[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 174 (Monday, September 9, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72976-72981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20110]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1879; Project Identifier AD-2023-00286-T; 
Amendment 39-22794; AD 2024-15-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-16-
05, which applied to all The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. AD 
2019-16-05 required identifying the part number, and the serial number 
if applicable, of the Captain's and First Officer's seats, and 
applicable on-condition actions for affected seats. This AD was 
prompted by reports of uncommanded fore/aft movement of the Captain's 
and First Officer's seats. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2019-
16-05 and adds an inspection of previously omitted part numbers. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 15, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 15, 
2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
October 8, 2019 (84 FR 45895, September 3, 2019).

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1879; 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 final rule, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For Boeing material 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; website myboeingfleet.com.
     You may view this material 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 regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1879.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney Tuck, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3986; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2019-16-05, Amendment 39-19708 (84 FR 
45895, September 23, 2019) (AD 2019-16-05). AD 2019-16-05 applied to 
all The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F 
series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
September 27, 2023 (88 FR 66310). The NPRM was prompted by reports of 
uncommanded fore/aft movement of the Captain's and First Officer's 
seats. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions 
of AD 2019-16-05 and add an inspection of previously omitted part 
numbers. The FAA is issuing this AD to address uncommanded fore/aft 
movement of the Captain's and First Officer's seats. Uncommanded fore/
aft seat movement during a critical part of a flight, such as takeoff 
or landing, could cause a flight control obstruction or unintended 
flight control input, which could result in the loss of the ability to 
control the airplane.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from Boeing in support of the NPRM 
without change.
    The FAA received additional comments from American Airlines and an 
individual commenter. The following

[[Page 72977]]

presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response.

Request for Credit for Previous Actions

    American Airlines and an individual requested credit for the 
accomplishment of actions required by the previous revision of the 
service information if it can be shown through maintenance records that 
the required actions have already been accomplished.
    The FAA agrees that credit may be granted, under specific 
conditions. Paragraph (j) of this AD has been added to identify these 
conditions.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, and 
any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed 
in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on 
any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-
0607, Revision 2, dated January 27, 2023. The material describes 
procedures for identification of the part number, and the serial number 
if applicable, of the Captain's and First Officer's seats, and for 
applicable on-condition actions for affected seats including an 
inspection of each seat's fore/aft and vertical manual control levers 
for looseness, installation of serviceable seats, and a seat functional 
test after any cable adjustment.
    The FAA also reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
777-25-0619, Revision 2, dated January 27, 2023. This material 
describes procedures for a detailed inspection and repetitive checks of 
the horizontal movement system for the Captain's and First Officer's 
seats for findings (e.g., evidence of cracks, scores, corrosion, dents, 
deformation, or visible wear; and incorrectly assembled microswitch 
assemblies, actuators, and limit switches), and applicable on-condition 
actions. The on-condition actions include clearing the seat tracks of 
foreign object debris (FOD), overhauling the horizontal movement 
system, and replacing the horizontal actuator. This material also 
describes procedures for an optional terminating action for the 
repetitive checks by installing a serviceable Captain's or First 
Officer's seat.
    This AD also requires Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
777-25-0619, Revision 1, dated August 8, 2018, which the Director of 
the Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of 
October 8, 2019 (84 FR 45895, September 3, 2019).
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 327 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions per Seat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                        Labor cost         Parts cost             Cost per product                    Cost on U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identification, seat (retained        1 work-hour x $85 per             $0  $85..................................  $27,795.
 actions from AD 2019-16-05).          hour = $85.
Detailed inspection, horizontal       1 work-hour x $85 per              0  $85..................................  $27,795.
 movement system (retained actions     hour = $85.
 from AD 2019-16-05).
Checks, horizontal movement system    2 work-hours x 85 per              0  $170 per check cycle.................  $55,590 per check cycle.
 (retained actions).                   hour = 170 per check
                                       cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any on-condition 
actions that would be required. The FAA has no way of determining the 
number of aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:

                               Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions per Seat *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Action                Labor cost                Parts cost                   Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjustment, control lever      1 work-hour x     $0.............................  $85.
 cable.                         $85 per hour =
                                $85.
Overhaul, horizontal movement  11 work-hours x   Up to $5,824...................  Up to $6,759.
 system.                        $85 per hour =
                                $935.
Inspection of each seat's      1 work-hour x     $0.............................  $85.
 fore/aft and vertical manual   $85 per hour =
 control levers.                $85.
Installation of serviceable    1 work-hour x     $0.............................  $85.
 seats.                         $85 per hour =
                                $85.
Clearing FOD.................  1 work-hour x     $0.............................  $85.
                                $85 per hour =
                                $85.
Replacement of the horizontal  1 work-hour x     $7,937 per actuator............  $8,022 per actuator.
 actuator.                      $85 per hour =
                                $85, per
                                actuator.
Functional test, adjusted      1 work-hour x     $0.............................  $85.
 control lever cable.           $85 per hour =
                                $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The estimated cost for tooling to align an affected seat for adjustment of the control lever cable is up to
  $46,064.

