[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 125 (Monday, June 30, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36678-36680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15250]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0426; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-231-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 767 and 777 airplanes. This proposed 
AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded door closure of the large 
lower lobe cargo door. This proposed AD would require inspecting for 
part numbers and serial numbers of the rotary actuators of the large 
forward and aft lower lobe cargo doors, as applicable, and corrective 
action if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct 
rotary actuators made with a material having poor actuator gear wear 
characteristics, which could result in failure of the rotary actuators 
for the large forward or aft lower lobe cargo door and subsequent 
uncommanded door closure, which could possibly result in injury to 
people on the ground.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 14, 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 Eaton service information identified in this 
proposed AD, contact Eaton Corporation, Aerospace Operations, 3 Park 
Plaza, Suite 1200, Irvine, CA 92614; telephone 949-253-2100; fax 949-
253-2111; Internet http://www.eaton.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-
0426; 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, 
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-2014-0426; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-231-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 reports of uncommanded door closure of the large lower 
lobe cargo door. One incident occurred while the door was being opened, 
a second one while the door was stationary in the open position, and 
the third incident occurred as the door was being closed. It was 
determined that all of the doors' rotary actuators had failed (two 
actuators per door). The three incidents occurred on Model 767 
airplanes, but the same rotary actuator part numbers are also used on 
the large lower lobe cargo doors installed on the Model 777 airplanes. 
Examination of five of the failed rotary actuators found significant 
wear in the gear box and failure of the first stage input sun gear set. 
The sixth failed rotary actuator had a failed third-stage input sun 
gear from an overload condition. All three affected airplanes had 
between 12,500 and 13,500 total flight cycles. The failed actuators 
were manufactured with Nitralloy 135M steel between August 1994 and 
December 2000. Actuators manufactured before or after that timeframe 
were made with 9310 steel. The rotary actuators made from 9310 steel 
material are considered safe. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in failure of the rotary actuators for the large lower lobe 
cargo door, and subsequent uncommanded door closures, which could 
possibly result in injury to people on the ground.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Service Bulletins 767-52A0100, Revision 2, dated 
September 26, 2013; and 777-52-0053, Revision 1, dated September 26, 
2013. For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this 
service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0426.
    Boeing Service Bulletins 767-52A0100, Revision 2, dated September 
26, 2013; and 777-52-0053, Revision 1, dated September 26, 2013; refer 
to Eaton Service Bulletin 692D100-52-4, Revision 2, dated August 1, 
2013, which provides serial number information and certain corrective 
actions (rework of certain rotary actuators or reidentification of 
certain other rotary actuators).

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

[[Page 36679]]

develop in other products of these same type designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require inspecting for part numbers and 
serial numbers of the rotary actuators of the large forward and aft 
lower lobe cargo doors, as applicable, and corrective actions if 
necessary, as specified in the service information described 
previously.
    The phrase ``corrective actions'' is used in this proposed AD. 
``Corrective actions'' are actions that correct or address any 
condition found. Corrective actions in an AD could include, for 
example, repairs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 510 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                      Labor cost            Parts cost           product        operators
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Inspection for part number and       1 work-hour x $85 per  None................            $85        $43,350.
 serial number.                       hour = $85.
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    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary re-
identification or replacements that would be required based on the 
results of the proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the 
number of aircraft that might need these re-identifications or 
replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
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                Action                         Labor cost          Parts cost           Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Re-identification.....................  Up to 1 work-hour x $85            $1  Up to $86.
                                         per hour = $85.
Replacement...........................  Up to 9 work-hours x $85       19,700  Up to $20,465.
                                         per hour = $765.
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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 proposed 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

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):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2014-0426; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NM-231-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 14, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes, as 
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-52A0100, Revision 2, dated 
September 26, 2013.
    (2) Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series 
airplanes, as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-52-0053, 
Revision 1, dated September 26, 2013.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded door closure of 
the large lower lobe cargo door. We are issuing this AD to detect 
and correct rotary actuators made with a material having poor wear 
characteristics, which could result in failure of the rotary 
actuators for the large forward or aft lower lobe cargo door and 
subsequent uncommanded door closure, which could possibly result in 
injury to people on the ground.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection for Part Numbers, and Re-Identification or Replacement, 
for Model 767 Airplanes

    For Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes: 
Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect each 
rotary actuator installed in the forward

[[Page 36680]]

and aft large lower lobe cargo doors, as applicable, to determine 
the part number and serial number, and do all applicable corrective 
actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 767-52A0100, Revision 2, dated September 26, 
2013; and Eaton Service Bulletin 692D100-52-4, Revision 2, dated 
August 1, 2013. Do the applicable corrective actions at the 
applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 767-52A0100, Revision 2, dated September 26, 
2013, except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD. A review of 
maintenance records for the part number and serial number is 
acceptable in lieu of the inspection if the part and serial numbers 
of the rotary actuator can be conclusively determined from that 
review.

(h) Inspection for Part Numbers, and Re-Identification or Replacement, 
for Model 777 Airplanes

    For Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series 
airplanes: Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect each rotary actuator installed in the forward and aft large 
lower lobe cargo doors, as applicable, to determine the part number 
and serial number, and do all applicable corrective actions, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-52-0053, Revision 1, dated September 26, 2013; and 
Eaton Service Bulletin 692D100-52-4, Revision 2, dated August 1, 
2013. Do the applicable corrective actions at the applicable time 
specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-52-0053, Revision 1, dated September 26, 2013, except 
as required by paragraph (i) of this AD. A review of maintenance 
records for the part number and serial number is acceptable in lieu 
of the inspection if the part and serial numbers of the rotary 
actuator can be conclusively determined from that review.

(i) Exception to the Service Information

    Where Boeing Service Bulletin 767-52A0100, Revision 2, dated 
September 26, 2013; and Boeing Service Bulletin 777-52-0053, 
Revision 1, dated September 26, 2013, specify a compliance time 
after the issue date ``of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires 
compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective 
date of this AD.

(j) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no rotary actuator having 
Boeing part number S135W132-3 (supplier part number 692D100-13) may 
be installed 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 Eaton service information 
identified in this AD, contact Eaton Corporation, Aerospace 
Operations, 3 Park Plaza, Suite 1200, Irvine, CA 92614; telephone 
949-253-2100; fax 949-253-2111; Internet http://www.eaton.com. You 
may view this 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 June 19, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-15250 Filed 6-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P