05-2838. Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting the valve control and indication wire bundles of the fuel system of the wing rear spar for discrepancies, and corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of six incidents of the wire bundles chafing against the rear spar stiffeners outside the fuel tank. We are proposing this AD to prevent this chafing, which could result in wire damage leading to a short circuit, subsequent ignition of flammable vapors, and possible uncontrollable fire during fueling or flight.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 1, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on this proposed AD.

• DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590.
• By fax: [phone].
• Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, 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, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207.

You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov,, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20350; the directorate identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-202-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Georgios Roussos, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in the form “Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.” The Transport Airplane Directorate identifier is in the form “Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-999-AD.” Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier (“Old Docket Number”) as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include “Docket No. FAA-2005-20350; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-202-AD” in the subject line of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of that website, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you can visit http://dms.dot.gov.

We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of our communications that affect you. You can get more information about plain language at http://www.faa.gov/​language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket

You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov,, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone [phone]) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

We have received reports indicating six incidents of the valve control and indication wire bundles of the fuel system chafing against the rear spar stiffeners outside the fuel tank on Boeing Model 777 series airplanes. Since this wire bundle is located in a high-vibration area, chafing can lead to potential wire damage, and a short circuit could occur. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in wire damage leading to a short circuit, subsequent ignition of flammable vapors, and possible uncontrollable fire during fueling or flight.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0033, dated August 14, 2003. The service bulletin describes procedures for inspecting the valve control and indication wire bundles of the fuel system of the wing rear spar for discrepancies (chafing damage and incorrect routing), and corrective action if necessary. The corrective action involves repairing any damage and modifying the wire bundle routing, as applicable. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously, except as discussed under “Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.”

Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin

The proposed AD identifies the correct part number (P/N) for a certain clamp for which an incorrect P/N was specified in the service bulletin. P/N BACC10GU105P, shown in the part list table of Kit 005W3225 and in the step tables in Figures 3 and 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin, is not a valid P/N; the correct P/N is BACC10JU105P. The manufacturer is aware of this discrepancy, concurs with the change, and has issued Information Notice (IN) 777-28-0033 IN 01, dated January 29, 2004, to inform operators of the error. We have included this information in paragraph (f) of this proposed AD.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

In this proposed AD, the “inspection” of the wire bundles, as specified in the service bulletin is referred to as a “detailed inspection.” We have included the definition for a detailed inspection in a note in the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

There are about 403 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 129 airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed inspection would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed inspection for U.S. operators is $8,385, or $65 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the United States Code. 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.

This rulemaking is promulgated 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 proposed AD.

Regulatory Findings

We have determined that this proposed AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed 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 the 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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2005-20350; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-202--AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive comments on this AD action by April 1, 2005.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0033, dated August 14, 2003.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD was prompted by reports of six incidents of the valve control and indication wire bundles of the fuel system chafing against the rear spar stiffeners outside the fuel tank. We are issuing this AD to prevent this chafing, which could result in wire damage leading to a short circuit, subsequent ignition of flammable vapors, and possible uncontrollable fire during fueling or 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.

Detailed Inspection/Corrective Action

(f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a detailed inspection of the valve control and indication wire bundles of the fuel system of the wing rear spar for discrepancies (including any applicable corrective action), by doing all the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-0033, dated August 14, 2003. Any applicable corrective action must be done before further flight. Part number (P/N) BACC10GU105P, shown in the part list table of Kit 005W3225 and in the step tables in Figures 3 and 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin, is not a valid P/N; the correct P/N that must be used is P/N BACC10JU105P.

Note 1:

For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: “An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.”

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(g) 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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 6, 2005.

Ali Bahrami,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.