[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17457-17459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06911]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0174; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-212-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 The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by a report indicating that, on a different Boeing airplane 
model, there was an oxygen-fed fire, which caused extensive damage to 
the flight deck. This proposed AD would require replacing the low-
pressure oxygen hoses with non-conductive hoses in the crew oxygen 
system. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadvertent electrical 
current from passing through an internal, anti-collapse spring of the 
low pressure oxygen hose, which can cause the low-pressure oxygen hose 
to melt or burn, leading to an oxygen-fed fire and/or smoke beneath the 
flight compartment in the forward electronics equipment bay.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 12, 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-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 Boeing service information identified in this proposed 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. For B/E Aerospace service information identified 
in this proposed AD, contact B/E Aerospace, Inc., Commercial Aircraft 
Products Group, 10800 Pfluum Road, Lenexa, KS 66215; phone: 913-338-
9800; fax: 913-469-8419. 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-
0174; 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: Susan Monroe, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 17458]]

Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 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-2014-0174; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-212-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 received a report indicating that, on a different Boeing 
airplane model, a fire originated near the first officer's area, which 
caused extensive damage to the flight deck. A Boeing investigation 
found that the low pressure flexible hoses in the pressurized 
flightcrew oxygen system can potentially be conductive because of the 
anti-kink metallic spring inside the hose. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in inadvertent electrical current passing 
through an internal, anti-collapse spring of the low-pressure oxygen 
hose causing the low-pressure oxygen hose to melt or burn, leading to 
an oxygen-fed fire and/or smoke beneath the flight compartment in the 
forward electronics equipment bay.
    Some hoses on Model 787-8 airplanes are similar in design to those 
on the Boeing airplane model on which the fire occurred; therefore, 
Model 787-8 airplanes might be subject to the same unsafe condition.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB350001-00, 
Issue 001, dated August 22, 2013. For information on the procedures and 
compliance times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2014-0174.
    Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB350001-00, Issue 001, 
dated August 22, 2013, refers to B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 
4421086-35-001, Rev. 002, dated July 9, 2013, as an additional source 
of guidance for reworking the crew oxygen distribution manifold 
assembly.

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 replacing the low-pressure oxygen 
hoses with non-conductive hoses in the crew oxygen system, as specified 
in the service information described previously.

Typographical Error in Service Information

    Paragraph III.A., ``Verification,'' of B/E Aerospace Service 
Bulletin 4421086-35-001, Rev. 002, dated July 9, 2013, has a 
typographical error. The last sentence in that paragraph states, ``If 
the decal shows PN 4421086-101, continue with the retrofit steps in 
paragraph II.B.'' The sentence should refer to paragraph III.B. of the 
service information.

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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Parts
             Action                  Labor cost         cost        Cost per product      Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rework and replacement.........  Up to 2 work-hours     $1,798  Up to $1,968...........  Up to $11,808.
                                  x $85 per hour =
                                  $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, all of the costs of this proposed AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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.

[[Page 17459]]

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

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. Amend Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2014-0174; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NM-212-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 12, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin B787-81205-SB350001-00, Issue 001, dated August 22, 2013.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that, on a different Boeing 
airplane model, there was an oxygen-fed fire, which caused extensive 
damage to the flight deck. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
inadvertent electrical current from passing through an internal, 
anti-collapse spring of the low pressure oxygen hose, which can 
cause the low-pressure oxygen hose to melt or burn, leading to an 
oxygen-fed fire and/or smoke beneath the flight compartment in the 
forward electronics equipment bay.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Rework of Crew Oxygen Distribution Manifold Assembly

    For airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-
81205-SB350001-00, Issue 001, dated August 22, 2013: Within 60 
months after the effective date of this AD, rework the crew oxygen 
distribution manifold assembly from part number (P/N) 4421086-101 to 
P/N 4421086-102, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB350001-00, Issue 001, 
dated August 22, 2013; and B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 4421086-
35-001, Rev. 002, dated July 9, 2013; except as specified in 
paragraph (i) of this AD.

(h) Replacement of Forward Crew Oxygen Supply Hose

    For airplanes identified as Group 2 in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin B787-81205-SB350001-00, Issue 001, dated August 22, 2013: 
Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the 
forward crew oxygen supply hose with a new non-conductive forward 
oxygen supply hose, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB350001-
00, Issue 001, dated August 22, 2013.

(i) Exception to Service Information

    Paragraph III.A., ``Verification,'' of B/E Aerospace Service 
Bulletin 4421086-35-001, Rev. 002, dated July 9, 2013, has a 
typographical error. The last sentence in that paragraph states, 
``If the decal shows PN 4421086-101, continue with the retrofit 
steps in paragraph II.B.'' The sentence should refer to paragraph 
III.B. of B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 4421086-35-001, Rev. 002, 
dated July 9, 2013.

(j) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
distribution manifold having B/E Aerospace P/N 4421086-101; a 
flexible supply hose having B/E Aerospace P/N 4421189-016; or a 
supply hose having Boeing P/N 4421189-023; on any airplane.

(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 paragraph (l)(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, and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.

(l) 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 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. For B/E Aerospace service information 
identified in this AD, contact B/E Aerospace, Inc., Commercial 
Aircraft Products Group, 10800 Pfluum Road, Lenexa, KS 66215; phone: 
913-338-9800; fax: 913-469-8419. 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 19, 2014.
Ross Landes,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-06911 Filed 3-27-14; 8:45 am]
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