[Federal Register: August 22, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 161)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 48850-48852]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22au05-7]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20350; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-202-AD;
Amendment 39-14223; AD 2005-17-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD
requires inspecting the valve control and indication wire bundles of
the fuel system of the wing rear spar for discrepancies, and
[[Page 48851]]
corrective action if necessary. This AD is prompted by reports of six
incidents of the wire bundles chafing against the rear spar stiffeners
outside the fuel tank. We are issuing this AD to prevent this chafing,
which could result in wire damage leading to a short circuit,
subsequent ignition of flammable vapors, and possible uncontrollable
fire during fueling or flight.
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 26, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of
September 26, 2005.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any
final disposition. 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 U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401,
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20350; the directorate
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-202-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgios Roussos, Systems and
Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
917-6482; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with an AD for certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes.
That action, published in the Federal Register on February 15, 2005 (70
FR 7681), proposed to require inspecting the valve control and
indication wire bundles of the fuel system of the wing rear spar for
discrepancies, and corrective action if necessary.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments that have been
submitted on the proposed AD.
Support for Proposed AD
One commenter, the airplane manufacturer, concurs with the content
of the proposed AD. Another commenter states that it has done the
inspection specified in the service information referenced in the
proposed AD on all of its Model 777-200 series airplanes.
Request for Clarification of Inconsistencies in Referenced Service
Information
One commenter concurs with the intent of the proposed AD, but
points out some inconsistencies found in the Accomplishment
Instructions of the referenced service bulletin. The commenter states
that the service bulletin specifies leaving the wire bundle intact,
according to the original factory installation, if the inspection does
not reveal any wire chafing; however, the service bulletin also
specifies modifying the wire bundle routing by installing additional
new hardware, such as spacers, if any chafing is found.
The commenter also states that the intent of the proposed AD is to
make sure that there is no wire chafing against the structure. The
commenter believes that there will potentially be two different
aircraft configurations if the modification is required. The commenter
states that the configuration with no spacers may cause the wire bundle
to rub against the structure in the future. The commenter adds that,
without spacers installed, there is no way to positively prove in the
future that the proposed AD was complied with in the past. The
commenter prefers to modify the wire bundle routing (adding new
spacers) even if there is currently no chafing found, in order to keep
common configuration within the fleet and prevent potential problems in
the future.
We infer that the commenter is asking for clarification about its
perceived inconsistencies in the referenced service bulletin. We agree.
The service bulletin describes procedures for inspecting the wire
bundles in the wing rear spar for three discrepancies (i.e., wire
chafing, wire damage, and any missing spacer at each of the five
clamping points). The commenter believes there are only two
discrepancies (i.e., wire chafing and wire damage). As a result, the
commenter's statement that the wire bundle is left intact if the
inspection does not reveal any wire chafing is incorrect. There are two
conditions that need to be met for the wire bundle to be ``left
intact.'' The service bulletin specifies ``if no wire bundle damage or
chafing is found'' and ``if the wire bundle routing is in compliance,
no more action is required.'' Wire bundle routing compliance is defined
in the service bulletin as ``at least one spacer is found installed at
each of the five clamping points.'' In addition, the service bulletin
specifies ``if no chafing or damage is found'' and ``if the wire bundle
routing is not in compliance, make a modification to the wire bundle
routing.'' The modification involves installing a spacer, screw, clip
nut, and clamp, as applicable, at any clamping point with no spacer.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition of this AD (i.e.,
wire chafing and damage).
In addition, we do not agree with the commenter's statement there
is no way to positively prove in the future that the AD was complied
with in the past. Compliance with an AD is documented in the permanent
records of the affected airplanes and can be audited by a principal
maintenance inspector. Therefore, we have made no change to the AD in
these regards.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments that have been submitted, and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 403 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This AD will affect about 129 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The inspection will take about 1 work hour per airplane, at
an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the inspection for U.S. operators is $8,385, or $65
per airplane.
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.
We are 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.
[[Page 48852]]
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that 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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
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 (AD):
2005-17-02 Boeing: Amendment 39-14223. Docket No. FAA-2005-20350;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-202-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective September 26, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0033, dated August 14,
2003.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of six incidents of the
valve control and indication wire bundles of the fuel system chafing
against the rear spar stiffeners outside the fuel tank. We are
issuing this AD to prevent this chafing, which could result in wire
damage leading to a short circuit, subsequent ignition of flammable
vapors, and possible uncontrollable fire during fueling or flight.
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.
Detailed Inspection/Corrective Action
(f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a
detailed inspection of the valve control and indication wire bundles
of the fuel system of the wing rear spar for discrepancies
(including any applicable corrective action), by doing all the
actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0033, dated August 14,
2003. Any applicable corrective action must be done before further
flight. Part number (P/N) BACC10GU105P, shown in the part list table
of Kit 005W3225 and in the step tables in Figures 3 and 4 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin, is not a valid
P/N; the correct P/N that must be used is P/N BACC10JU105P.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is:
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning
and elaborate procedures may be required.''
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(h) You must use Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-
28-0033, dated August 14, 2003, to perform the actions that are
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director
of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of
this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
To get copies of the service information, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. To view
the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif
Building, Washington, DC. To review copies of the service
information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 10, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-16265 Filed 8-19-05; 8:45 am]
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