[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19878-19881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08137]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0920; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-192-AD; 
Amendment 39-18135; AD 2015-07-07]
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, -300ER, and 777F series 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a jettison fuel pump 
that was shut off by the automatic shutoff system during the center 
tank fuel scavenge process on a short-range flight and a subsequent 
failure analysis of the fuel scavenge system. This AD requires making 
wiring changes, modifying certain power panels, installing electrical 
load management system 2 (ELMS2) software, and accomplishing a 
functional test. We are issuing this AD to prevent extended dry running 
of the jettison fuel pumps, which can be a potential ignition source 
inside the main fuel tanks, and consequent fuel tank fire or explosion 
in the event that the jettison pump overheats or has an electrical 
fault.

DATES: This AD is effective May 19, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 19, 
2015.

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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0920.

[[Page 19879]]

    For GE Aviation service information identified in this AD, contact 
GE Aviation Fleet Support, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 
513-552-3272; email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.geaviation.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-
0920; 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: Tak Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6499; 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, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2014 (79 FR 73252). 
The NPRM was prompted by a report of a jettison fuel pump that was shut 
off by the automatic shutoff system during the center tank fuel 
scavenge process on a short-range flight. The NPRM proposed to require 
making wiring changes, modifying certain power panels, installing ELMS2 
software, and accomplishing a functional test. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent extended dry running of the jettison fuel pumps, which can 
be a potential ignition source inside the main fuel tanks, and 
consequent fuel tank fire or explosion in the event that the jettison 
pump overheats or has an electrical fault.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to each comment.

Concurrence With NPRM (79 FR 73252, December 10, 2014)

    FedEx stated that it concurs with the proposed requirements 
specified in NPRM (79 FR 73252, December 10, 2014).

Request To Revise Costs of Compliance Section

    The Boeing Company (Boeing) requested that we revise the Costs of 
Compliance section of the NPRM (79 FR 73252, December 10, 2014). Boeing 
explained that the number of airplanes used in the cost estimate 
calculations is incorrect. For Groups 1 through 4 airplanes identified 
in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0083, dated 
September 8, 2014, for which hardware and software changes are 
required, the number of affected U.S. registered airplanes is 9, 
instead of 7. For Group 5 airplanes, for which an ELMS2 software update 
is required, the number of affected U.S. registered airplanes is 2, not 
4.
    We agree with the commenter. We have changed the number of 
airplanes in the ``Costs of Compliance'' section of this AD 
accordingly. We have also used information in Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 777-28-0083, Revision 1, dated March 6, 2015, to 
calculate the estimated costs.

Requests To Include Revised Service Information

    Boeing, All Nippon Airways (ANA), and FedEx requested that we 
revise the NPRM (79 FR 73252, December 10, 2014) to refer to a new 
revision of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0083. 
Boeing, ANA, and FedEx stated that a revised service bulletin is 
expected to be sent to the FAA before the release of this AD and that 
referencing the revised service bulletin would eliminate the need for 
alternative methods of compliance (AMOC) approval of the revised 
service bulletin.
    We agree with the commenters. Boeing has issued Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 777-28-0083, Revision 1, dated March 6, 2015. This 
service bulletin was revised to correct wire length and part numbers in 
wire kits. We have changed this AD to reference Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0083, Revision 1, dated March 6, 
2015, throughout. We have also added paragraph (h) of this AD to give 
credit for actions performed before the effective date of this AD using 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0083, dated September 
8, 2014, and have redesignated subsequent paragraphs accordingly.

