2014-
0125; 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 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: Walter Cameron, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356;
phone: (425) 917-6460; fax: (425) 917-6590; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We have received operator reports of erratic low range radio
altimeter (LRRA) operation while the airplane is airborne. The symptoms
of erratic LRRA can include the following:
Large differences between captain's and first officer's
radio altitudes or a negative altitude in air.
``NO LAND 3'' or ``NO AUTOLAND'' Engine Indication and
Crew Alerting System (EICAS) message.
Autopilot disconnect, inability to engage autopilot, or
flight directors bias-out-of view.
Autothrottle disconnect, autothrottle retard, or inability
to engage autothrottle into SPD (Speed) mode.
Unexpected configuration warnings after takeoff, during
approach, or during go-around
Missing or inappropriate aural height callouts
Unavailability of auto speedbrake via ``AUTO SPEEDBRAKE''
EICAS message.
Nuisance or missing Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS)
warnings.
Electronic Engine Control (EEC) indicating ground mode and
engine going to ground idle.
Inability to engage Lateral Navigation (LNAV).
Erratic LRRA operation events have been determined to possibly
result from the following causes:
Antenna alteration at the antenna level can create micro
cracks on the electrical grounding connection, damage the coax cables
or the coax connector center pin contact. Any one of these damages to
the antenna assembly can affect the radio altimeter system
functionality.
The currently installed radio altimeter transceivers on
some airplanes may not have adequate antenna monitoring capabilities
for detecting antenna deterioration caused by environmental conditions
or damage to the antenna during antenna alteration (which can result in
breaks in the coaxial cables or damage to the coax connector).
These conditions, if not corrected, could result in adverse system
responses and flight deck effects that could result in loss of
controllability of the airplane or landing short of the runway during
landing. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on
these products.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-34A0191, Revision 1,
dated March 23, 2012, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-34A0192,
dated December 14, 2012. For information on the procedures and
compliance times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2014-0125.
FAA's Determination
We are issuing 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.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information identified previously.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
There are no products of this type currently registered in the
United States. However, this rule is necessary to ensure that the
described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these products are
placed on the U.S. Register in the future. Therefore, we find that
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary and
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than
30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2014-0125 and
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-119-AD at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
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 AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 0 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 12365]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Transceiver Replacement............ 2 work-hours x $85 per hour $9,515 $9,685 $0
= $170.
Antenna Replacement................ 7 work-hours x $85 per hour 2,703 3,298 0
= $595.
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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
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):
2014-05-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17778; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0125; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-119-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective March 20, 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-
34A0192, dated December 14, 2012.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 34, Navigation.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by operator reports of erratic low range
radio altimeter (LRRA) operation while the airplane is airborne. We
are issuing this AD to prevent adverse system responses and flight
deck effects that could result in loss of controllability of the
airplane or landing short of the runway during landing.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Replacement of Radio Altimeter Transceivers
For airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
34A0191, Revision 1, dated March 23, 2012: Within 24 months after
the effective date of this AD, replace radio altimeter transceivers
with upgraded units, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-34A0191, Revision
1, dated March 23, 2012.
(h) Replacement of Radio Altimeter Antennas
For all airplanes: Within 36 months after the effective date of
this AD, replace low range radio altimeter transmit and receive
antennas with new antennas, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-34A0192, dated
December 14, 2012.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
34A0191, dated September 20, 2011, which is not incorporated by
reference in this AD.
(j) 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 Seattle ACO, send it to
the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(1) 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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Walter Cameron,
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6460; fax: (425) 917-6590; email:
[email protected].
(2) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference in this AD may be obtained at the address
specified in paragraph (l)(3) of this AD.
(l) 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.
[[Page 12366]]
(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-34A0191, Revision 1, dated
March 23, 2012.
(ii) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-34A0192, dated December
14, 2012.
(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 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.
(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 7, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04548 Filed 3-4-14; 8:45 am]
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