Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200, -200ER, and -300 Series Airplanes, 10337-10339 [05-4073]
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10337
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 70, No. 41
Thursday, March 3, 2005
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
producer-handler provision, will not be
heard at this time.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674.
Dated: March 1, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. 05–4176 Filed 3–1–05; 1:50 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 1033
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. AO–166–A72; DA–05–01]
Federal Aviation Administration
Milk in the Mideast Marketing Area;
Amendment to Hearing on Proposed
Amendments to Tentative Marketing
Agreement and Order
14 CFR Part 39
AGENCY:
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
Proposed rule; amendment to
public hearing on proposed rulemaking.
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing
Service is withdrawing from the notice
of hearing that appeared in the Federal
Register of February 17, 2005 (70 FR
8043), to consider proposals to amend
certain provisions of the Mideast
Federal milk marketing order, a
proposal regarding producer-handler
regulation. Due to unforeseen
circumstances, Proposal 10, which
would modify the producer-handler
definition will not be heard at this time.
The proposal to amend the producerhandler definition will be addressed at
a future hearing. The date, time and
location of the future hearing has yet to
be determined. All other proposals as
originally published in the February 17,
2005, notice of hearing will still be
addressed.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gino Tosi, Marketing Specialist, Order
Formulation and Enforcement Branch,
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs, Stop
0231—Room 2971, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250–
0231, (202) 690–1366, e-mail address:
gino.tosi@usda.gov.
The notice
of hearing was published in the Federal
Register on February 17, 2005 (70 FR
8043), containing 11 proposals to be
considered at a public hearing
scheduled to begin on March 7, 2005.
Due to unforeseen circumstances,
Proposal 10, which sought to amend the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate jul<14>2003
12:11 Mar 02, 2005
Jkt 205001
[Docket No. FAA–2005–20475; Directorate
Identifier 2004–NM–157–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing
Model 777–200, –200ER, and –300
Series Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 777–200, –200ER,
and –300 series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require
modification of the splice plate
assemblies installed under the floor
panels at the forward and aft edges of
the cabin aisle. This proposed AD is
prompted by reports of cracking of the
aluminum splice plates under the floor
panels in the cabin aisle. We are
proposing this AD to prevent loss of the
capability of the cabin floor and seat
track structure to support the airplane
interior inertia loads under emergency
landing conditions. Loss of this support
could lead to galley or seat separation
from attached restraints, which could
result in blocking of the emergency exits
and consequent injury to passengers and
crew.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by April 18, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
proposed AD.
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://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: (202) 493–2251.
• 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 https://
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–
20475; the directorate identifier for this
docket is 2004–NM–157–AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary
Oltman, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055–4056; telephone (425) 917–6443;
fax (425) 917–6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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–
2005–20475; Directorate Identifier
2004–NM–157–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 https://
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 Web
site, anyone can find and read the
E:\FR\FM\03MRP1.SGM
03MRP1
10338
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 41 / Thursday, March 3, 2005 / Proposed Rules
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 https://
dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://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
(800) 647–5227) 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
that cracking of the aluminum splice
plates installed at the forward and aft
edges under the floor panels in the
cabin was found during routine
maintenance on several Model 777
series airplanes. The floor panels are
attached with fasteners that pass
through the floor panel and connect to
a threaded nut plate on the splice plate.
The airplanes had accumulated between
1,375 and 14,614 total flight cycles.
Analysis shows that the cracking of the
splice plates is due to repeated bending
from frequent traffic in the cabin aisle.
This condition, if not corrected, could
result in loss of the capability of the
cabin floor and seat track structure to
support the airplane interior inertia
loads under emergency landing
conditions. Loss of this support could
lead to galley or seat separation from
attached restraints, which could result
in blocking of the emergency exits and
consequent injury to passengers and
crew.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 777–53–
0042, dated April 15, 2004. The service
bulletin describes procedures for
modification of the splice plate
assemblies under the floor panels at the
forward and aft edges of the cabin aisle.
The modification involves replacing the
existing aluminum splice plate
assemblies with new fiberglass laminate
assemblies; and marking the service
bulletin number on the top of the floor
panel. The modification also includes
replacing any damaged fasteners with
VerDate jul<14>2003
12:11 Mar 02, 2005
Jkt 205001
new fasteners. 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
‘‘Differences Between the Proposed AD
and Service Bulletin.’’
