2022-05691. Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-12-03, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. AD 2015-12-03 requires repetitive freeplay inspections and lubrication of the right and left elevators, rudder, and rudder tab, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2015-12-03, engineering testing revealed that the force being applied to the elevator to detect excessive freeplay was insufficient. This proposed AD would continue to require certain actions in AD 2015-12-03 for certain airplanes, and would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, for certain other airplanes, to incorporate a revised or new elevator freeplay maintenance procedure, as applicable. This proposed AD would also add airplanes to the applicability. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 9, 2022.

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 https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Fax: [phone].

• 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 NPRM, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone [phone]; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0148.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0148; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Luis Cortez-Muniz, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES . Include “Docket No. FAA-2022-0148; Project Identifier AD-2021-00922-T” at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposal because of those comments.

Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this proposed AD.

Confidential Business Information

CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.” The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Luis Cortez-Muniz, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

The FAA issued AD 2015-12-03, Amendment 39-18176 (80 FR 34252, June 16, 2015) (AD 2015-12-03), for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. AD 2015-12-03 was prompted by the manufacturer's determination that the procedure for the rudder freeplay inspection available at the time did not properly detect excessive freeplay in the rudder control load loop. AD 2015-12-03 requires repetitive freeplay inspections and lubrication of the right and left elevators, rudder, and rudder tab, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. The agency issued AD 2015-12-03 to detect and correct excessive wear in the load loop components of the control surfaces, which could lead to excessive freeplay of the control surfaces, flutter, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

AD 2015-12-03 superseded AD 2007-13-05, Amendment 39-15109 (72 FR 33856, June 20, 2007).

Actions Since AD 2015-12-03 Was Issued

Since the FAA issued AD 2015-12-03, engineering testing revealed that the force being applied to the elevator to detect excessive freeplay was insufficient. The original bypass test setup for the power control unit (PCU), which used a hydraulic depressurization method, was found to be unreliable for putting the adjacent PCU into bypass mode, and a new elevator freeplay maintenance procedure is necessary. Model 777F airplanes were not added to the applicability in AD 2015-12-03 because there was a certification maintenance requirement (CMR) task to accomplish the freeplay inspections for those airplanes; therefore, the FAA has determined that it is necessary for operators to revise the maintenance or inspection program to update the elevator freeplay procedures for Model 777F airplanes.

FAA's Determination

The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 4, dated July 15, 2021. This service information specifies procedures for changing the elevator freeplay instructions by adding changes to the input force, elevator freeplay limit, and PCU bypass test setup.

This proposed AD would also require Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 2, dated January 27, 2014, which the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of July 21, 2015 (80 FR 34253, June 16, 2015).

This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2015-12-03 and require accomplishing the actions specified in accordance with updated service information, including corrective actions, such as repairs, already described for Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER airplanes. This proposed AD would also add Model 777F series airplanes to the applicability. For Model 777F series airplanes, this proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a new elevator freeplay maintenance procedure. For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this service information at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0148.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 281 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

Estimated Costs

Required actions	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product	Cost on U.S. operators (218)
Measurement (inspection), elevator	4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 per measurement (inspection) cycle	$0	$340 per measurement (inspection) cycle	$74,120 per measurement (inspection) cycle.
Lubrication, elevator	17 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,445 per lubrication cycle	0	$1,445 per lubrication cycle	$315,010 per lubrication cycle.
Measurement (inspection), rudder	4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 per measurement (inspection) cycle	0	$340 per measurement (inspection) cycle	$74,230 per measurement (inspection) cycle.
Lubrication, rudder	7 work-hours × $85 per hour = $595 per lubrication cycle	0	$595 per lubrication cycle	$129,710 per lubrication cycle.
Measurement (inspection), rudder tab	3 work-hours × $85 per hour = $255 per measurement (inspection) cycle	0	$255 per measurement (inspection) cycle	$55,590 per measurement (inspection) cycle.
Lubrication, rudder tab	5 work-hours × $85 per hour = $425 per lubrication cycle	0	$425 per lubrication cycle	$92,650 per lubrication cycle.

The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the agency to provide cost estimates for the on-condition corrective actions specified in this proposed AD.

The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. Therefore, the FAA estimates the average total cost per Model 777F operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours × $85 per work-hour).

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.

The FAA is 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

The FAA has 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 that the proposed regulation:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(3) Would 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-12-03, Amendment 39-18176 ( 80 FR 34252, June 16, 2015), and

b. Adding the following new AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2022-0148; Project Identifier AD-2021-00922-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by May 9, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

This AD replaces AD 2015-12-03, Amendment 39-18176 (80 FR 34252, June 16, 2015) (AD 2015-12-03).

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD.

(1) All Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER series airplanes.

