Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER Series Airplanes, 81508-81512 [2010-32657]
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81508
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 75, No. 248
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
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 TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2010–1205; Directorate
Identifier 2010–NM–146–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Model 777–200, –200LR,
–300, and –300ER Series Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Model 777–200, –200LR, –300, and
–300ER series airplanes. This proposed
AD would require, for certain airplanes,
replacing certain boost pump relays
with ground fault interrupter (GFI)
relays. For certain other airplanes, this
proposed AD would require installing
new panels in the main equipment
center, making certain wiring changes,
installing new GFI relays in the new
panels, and installing new electrical
load management system (ELMS)
software. For certain other airplanes,
this proposed AD would require doing
certain bond resistance measurements,
and corrective actions if necessary. This
proposed AD results from fuel system
reviews conducted by the manufacturer.
We are proposing this AD to prevent the
potential of ignition sources inside fuel
tanks, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could result in a
fuel tank explosion and consequent loss
of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by February 11, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations,
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SUMMARY:
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M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations,
M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590,
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For Boeing 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; e-mail
me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet
https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
For Smiths and GE Aviation service
information identified in this proposed
AD, contact GE Aviation, Customer
Services—Clearwater, P.O. Box 9013,
Clearwater, Florida 33758; telephone
727–539–1631; fax 727–539–0680;
e-mail cs.support@ge.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 https://
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
(telephone 800–647–5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM–
130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057–3356; telephone
(425) 917–6482; fax (425) 917–6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
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this proposed AD. Send your comments
to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2010–1205; Directorate Identifier
2010–NM–146–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 https://
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
The FAA has examined the
underlying safety issues involved in fuel
tank explosions on several large
transport airplanes, including the
adequacy of existing regulations, the
service history of airplanes subject to
those regulations, and existing
maintenance practices for fuel tank
systems. As a result of those findings,
we issued a regulation titled ‘‘Transport
Airplane Fuel Tank System Design
Review, Flammability Reduction and
Maintenance and Inspection
Requirements’’ (66 FR 23086, May 7,
2001). In addition to new airworthiness
standards for transport airplanes and
new maintenance requirements, this
rule included Special Federal Aviation
Regulation No. 88 (‘‘SFAR 88,’’
Amendment 21–78, and subsequent
Amendments 21–82 and 21–83).
Among other actions, SFAR 88
requires certain type design (i.e., type
certificate (TC) and supplemental type
certificate (STC)) holders to substantiate
that their fuel tank systems can prevent
ignition sources in the fuel tanks. This
requirement applies to type design
holders for large turbine-powered
transport airplanes and for subsequent
modifications to those airplanes. It
requires them to perform design reviews
and to develop design changes and
maintenance procedures if their designs
do not meet the new fuel tank safety
standards. As explained in the preamble
to the rule, we intended to adopt
airworthiness directives to mandate any
changes found necessary to address
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 28, 2010 / Proposed Rules
unsafe conditions identified as a result
of these reviews.
In evaluating these design reviews, we
have established four criteria intended
to define the unsafe conditions
associated with fuel tank systems that
require corrective actions. The
percentage of operating time during
which fuel tanks are exposed to
flammable conditions is one of these
criteria. The other three criteria address
the failure types under evaluation:
single failures, single failures in
combination with a latent condition(s),
and in-service failure experience. For all
four criteria, the evaluations included
consideration of previous actions taken
that may mitigate the need for further
action.
We have determined that the actions
identified in this AD are necessary to
reduce the potential of ignition sources
inside fuel tanks, which, in combination
with flammable fuel vapors, could result
in a fuel tank explosion and consequent
loss of the airplane.
As part of the SFAR 88 analysis,
Boeing found indications of wiring
deterioration that could cause electrical
faults in the main tank boost pumps,
main tank jettison pumps, or center tank
override/jettison pumps could result in
an overheat or electrical arc condition
that could provide an ignition source in
the fuel tanks. Also, uncommanded dry
operation of the main tank jettison
pumps or the center tank override/
jettison pumps could result from
electrical faults or a single failure in the
pump switch or the electrical load
control unit (ELCU). Extended dry
operation of the pump could cause an
overheat condition, electrical arc, or
frictional sparks, providing an ignition
source in the fuel tanks. These ignition
sources, in combination with flammable
81509
fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank
explosion and consequent loss of the
airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Service
Bulletin 777–28A0038, Revision 1,
dated September 20, 2010. That service
bulletin describes procedures for
replacing 4 main tank boost pump
relays in electrical load management
system (ELMS) panels P110, P210, and
P320, with new ground fault interrupter
(GFI) relays.
