Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777 Airplanes, 3054-3057 [2011-1017]

Download as PDF 3054 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 19, 2011 / Proposed Rules other Federal and State government employee reviewers. (a) ‘Peer reviewers’ will be representatives from organizations that are eligible to apply for FMPP grant funds, as provided in § 185.3. (b) Peer reviewers will not be eligible to serve as a reviewer if they are: (1) Employed by, volunteer for, or serve as a board member or other type of committee/team member for the organization that submitted an application that same year under FMPP; or (2) A proposed subcontractor or financial beneficiary in a budget from any organization submitting an application that same year under FMPP. (c) The reviewers will use the evaluation criteria and provide AMS application scores, comments, and recommendations. AMS may request the applicant provide additional information or clarification, as needed. § 185.11 Grant agreements. (a) After a competitive review and approval of grant projects and activities, AMS will enter into grant agreements with the selected applicants (awardees). (b) AMS grant agreements will include at a minimum the following: (1) The project(s) in the approved proposal narrative plan. (2) The beginning and ending dates of the project work. (3) Total amount of Federal financial assistance that will be awarded. (4) Terms and conditions pursuant to which AMS will fund the project(s). § 185.12 Consecutive grants. AMS will not award two consecutive grants to any organization or entity. Any entity that has received a grant award may apply for future grants after completion of the current grant project and 12 months after AMS has received and accepted all required documentation and reports for that current grant. erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 § 185.13 Post award requirements. Awardees are also responsible for: (a) Diligently monitoring their performance to ensure that time schedules are being met, project work within designated time periods is being accomplished, and other performance measures are being achieved. (b) Ensuring that grant funds are used only for the activities covered by the approved project work and budget. (c) Ensuring that proper financial, personnel, procurement, monitoring, and recordkeeping procedures are followed. (d) Retaining all records pertaining to the FMPP grant for 3 years after the final VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:01 Jan 18, 2011 Jkt 223001 financial status report has been submitted to and accepted by AMS. § 185.14 Program income. (a) Program income earned during the grant period shall be retained by the awardee and used to further the project objectives, unless otherwise specified in the terms and conditions of the award. (b) Awardees must account for program income earned in all financial statements to AMS in accordance with 7 CFR parts 3015, 3016, 3018, and 3019. § 185.15 Reporting and oversight requirements. (a) Performance reports will be required of all awardees every 6 months after the start date of the signed grant agreement until the expiration date of the grant period. If the project is one year or less, then only one performance report and a final performance report (see paragraph (b) of this section) are required. Each performance report shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Briefly summarize activities performed, targets, and/or performance goals achieved for each objective during the reporting period for each project. (2) Note unexpected delays or impediments as well as favorable or unusual developments for each project. (3) Outline work to be performed during the next reporting period for each project. (4) Comment on the level of grant funds expended to date for each project. (b) A final performance report will be required by all awardees within 90 days following the expiration date of the grant period. The final progress report shall include the following: (1) A summary of the issue(s), problem(s), interest(s), or need(s) being examined. (2) How the issue(s) were addressed via the project(s). (3) Specific contributions, including time, energy, or other project assistance, of project partners. (4) Results, accomplishments, conclusions, and lessons learned for each project. (5) Description of who benefited from the project’s accomplishments and a quantitative measure of the current or future benefits to be derived from the project. (6) Additional information available (e.g. publications, Web sites). (7) A contact person for each project with telephone number and e-mail address. (c) ‘‘Federal Financial Reports’’ will be required every four months after the agreement start date until the expiration date of the grant period. If the project is PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 one year or less, then only two financial reports and a final financial report (see paragraph (d) of this section) are required. (d) A final ‘‘Federal Financial Report’’ is required within 90 days following the expiration date of the grant period. The report will include a summary of all project financial information and program income received during the grant project. (e) AMS will monitor awardees, as it determines necessary, to assure that projects are completed in accordance with the approved project plan. (f) AMS, after reasonable notice to an awardee, may provide a written forfeiture of grant funds should an awardee fail to request and/or use grant funds within the first 8 months following the grant agreement start date. (g) If, after reasonable notice to an awardee and opportunity for response, AMS finds that there has been a failure by the awardee to comply substantially with any provision or requirement of the project plan, AMS may impose special conditions (7 CFR 3016.12, 3016.43, 3019.14, or 3019.62) and/or disqualify, for one or more years, the awardee from participation and/or receipt of future grants under the FMPP. Dated: January 12, 2011. David R. Shipman, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2011–930 Filed 1–18–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2011–0025; Directorate Identifier 2010–NM–208–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777 Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance program to update inspection requirements to detect fatigue cracking of principal structural elements (PSEs). This proposed AD was prompted by a new revision to the airworthiness limitations of the maintenance planning document. We SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 19, 2011 / Proposed Rules erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 are proposing this AD to ensure that fatigue cracking of various PSEs is detected and corrected; such fatigue cracking could adversely affect the structural integrity of these airplanes. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 7, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For service information identified in this 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. 