[Federal Register: February 15, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 30)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 7681-7683]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15fe05-18]
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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]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This
proposed AD would 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. This proposed AD is
prompted by reports of six incidents of the wire bundles chafing
against the rear spar stiffeners outside the fuel tank. We are
proposing 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: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 1, 2005.
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. 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:
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 relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20350;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-202-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 website, 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
[[Page 7682]]
the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
We have received reports indicating six incidents of the valve
control and indication wire bundles of the fuel system chafing against
the rear spar stiffeners outside the fuel tank on Boeing Model 777
series airplanes. Since this wire bundle is located in a high-vibration
area, chafing can lead to potential wire damage, and a short circuit
could occur. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in wire
damage leading to a short circuit, subsequent ignition of flammable
vapors, and possible uncontrollable fire during fueling or flight.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-
0033, dated August 14, 2003. The service bulletin describes procedures
for inspecting the valve control and indication wire bundles of the
fuel system of the wing rear spar for discrepancies (chafing damage and
incorrect routing), and corrective action if necessary. The corrective
action involves repairing any damage and modifying the wire bundle
routing, as applicable. 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 accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously, except as discussed under
``Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.''
Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin
The proposed AD identifies the correct part number (P/N) for a
certain clamp for which an incorrect P/N was specified in the service
bulletin. 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 is BACC10JU105P. The manufacturer is aware of this
discrepancy, concurs with the change, and has issued Information Notice
(IN) 777-28-0033 IN 01, dated January 29, 2004, to inform operators of
the error. We have included this information in paragraph (f) of this
proposed AD.
Clarification of Inspection Terminology
In this proposed AD, the ``inspection'' of the wire bundles, as
specified in the service bulletin is referred to as a ``detailed
inspection.'' We have included the definition for a detailed inspection
in a note in the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 403 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 129 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed inspection would 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 proposed inspection for U.S.
operators is $8,385, or $65 per airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. 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.
This rulemaking is promulgated 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
proposed AD.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed 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 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-2005-20350; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
202--AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by April 1, 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
[[Page 7683]]
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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 6, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-2838 Filed 2-14-05; 8:45 am]
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