Boeing Service Bulletin 777–
28A0038, Revision 1, dated September
20, 2010, references the service bulletins
identified in the following table as
additional sources of guidance for
replacing the main tank boost pump
relays.
TABLE—SERVICE BULLETINS FOR BOEING SERVICE BULLETIN 777–28A0038
Revision level
GE Aviation Service Bulletin 4000ELM–28–
448.
GE Aviation Service Bulletin 4000ELM–28–
451.
GE Aviation Service Bulletin 5000ELM–28–
446.
GE Aviation Service Bulletin 5000ELM–28–
449.
Smiths Service Bulletin 4000ELM–28–445 ....
Smiths Service Bulletin 4000ELM–28–465 ....
Smiths Service Bulletin 5000ELM–28–443 ....
Smiths Service Bulletin 5000ELM–28–463 ....
Smiths Service Bulletin 6000ELM–28–444 ....
Smiths Service Bulletin 6000ELM–28–447 ....
Smiths Service Bulletin 6000ELM–28–450 ....
Smiths Service Bulletin 6000ELM–28–464 ....
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Service bulletin
1 ..........................................................
January 7, 2010.
1 ..........................................................
January 7, 2010.
1 ..........................................................
January 7, 2010.
1 ..........................................................
January 7, 2010.
Original
Original
Original
Original
Original
Original
Original
Original
August
August
August
August
August
August
August
August
We have also reviewed Boeing Service
Bulletin 777–28A0037, Revision 2,
dated September 20, 2010. That service
bulletin describes procedures for certain
airplanes, for installing new panels,
P301 and P302, in the main equipment
center; making certain wiring changes;
installing new GFI relays in the P301
and P302 panels; and installing new
ELMS software. For certain airplanes,
that service bulletin describes
procedures for measuring the bond
resistance between the terminal lugs on
certain studs and a ground bracket
assembly, and corrective action if
necessary. The corrective actions
include repairing (cleaning of applicable
components with solvent) or replacing
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(replacing applicable components with
new components) affected components.
Boeing Service Bulletin 777–
28A0039, Revision 2, dated September
20, 2010, is an additional source of
guidance for installing ELMS software.
Smiths Service Bulletin 5000ELM–
28–454, dated August 13, 2007; and GE
Aviation Service Bulletin 6000ELM–28–
455, Revision 1, dated February 1, 2010;
are additional sources of guidance for
making wiring changes in the P110 and
P210 panels.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of This Proposed AD
8,
8,
8,
8,
8,
8,
8,
8,
2007.
2007.
2007.
2007.
2007.
2007.
2007.
2007.
determined the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop in other products of the same
type design. This proposed AD would
require accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information
described previously.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
would affect 130 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The following table provides
the estimated costs for U.S. operators to
comply with this proposed AD.
We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all relevant information and
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Replacements: Group 1 airplanes
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777–28A0038.
Replacements: Group 2 airplanes
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777–28A0038.
Replacements: Group 3 airplanes
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777–28A0038.
Replacements: Group 4 airplanes
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777–28A0038.
Installations and Measurement:
Boeing Service Bulletin 777–
28A0037.
Action
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Work hours
17:55 Dec 27, 2010
85
4
Jkt 223001
76
85
85
85
3
4
$85
3
Average labor rate
per hour
Parts
29,934
17,816
37,257
52,545
$25,577
TABLE—ESTIMATED COSTS
36,394
18,156
37,597
52,800
$25,832
Cost per product
130
0
4
0
126
Number of U.S.-registered airplanes
4,731,220.
No airplanes currently on
U.S. Register.
150,388.
No airplanes currently on
U.S. Register.
$3,254,832.
Fleet cost
81510
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 28, 2010 / Proposed Rules
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 28, 2010 / Proposed Rules
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), 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
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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:
section of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness to include limitations for the
fuel tank systems. One of the limitations,
AWL 28–AWL–18, requires a repetitive
inspection of the ground fault interrupter
(GFI) functions.
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
Installations and Software Changes
(g) For Group 1 and 2 airplanes identified
as Configuration 2 in Boeing Service Bulletin
777–28A0037, Revision 2, dated September
20, 2010: Within 36 months after the effective
date of this AD, install new panels, P301 and
P302, in the main equipment center; make
certain wiring changes; install new GFI relays
in the P301 and P302 panels; and install new
electrical load management system (ELMS)
software; as applicable. Do the applicable
actions in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Service Bulletin 777–28A0037, Revision 2,
dated September 20, 2010.