Differences Between the Proposed AD
and Service Bulletin
The service bulletin recommends
accomplishing the modification at the
next scheduled heavy maintenance
check, not to exceed 72 months from the
service bulletin release date. We have
determined that, because maintenance
schedules vary among operators, and in
order to address the unsafe condition in
a timely manner, this proposed AD
would require compliance within 60
months after the effective date of this
AD. In developing an appropriate
compliance time for this proposed AD,
we considered not only the
manufacturer’s recommendation, but
the degree of urgency associated with
addressing the subject unsafe condition,
the average utilization of the affected
fleet, and the time necessary to perform
the modification. In light of all of these
factors, we find a compliance time of 60
months for completing the modification
to be warranted, in that it represents an
appropriate interval of time for affected
airplanes to continue to operate without
compromising safety.
The applicability of the service
bulletin inadvertently excluded Boeing
Model 777–200ER series airplanes.
Therefore, this proposed AD includes a
requirement that the actions specified in
the service bulletin be accomplished on
those airplanes. This requirement would
ensure that the actions specified in the
service bulletin, and required by this
proposed AD, are accomplished on all
affected airplanes.
The service bulletin also recommends
marking the service bulletin number on
the top of the floor panel assembly, but
this proposed AD would not require that
action. We find that, with a variety of
marking methods and panel locations,
this marking could not be accurately
verified.
These differences have been
coordinated with the manufacturer.
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Costs of Compliance
There are about 330 airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet.
This proposed AD would affect about
131 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
proposed modification would take about
28 work hours per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour.
Required parts would cost between
$4,717 and $9,099 per airplane. Based
on these figures, the estimated cost of
the proposed AD for U.S. operators is
between $856,347 and $1,430,389, or
between $6,537 and $10,919 per
airplane.
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 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.
E:\FR\FM\03MRP1.SGM
03MRP1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 41 / Thursday, March 3, 2005 / Proposed Rules
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:
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(h) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 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
22, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05–4073 Filed 3–2–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA–2005–20475;
Directorate Identifier 2004–NM–157–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) must receive comments on this AD
action by April 18, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 777–
200, –200ER, and –300 series airplanes,
certificated in any category; as listed in
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin
777–53–0042, dated April 15, 2004.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of
cracking of the aluminum splice plates under
the floor panels in the cabin aisle. We are
issuing this AD to prevent loss of the
capability of the cabin floor and seat track
structure to support the airplane interior
inertia loads under emergency landing
conditions. Loss of this support could lead to
galley or seat separation from attached
restraints, which could result in blocking of
the emergency exits and consequent injury to
passengers and crew.
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.
Modification
(f) Within 60 months after the effective
date of this AD: Except as provided by
paragraph (g) of this AD, modify the splice
plate assemblies installed under the floor
panels at the forward and aft edges of the
cabin aisle (including replacement of
damaged fasteners with new fasteners) in
accordance with Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 777–53–0042, dated April
15, 2004.
(g) The referenced service bulletin
recommends marking the service bulletin
number on the top of the floor panel
assembly, but this proposed AD does not
require that action.
VerDate jul<14>2003
12:11 Mar 02, 2005
Jkt 205001
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2005–20474; Directorate
Identifier 2004–NM–221–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model
A300 B2–203 and B4–203 Series
Airplanes; Model A310 Series
Airplanes; Model A300 B4–600, B4–
600R, and F4–600R Series Airplanes,
and Model C4–605R Variant F
Airplanes (Collectively Called A300–
600)
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus transport category
airplanes. This proposed AD would
require an inspection to determine if the
suspect part numbers (P/N) and serial
numbers of certain Thales Avionics
equipment is installed, and replacement
of any suspect part with a modified part
having a new P/N. This proposed AD is
prompted by reports of loss of the
digital distance radio magnetic indicator
and subsequent loss of both very high
frequency omnidirectional range
indicators, both distance measuring
equipment, and one centralized
maintenance computer. We are
proposing this AD to prevent loss of
navigation indications on the primary
flight display requiring continuation of
the flight on emergency instruments,
which could lead to reduced ability to
control the airplane in adverse
conditions.
We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by April 4, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
proposed AD.
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
10339
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://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: (202) 493–2251.
• 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 Airbus, 1
Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France.
You can examine the contents of this
AD docket on the Internet at https://
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–
20474; the directorate identifier for this
docket is 2004–NM–221–AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim
Backman, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2797;
fax (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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–
2004–20474; Directorate Identifier
2004–NM–221–AD’’ at the beginning 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 https://
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 our docket
Web site, anyone can find and read the
comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual
E:\FR\FM\03MRP1.SGM
03MRP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 41 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10337-10339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4073]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20475; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-157-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200, -200ER, 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, -200ER, and -300 series airplanes.
