[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 120 (Friday, June 25, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33574-33576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13407]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0451; Project Identifier AD-2021-00007-T]
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: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2019-01-08, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200,
-200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. AD 2019-01-08 requires
modifications for galley mounted attendant seat fittings. Since the FAA
issued AD 2019-01-08, the FAA determined that additional airplanes are
subject to the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would retain the
requirements of AD 2019-01-18 and expand the applicability to include
additional airplanes. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD August 9,
2021.
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 https://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: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS),
2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600;
telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may
view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products
Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines,
WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 206-231-3195. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0451.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0451; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandon Lucero, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-
231-3569; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0451; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00007-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
the proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this proposed AD.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Brandon Lucero, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental
Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3569; email:
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA issued AD 2019-01-08, Amendment 39-19547 (84 FR 4318,
[[Page 33575]]
February 15, 2019) (AD 2019-01-08), for certain The Boeing Company
Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. AD 2019-01-08
was prompted by a report that showed non-compliance exists on some in-
service galley mounted attendant seat fitting installations. AD 2019-
01-08 requires modifications for galley mounted attendant seat
fittings. The agency issued AD 2019-01-08 to address non-compliant
flight attendant seats, which could fail in a high-G crash and result
in potential injury to flight attendants and consequent inability of
the flight attendants to assist with passenger evacuation in a timely
manner.
Actions Since AD 2019-01-08 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2019-01-08, an operator reported that line
numbers (L/Ns) 413, 421, 424, 425, 426, and 439, which are equipped
with galley part number (P/N) 1013G42A00000 (one of the affected part
numbers identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-
0649, Revision 1, dated October 6, 2017) were not included in AD 2019-
01-08. A subsequent investigation by Boeing determined that L/Ns 1111,
1115, and 1137 were also missing from the effectivity of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0649, Revision 1, dated October 6,
2017, and therefore not included in the applicability of AD 2019-01-08.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-
0649, Revision 2, dated October 8, 2020. This service information
specifies procedures for modifying galley mounted attendant seat
fittings. 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.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
Although this proposed AD does not explicitly restate the
requirements of AD 2019-01-08, this proposed AD would retain all of the
requirements of AD 2019-01-08. Those requirements are referenced in the
service information identified previously, which, in turn, is
referenced in paragraph (g) of this proposed AD. This proposed AD would
add airplanes to the applicability. This proposed AD would also require
accomplishment of the actions identified as ``RC'' (required for
compliance) in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0649, Revision 2, dated October 8,
2020, described previously.
For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this
service information at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0451.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 50 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Modification.......................... 7 work-hours x $85 per $0 $595 $29,750
hour = $595.
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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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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 that the proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2019-01-08, Amendment 39-19547 (84
FR 4318, February 15, 2019), and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2021-0451; Project Identifier AD-
2021-00007-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) action by August 9, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2019-01-08, Amendment 39-19547 (84 FR 4318,
February 15, 2019) (AD 2019-01-08).
[[Page 33576]]
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -
300, and -300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, as
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0649,
Revision 2, dated October 8, 2020.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that showed a non-compliance
exists on some in-service galley attendant seat fitting
installations, and a determination that additional airplanes are
subject to the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address non-compliant flight attendant seats, which could fail in a
high-G crash and result in potential injury to flight attendants and
consequent inability of the flight attendants to assist with
passenger evacuation in a timely manner.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the
applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0649, Revision 2,
dated October 8, 2020, do all applicable actions identified as
``RC'' (required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 777-25-0649, Revision 2, dated October 8, 2020.
(h) Exception to Service Information Specifications
Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0649,
Revision 2, dated October 8, 2020, uses the phrase ``the Revision 2
date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires using ``the
effective date of this AD.''
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0649, Revision 2, dated October 8,
2020, specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer,
this AD does not include that requirement.
(j) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 777-25-0649, Revision 1, dated October 6, 2017 (which is
incorporated by reference in AD 2019-01-08).
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office,
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of
the certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in Related Information. 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 responsible Flight Standards 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 Company Organization Designation
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle
ACO Branch, FAA, 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) AMOCs approved for AD 2019-01-08 are approved as AMOCs for
the corresponding provisions of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 777-25-0649, Revision 2, dated October 8, 2020, that are
required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(5) For service information that contains steps that are labeled
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs
(k)(5)(i) and (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. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. 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.
(l) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Brandon Lucero,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section,
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone and fax: 206-231-3569; email: [email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
Issued on May 28, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-13407 Filed 6-24-21; 8:45 am]
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