Note 2: Boeing Service Bulletin 777–
28A0039, Revision 2, dated September 20,
2010, is an additional source of guidance for
installing ELMS software.
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:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA–
2010–1205; Directorate Identifier 2010–
NM–146–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by February
11, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) AD 2008–11–13, Amendment
39–15536, affects this AD.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to The Boeing
Company Model 777–200, –200LR, –300, and
–300ER series airplanes, certificated in any
category; as identified in the service
information specified in paragraphs (c)(1)
and (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Boeing Service Bulletin 777–28A0038,
Revision 1, dated September 20, 2010.
(2) Boeing Service Bulletin 777–28A0037,
Revision 2, dated September 20, 2010.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 28: Fuel.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from fuel system
reviews conducted by the manufacturer. The
Federal Aviation Administration is issuing
this AD to prevent the potential of ignition
sources inside fuel tanks, which, in
combination with flammable fuel vapors,
could result in a fuel tank explosion and
consequent loss of the airplane.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the
actions required by this AD performed within
the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Related Airworthiness Limitation
Note 1: AD 2008–11–13 requires a revision
of the Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs)
Note 3: Smiths Service Bulletin 5000ELM–
28–454, dated August 13, 2007; and GE
Aviation Service Bulletin 6000ELM–28–455,
Revision 1, dated February 1, 2010; are
additional sources of guidance for making a
wiring change in the P110 and P210 panels,
respectively.
(h) For Group 1 and 2 airplanes identified
as Configuration 1 in Boeing Service Bulletin
777–28A0037, Revision 2, dated September
20, 2010: Within 36 months after the effective
date of this AD, do bonding resistance
measurements to verify bonding
requirements as specified in Boeing Service
Bulletin 777–28A0037, Revision 2, dated
September 20, 2010, are met, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Service Bulletin 777–28A0037,
Revision 2, dated September 20, 2010.
Replacement of GFI Relays
(i) For airplanes identified in Boeing
Service Bulletin 777–28A0038, Revision 1,
dated September 20, 2010: Within 60 months
after the effective date of this AD, replace 4
main tank boost pump relays in electrical
load management system panels P110, P210,
and P320 with new GFI relays, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Service Bulletin 777–28A0038,
Revision 1, dated September 20, 2010.
Note 4: Boeing Service Bulletin 777–
28A0038, Revision 1, dated September 20,
2010, references the service bulletins
identified in Table 1 of this AD as additional
sources of guidance for replacing the main
tank boost pump relays.
TABLE 1—ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF GUIDANCE FOR REPLACING THE MAIN TANK BOOST PUMP RELAYS
Group No. of airplanes, as
identified in Boeing Service
Bulletin 777–28A0038, Revision 1, dated September
20, 2010
Panel No.
Group 1 ...............................
P110
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Service bulletin
Smiths
Service
5000ELM–28–443.
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Revision level
Bulletin
Fmt 4702
Original ..............................
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Date
August 8, 2007.
28DEP1
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 28, 2010 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 1—ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF GUIDANCE FOR REPLACING THE MAIN TANK BOOST PUMP RELAYS—Continued
Group No. of airplanes, as
identified in Boeing Service
Bulletin 777–28A0038, Revision 1, dated September
20, 2010
Panel No.
Group 1 ...............................
P210
Group 1 ...............................
P320
Group 2 ...............................
P110
Group 2 ...............................
P210
Group 2 ...............................
P320
Group 3 ...............................
P110
Group 3 ...............................
P210
Group 3 ...............................
P320
Group 4 ...............................
P110
Group 4 ...............................
P210
Group 4 ...............................
P320
Service bulletin
Smiths
Service
6000ELM–28–444.
Smiths
Service
4000ELM–28–445.
GE Aviation Service
5000ELM–28–446.
Smiths
Service
6000ELM–28–447.
GE Aviation Service
4000ELM–28–448.
GE Aviation Service
5000ELM–28–449.
Smiths
Service
6000ELM–28–450.
GE Aviation Service
4000ELM–28–451.
Smiths
Service
5000ELM–28–463.
Smiths
Service
6000ELM–28–464.
Smiths
Service
4000ELM–28–465.
Revision level
Bulletin
Original ..............................
August 8, 2007.