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected operators.

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

[[Page 72978]]

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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-16-05, Amendment 39-19708 
(84 FR 45895, September 3, 2019); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2024-15-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22794; Docket No. FAA-
2023-1879; Project Identifier AD-2023-00286-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 15, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2019-16-05, Amendment 39-19708 (84 FR 45895, 
September 3, 2019) (AD 2019-16-05).

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded fore/aft movement 
of the Captain's and First Officer's seats. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address uncommanded fore/aft movement of the Captain's and 
First Officer's seats. Uncommanded fore/aft seat movement during a 
critical part of a flight, such as takeoff or landing, could cause a 
flight control obstruction or unintended flight control input, which 
could result in the loss of the ability to control the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Seat Part Number Identification and On-Condition Actions

    Except as specified in paragraphs (i) and (j) of this AD: At the 
applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0607, Revision 2, 
dated January 27, 2023, do an inspection to determine the part 
number, and serial number as applicable, of the Captain's and First 
Officer's seats, and do all applicable on-condition actions, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0607, Revision 2, dated January 
27, 2023. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in 
lieu of this inspection if the part number and serial number of the 
Captain's and First Officer's seats can be conclusively determined 
from that review.

(h) Detailed Inspection and Repetitive Checks of Horizontal Movement 
System and On-Condition Actions

    Except as specified in paragraphs (i) and (j) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0619, Revision 2, 
dated January 27, 2023, do all applicable actions identified as 
``RC'' (required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-25-0619, Revision 1, dated August 8, 2018, or Revision 
2, dated January 27, 2023. As of the effective date of this AD, only 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0619, Revision 2, 
dated January 27, 2023, may be used. Actions identified as 
terminating action in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-
25-0619, Revision 1, dated August 8, 2018, or Revision 2, dated 
January 27, 2023, terminate the applicable required actions of this 
AD, provided the terminating action is done in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-25-0619, Revision 1, dated August 8, 2018, or Revision 
2, dated January 27, 2023.

(i) Exceptions to Service Bulletin Specifications

    (1) Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0619, 
Revision 2, dated January 27, 2023, uses the phrase ``the Original 
issue date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires replacing 
those words with ``October 8, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-
16-05).''
    (2) Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0607, 
Revision 2, dated January 27, 2023, specifies compliance for certain 
actions ``within 72 months after the Original Issue date of this 
service bulletin,'' this AD requires replacing those words with 
``within 36 months after October 8, 2019 (the effective date of AD 
2019-16-05).''
    (3) Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0607, 
Revision 2, dated January 27, 2023, specifies compliance for certain 
actions ``within 36 months after the Revision 2 date of this service 
bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance within 36 months after the 
effective date of this AD.

(j) Acceptable Conditions for Compliance

    If the airplane records show that an Ipeco Captain's or First 
Officer's seat meets any condition in figure 1 to paragraph (j) of 
this AD, the actions specified in this AD are not required for that 
seat.
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Figure 1 to Paragraph (j)--Alternative Acceptable Seats

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR09SE24.002


[[Page 72980]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR09SE24.003

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(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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 paragraph 
(l)(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 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, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety 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 2019-16-05 are approved as AMOCs for 
the corresponding provisions of this AD.
    (5) For material 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 Courtney Tuck, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 206-231-3986; email: [email protected].
    (2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by 
reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (m)(5) 
of this AD.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following material was approved for IBR on October 15, 
2024.
    (i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0607, 
Revision 2, dated January 27, 2023.
    (ii) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0619, 
Revision 2, dated January 27, 2023.
    (4) The following material was approved for IBR on October 8, 
2019 (84 FR 45895, September 3, 2019).
    (i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0619, 
Revision 1, dated August 8, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) For Boeing material 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; website myboeingfleet.com.
    (6) You may view this material 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.
    (7) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA,

[[Page 72981]]

visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email 
[email protected].

    Issued on August 23, 2024.
Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-20110 Filed 9-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P