[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 67 (Thursday, April 8, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17889-17891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7946]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0376; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-267-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -
200LR, -300, and -300ER Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require removing and repairing the sealant at the
four lower corners of the wing center section and the four lower t-
chord segment gaps on each side of the wing center section. This
proposed AD results from reports of fuel leakage from the center tank.
We are proposing this AD to detect and correct improperly applied
sealant, which could result in the disbonding and displacing of
sealant, and
[[Page 17890]]
consequent fuel leaks. On the ground, uncontained fuel leakage could
result in pooling, and pooling combined with an ignition source could
result in a fire.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 24, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, 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, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail [email protected];
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 917-6501; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0376;
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-267-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We have received reports that 7 operators have reported 9 cases of
fuel leakage from the center tank on 9 airplanes. These airplanes had
accumulated approximately 10 to 10,000 flight hours, 5 to 2,000 flight
cycles, and 1 to 26 months in service. The leaks were found at the two
aft lower corners of the wing center section and one leak was found at
one of the four gaps between the lower t-chord segments on each side of
the wing center section. The forward lower corners and the remaining
gaps between the t-chord segments are also believed to be susceptible
to fuel leakage. The leaks are believed to be the result of improperly
applied sealant during production. This condition, if not detected and
corrected, could result in failing by the disbonding and displacing of
sealant, which can result in fuel leaks of up to 10 gallons per minute.
During flight, the fuel would leak into areas that have been designed
to accommodate fuel leakage, but on the ground, if the fuel leakage is
not contained, it could result in pooling. This pooling combined with
an ignition source could result in a fire.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-57-
0063, Revision 1, dated May 14, 2009. The service bulletin describes
procedures for removing and repairing the sealant at the four lower
corners of the wing center section and the four lower t-chord segment
gaps on each side of the wing center section.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 8 airplanes of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 10 work-hours per
product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85
per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this
proposed AD to the U.S. operators to be $6,800, or $850 per product.
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.
Regulatory Findings
We 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 this 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.
[[Page 17891]]
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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 AD:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-0376; Directorate Identifier
2009-NM-267-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by May 24, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR,
-300, and -300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category; as
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-57-0063,
Revision 1, dated May 14, 2009.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57: Wings.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from reports of fuel leakage from the center
tank. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct improperly
applied sealant, which could result in the disbonding and displacing
of sealant, and consequent fuel leaks. On the ground, uncontained
fuel leakage could result in pooling, and pooling combined with an
ignition source, could result in a fire.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Removal and Repair of Sealant
(g) Within 36 months or 6,000 flight cycles after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Remove and repair the
sealant at the four lower corners of the wing center section and the
four lower t-chord segment gaps on each side of the wing center
section, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-57-0063, Revision 1,
dated May 14, 2009.
Credit For Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service
Bulletin
(h) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-57-
0063, dated November 20, 2008, are considered acceptable for
compliance with the corresponding action specified in this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to
ATTN: Kevin Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S,
FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6501; fax
(425) 917-6590. Information may be e-mailed to: [email protected].
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 1, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-7946 Filed 4-7-10; 8:45 am]
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