Bulletin
Original ..............................
August 8, 2007.
Bulletin
1 ........................................
January 7, 2010.
Bulletin
Original ..............................
August 8, 2007.
Bulletin
1 ........................................
January 7, 2010.
Bulletin
1 ........................................
January 7, 2010.
Bulletin
Original ..............................
August 8, 2007.
Bulletin
1 ........................................
January 7, 2010.
Bulletin
Original ..............................
August 8, 2007.
Bulletin
Original ..............................
August 8, 2007.
Bulletin
Original ..............................
August 8, 2007.
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Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement
(j) A federal agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, nor shall a person be subject to
a penalty for failure to comply with a
collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction
Act unless that collection of information
displays a current valid OMB Control
Number. The OMB Control Number for this
information collection is 2120–0056. Public
reporting for this collection of information is
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per
response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to
this collection of information are mandatory.
Comments concerning the accuracy of this
burden and suggestions for reducing the
burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC
20591, Attn: Information Collection
Clearance Officer, AES–200.
(PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI),
as appropriate, or lacking a principal
inspector, your local Flight Standards District
Office. The AMOC approval letter must
specifically reference this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on
December 17, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(k)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Send information to Attn: Georgios Roussos,
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment
Branch, ANM–130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98057–3356; telephone
(425) 917–6482; fax (425) 917–6590.
Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(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 principal maintenance inspector
RIN 2120–AA64
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[FR Doc. 2010–32657 Filed 12–27–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2010–1204; Directorate
Identifier 2010–NM–147–AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Various
Aviation Communication &
Surveillance Systems (ACSS) Traffic
Alert and Collision Avoidance System
(TCAS) Units
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for various
aircraft equipped with certain ACSS
TCAS units. This proposed AD would
require upgrading software. This
proposed AD results from reports of
SUMMARY:
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Date
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anomalies with TCAS units during a
flight test over a high density airport.
The TCAS units dropped several
reduced surveillance aircraft tracks
because of interference limiting. We are
proposing this AD to prevent TCAS
units from dropping tracks, which could
compromise separation of air traffic and
lead to subsequent mid-air collisions.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by February 11, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://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: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Aviation
Communication & Surveillance
Systems, LLC, 19810 North 7th Avenue,
Phoenix, Arizona 85027–4741;
telephone (623) 445–7040; fax (623)
445–7004; e-mail acss.orderadmin@L3com.com; Internet https://
www.acss.com. You may review copies
of the referenced service information at
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 28, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 81508-81512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-32657]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
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.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 28, 2010 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 81508]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-1205; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-146-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -
200LR, -300, and -300ER Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require, for certain airplanes, replacing certain
boost pump relays with ground fault interrupter (GFI) relays. For
certain other airplanes, this proposed AD would require installing new
panels in the main equipment center, making certain wiring changes,
installing new GFI relays in the new panels, and installing new
electrical load management system (ELMS) software. For certain other
airplanes, this proposed AD would require doing certain bond resistance
measurements, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD
results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are
proposing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside
fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could
result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 11,
2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For Boeing 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; e-mail
me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
For Smiths and GE Aviation service information identified in this
proposed AD, contact GE Aviation, Customer Services--Clearwater, P.O.
Box 9013, Clearwater, Florida 33758; telephone 727-539-1631; fax 727-
539-0680; e-mail cs.support@ge.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 https://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 (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 917-6482; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-1205;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-146-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 https://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
The FAA has examined the underlying safety issues involved in fuel
tank explosions on several large transport airplanes, including the
adequacy of existing regulations, the service history of airplanes
subject to those regulations, and existing maintenance practices for
fuel tank systems. As a result of those findings, we issued a
regulation titled ``Transport Airplane Fuel Tank System Design Review,
Flammability Reduction and Maintenance and Inspection Requirements''
(66 FR 23086, May 7, 2001). In addition to new airworthiness standards
for transport airplanes and new maintenance requirements, this rule
included Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 (``SFAR 88,''
Amendment 21-78, and subsequent Amendments 21-82 and 21-83).
Among other actions, SFAR 88 requires certain type design (i.e.,
type certificate (TC) and supplemental type certificate (STC)) holders
to substantiate that their fuel tank systems can prevent ignition
sources in the fuel tanks. This requirement applies to type design
holders for large turbine-powered transport airplanes and for
subsequent modifications to those airplanes. It requires them to
perform design reviews and to develop design changes and maintenance
procedures if their designs do not meet the new fuel tank safety
standards. As explained in the preamble to the rule, we intended to
adopt airworthiness directives to mandate any changes found necessary
to address
[[Page 81509]]
unsafe conditions identified as a result of these reviews.
