FR Doc 04-24631

[Federal Register: November 4, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 213)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64263-64266]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04no04-13]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19525; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-18-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200, -200ER, and -300
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Boeing Model 777-200, -200ER, and -300 series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require inspection of the outer cylinder of the main
landing gear (MLG) to determine the serial number; an ultrasonic
inspection of the outer cylinder of the MLG for cracks if necessary;
and applicable specified and corrective actions if necessary. This
proposed AD is prompted by reports indicating that two outer cylinders
were found fractured in the weld area. We are proposing this AD to
detect and correct cracks or defects that could result in a fracture of
the outer cylinder of the

[[Page 64264]]

MLG, which could lead to collapse of the MLG during landing.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 20,
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms. dot. gov and follow

the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.

regulations. gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, 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, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms. dot. gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,

U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401,
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Oltman, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
917-6443; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19525;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-18-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will

also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms. dot. gov.

We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about
plain language at http://www faa. gov/language and http://www.
plainlanguage. gov.

Examining the Docket

You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

We have received reports indicating that two outer cylinders of the
main landing gear (MLG) were found fractured in the weld area while at
the supplier, before delivery to Boeing for installation on Boeing
Model 777-200 series airplanes. The outer cylinder of the MLG is a two-
piece design, which is welded together on the main barrel.
Investigation revealed that the fractured outer cylinders were cleaned
with an unapproved cleaning solution before welding. The cleaning
solution that was used contained small amounts of oil that may have
contaminated the bonding surfaces of the weld, which could cause cracks
or defects in the weld. These conditions, if not detected and
corrected, could result in a fracture of the outer cylinder of the MLG,
which could lead to collapse of the MLG during landing.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-32A0038,
Revision 1, dated February 19, 2004. The service bulletin describes
procedures for an ultrasonic inspection for cracks or defects of the
outer cylinder of the MLG, applicable specified actions, and corrective
actions if necessary. Applicable specified actions may involve jacking
up the airplane to remove the MLG, and disassembling the MLG to remove
the outer cylinder for the ultrasonic inspection. Corrective actions
involve replacing the outer cylinder of the MLG with a new MLG whose
part identification numbers are not listed in the service bulletin. The
service bulletin also recommends reporting the inspection results to
Boeing. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which
would require inspection of the outer cylinder of the MLG to determine
the serial number; an ultrasonic inspection of the outer cylinder of
the MLG for cracks if necessary; and applicable specified and
corrective actions as necessary. The proposed AD would require you to
use the service information described previously to perform these
actions, except as discussed under ``Differences Between the Proposed
AD and the Service Bulletin.'' The proposed AD would also require that
operators send the results of their ultrasonic inspection findings to
the FAA only if the inspection finds any crack.

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin

Unlike the effectivity of the service bulletin, this proposed AD
would affect Boeing Model 777-200ER and -300 series airplanes in
addition to Model 777-200 series airplanes listed in the service
bulletin. We have determined

[[Page 64265]]

that, because of the potential for the affected outer cylinders to be
installed on all these models, the proposed actions must be done on all
of these airplanes to address the identified unsafe condition.
In addition, we have determined that the service bulletin does not
completely address the rotability of the affected parts. Therefore,
this proposed AD would also require a one-time inspection to determine
if a suspect serial number of an outer cylinder may be installed on
airplanes other than those listed in the effectivity of the service
bulletin.
The service bulletin specifies a compliance time of 8,000 flight
cycles or when the outer cylinder is 6 years old, whichever occurs
first. We have determined that a grace period of 4,000 flight cycles or
750 days after the effective date of the AD, whichever occurs first, is
necessary to prevent unnecessary grounding of airplanes that are over
the threshold specified in the service bulletin.
Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment
Instructions of the referenced service bulletin describe procedures for
submitting a report of all ultrasonic inspection results to the
manufacturer, this proposed AD would require submitting the inspection
report to the FAA only if the inspection finds any crack. We need
further information on the extent of the quality control (QC) problem.
When the unsafe condition addressed by an AD is likely due to a
manufacturer's QC problem, a reporting requirement is instrumental in
ensuring that we can gather as much information as possible regarding
the extent and nature of the QC problem or breakdown, especially in
cases where such data may not be available through other established
means. This information is necessary to ensure that we can apply
knowledge and lessons learned from these inspections to future MLG
actions. The differences discussed in ``Differences Between the
Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin'' have been coordinated with
Boeing.

Costs of Compliance

This proposed AD would affect about 463 Model 777 series airplanes
worldwide. The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S.
operators to comply with this proposed AD.

Estimated Costs
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Average Number of U.S.-
Action Work hours labor rate Parts Cost per airplane registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
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Part Number Inspection........... 1 to 229 (depending $65 None............. $65 to $14,885..... 133................ $8,645 to $1,979,705.
on which
inspection method
is used).
Ultrasonic Inspection (if 6.................. 65 None............. $390 per outer Unknown, there may $10,140.
necessary). cylinder, $780 for be up to 26
both outer affected outer
cylinders on the cylinders in fleet.
airplane.
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Regulatory Findings

We have 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. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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

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]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2004-19525; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
18-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by December 20, 2004.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD was prompted by reports that two outer cylinders of
the main landing gear (MLG) were found fractured in the weld area.
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks or defects that
could result in a fracture of the outer cylinder of the MLG, which
could lead to collapse of the MLG during landing.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.

Service Bulletin References

(f) The term ``the service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
777-32A0038, Revision 1, dated February 19, 2004.

Compliance Time

(g) Perform the applicable actions specified in paragraph (h) of
this AD at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and
(g)(2) of this AD.
(1) Within 4,000 flight cycles or 750 days after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first; or
(2) Before accumulation of 8,000 total flight cycles on the
outer cylinder or 72 months on the outer cylinder since new,
whichever occurs first.

[[Page 64266]]

Part Identification Inspection, Ultrasonic Inspection, and Corrective
Action

(h) Inspect the outer cylinder of the MLG to determine whether
an outer cylinder having a serial number (S/N) listed in paragraph
1.D., ``Description,'' of the service bulletin is installed. Instead
of an inspection of the outer cylinder of the MLG, a review of
airplane maintenance records is acceptable if the S/N of the outer
cylinder can be positively determined from that review.
(1) If no S/N identified in the service bulletin is installed,
no further action is required by this paragraph.
(2) If any S/N identified in the service bulletin is installed,
before further flight, do an ultrasonic inspection of the outer
cylinder of the MLG for cracks, all applicable specified actions,
and any corrective actions per the service bulletin. Do any
applicable corrective action before further flight.

Reporting a Crack

(i) Submit a report of any crack is found during the inspection
required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD to the Manager, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington, at the applicable time specified in paragraph
(i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD. The report must include the inspection
results, a description of any discrepancies found, the outer
cylinder serial number and part number, and the number of landings
and flight hours on the outer cylinder. Under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements contained in this AD and has assigned OMB
Control Number 2120-0056.
(1) If the inspection was done after the effective date of this
AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the inspection.
(2) If the inspection was accomplished prior to the effective
date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the
effective date of this AD.

Parts Installation

(j) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
an outer cylinder having a S/N listed in paragraph 1.D.,
``Description,'' of the service bulletin on any airplane unless it
has been inspected and all specified and corrective actions are
accomplished in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(k)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any action required by this AD, if it is approved by a
Boeing Company Designated Engineering Representative who has been
authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For
a repair method to be approved, the approval must specifically refer
to this AD.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 21, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24631 Filed 11-3-04; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P