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 (phone: 800–647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Duong Tran, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; phone: (425) 917–6452; fax: (425) 917–6590; e-mail: Duong.Tran@faa.gov. VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:01 Jan 18, 2011 Jkt 223001 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 2011–0025; Directorate Identifier 2010– NM–208–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 In accordance with airworthiness standards requiring ‘‘damage-tolerance assessments’’ (Part 25 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, Section 1529), all products certificated to comply with that section must have Instructions for Continued Airworthiness that include an Airworthiness Limitations Section (AWLs). The AWLs set forth: • Mandatory replacement times for structural components, • Structural inspection intervals, and • Related approved structural inspection procedures necessary to show compliance with the damagetolerance requirements. Compliance with the terms specified in the AWLs is required by 14 CFR 43.16 (for persons maintaining products) and 14 CFR 91.403 (for operators). As airplanes gain service experience, or as the result of post-certification testing and evaluation, it might become necessary to add additional life limits or structural inspections in order to ensure the continued structural integrity of the airplane. The manufacturer might revise the AWLs to include new or more restrictive life limits and inspections. However, in order to require compliance with those revised life limits and/or inspection intervals, the FAA must engage in rulemaking. Because loss of structural integrity would result in an PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 3055 unsafe condition, it is appropriate to impose these requirements through the airworthiness directive (AD) process. Boeing recently has completed extensive analyses and testing of fatigue cracking of principal structural elements (PSE) on Model 777 airplanes, which included: • Crack growth analysis, • Service experience analysis, • Crack growth testing, • Fatigue testing, and • Analysis of the effectiveness of applicable non-destructive inspection techniques to detect cracking and other anomalies. The results of the testing and analyses demonstrated the need to incorporate updated inspection requirements to detect fatigue cracking of PSEs. We are proposing this AD to ensure that fatigue cracking of various PSEs is detected and corrected; such fatigue cracking could adversely affect the structural integrity of these airplanes. Relevant Service Information We reviewed Subsection B, Airworthiness Limitations—Structural Inspections, of Section 9, of ‘‘Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),’’ D622W001–9, Revision January 2010, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document. Subsection B of Section 9 contains updated inspection requirements to detect fatigue cracking of PSEs. FAA’s Determination We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. Proposed AD Requirements This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 153 airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1 3056 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 19, 2011 / Proposed Rules ESTIMATED COSTS Action Labor cost Revision ................................................................ 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ....................... 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 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 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), (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (4) 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. 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, VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:01 Jan 18, 2011 Jkt 223001 Parts cost $0 Cost per product $85 Cost on U.S. operators $13,005 the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: America Codes 27, Flight Controls; 28, Fuel; 32, Landing Gear; 52, Doors; 53, Fuselage; 54, Nacelles/Pylons; 55, Stabilizers; 57, Wings. PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES Unsafe Condition (e) This AD was prompted by a new revision to the airworthiness limitations of the maintenance planning document. We are issuing this AD to ensure that fatigue cracking of various principal structural elements (PSEs) is detected and corrected; such fatigue cracking could adversely affect the structural integrity of these airplanes. 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): The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 2011–0025; Directorate Identifier 2010– NM–208–AD. Comments Due Date (a) We must receive comments by March 7, 2011. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777–200, –200LR, –300, –300ER, and 777F series airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued before September 1, 2010. Note 1: Airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or after September 1, 2010, must already be in compliance with the airworthiness limitations (AWLs) specified in this AD because those limitations were applicable as part of the airworthiness certification of those airplanes. Note 2: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (i) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular (AC) 25.1529–1. Subject (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Compliance (f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. Revision of Maintenance Program (g) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program by incorporating the information in Subsection B, Airworthiness Limitations— Structural Inspections, of Section 9, of ‘‘Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),’’ D622W001–9, Revision January 2010, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document. The initial compliance time for the inspections is within the applicable times specified in Subsection B, Airworthiness Limitations—Structural Inspections, of Section 9, of ‘‘Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),’’ D622W001–9, Revision January 2010, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, or within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Alternative Inspections and Inspection Intervals (h) After accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative inspections or inspection intervals may be used unless the alternative inspection or interval is approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 19, 2011 / Proposed Rules (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/ certificate holding district office. (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD. Related Information (j) For more information about this AD, contact Duong Tran, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; phone: (425) 917– 6452; fax: (425) 917–6590; e-mail: Duong.Tran@faa.gov. (k) For service information identified in this 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. 