In evaluating these design reviews, we have established four
criteria intended to define the unsafe conditions associated with fuel
tank systems that require corrective actions. The percentage of
operating time during which fuel tanks are exposed to flammable
conditions is one of these criteria. The other three criteria address
the failure types under evaluation: single failures, single failures in
combination with a latent condition(s), and in-service failure
experience. For all four criteria, the evaluations included
consideration of previous actions taken that may mitigate the need for
further action.
We have determined that the actions identified in this AD are
necessary to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel
tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result
in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
As part of the SFAR 88 analysis, Boeing found indications of wiring
deterioration that could cause electrical faults in the main tank boost
pumps, main tank jettison pumps, or center tank override/jettison pumps
could result in an overheat or electrical arc condition that could
provide an ignition source in the fuel tanks. Also, uncommanded dry
operation of the main tank jettison pumps or the center tank override/
jettison pumps could result from electrical faults or a single failure
in the pump switch or the electrical load control unit (ELCU). Extended
dry operation of the pump could cause an overheat condition, electrical
arc, or frictional sparks, providing an ignition source in the fuel
tanks. These ignition sources, in combination with flammable fuel
vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of
the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0038, Revision 1,
dated September 20, 2010. That service bulletin describes procedures
for replacing 4 main tank boost pump relays in electrical load
management system (ELMS) panels P110, P210, and P320, with new ground
fault interrupter (GFI) relays.
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0038, Revision 1, dated September
20, 2010, references the service bulletins identified in the following
table as additional sources of guidance for replacing the main tank
boost pump relays.
Table--Service Bulletins for Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0038
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service bulletin Revision level Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GE Aviation Service Bulletin 1................. January 7, 2010.
4000ELM-28-448.
GE Aviation Service Bulletin 1................. January 7, 2010.
4000ELM-28-451.
GE Aviation Service Bulletin 1................. January 7, 2010.
5000ELM-28-446.
GE Aviation Service Bulletin 1................. January 7, 2010.
5000ELM-28-449.
Smiths Service Bulletin 4000ELM- Original.......... August 8, 2007.
28-445.
Smiths Service Bulletin 4000ELM- Original.......... August 8, 2007.
28-465.
Smiths Service Bulletin 5000ELM- Original.......... August 8, 2007.
28-443.
Smiths Service Bulletin 5000ELM- Original.......... August 8, 2007.
28-463.
Smiths Service Bulletin 6000ELM- Original.......... August 8, 2007.
28-444.
Smiths Service Bulletin 6000ELM- Original.......... August 8, 2007.
28-447.
Smiths Service Bulletin 6000ELM- Original.......... August 8, 2007.
28-450.
Smiths Service Bulletin 6000ELM- Original.......... August 8, 2007.
28-464.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have also reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0037, Revision
2, dated September 20, 2010. That service bulletin describes procedures
for certain airplanes, for installing new panels, P301 and P302, in the
main equipment center; making certain wiring changes; installing new
GFI relays in the P301 and P302 panels; and installing new ELMS
software. For certain airplanes, that service bulletin describes
procedures for measuring the bond resistance between the terminal lugs
on certain studs and a ground bracket assembly, and corrective action
if necessary. The corrective actions include repairing (cleaning of
applicable components with solvent) or replacing (replacing applicable
components with new components) affected components.
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0039, Revision 2, dated September
20, 2010, is an additional source of guidance for installing ELMS
software.
Smiths Service Bulletin 5000ELM-28-454, dated August 13, 2007; and
GE Aviation Service Bulletin 6000ELM-28-455, Revision 1, dated February
1, 2010; are additional sources of guidance for making wiring changes
in the P110 and P210 panels.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 130 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.
[[Page 81510]]
Table--Estimated Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average labor rate Number of U.S.-
Action Work hours per hour Parts Cost per product registered airplanes Fleet cost
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacements: Group 1 airplanes identified in 3 $85 $25,577 $25,832 126 $3,254,832.
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0038.
Replacements: Group 2 airplanes identified in 3 85 52,545 52,800 0 No airplanes currently on U.S.
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0038. Register.
Replacements: Group 3 airplanes identified in 4 85 37,257 37,597 4 150,388.
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0038.
Replacements: Group 4 airplanes identified in 4 85 17,816 18,156 0 No airplanes currently on U.S.
