[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 93 (Thursday, May 14, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27601-27605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10469]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1273; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-194-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 777 airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by reports of unreliable performance of the fuel scavenge 
system. This proposed AD would require changing the main fuel tank 
water scavenge system, center fuel tank fuel scavenge system, certain 
electrical panels; related investigative actions, and corrective 
actions if necessary; and for certain airplanes, changing to give 
redundant control of the center override/jettison fuel pumps and main 
jettison fuel pumps. We are proposing this AD to prevent fuel 
exhaustion and subsequent power loss of all engines due to loss of 
capability to scavenge fuel in the center fuel tank.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 29, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

[[Page 27602]]

     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 GE Aviation service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact GE Aviation Fleet Support, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; 
telephone 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, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 425-227-1221. Boeing service information is also available on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2015-1273.

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-2015-
1273; 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: 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: 

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-2015-1273; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-194-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 have received reports of unreliable performance of the fuel 
scavenge system. During flight, any water in the fuel can sink to the 
bottom of the fuel tank. This water can enter the fuel scavenge inlets 
and can then freeze as it travels from the body center fuel tank into 
the colder fuel scavenge tubes in the left and right cheek center fuel 
tanks. The flow of scavenge fuel from the center fuel tank to the main 
fuel tanks can then decrease or stop. When this occurs, as much as 
2,600 pounds of fuel can remain unavailable during flight. On airplanes 
with airplane information management system (AIMS) version 13 or older, 
this can occur without warning. If the fuel quantity decreases to the 
quantity of the unavailable fuel, then in-flight shutdown of both 
engines could occur.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0078, 
dated September 4, 2014. This service bulletin describes a main fuel 
tank water scavenge system change and a center fuel tank fuel scavenge 
system change.
    We also reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0047, Revision 5, 
dated September 20, 2010, and Revision 6, dated July 11, 2013, which 
describe changes to give redundant control of the center override/
jettison fuel pumps and main jettison fuel pumps.
    We also reviewed 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, which describe wiring 
changes in the P110 and P210 panels, respectively.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this 
NPRM.

Concurrent Actions

    For airplanes in Group 10, Configuration 1, Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0078, dated September 4, 2014, 
specifies prior accomplishment of the actions described in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-28-0060, dated January 30, 2009; Revision 1, dated 
October 2, 2009; or Revision 2, dated January 08, 2010; which describe 
single aft auxiliary fuel tank removal and cargo system installation. 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0078, dated September 
4, 2014, does not address the configuration of airplanes with the 
auxiliary fuel tank installed. Group 10 airplanes were delivered with 
the auxiliary fuel tank installed, and therefore the actions specified 
in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0078, dated 
September 4, 2014, cannot be accomplished on those airplanes unless the 
auxiliary fuel tank is removed. This proposed AD does not require 
removal of the auxiliary fuel tank from airplanes in Group 10, 
Configuration 1, in accordance with the actions specified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-28-0060, dated January 30, 2009; Revision 1, dated 
October 2, 2009; or Revision 2, dated January 08, 2010. However, if the 
auxiliary fuel tank is removed, this proposed AD requires 
accomplishment of the actions specified in Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 777-28-0078, dated September 4, 2014, prior to the 
threshold or concurrent with the auxiliary tank removal, and prohibits 
re-installation of the auxiliary fuel tank thereafter. Once 
modifications are developed and approved to address an airplane 
configuration having an auxiliary fuel tank installed, we might 
consider additional rulemaking to address the fuel scavenge system in 
those airplanes.
    For airplanes in Group 10, Configuration 2, Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0078, dated September 4, 2014, 
specifies prior accomplishment of the actions described in Work Package 
2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28-
0062, dated June 30, 2009; or Revision 1, dated November 18, 2010; 
which describes removal of one body auxiliary fuel tank (Work Package 1 
describes installation of the auxiliary fuel tank). Boeing

[[Page 27603]]

Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0078, dated September 4, 
2014, does not address the configuration of airplanes with the 
auxiliary fuel tank installed. Group 10 airplanes are delivered with 
the auxiliary fuel tank installed, and therefore, the actions specified 
in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0078, dated 
September 4, 2014, cannot be accomplished on those airplanes unless the 
auxiliary fuel tank is removed. This proposed AD does not require 
removal of the auxiliary fuel tank from airplanes in Group 10, 
Configuration 2, in accordance with the actions specified in Work 
Package 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 
777-28-0062, dated June 30, 2009; or Revision 1, dated November 18, 
2010. However, if the auxiliary fuel tank is removed, this proposed AD 
requires accomplishment of the actions specified in Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0078, dated September 4, 2014, prior 
to the threshold or concurrent with the auxiliary tank removal, and 
prohibits re-installation of the auxiliary fuel tank thereafter. Once 
modifications are developed and approved to address an airplane 
configuration having an auxiliary fuel tank installed, we might 
consider additional rulemaking to address the fuel scavenge system in 
those airplanes.

Related Rulemaking

    AD 2011-09-05, Amendment 39-16667 (77 FR 22305, April 21, 2011), 
specifies the actions described in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0047, 
Revision 5, dated September 20, 2010. For certain airplanes, the 
actions described in this service bulletin must be done prior to the 
accomplishment of the actions described in Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 777-28-0078, dated September 4, 2014.