(2) Model 777F airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before the effective date of this AD.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by the manufacturer's determination that the procedure for the rudder freeplay inspection available at the time did not properly detect excessive freeplay in the rudder control load loop. This AD was also prompted by engineering testing that revealed that the force being applied to the elevator to detect excessive freeplay was insufficient. The FAA is issuing this AD to address excessive wear in the load loop components of the control surfaces, which could lead to excessive freeplay of the control surfaces, flutter, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Retained Repetitive Inspections of Elevators, Rudder, and Rudder Tab, With Revised Service Information

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2015-12-03, with revised service information. For Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes: At the applicable times specified in tables 1, 2, and 3 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 2, dated January 27, 2014, or Revision 4, dated July 15, 2021, except as provided by paragraph (i)(1) of this AD: Inspect the freeplay of the right and left elevators, rudder, and rudder tab by accomplishing all of the actions specified in Parts 1, 3, and 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 2, dated January 27, 2014, or Revision 4, dated July 15, 2021, except as provided by paragraphs (i)(2) through (4) of this AD. Repeat the inspections thereafter at the intervals specified in tables 1, 2, and 3 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 2, dated January 27, 2014, or Revision 4, dated July 15, 2021. If, during any inspection required by this paragraph, the freeplay exceeds any applicable measurement specified in Part 1, 3, and 5, as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 2, dated January 27, 2014, or Revision 4, dated July 15, 2021, before further flight, do the applicable corrective actions in accordance with Part 1, 3, and 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 2, dated January 27, 2014, or Revision 4, dated July 15, 2021. After the effective date of this AD use only Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 4, dated July 15, 2021.

(h) Retained Repetitive Lubrication, With Revised Service Information

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2015-12-03, with revised service information. For Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER series airplanes: At the applicable times specified in tables 1, 2, and 3 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 2, dated January 27, 2014, or Revision 4, dated July 15, 2021, except as provided by paragraph (i)(1) of this AD: Lubricate the elevator components, rudder components, and rudder tab components, by accomplishing all of the actions specified in Parts 2, 4, and 6 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 2, dated January 27, 2014, or Revision 4, dated July 15, 2021. Repeat the lubrication thereafter at the interval specified in tables 1, 2, and 3 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 2, dated January 27, 2014, or Revision 4, dated July 15, 2021. After the effective date of this AD use only Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 4, dated July 15, 2021.

(i) Retained Exceptions to Service Information Specifications, With Revised Service Information

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2015-12-03, with revised service information, for Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER series airplanes.

(1) Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 2, dated January 27, 2014, and Revision 4, dated July 15, 2021, specify a compliance time “after the original issue date on this service bulletin,” this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after July 25, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-13-05, Amendment 39-15109 (72 FR 33856, June 20, 2007)). After the effective date of this AD, only Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 4, dated July 15, 2021, may be used.

(2) Where Appendix B, paragraph 1.f., “Freeplay Inspection,” step (8), of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 2, dated January 27, 2014, specifies that the center of the pad must be within 1.0 inch (13 millimeters) of the center line of the rib rivets in the rudder tab, this AD requires that the center of the tab must be within 1.0 inch (25 millimeters) of the center line of the rib rivets in the rudder tab.

(3) Where Appendix C, paragraph 1.e., “Rudder Tab Surface Freeplay—Inspection,” step (2) and step (6), of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 2, dated January 27, 2014, specify that the placement of the force gage and pad should be within one inch of the centerline line of the middle rudder PCU rib and at 12 +/−1 inch (305 +/−72 millimeters) forward of the rudder tab trailing edge, this AD requires placement of the force gage and pad within one inch of the centerline line of the middle rudder PCU rib and at 12 +/−1 inch (305 +/−25 millimeters) forward of the rudder tab trailing edge.

(4) Where Appendix C, paragraph 1.e., “Rudder Tab Surface Freeplay—Inspection,” step (3), of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 2, dated January 27, 2014, specifies to apply a 30 +/−pound (133 +/−14 newton) force, this AD requires applying a 30 +/−3 pound force (133 +/−14 newton) force.

(j) New Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

For Model 777F airplanes: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 777F elevator freeplay maintenance procedure in the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by doing the actions specified in paragraphs (j)(1) through (3) of this AD.

(1) Remove the existing hydraulic depressurization PCU test setup procedure step and replace it by incorporating the information specified in figure 1 to paragraph (j) of this AD.

(2) Revise the jack test force used to push the elevator up to 225 +/−10 lb (102.1 +/−4.5 kg).

(3) Revise the elevator freeplay dial indicator limit to 0.34 in. (152 mm) or less.

Note 1 to paragraph (j): Refer to AMM task 27-31-09-200-801, dated September 5, 2021, for additional guidance.

(k) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (m) of this AD.

(l) Credit for Previous Actions

This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0062, Revision 3, dated October 9, 2015.

(m) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (n)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [e-mail].

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office

(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.

(4) AMOCs approved previously for the freeplay measurements of the right and left rudder tab required by AD 2015-12-03, are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.

(5) AMOCs approved previously for the freeplay measurements of the rudder required by AD 2015-12-03, are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.

(6) AMOCs approved previously for the repetitive lubrications required by AD 2015-12-03, are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.

(n) Related Information

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Luis Cortez-Muniz, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone [phone]; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

Issued on February 18, 2022.

Lance T. Gant,

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.