[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 135 (Tuesday, July 15, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41101-41104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15435]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0867; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-115-AD; 
Amendment 39-17853; AD 2014-11-03]
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 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of severe corrosion on 
bonding jumpers installed on the flight control surfaces. This AD 
requires repetitive bonding jumper inspections for corrosion, sealant 
disbond, and insufficient sealant coverage; and corrective actions if 
necessary. This AD also specifies an optional inspection for corrosion 
damage of the bonding brackets, and corrective actions if necessary, 
which would terminate the repetitive inspections. For certain 
airplanes, this AD requires installing certain bonding jumpers, and 
replacing single-tabbed brackets with two-tabbed brackets. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion on bonding jumpers 
installed on the flight control surfaces, which, in the event of a 
lightning strike, could damage the actuator control electronics (ACEs) 
and result in the loss of the ability to command individual flight 
control surfaces or cause uncommanded motion of individual flight 
control surfaces.

DATES: This AD is effective August 19, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 19, 
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-
0867; 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: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-
917-6482; 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 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on October 25, 2013 (78 FR 63903). 
The NPRM was prompted by reports of severe corrosion on bonding jumpers 
installed on the flight control surfaces. The NPRM proposed to require 
repetitive bonding jumper inspections for corrosion, sealant disbond, 
and insufficient sealant coverage; and corrective actions if necessary. 
The NPRM also specified an optional inspection for corrosion damage of 
the bonding brackets, and corrective actions if necessary, which would 
terminate the repetitive inspections. For certain airplanes, the NPRM 
proposed installing certain bonding jumpers, and replacing single-
tabbed brackets with two-tabbed brackets. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct corrosion on bonding jumpers installed on the flight 
control surfaces, which, in the event of a lightning strike, could 
damage the ACEs and result in the loss of the ability to command 
individual flight control surfaces or cause uncommanded motion of 
individual flight control surfaces.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
(78 FR 63903, October 25, 2013) and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Base Compliance Time on AD Issue Date

    American Airlines (AAL) requested that paragraph (f) of the 
proposed AD (78 FR 63903, October 25, 2013) be revised to allow 
operators to comply with Boeing Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, Revision 
1, dated April 1, 2013, within 36 months after the AD effective date. 
AAL stated that Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, dated 
September 10, 2009, was issued with a compliance time of 36 months from 
the original release of the service bulletin. AAL explained that after 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, dated September 10, 2009, 
was released, Boeing accomplished a service bulletin validation on 
another operator's airplane and found many discrepancies and errors 
with the work instructions and parts required, resulting in Revision 1 
of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, dated April 1, 2013. AAL stated 
that due to the issues still existing in the work instructions for 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, dated September 10, 2009, 
and a long lead time on the part kits, operators will be unable to 
accomplish Boeing Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, Revision 1, dated April 
1, 2013, by the compliance time given without severe disruption of 
schedules.
    We agree with the commenter's request. We agree that the compliance 
time should be based on the effective date of this final rule and not 
on the original issue date of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, 
Revision 1, dated April 1, 2013. We had already included this 
information in the proposed AD (78 FR 63903, October 25, 2013), 
paragraph (j)(1) of this AD, as

[[Page 41102]]

reiterated from the proposed AD, states that where Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-27A0078, Revision 1, dated April 1, 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''. Therefore, no change is 
required for this AD in this regard.

Request To Revise Repetitive Inspection Interval

    Boeing requested that we revise paragraph (g) of the proposed AD 
(78 FR 63903, October 25, 2013) to extend the compliance time for the 
repetitive inspections from 48 months to 1,500 days in order to allow 
operators to do these inspections at the same time as other inspections 
which are on a 1,500-day cycle mandated by the Model 777 airplane 
maintenance planning document. Boeing stated that current guidance on 
developing a compliance recommendation requires that airline 
maintenance inspection intervals (AMII) be taken into account when 
determining the compliance time. Boeing explained that for the Model 
777 series airplanes, these AMII are given in calendar days and cycles, 
and that deviation from the AMII requires justification. Boeing stated 
that since no such justification exists, if the compliance time were to 
be determined today, it would be 1,500 days (4 maintenance years) 
instead of 48 months (4 calendar years).
    We agree with the commenter's request. The requested change to the 
repetitive inspection interval meets the compliance time that has been 
determined for addressing the identified unsafe condition, while taking 
into account fleet-established maintenance intervals. We have revised 
paragraph (g) of this AD to specify a repetitive inspection interval of 
1,500 days.

