[Federal Register: February 26, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 38)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8809-8811]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26fe04-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2004-NM-28-AD; Amendment 39-13489; AD 2004-04-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to certain Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes. This
action requires a revision to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to
advise the flightcrew that Category IIIB autoland operations are
prohibited and to warn the flightcrew of the potential for reversion of
the primary flight control system to direct mode during takeoff or
landing and its associated airplane effects. This AD also requires
installation of a placard in the flight deck. This action also provides
an optional terminating action for the AFM revision and placard
installation. This action is necessary to prevent the possibility of
the airplane departing the runway during Category IIIB autoland
operations due to autopilot disconnect in low visibility weather
conditions, and to warn the flightcrew of the potential for autopilot
disconnect or unscheduled speed brake retraction during any landing,
which could result in a departure from the runway. This action is
intended to address the identified unsafe conditions.
DATES: Effective February 26, 2004.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before April 26, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2004-NM-28-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-iarcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2004-NM-28-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or
ASCII text.
Information pertaining to this amendment may be examined at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregg Nesemeier, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 917-6479; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received a report indicating
that, during a test flight performed by the airplane manufacturer, a
single primary flight computer (PFC) reset on a Boeing Model 777-300ER
series airplane. The primary flight control system (PFCS) includes
three PFCs, called channels. As a result of analyzing the data from the
test flight, the airplane manufacturer was able to reproduce single,
dual, and triple channel resets during lab testing of takeoff and
landing scenarios. A triple channel reset forces the PFCS
[[Page 8810]]
from normal mode into direct mode. Reversion to direct mode during
autoland disconnects the autopilot. During Category IIIB autoland
operations, loss of automatic rollout control in low visibility weather
conditions could result in the airplane departing from the runway.
Additionally, if the PFCS reverts to direct mode after automatic
speed brake deployment during any landing, the speed brakes will
retract. If this occurs, the flightcrew must manually deploy the speed
brakes. Unscheduled speed brake retraction during landing could result
in a runway overrun, particularly if stopping distance is critical.
The PFC hardware and software configuration on Model 777-300ER
series airplanes are identical to those on the affected Model 777-200
series airplanes (PFC hardware, part number (P/N) S251W700-103, and
software, P/N 2769-PFC-900-00). Therefore, the affected Model 777-200
series airplanes may be subject to the same unsafe conditions. Model
777-300ER series airplanes are not yet type certificated; therefore,
these airplanes are not subject to AD rulemaking. The airplane
manufacturer is planning to revise the software of the PFCs on these
airplanes before certification.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed TASKS 27-02-01-400-803, 27-02-01-000-801, and
27-02-01-400-802 of Chapter 27-02-01 of Boeing 777 Airplane Maintenance
Manual (AMM), Document Number D633W101. The AMM describes procedures
for removing all three existing PFCs having hardware P/N S251W700-103
and software P/N 2769-PFC-900-00, and installing serviceable PFCs
having hardware P/N S251W700-102 and software P/N 2763-PFC-740-00.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the AMM is intended to
adequately address the identified unsafe conditions.
Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule
Since unsafe conditions have been identified that are likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design that may be
registered in the United States at some time in the future, this AD
requires a revision to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to (1) advise
the flightcrew that Category IIIB autoland operations are prohibited
and (2) warn the flightcrew of the potential for reversion of the PFCS
to direct mode during takeoff or landing and its associated airplane
effects. This AD also requires installation of a placard in the flight
deck. This AD also provides an optional terminating action for the AFM
revision and placard installation. The optional terminating action is
required to be accomplished in accordance with the AMM described
previously.
Interim Action
The AFM revision and placard required by this AD may be removed
upon installation of PFC hardware, P/N S251W700-102, and software, P/N
2763-PFC-740-00, in all three PFCs. This PFC hardware/software
configuration has been previously certified for Model 777 series
airplanes. Boeing is currently developing new PFC hardware/software
configurations, but we have not yet certified them. We may consider
further rulemaking once these new hardware/software configurations have
been certified.
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Submit comments using the following format:
Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example,
discuss a request to change the compliance time and a request to change
the service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
For each issue, state what specific change to
the AD is being requested.
Include justification (e.g., reasons or data)
for each request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2004-NM-28-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct unsafe conditions
in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory action''
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
[[Page 8811]]
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
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2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2004-04-08 Boeing: Amendment 39-13489. Docket 2004-NM-28-AD.
Applicability: Model 777-200 series airplanes, variable numbers
WC381 through WC385 inclusive, WC446, and WC447; certificated in any
category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent the possibility of the airplane departing the runway
during Category IIIB autoland operations due to autopilot disconnect
in low visibility weather conditions, and to warn the flightcrew of
the potential for autopilot disconnect or unscheduled speed brake
retraction during any landing, which could result in a departure
from the runway; accomplish the following:
Revision of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) and Installation of a
Placard
(a) Within 1 day after the effective date of this AD, accomplish
the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
(1) Revise the Limitations Section of the AFM to include the
following statement (this may be accomplished by inserting a copy of
this AD into the AFM):
``CERTIFICATE LIMITATIONS
CAT IIIB autoland prohibited.
WARNING
The PFCS may revert to direct mode during takeoff or landing. If
reversion to direct mode occurs during autoland, the autopilot will
disconnect. In this situation, the flightcrew must immediately take
control of the airplane and provide manual rollout control.
WARNING
If the PFCS reverts to direct mode after the speed brakes have
been deployed during landing rollout, the speed brakes will retract.
If this occurs, the flightcrew must manually deploy the speed brakes
to preserve stopping performance.''
(2) Install a warning placard in the flight deck in the
Captain's primary field of view that reads as follows:
``CAT IIIB AUTOLAND PROHIBITED.''
Optional Terminating Action
(b) Remove all three existing PFCs, having hardware part number
(P/N) S251W700-103 and software P/N 2769-PFC-900-00, and install
serviceable PFCs having hardware P/N S251W700-102 and software P/N
2763-PFC-740-00; in accordance with TASKS 27-02-01-400-803, 27-02-
01-000-801, and 27-02-01-400-802 of Chapter 27-02-01 of Boeing 777
Airplane Maintenance Manual, Document Number D633W101. After
accomplishing the removal and installation, the AFM revision and
placard required by paragraph (a) of this AD may be removed.
Special Flight Permit
(c) Special flight permits (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) are not
allowed.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.
Effective Date
(e) This amendment becomes effective on February 26, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 20, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-4258 Filed 2-25-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P