Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes
Federal Register, Volume 76 Issue 230 (Wednesday, November 30, 2011)
Federal Register Volume 76, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 30, 2011)
Proposed Rules
Pages 74012-74013
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2011-30821
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Docket No. FAA-2011-1257; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-124-AD
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company 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 Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, and -300ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report from the manufacturer indicating that the lowered ceiling support structure of Section 41, in airplanes incorporating the overhead space utilization (OSU) option, was found to be under-strength when subjected to a 9.0 g forward load. This proposed AD would require installing new structural members in and new tie rod(s) and attach fittings on the left and right sides of the lowered ceiling support structure. We are proposing this AD to prevent the forward lowered ceiling panels and support structure from becoming dislodged during an occurrence of a 9.0 g forward load and consequent injury to personnel or interference with an emergency evacuation.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 17, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, 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; email me.boecom@boeing.com; 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: Ana Martinez Hueto, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6592; fax: (425) 917-6591; email: ana.m.hueto@faa.gov.
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-2011-1257; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-124-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 from the manufacturer indicating that the lowered ceiling support structure of Section 41, in airplanes incorporating the OSU option, was found to be under-strength when subjected to a 9.0 g forward load. This condition, if not corrected, could cause the forward lowered ceiling panels and support structure to become dislodged during an occurrence of a 9.0 g forward load and consequent injury to personnel or interference with an emergency evacuation.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0482, dated February 24, 2011. This service information describes procedures for installing new structural members and new tie rod(s) and attach fittings on the left and right sides of the lowered ceiling support structure.
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 these same type designs.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 4 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Page 74013
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspection and Installation........ 19 work-hours x $85 per $13,329 $14,944 $59,776
hour = $1,615.
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According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost estimate.
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
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The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 Amended
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The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2011-1257; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-124-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by January 17, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
(1) This AD applies to the Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, and -300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0482, dated February 24, 2011.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25: Equipment/Furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report from the manufacturer indicating that the lowered ceiling support structure of Section 41, in airplanes incorporating the overhead space utilization (OSU) option, was found to be under-strength when subjected to a 9.0 g forward load. We are issuing this AD to prevent the forward lowered ceiling panels and support structure from becoming dislodged during an occurrence of a 9.0 g forward load and consequent injury to personnel or interference with an emergency evacuation.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Installation of Lowered Ceiling Support Structure
Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, install new structural members and new tie rod(s) and attach fittings on the left and right sides of the lowered ceiling support structure in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0482, dated February 24, 2011.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(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, 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 emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Ana Martinez Hueto, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6592; fax: (425) 917-6591; email: ana.m.hueto@faa.gov.
(2) 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; email me.boecom@boeing.com; 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 November 22, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
FR Doc. 2011-30821 Filed 11-29-11; 8:45 am
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