Request to Clarify Inspection Method

    United Airlines (UAL) requested that we revise paragraph (g) of the 
proposed AD (78 FR 63903, October 25, 2013), which specifies to do a 
detailed inspection using a borescope if the horizontal stabilizer tips 
have not been removed. UAL requested that we clarify the required 
action by including ``as applicable'' or by noting that this borescope 
inspection applies only to bonding jumper number 10.
    We infer that the commenter refers to the work instructions in 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, Revision 1, dated April 1, 2013, 
that identify the option of using a borescope to inspect bonding jumper 
10 if the horizontal stabilizer tips have not been removed. We agree 
with the commenter's request. The use of a borescope is intended for 
bonding jumper 10, and not for all bonding jumpers. We have revised 
paragraph (g) of this AD to specify doing the detailed inspection using 
a borescope if the horizontal stabilizer tips have not been removed.

Revisions Made to This Final Rule

    We have revised the Costs of Compliance in this final rule to 
specify only the mandated actions, since we have no definitive data for 
the on-condition costs. We have also revised the concurrent cost 
estimates by including the estimated number of airplanes on which those 
actions must be accomplished.
    We have revised paragraph (h)(1) of this AD to clarify that the 
optional terminating action for Option 2 includes replacing bonding 
jumpers.

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 changes 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 63903, October 25, 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 63903, October 25, 2013).
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 131 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection of bonding jumpers....  Up to 67                         $0  Up to $5,695 per     Up to $746,045 per
(131 airplanes)..................   work[dash]hours x                    inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
                                    $85 per hour = Up
                                    to $5,695 per
                                    inspection cycle.
Concurrent action; Boeing Service  66 work[dash]hours            2,668  $8,278.............  $281,452.
 Bulletin 777[dash]55A0010,         x $85 per hour =
 Revision 1, dated April 17, 2001.  $5,610.
(34 airplanes)...................
Concurrent action; Boeing Service  21 work[dash]hours            1,235  $3,020.............  $253,680.
 Bulletin 777[dash]55A0014,         x $85 per hour =
 Revision 1, dated April 1, 2010.   $1,785.
(84 airplanes)...................
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    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions and optional terminating 
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.

[[Page 41103]]

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):

2014-11-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17853; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0867; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-115-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 19, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2012-08-13, Amendment 39-17030 (77 FR 24357, 
April 24, 2012).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -
300, and -300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, Revision 1, dated 
April 1, 2013.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of severe corrosion on bonding 
jumpers installed on the flight control surfaces. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct corrosion on bonding jumpers installed 
on the flight control surfaces, which, in the event of a lightning 
strike, could damage the actuator control electronics (ACEs) and 
result in the loss of the ability to command individual flight 
control surfaces or cause uncommanded motion of individual flight 
control surfaces.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Bonding Jumper or Bracket Inspection

    At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, Revision 1, 
dated April 1, 2013, except as specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and 
(j)(2) of this AD: Do a general visual inspection or a detailed 
inspection, including a borescopic inspection as applicable, for 
corrosion, sealant disbond, and insufficient sealant coverage of 
bonding jumpers; and do all applicable corrective actions; in 
accordance with Option 1, and Option 2, as applicable, of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, 
Revision 1, dated April 1, 2013, except as required by paragraph 
(j)(3) of this AD. Do a detailed inspection using a borescope of 
bonding jumper 10 if the horizontal stabilizer tips have not been 
removed. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight. 
Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,500 
days. Doing the actions specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD on 
a bonding jumper terminates the repetitive inspections required by 
this paragraph. Doing the actions specified in paragraph (h)(2) of 
this AD terminates repetitive inspections required by this paragraph 
for that bonding jumper.

(h) Optional Terminating Actions

    (1) Doing a general visual inspection or a detailed inspection 
for corrosion damage of the bonding jumper brackets, replacing 
bonding jumpers, and all applicable corrective actions; in 
accordance with Option 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, Revision 1, dated April 1, 
2013; terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD. Do all applicable corrective actions before further 
flight.
    (2) The repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD are not required on the bonding jumpers that were removed, 
inspected, and replaced with new bonding jumpers and new fasteners 
using the new category 2 fay sealed direct standard ground stud 
installation method, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, Revision 1, 
dated April 1, 2013.

