[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 18, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2846-2848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-876]
[[Page 2846]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-1312; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-220-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 the
products listed above. This proposed AD would require installing
foreign object debris (FOD) rubber shields over the primary and
secondary external power connectors for certain airplanes, and wrapping
fire-resistant silicone tape around the hydraulic tube for certain
other airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a fire in
the main equipment center due to failure of an external power
connector, which caused high-temperature arcing and subsequent splatter
of molten copper on an adjacent hydraulic tube, creating a hole in the
tube and spraying hydraulic fluid into the power connector, resulting
in a fire. In addition there were several reports of overheating or
arcing of external power connectors, and one report of a fire due to
arcing caused by FOD. We are proposing this AD to prevent FOD from
entering the primary and secondary external power connectors, which
could result in overheating or arcing and consequent fire in the main
equipment center.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 4, 2011.
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: Deliver to Mail address above 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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 917-6482; fax (425) 917-6590; e-mail:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-1312;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-220-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 received a report of a fire in the main equipment center due to
failure of an external power connector, which caused high-temperature
arcing and subsequent splatter of molten copper on an adjacent
hydraulic tube, creating a hole in the tube and spraying hydraulic
fluid into the power connector, resulting in a fire. In addition there
were several reports of overheating or arcing of external power
connectors, and one report of a fire due to arcing caused by FOD.
During one incident a fire occurred on an airplane in the factory at
the secondary external power connector location. Investigation revealed
that the overheating and arcing events were caused by FOD; during a
maintenance check a washer was found inside the external power
connector. FOD in the primary and secondary external power connectors
could result in overheating or arcing and consequent fire in the main
equipment center.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-29-0032,
dated August 9, 2007 (for Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER
airplanes); and Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0102, Revision 1, dated
June 17, 2010 (for Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER airplanes
that require rubber FOD shields).
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-29-0032, dated August
9, 2007, describes procedures for wrapping self-fusing fire-resistant
silicone tape around the alternate extension hydraulic tube section of
the nose landing gear adjacent to the P30 panel.
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0102, Revision 1, dated June 17,
2010, describes procedures for installing new FOD rubber shields over
the primary and secondary external power connectors at approximately
station 350 in the main equipment center.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously, except as discussed
under ``Difference Between the Proposed AD and the Service
Information.''
Difference Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0102, Revision 1, dated June 17,
2010, does not provide a compliance time for installing new FOD rubber
shields; however, this proposed AD requires that installation be done
within 36 months after the effective date of this AD. We considered the
manufacturer's
[[Page 2847]]
recommendation that the compliance time coincide with the compliance
time specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-29-
0032, dated August 9, 2007.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 126 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Number of
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per airplanes Fleet cost
product affected
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Install FOD rubber shields.......... 6 work-hour x $85 per $134 $644 124 $79,856
hour = $510.
Wrap silicone tape.................. 2 work-hour x $85 per $0 $170 126 $21,420
hour = $170.
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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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
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
airworthiness directive (AD):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-1312; Directorate Identifier
2010-NM-220-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by March 4, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -
200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes; certificated in any
category.
Subject
(d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America Codes 29: Hydraulic power; and 24:
Electrical power.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD was prompted by a report of a fire in the main
equipment center due to failure of an external power connector,
which caused high-temperature arcing and subsequent splatter of
molten copper on an adjacent hydraulic tube, creating a hole in the
tube and spraying hydraulic fluid into the power connector,
resulting in a fire. In addition there were several reports of
overheating or arcing of external power connectors, and one report
of a fire due to arcing caused by foreign object damage (FOD). We
are issuing this AD to prevent FOD from entering the primary and
secondary external power connectors, which could result in
overheating or arcing, and consequent fire in the main equipment
center.
Compliance
(f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
Modification
(g) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do the
actions required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.
(1) For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-
0102, Revision 1, dated June 17, 2010: Install FOD rubber shields
over the primary and secondary external power connectors, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service
Bulletin 777-24-0102, Revision 1, dated June 17, 2010.
(2) For airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 777-29-0032, dated August 9, 2007: Wrap fire-resistant
silicone tape around the hydraulic tube, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 777-29-0032, dated August 9, 2007.
Exception to Service Information
(h) Figure 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-29-0032, dated August 9,
2007, does not identify the dimensions of the electrical tape which
is installed on the hydraulic tube; those dimensions should be
measured in inches.
Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service
Information
(i) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0102, dated July 12,
2007, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding
requirements of this paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(j)(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. In accordance with 14
CFR 39.19,
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send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the
person identified in the Related Information section of this AD.
Information may be e-mailed to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your Principal
Maintenance Inspector or Principal Avionics Inspector, as
appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight
Standards District Office.
Related Information
(k) For more information about this AD, contact Georgios
Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S,
FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6482; fax (425)
917-6590; e-mail: [email protected].
(l) For service information identified in this 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington on January 10, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-876 Filed 1-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P