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 these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously, except as discussed 
under ``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service 
Information.''
    The phrase ``related investigative actions'' might be used in this 
proposed AD. ``Related investigative actions'' are follow-on actions 
that: (1) Are related to the primary actions, and (2) are actions that 
further investigate the nature of any condition found. Related 
investigative actions in an AD could include, for example, inspections.
    In addition, the phrase ``corrective actions'' might be 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.

Explanation of ``RC'' Steps in Service Information

    The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the 
Airworthiness Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee 
(ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement was a new process for 
annotating which steps in the service information are required for 
compliance with an AD. Differentiating these steps from other tasks in 
the service information is expected to improve an owner's/operator's 
understanding of crucial AD requirements and help provide consistent 
judgment in AD compliance. The steps identified as RC (required for 
compliance) in any service information identified previously have a 
direct effect on detecting, preventing, resolving, or eliminating an 
identified unsafe condition.
    Steps that are identified as RC in any service information must be 
done to comply with the proposed AD. However, steps that are not 
identified as RC are recommended. Those steps that are not identified 
as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with 
the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining 
approval of an alternative method of compliance (AMOC), provided the 
steps identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in 
a serviceable condition. Any substitutions or changes to steps 
identified as RC will require approval of an AMOC.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 55 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fuel system modification..............  200 work-hours x $85 per         $68,535         $85,535      $4,704,425
                                         hour = $17,000.
P110 and P210 panel modification......  2 work-hours x $85 per                 0             170           9,350
                                         hour = $170.
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    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
AD.
    According to the manufacturer, some 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:

[[Page 27604]]

    (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-2015-1273; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-194-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 29, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -
300, -300ER, and -777F series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
777-28-0078, dated September 4, 2014.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of unreliable performance of the 
fuel scavenge system. We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel 
exhaustion and subsequent power loss of all engines due to loss of 
capability to scavenge fuel in the center fuel tank.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Fuel Scavenge System Changes, Wiring Changes, and Software Changes

    For airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-28-0078, dated September 4, 2014, except for Group 10 
airplanes on which the actions specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 
777-28-0060; or Work Package 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28-0062, have not been accomplished: 
Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
applicable actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(6) of 
this AD; and do all applicable related investigative and corrective 
actions; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0078, dated 
September 4, 2014. Do all applicable related investigative and 
corrective actions before further flight.
    (1) Do applicable mechanical changes to the main fuel tank water 
scavenge system and center fuel tank fuel scavenge system.
    (2) Install relays and related equipment on the P301 and P302 
panels in the main equipment center.
    (3) Do applicable wiring changes between the P105, P110 and P301 
panels, and between the P200, P205, P210 and P302 panels.
    (4) Do wiring changes in the P105 panel.
    (5) Install new electrical load management system 2 (ELMS2) 
software.
    (6) Do a functional test consisting of operational tests, a leak 
test, system tests, and a fuel scavenge system functional test. If 
any of the tests fail, before further flight accomplish corrective 
actions and repeat the test and applicable corrective actions until 
the test is passed.

(h) Concurrent Actions

    (1) For Group 13 through 16 airplanes, as identified in Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0078, dated September 4, 
2014, prior to accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) 
of this AD, install a new P301 panel on the left side of the 
airplane, install a new P302 panel on the right side of the 
airplane, and change the wiring; or perform bonding resistance 
measurements and rework the airplane installations; as applicable; 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-28A0047, Revision 5, dated September 20, 2010; or 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0047, Revision 6, dated July 11, 
2013.
    (2) For airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-28-0078, dated September 4, 2014, except for Group 10 
airplanes on which the actions described in Boeing Service Bulletin 
777-28-0060; or Work Package 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28-0062, have not been accomplished: 
Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the requirements of 
paragraph (g) of this AD, do wiring changes in the P110 and P210 
panels, in accordance with the applicable Accomplishment 
Instructions of 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.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    For Group 10 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0078, dated September 4, 2014, 
after completion of the actions required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, no person may install an auxiliary fuel tank on any Group 10 
airplane.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(h)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before May 26, 
2011 (the effective date of AD 2011-09-05, Amendment 39-16667 (77 FR 
22305, April 21, 2011)) using a service bulletin identified in 
paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD, which are not incorporated by 
reference in this AD.
    (1) Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0047, Revision 3, dated June 
11, 2009.
    (2) Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0047, Revision 4, dated May 
20, 2010.

(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 (k)(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.
    (4) If any service information contains steps that are 
identified as RC (Required for Compliance), those steps must be done 
to comply with this AD; any steps that are not identified as RC are 
recommended. Those steps that are not identified as RC may be 
deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the 
operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining 
approval of an AMOC, provided the steps identified as RC can be done 
and the airplane can be put back in a serviceable condition. Any 
substitutions or changes to steps identified as RC require approval 
of an AMOC.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, 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].

[[Page 27605]]

    (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 GE Aviation service information 
identified in this proposed AD, contact GE Aviation Fleet Support, 1 
Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; telephone 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, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 28, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-10469 Filed 5-13-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P