(i) Prior and Concurrent Requirements

    (1) For Group 1 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-27A0078, Revision 1, dated April 1, 2013: Prior to or 
concurrently with accomplishing the actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, install new bonding jumpers, and do resistance 
measurements of the modified installation to verify resistance is 
within the limits specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-55A0010, Revision 1, dated April 17, 
2001. Do the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-55A0010, Revision 1, 
dated April 17, 2001.

    Note 1 to paragraph (i)(1) of this AD: AD 2012-08-13, Amendment 
39-17030 (77 FR 24357, April 24, 2012), refers to Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-55A0010, Revision 1, dated April 17, 2001, as the 
appropriate source of service information for accomplishing the 
actions specified in paragraph (h) of AD 2012-08-13.


    (2) For Group 1 and Group 2 airplanes, as identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, Revision 1, dated April 1, 2013: Prior 
to or concurrently with accomplishing the actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, replace certain single-tabbed bonding 
brackets in the airplane empennage with two-tabbed bonding brackets, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-55A0014, Revision 1, dated April 1, 2010.

    Note 2 to paragraph (i)(2) of this AD: AD 2012-08-13, Amendment 
39-17030 (77 FR 24357, April 24, 2012), refers to Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-55A0014, Revision 1, dated April 1, 2010, as the 
appropriate source of service information for accomplishing the 
actions specified in paragraph (g) of AD 2012-08-13.

(j) Exceptions to Service Information

    (1) Where Boeing Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, Revision 1, dated 
April 1, 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.
    (2) The ``Condition'' column in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' 
of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, Revision 1, dated April 1, 
2013, refers to a condition as of the ``Original Issue date of this 
service bulletin.'' This AD applies to the corresponding condition 
as of the effective date of this AD.
    (3) If any corrosion damage is found during any inspection 
required by this AD, and Boeing Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, 
Revision 1, dated April 1, 2013, specifies to contact Boeing for 
appropriate action: Before further flight, repair the corrosion 
damage using a method approved in accordance with the procedures 
specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) For Groups 1, 2, and 6 through 9, as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, dated September 10, 2009: This 
paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD and the actions specified in paragraph (h) of this AD, if 
those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD 
using Boeing Alert

[[Page 41104]]

Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, dated September 10, 2009, which is not 
incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (2) For Groups 3 through 5, as identified in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, dated September 10, 2009: This 
paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD, except for the actions required for bonding jumpers 21 and 
22, if those actions were performed before the effective date of 
this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, dated 
September 10, 2009, which is not incorporated by reference in this 
AD. If a review of the airplane's maintenance records positively 
determines that bonding jumpers 21 and 22 were inspected before the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with Option 1 of Work 
Package 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 777-27A0078, dated September 10, 2009, this paragraph 
provides credit for the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD 
for the inspected bonding jumpers.
    (3) For Groups 3 through 5, as identified in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, dated September 10, 2009: This 
paragraph provides credit for actions specified in paragraph (h) of 
this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date 
of this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, dated 
September 10, 2009, which is not incorporated by reference in this 
AD; provided that a review of the airplane's maintenance records 
positively determines that bonding jumpers 21 and 22 were replaced 
in accordance with Option 2 of Work Package 3 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, dated 
September 10, 2009, or were replaced using the new Category 2 fay 
sealed direct ground stud installation method.
    (4) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
777-55A0010, dated October 26, 2000, which is not incorporated by 
reference in this AD.
    (5) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
777-55A0014, dated May 8, 2008, which is not incorporated by 
reference in this AD.

(l) 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 (m)(1) of this AD. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your Principal 
Maintenance Inspector or Principal Avionics Inspector, as 
appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight 
Standards 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 
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.

 (m) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Georgios 
Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6482; fax: 425-917-6590; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference may be viewed at the addresses specified 
in paragraphs (n)(3) and (n)(4) of this AD.

(n) 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 Service Bulletin 777-27A0078, Revision 1, dated April 
1, 2013.
    (ii) Boeing Service Bulletin 777-55A0010, Revision 1, dated 
April 17, 2001.
    (iii) Boeing Service Bulletin 777-55A0014, Revision 1, dated 
April 1, 2010.
    (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 May 14, 2014.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-15435 Filed 7-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P