Request To Revise the Unsafe Condition

    Boeing requested that we revise the unsafe condition, as described 
in paragraph (e) of the NPRM (79 FR 73252, December 10, 2014). Boeing 
stated that the fuel jettison pumps that are the subject of this AD are 
not a potential fuel tank ignition source because the pumps in question 
have been qualified to run dry without causing adverse pump operating 
temperatures for 600 hours. The jettison pump design includes redundant 
safety features to prevent fuel tank ignition. Boeing also stated that, 
based on service history and given the number of flight hours accrued 
by Model 777 airplanes, a conservative analysis shows the chance of a 
jettison pump running dry and causing a fuel tank ignition is less than 
extremely improbable.
    We disagree to revise the unsafe condition as stated in the Summary 
and paragraph (e) of this AD. We acknowledge that the fuel jettison 
pumps in question are properly qualified, and there is no known failure 
condition that could result in an ignition source. However, based on 
service experience of various types of fuel pumps, the FAA and industry 
may be unable to anticipate all of the possible mechanical and 
electrical failure modes of the fuel pumps that could result in an 
ignition source. For example, fuel pump qualification tests do not 
evaluate dry running of a fuel pump with debris ingested. Therefore, we 
have determined that extended dry running of the fuel jettison pump is 
a potential ignition source. We have made no changes to this AD 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 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 (79 FR 73252, December 10, 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 73252, December 10, 2014).
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic

[[Page 19880]]

burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Bulletin 777-28-0083, Revision 
1, dated March 6, 2015. The service information describes, among other 
actions, procedures for making wiring changes to the engine fuel feed 
system, modifying certain power panels, installing ELMS2 software, and 
accomplishing a functional test. Refer to this service information for 
information on the procedures and compliance times. This service 
information is reasonably available; see ADDRESSES for ways to access 
this service information.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 11 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Cost per          Cost on U.S.
            Action                Labor cost            Parts cost            product            operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group 1 through Group 4        Up to 40 work-    Up to $1,461...........          $4,861  Up to $43,749.
 airplanes: Hardware and        hours x $85 per
 software changes (9            hour = $3,400.
 airplanes).
Group 5 airplanes: ELMS2       8 work-hours x    0......................             680  1,360.
 software update (2             $85 per hour =
 airplanes).                    $680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some 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):

2015-07-07 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18135; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0920; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-192-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 19, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -
300ER, and 777F series airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0083, 
Revision 1, dated March 6, 2015.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a jettison fuel pump that 
was shut off by the automatic shutoff system during the center tank 
fuel scavenge process on a short-range flight. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent extended dry running of the jettison fuel pumps, which 
can be a potential ignition source inside the main fuel tanks, and 
consequent fuel tank fire or explosion in the event that the 
jettison pump overheats or has an electrical fault.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Wiring and Software Changes

    (1) For Groups 1 through 4 airplanes, as identified in Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0083, Revision 1, dated 
March 6, 2015: Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, 
make wiring changes, modify power panels P110 and P210, install 
electrical load management system 2 (ELMS2) software, and accomplish 
the functional test and all applicable corrective actions, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0083, Revision 1, dated March 6, 
2015. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight.
    (2) For Group 5 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0083, Revision 1, dated March 6, 
2015: Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, install 
ELMS2 software, and accomplish the functional test and all 
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-
0083, Revision 1, dated March 6, 2015. Do all applicable corrective 
actions before further flight.


[[Page 19881]]


    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: GE Aviation Service Bulletin 
5000ELM-28-075, Revision 1, dated August 5, 2014; and GE Aviation 
Service Bulletin 6000ELM-28-076, Revision 1, dated August 5, 2014; 
are additional sources of guidance for modifying the P110 and P210 
panels, respectively.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, if those actions were 
performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0083, dated September 8, 2014, 
which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.

(i) 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 (j)(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.
    (4) If the service information contains steps or procedures that 
are identified as RC (Required for Compliance), those steps or 
procedures must be done to comply with this AD; any steps or 
procedures that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those 
steps or procedures that are not identified as RC may be deviated 
from, done as part of other actions, or done using accepted methods 
different from those identified in the specified service information 
without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the steps or 
procedures identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put 
back in a serviceable condition. Any substitutions or changes to 
steps or procedures identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Tak Kobayashi, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6499; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) For GE Aviation service information identified in this AD 
that is not incorporated by reference in this AD, contact GE 
Aviation service information identified in this AD, contact GE 
Aviation Fleet Support, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 
513-552-3272; email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.geaviation.com.

(k) 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 Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0083, 
Revision 1, dated March 6, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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.
    (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 March 27, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-08137 Filed 4-13-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P