This proposed AD would require modification of the splice plate
assemblies installed under the floor panels at the forward and aft
edges of the cabin aisle. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of
cracking of the aluminum splice plates under the floor panels in the
cabin aisle. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of the capability
of the cabin floor and seat track structure to support the airplane
interior inertia loads under emergency landing conditions. Loss of this
support could lead to galley or seat separation from attached
restraints, which could result in blocking of the emergency exits and
consequent injury to passengers and crew.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 18, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
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: (202) 493-2251.
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
https://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-2005-20475; the directorate identifier for this
docket is 2004-NM-157-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Oltman, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
917-6443; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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-2005-20475;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-157-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 https://
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 Web site, anyone can find and read the
[[Page 10338]]
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 https://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
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 (800) 647-
5227) 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 that cracking of the aluminum
splice plates installed at the forward and aft edges under the floor
panels in the cabin was found during routine maintenance on several
Model 777 series airplanes. The floor panels are attached with
fasteners that pass through the floor panel and connect to a threaded
nut plate on the splice plate. The airplanes had accumulated between
1,375 and 14,614 total flight cycles. Analysis shows that the cracking
of the splice plates is due to repeated bending from frequent traffic
in the cabin aisle. This condition, if not corrected, could result in
loss of the capability of the cabin floor and seat track structure to
support the airplane interior inertia loads under emergency landing
conditions. Loss of this support could lead to galley or seat
separation from attached restraints, which could result in blocking of
the emergency exits and consequent injury to passengers and crew.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-53-
0042, dated April 15, 2004. The service bulletin describes procedures
for modification of the splice plate assemblies under the floor panels
at the forward and aft edges of the cabin aisle. The modification
involves replacing the existing aluminum splice plate assemblies with
new fiberglass laminate assemblies; and marking the service bulletin
number on the top of the floor panel. The modification also includes
replacing any damaged fasteners with new fasteners. 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
``Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.''
Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin
The service bulletin recommends accomplishing the modification at
the next scheduled heavy maintenance check, not to exceed 72 months
from the service bulletin release date. We have determined that,
because maintenance schedules vary among operators, and in order to
address the unsafe condition in a timely manner, this proposed AD would
require compliance within 60 months after the effective date of this
AD. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this proposed AD,
we considered not only the manufacturer's recommendation, but the
degree of urgency associated with addressing the subject unsafe
condition, the average utilization of the affected fleet, and the time
necessary to perform the modification. In light of all of these
factors, we find a compliance time of 60 months for completing the
modification to be warranted, in that it represents an appropriate
interval of time for affected airplanes to continue to operate without
compromising safety.
The applicability of the service bulletin inadvertently excluded
Boeing Model 777-200ER series airplanes. Therefore, this proposed AD
includes a requirement that the actions specified in the service
bulletin be accomplished on those airplanes. This requirement would
ensure that the actions specified in the service bulletin, and required
by this proposed AD, are accomplished on all affected airplanes.
The service bulletin also recommends marking the service bulletin
number on the top of the floor panel assembly, but this proposed AD
would not require that action. We find that, with a variety of marking
methods and panel locations, this marking could not be accurately
verified.
These differences have been coordinated with the manufacturer.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 330 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 131 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed modification would take about 28 work hours
per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required
parts would cost between $4,717 and $9,099 per airplane. Based on these
figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is
between $856,347 and $1,430,389, or between $6,537 and $10,919 per
airplane.
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 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.
[[Page 10339]]
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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2005-20475; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
157-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by April 18, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 777-200, -200ER, and -300
series airplanes, certificated in any category; as listed in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-53-0042, dated April 15,
2004.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the aluminum
splice plates under the floor panels in the cabin aisle. We are
issuing this AD to prevent loss of the capability of the cabin floor
and seat track structure to support the airplane interior inertia
loads under emergency landing conditions. Loss of this support could
lead to galley or seat separation from attached restraints, which
could result in blocking of the emergency exits and consequent
injury to passengers and crew.
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.
Modification
(f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: Except
as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD, modify the splice plate
assemblies installed under the floor panels at the forward and aft
edges of the cabin aisle (including replacement of damaged fasteners
with new fasteners) in accordance with Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 777-53-0042, dated April 15, 2004.
(g) The referenced service bulletin recommends marking the
service bulletin number on the top of the floor panel assembly, but
this proposed AD does not require that action.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
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 22, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-4073 Filed 3-2-05; 8:45 am]
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