[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 26, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70445-70447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27359]


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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; 
Amendment 39-18028; AD 2014-23-12]
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 787-8 airplanes. This 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 AD requires replacing the low-pressure oxygen hoses with non-
conductive hoses in the crew oxygen system. 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 deck in the forward 
electronics equipment bay.

DATES: This AD is effective December 31, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of December 31, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: 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.

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 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: Susan Monroe, Aerospace Engineer, 
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:

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 787-8 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
March 28, 2014 (79 FR 17457). The NPRM 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. The 
NPRM proposed to require replacing the low-pressure oxygen hoses with 
non-conductive hoses in the crew oxygen system. 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 deck in the forward 
electronics equipment bay.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM (79 
FR 17457, March 28, 2014) and the FAA's response to each comment.
    Boeing, United Airlines, and John Johnson stated that they support 
the NPRM (79 FR 17457, March 28, 2014).

Request To Shorten Compliance Time

    The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) stated that it supports the 
intent of the NPRM (79 FR 17457, March 28, 2014) but that the 60-month 
compliance

[[Page 70446]]

time is excessive. ALPA recommended that the compliance time be 
shortened. ALPA did not provide justification for its request, or 
propose what the shorter compliance time should be.
    We do not agree that the compliance time for this final rule should 
be shortened. In developing the compliance time we considered the 
implications, parts availability, and normal maintenance schedules for 
timely accomplishment of the replacement of the oxygen hoses. Further, 
the compliance time is in keeping with the manufacturers' recommended 
compliance time. Operators are always permitted to accomplish the 
requirements of an AD earlier than the specified compliance time. If 
additional data are presented that would justify reducing the 
compliance time we may consider further rulemaking on this issue. 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 as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 17457, March 28, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 17457, March 28, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 6 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rework and replacement........  Up to 2 work-              $1,798   Up to $1,968.........  Up to $11,808.
                                 hours x $85 per
                                 hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, all of the costs of this 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

    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):

2014-23-12 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18028; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0174; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-212-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 31, 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 indicating 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 deck 
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.

[[Page 70447]]

(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) 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

    For more information about this AD, contact Susan Monroe, 
Aerospace Engineer, 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].

(m) 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 B787-81205-SB350001-00, Issue 
001, dated August 22, 2013.
    (ii) B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 4421086-35-001, Rev. 002, 
dated July 9, 2013.
    (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) For B/E 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.
    (5) 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.
    (6) 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 November 5, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-27359 Filed 11-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P