[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 8, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12039-12041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04682]



[[Page 12039]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-4219; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-169-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 latently failed fuel shutoff valves discovered 
during fuel filter replacement. This proposed AD would require doing an 
inspection to identify the part number of the engine fuel spar motor-
operated valve (MOV) actuators; replacing certain MOV actuators with 
new MOV actuators on both airline information management system (AIMS) 
V1 and V2 equipped airplanes, or installing a newer software version on 
AIMS V2 equipped airplanes. We are proposing this AD to prevent latent 
failure of the fuel shutoff valve to the engine. This valve failure, if 
not prevented, could result in the inability to terminate fuel flow to 
the engine, which in case of an engine fire, could lead to wing 
failure.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 22, 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 NPRM, 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 2016-4219.

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-2016-
4219; 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: David Lee, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6497; 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-2016-4219; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-169-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 latently failed fuel shutoff valves 
discovered during fuel filter replacement. Deficiencies in the valve 
actuator design have resulted in latent failures of the fuel shutoff 
valve to the engine. This condition, if not prevented, could result in 
the inability to terminate fuel flow to the engine, which in case of an 
engine fire, could lead to wing failure.
    We have previously determined that operators should not be required 
to replace the two fuel spar valve actuators with new actuators when we 
previously mandated replacement of MOV actuators for other valve 
positions in AD 2013-05-03, Amendment 39-17375 (78 FR 17290, March 21, 
2013). The alternate MOV actuator configurations available at that time 
were discovered to be susceptible to latent failures that could result 
in the inability to shut-off fuel to the engine. We are proposing this 
AD because a new MOV actuator has become available which corrects the 
latent failure of an MOV actuator.
    We have excluded line numbers 1165 and subsequent from the 
applicability section of this proposed AD as these airplanes were 
manufactured new with AIMS-2 Blockpoint Version 17 or higher installed, 
which are not affected by the unsafe condition.

Related Rulemaking

    AD 2013-05-03, Amendment 39-17375 (78 FR 17290, March 21, 2013), 
for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER 
series airplanes, requires replacing MOV actuators having part number 
(P/N) MA20A1001-1 with certain new or serviceable MOV actuators; and 
measuring the electrical resistance of the bond from the adapter plate 
to the airplane structure, and doing corrective actions if necessary.
    AD 2015-19-01, Amendment 39-18264 (80 FR 55521, September 16, 
2015), for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes, requires 
revising the maintenance or inspection program to add Airworthiness 
Limitation (AWL) 28-AWL-MOV for an engine fuel shutoff valve (fuel spar 
valve) actuator inspection.
    On October 30, 2014, we issued an NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2014-0755, 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-080-AD (79 FR 66343, November 7, 2014), 
for all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, 800, -900, and -
900ER series airplanes, Model 757 airplanes, Model 767 airplanes, and 
Model 777 airplanes, which would require replacement of any spar-
mounted MOV actuator having P/N MA20A1001-1 (S343T003 39) for the fuel 
tanks or fuel feed system with a serviceable, FAA-approved MOV 
actuator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0034, Revision 3, dated

[[Page 12040]]

September 25, 2015. This service information describes procedures for, 
among other things, inspection and replacement of the main and center 
fuel tank valve actuators.
    We also reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 777-31-0227, Revision 1, 
dated August 12, 2015. This service information describes procedures 
for installing the AIMS 2, Blockpoint Version 17, software upgrade.
    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.

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 an inspection to determine the part 
numbers of installed engine fuel spar MOV actuators; for certain 
airplanes, replacement of certain MOV actuators with new MOV actuators 
having part number (P/N) MA30A1017; and for certain other airplanes, 
replacement of certain MOV actuators with new MOV actuators having P/N 
MA30A1017, or installation of a certain version of the airplane 
information management system (AIMS) software; using the Accomplishment 
Instructions in the service information described previously. For 
information on the procedures, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
4219.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 154 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection............................  1 work-hour X $85 per                 $0             $85        $13,090.
(154 airplanes).......................   hour = $85.
Replacement of two actuators without    5 work-hours X $85 per            12,000          12,425        422,450.
 fuel tank access.                       hour = $425.
(34 airplanes)........................
AIMS 2, Blockpoint Version 17,          7 work-hours X $85 per                 0             595         71,400.
 installation.                           hour = $595.
(120 airplanes).......................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.


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-2016-4219; Directorate Identifier 
2015-NM-169-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 22, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 777-200, 777-
200LR, 777-300, 777-300ER, and 777F series airplanes, certificated 
in any category, excluding line number 1165 and subsequent.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of latently failed fuel shutoff 
valves discovered during fuel filter replacement. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent latent failure of the fuel shutoff valve to the 
engine. This valve failure, if not prevented, could result in the 
inability to terminate fuel flow to the engine, which in case of an 
engine fire, could lead to wing failure.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Part Replacement

    (1) For airplanes having Airplane Information Management System 
(AIMS) 1 installed: Within 24 months after the

[[Page 12041]]

effective date of this AD, install new engine fuel spar motor 
operated valve (MOV) actuators having part number (P/N) MA30A1017, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-28A0034, Revision 3, dated September 25, 2015.
    (2) For airplanes having AIMS 2, Blockpoint Version 16 or 
earlier installed: Within 24 months after the effective date of this 
AD, do the actions in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (g)(2)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Install new engine fuel spar MOV actuators having P/N 
MA30A1017, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0034, Revision 3, dated September 25, 
2015.
    (ii) Install AIMS 2, Blockpoint Version 17 or later, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-31-0227, Revision 1, dated August 12, 2015.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g)(2)(ii) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-31-0227, dated November 7, 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)(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, modification, or alteration 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. 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) of this AD 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 David Lee, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6497; 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 February 25, 2016.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04682 Filed 3-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P