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0038. Register.
Installations and Measurement: Boeing Service 76 85 29,934 36,394 130 4,731,220.
Bulletin 777-28A0037.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 81511]]
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), 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.
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 AD:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-1205; Directorate Identifier
2010-NM-146-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by February 11, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) AD 2008-11-13, Amendment 39-15536, affects this AD.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR,
-300, and -300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category; as
identified in the service information specified in paragraphs (c)(1)
and (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0038, Revision 1, dated
September 20, 2010.
(2) Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0037, Revision 2, dated
September 20, 2010.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD
to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks,
which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a
fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Related Airworthiness Limitation
Note 1: AD 2008-11-13 requires a revision of the Airworthiness
Limitations (AWLs) section of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness to include limitations for the fuel tank systems. One
of the limitations, AWL 28-AWL-18, requires a repetitive inspection
of the ground fault interrupter (GFI) functions.
Installations and Software Changes
(g) For Group 1 and 2 airplanes identified as Configuration 2 in
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0037, Revision 2, dated September 20,
2010: Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, install
new panels, P301 and P302, in the main equipment center; make
certain wiring changes; install new GFI relays in the P301 and P302
panels; and install new electrical load management system (ELMS)
software; as applicable. Do the applicable actions in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-
28A0037, Revision 2, dated September 20, 2010.
Note 2: Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0039, Revision 2, dated
September 20, 2010, is an additional source of guidance for
installing ELMS software.
Note 3: Smiths Service Bulletin 5000ELM-28-454, dated August 13,
2007; and GE Aviation Service Bulletin 6000ELM-28-455, Revision 1,
dated February 1, 2010; are additional sources of guidance for
making a wiring change in the P110 and P210 panels, respectively.
(h) For Group 1 and 2 airplanes identified as Configuration 1 in
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0037, Revision 2, dated September 20,
2010: Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do
bonding resistance measurements to verify bonding requirements as
specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0037, Revision 2, dated
September 20, 2010, are met, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0037, Revision 2,
dated September 20, 2010.
Replacement of GFI Relays
(i) For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-
28A0038, Revision 1, dated September 20, 2010: Within 60 months
after the effective date of this AD, replace 4 main tank boost pump
relays in electrical load management system panels P110, P210, and
P320 with new GFI relays, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0038, Revision 1,
dated September 20, 2010.
Note 4: Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0038, Revision 1, dated
September 20, 2010, references the service bulletins identified in
Table 1 of this AD as additional sources of guidance for replacing
the main tank boost pump relays.
Table 1--Additional Sources of Guidance for Replacing the Main Tank Boost Pump Relays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group No. of airplanes, as
identified in Boeing Service
Bulletin 777-28A0038, Revision 1, Panel No. Service bulletin Revision level Date
dated September 20, 2010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group 1........................... P110 Smiths Service Original............ August 8, 2007.
Bulletin 5000ELM-28-
443.
[[Page 81512]]
Group 1........................... P210 Smiths Service Original............ August 8, 2007.
Bulletin 6000ELM-28-
444.
Group 1........................... P320 Smiths Service Original............ August 8, 2007.
Bulletin 4000ELM-28-
445.
Group 2........................... P110 GE Aviation Service 1................... January 7, 2010.
Bulletin 5000ELM-28-
446.
Group 2........................... P210 Smiths Service Original............ August 8, 2007.
Bulletin 6000ELM-28-
447.
Group 2........................... P320 GE Aviation Service 1................... January 7, 2010.
Bulletin 4000ELM-28-
448.
Group 3........................... P110 GE Aviation Service 1................... January 7, 2010.
Bulletin 5000ELM-28-
449.
Group 3........................... P210 Smiths Service Original............ August 8, 2007.
Bulletin 6000ELM-28-
450.
Group 3........................... P320 GE Aviation Service 1................... January 7, 2010.
Bulletin 4000ELM-28-
451.
Group 4........................... P110 Smiths Service Original............ August 8, 2007.
Bulletin 5000ELM-28-
463.
Group 4........................... P210 Smiths Service Original............ August 8, 2007.
Bulletin 6000ELM-28-
464.
Group 4........................... P320 Smiths Service Original............ August 8, 2007.
Bulletin 4000ELM-28-
465.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement
(j) A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is
not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn:
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(k)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to Attn:
Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch,
ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-
6482; fax (425) 917-6590. Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 17, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-32657 Filed 12-27-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
