E8-9113. Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection to determine the material of the forward and aft gray water drain masts. For airplanes having composite gray water drain masts, this AD also requires installation of a bonding jumper between a ground and the clamp on the tube of the forward and aft gray water composite drain masts. This AD results from a report of charred insulation blankets and burned wires around the forward gray water composite drain mast found during an inspection of the forward cargo compartment on a Model 767-300F airplane. We are issuing this AD to prevent a fire near a composite drain mast and possible disruption of the electrical power system due to a lightning strike on a composite drain mast, which could result in the loss of several functions essential for safe flight.

DATES:

This AD is effective June 6, 2008.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 6, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207.

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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The address for the Docket Office (telephone [phone]) is the Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nicholas Wilson, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to all Boeing Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on July 10, 2007 (72 FR 37475). That NPRM proposed to require a one-time inspection to determine the material of the forward and aft gray water drain masts. For airplanes having composite gray water drain masts, that NPRM also proposed to require installation of a bonding jumper between a ground and the clamp on the tube of the forward and aft gray water composite drain masts.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We have considered the single comment received.

Request To Remove Airplanes From the Applicability Statement of the Proposed AD

Boeing requests that we revise the applicability statement of the NPRM to remove certain airplanes. Boeing states that Model 777 airplanes beginning with line number 525 have a ground bracket and copper bonding jumper installed in production for the aft composite gray water drain mast, and an aluminum drain mast installed in the forward drain mast position. Additionally, Boeing points out that all Model 777-200LR series airplanes produced prior to line number 525 have a bonding jumper installed on the aft composite gray water drain mast and an aluminum forward gray water drain mast. Therefore, Boeing asserts that these airplanes should not be subject to this AD.

We partially agree. For the reasons Boeing stated, we have determined that these airplanes should not be subject to this AD. However, we do not agree to revise the applicability statement of this AD as suggested by Boeing. Instead, we have revised the applicability statement of this final rule to state, “This AD applies to Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-30-0014, dated July 24, 2006.” We have confirmed that the effectivities of these service bulletins match the applicability suggested by Boeing.

Explanation of Changes Made to This AD

We have confirmed with the airplane manufacturer that the composite and aluminum drain mast can be interchangeable. Therefore, we have added a new paragraph (i), “Parts Installation,” to this final rule to prohibit installation of a composite gray water drain mast, unless a bonding jumper is also installed, as specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. We have also re-identified subsequent paragraphs accordingly.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. We also determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

There are about 164 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this AD.

Estimated Costs

Action	Work hours	Average labor rate per hour	Parts	Cost per airplane	Number of U.S.-registered airplanes	Fleet cost
Inspection to determine gray water drain mast material	1	$80	None	$80	20	$1,600.
Installation of bonding jumper	4	80	Between $132 and $274, depending on kit and number of kits needed (1 or 2)	Between $452 and $594	Up to 20	Between $9,040 and $11,880.

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

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This 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 this AD:

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

(2) Is not a “significant rule” under 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.

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

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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 adding the following new AD:

2008-09-11 Boeing: Amendment 39-15492. Docket No. FAA-2007-28664; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-007-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 6, 2008.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-30-0014, dated July 24, 2006.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from a report of charred insulation blankets and burned wires around the forward gray water composite drain mast found during an inspection of the forward cargo compartment on a Model 767-300F airplane. We are issuing this AD to prevent a fire near a composite drain mast and possible disruption of the electrical power system due to a lightning strike on a composite drain mast, which could result in the loss of several functions essential for safe 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.

Inspection To Determine Material of Gray Water Drain Mast

(f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect the forward and aft gray water drain masts to determine whether the drain mast is made of aluminum or composite material. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the material of the forward and aft gray water drain masts can be conclusively determined from that review.

(1) For any aluminum gray water drain mast identified during the inspection or records check required by paragraph (f) of this AD, no further action is required by this AD for that drain mast only.

(2) For any composite gray water drain mast identified during the inspection or records check required by paragraph (f) of this AD, do the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

Installation of Bonding Jumper

(g) For any composite gray water drain mast identified during the inspection or records check required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, install a bonding jumper between a ground and the clamp on the tube of the gray water composite drain mast, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-30-0014, dated July 24, 2006.

Installation of Bonding Jumper Not Necessary for Aluminum Drain Masts

(h) For airplanes on which the forward composite drain mast has been replaced with an aluminum drain mast per Boeing Service Bulletin 777-38-0026: Installation of the bonding jumper specified in paragraph (g) of this AD is not required for the forward gray water drain mast, as specified in Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-30-0014, dated July 24, 2006.

Parts Installation

(i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any airplane, a composite gray water drain mast, unless a bonding jumper is also installed, as specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(j)(1) 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.

(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 appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(k) You must use Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-30-0014, dated July 24, 2006, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207.

(3) You may review copies of the service information incorporated by reference at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/​federal_​register/​code_​of_​federal_​regulations/​ibr_​locations.html.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 17, 2008.

Ali Bahrami,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.