[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12497-12499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05117]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 50 / Monday, March 16, 2026 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 12497]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0348; Project Identifier AD-2024-00626-T;
Amendment 39-23288; AD 2026-05-15]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200LR and -300ER series airplanes.
This AD was prompted by reports of chafing and arcing damage on the
light emitting diode (LED) sidewall wire bundles. This AD requires a
general visual inspection (GVI) of the sidewall light for chafing
damage and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective April 20, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 20,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0348; 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-2025-0348.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raja Vengadasalam, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3537; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing
Company Model 777-200LR and -300ER series airplanes. The NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2025 (90 FR 14055). The
NPRM was prompted by reports of chafing and arcing damage on the LED
sidewall wire bundles. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a GVI
of the sidewall light for chafing damage and applicable on-condition
actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address chafing damage on the
LED sidewall wire bundles. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could result in maintenance personnel contact with a live high-voltage
electrical cable.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from Boeing and ProTech Aero Services
Limited (ProTech) who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received an additional comment from American Airlines
(American). The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and
the FAA's response to the comment.
Request for Clarification of Inspection Locations and Revised
Illustrations
American requested that the FAA clarify if the intent of figure 1
of Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated
October 15, 2024 (the Boeing requirements bulletin), is to only inspect
for wire chafing damage between the sidewall light and the power
connector. American stated that figure 1 of the Boeing requirements
bulletin does not show all the inspection locations or highlight that
the inspection is limited to the area between the LED sidewall light
harness and connector; it also does not show the different light sizes,
harness routing, and stowage compartment sizes. American also requested
that the FAA require Boeing to revise figures 2 and 3 of the Boeing
requirements bulletin to include illustrations of all non-typical
installations. Additionally, American stated that figure 2 of the
Boeing requirements bulletin illustrates only a typical installation of
a clip over the edge of the hole in the stowage compartment and does
not account for non-typical wire routing configurations resulting from
differences in stowage compartment and light sizes.
The FAA clarifies that the inspection area for chafing damage to
the sidewall light power connector wire bundle is illustrated in figure
1 of the Boeing requirements bulletin as the portion of the wire bundle
that is marked with diagonal stripes and shaded light blue.
The FAA disagrees with the request to revise figures 2 and 3 of the
Boeing requirements bulletin. The FAA reviewed and approved the Boeing
requirements bulletin prior to publication of the proposed AD and
determined that it provides sufficient instructions and illustrations
to correct the unsafe condition. If a specific configuration prevents
an operator from accomplishing the actions specified in the Boeing
requirements bulletin, the operator may request an alternative method
of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in
paragraph (i) of this AD. No changes have been made to this AD in this
regard.
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, this
AD is adopted as proposed
[[Page 12498]]
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 Requirements Bulletin
777-33-0069 RB, dated October 15, 2024. This material specifies
procedures for a GVI of the sidewall lights for wire chafing damage and
applicable on-condition actions, including repairing the wire chafing
damage, replacing the light, adjusting the wire routing, and installing
a new wire clip, ringpost, and clamp. 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 the
ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 31 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Inspection................. Up to 100 work-hours x $15,390 Up to $23,890......... Up to $740,590.
$85 per hour = $8,500.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary actions
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. The
agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need
these actions:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Repair or replacement, adjusting wire 1 work-hour x $85 per Up to $7,613........... Up to $7,698.
routing, and installing parts. hour = $85.
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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
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2026-05-15 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-23288; Docket No. FAA-
2025-0348; Project Identifier AD-2024-00626-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 20, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200LR and -300ER
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in
Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated
October 15, 2024.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 33, Lights.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of chafing and arcing damage on
the light emitting diode (LED) sidewall wire bundles. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent and address chafing damage on the LED
sidewall wire bundles. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in maintenance personnel contact with a live high-voltage
electrical cable.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: At the
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing
Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated
October 15, 2024, do all applicable actions identified in, and in
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated October 15,
2024.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 777-33-0069, dated October 15, 2024, which is referred to
in Boeing
[[Page 12499]]
Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated
October 15, 2024.
(h) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications
Where the ``Boeing Recommended Compliance Time'' column in the
table under the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Special Attention
Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated October 15, 2024, refers
to ``the Original Issue date of Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069
RB,'' this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(i) 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 Continued Operational
Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in
paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to:
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) 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.
(j) Additional Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Raja
Vengadasalam, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3537; email:
[email protected].
(2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by
reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (k)(3)
this AD.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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.
(i) Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069
RB, dated October 15, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For the 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.
(4) 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.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on March 9, 2026.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-05117 Filed 3-13-26; 8:45 am]
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