[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 223 (Thursday, November 19, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72393-72395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29441]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-5808; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-111-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 787-8 airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by reports of water leakage from the potable water system due 
to improperly installed waterline couplings, and water leaking into the 
electronics equipment (EE) bays from above the floor in the main cabin, 
resulting in water on the equipment in the EE bays. This proposed AD 
would require replacing the potable waterline couplings above the 
forward and aft EE bays with new, improved couplings. This proposed AD 
would also require sealing the main cabin floor areas above the aft EE 
bay, installing drip shields and foam blocks, and rerouting the wire 
bundles near the drip shields above the equipment in the aft EE bay. We 
are proposing this AD to prevent a water leak from an improperly 
installed potable water system coupling, or main cabin water source, 
which could cause the equipment in the EE bays to become wet, resulting 
in an electrical short and potential loss of system functions essential 
for safe flight.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 4, 2016.

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 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. 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
5808.

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-
5808; 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 L. Monroe, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 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-2015-5808; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-111-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 water leakage from the potable water system 
due to improperly installed waterline couplings, and water leaking into 
the EE bays from above the floor in the main cabin, resulting in water 
on the equipment in the EE bays. Such leakage could result in an 
electrical short and potential loss of system functions essential for 
safe flight.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed the following service information:
     Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB380009-00, 
Issue 001, dated March 26, 2015.
     Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530029-00, 
Issue 001, dated March 26, 2015.
     Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530031-00, 
Issue 001, dated March 26, 2015.
    This service information describes procedures for replacing the 
potable waterline couplings above the forward and aft EE bays with new, 
improved couplings; sealing the floors, seat tracks, and lavatories 
above the aft EE bay; installing drip shields and foam blocks; and 
rerouting the wire bundles adjacent to the drip shields above the aft 
EE bay.

[[Page 72394]]

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.

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 the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously, except as discussed 
under ``Difference Between this Proposed AD and the Service 
Information.'' Refer to this service information for details on the 
procedures and compliance times.

Difference Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Although Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530029-00, 
Issue 001, dated March 26, 2015; and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
B787-81205-SB530031-00, Issue 001, dated March 26, 2015, recommend 
accomplishing the sealing of the floors and seat tracks, installing 
drip shields, and rerouting adjacent wiring within 24 months; this 
proposed AD would require accomplishing those actions within 60 months. 
We have determined that a 60-month compliance time for accomplishing 
these actions would address the unsafe condition in a timely manner.
    This compliance time has been coordinated with Boeing.

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.
    For service information that contains steps that are labeled as 
Required for Compliance (RC), the following provisions apply: (1) The 
steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step and any 
figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply with the AD, 
and an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) is required for any 
deviations to RC steps, including substeps and identified figures; and 
(2) steps not labeled 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 RC steps, including 
substeps and identified figures, can still be done as specified, and 
the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 17 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                         Parts       Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                 Action                            Labor cost             cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace waterline couplings.............  Up to 24 work-hours x $85       $3,195    Up to $5,235   Up to $88,995
                                           per hour = up to $2,040.
Seal floors and seat tracks.............  Up to 108 work-hours x $85         137     Up to 9,317   Up to 158,389
                                           per hour = up to $9,180.
Install drip shields and reroute wiring.  Up to 42 work-hours x $85       34,594    Up to 38,164   Up to 648,788
                                           per hour = up to $3,570.
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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 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.

[[Page 72395]]

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-2015-5808; Directorate Identifier 
2015-NM-111-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 4, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in the 
service information specified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and 
(c)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB380009-00, Issue 
001, dated March 26, 2015.
    (2) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530029-00, Issue 
001, dated March 26, 2015.
    (3) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530031-00, Issue 
001, dated March 26, 2015.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 38, Water/Waste; 
and Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This proposed AD was prompted by reports of water leakage from 
the potable water system due to improperly installed waterline 
couplings, and water leaking into the electronics equipment (EE) 
bays from above the floor in the main cabin, resulting in water on 
the equipment in the EE bays. We are issuing this AD to prevent a 
water leak from an improperly installed potable water system 
coupling, or main cabin water source, which could cause the 
equipment in the EE bays to become wet, resulting in an electrical 
short and potential loss of system functions essential for safe 
flight.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replace Potable Waterline Couplings

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace 
the existing potable waterline couplings located above the forward 
and aft EE bays with new, improved couplings, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-
81205-SB380009-00, Issue 001, dated March 26, 2015. Before further 
flight after doing the replacement, do a potable water system leak 
test and repair any leaks found before further flight, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin B787-81205-SB380009-00, Issue 001, dated March 26, 2015.

(h) Seal Floor Panels and Seat Tracks/Install Drip Shields and Reroute 
Wiring

    Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: Do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Apply sealant to the main cabin floor areas located above 
the aft EE bay, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530029-00, Issue 001, 
dated March 26, 2015.
    (2) Install drip shields and foam blocks, and reroute the wire 
bundles above the equipment in the aft EE bay, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
B787-81205-SB530031-00, Issue 001, dated March 26, 2015.

(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)(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, alteration, or modification 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 method, modification deviation, or 
alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the 
airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs 
(i)(4)(i) and (i)(4)(ii) apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, 
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled 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 RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Susan L. Monroe, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, 
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6457; fax: 
425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
    (2) 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 9, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-29441 Filed 11-18-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P