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. Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 11, 2011. Jeffrey E. Duven, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2011–1017 Filed 1–18–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 100 [Docket No. USCG–2009–0996] RIN 1625–AA08 Special Local Regulation; Hydroplane Races Within the Captain of the Port Puget Sound Area of Responsibility Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments. erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 AGENCY: The Coast Guard proposes to amend its regulation to establish permanent safety zones for hydroplane races taking place on various dates within Puget Sound, WA. This supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking changes the proposed SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:01 Jan 18, 2011 Jkt 223001 regulation from establishing safety zones under 33 CFR part 165 to establishing a special local regulation under 33 CFR part 100, removes the duplicative Port Angeles race area and adds a race area in Lake Sammamish to the designated hydroplane race areas within the Captain of the Port, Puget Sound area of responsibility. When this proposed special local regulation is activated, and thus subject to enforcement, this rule would limit the movement of non-participating vessels within the regulated race areas while hydroplane races are taking place. This rule is needed to provide effective control over these events while ensuring the safety of the maritime public. DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before February 18, 2011. Requests for public meetings must be received by the Coast Guard on or before January 27, 2011. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG– 2009–0996 using any one of the following methods: (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. (2) Fax: 202–493–2251. (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M–30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590– 0001. (4) Hand Delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202–366–9329. To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. See the ‘‘Public Participation and Request for Comments’’ portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed rule, call or e-mail LTJG Ashley M. Wanzer, Waterways Management, Sector Puget Sound, Coast Guard; telephone 206–217–6175, e-mail SectorPugetSoundWWM@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202–366– 9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Participation and Request for Comments We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related materials. All PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 3057 comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided. Submitting Comments If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking (USCG–2009–0996), indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material online (via https:// www.regulations.gov) or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. If you submit a comment online via https:// www.regulations.gov, it will be considered received by the Coast Guard when you successfully transmit the comment. If you fax, hand deliver, or mail your comment, it will be considered as having been received by the Coast Guard when it is received at the Docket Management Facility. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing address, an e-mail address, or a telephone number in the body of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your submission. To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov, click on the ‘‘submit a comment’’ box, which will then become highlighted in blue. In the ‘‘Document Type’’ drop down menu select ‘‘Proposed Rule’’ and insert ‘‘USCG–2009–0996’’ in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box. Click ‘‘Search’’ then click on the balloon shape in the ‘‘Actions’’ column. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may change the rule based on your comments. Viewing Comments and Documents To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, click on the ‘‘read comments’’ box, which will then become highlighted in blue. In the ‘‘Keyword’’ box insert ‘‘USCG–2009– 0996’’ and click ‘‘Search.’’ Click the ‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ in the ‘‘Actions’’ column. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12–140 E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 19, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3054-3057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1017]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0025; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-208-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD would require revising the 
maintenance program to update inspection requirements to detect fatigue 
cracking of principal structural elements (PSEs). This proposed AD was 
prompted by a new revision to the airworthiness limitations of the 
maintenance planning document. We

[[Page 3055]]

are proposing this AD to ensure that fatigue cracking of various PSEs 
is detected and corrected; such fatigue cracking could adversely affect 
the structural integrity of these airplanes.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 7, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this 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. 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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Duong Tran, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-
6452; fax: (425) 917-6590; e-mail: Duong.Tran@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0025; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-208-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

    In accordance with airworthiness standards requiring ``damage-
tolerance assessments'' (Part 25 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, 
Section 1529), all products certificated to comply with that section 
must have Instructions for Continued Airworthiness that include an 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (AWLs). The AWLs set forth:
     Mandatory replacement times for structural components,
     Structural inspection intervals, and
     Related approved structural inspection procedures 
necessary to show compliance with the damage-tolerance requirements.
    Compliance with the terms specified in the AWLs is required by 14 
CFR 43.16 (for persons maintaining products) and 14 CFR 91.403 (for 
operators).
    As airplanes gain service experience, or as the result of post-
certification testing and evaluation, it might become necessary to add 
additional life limits or structural inspections in order to ensure the 
continued structural integrity of the airplane. The manufacturer might 
revise the AWLs to include new or more restrictive life limits and 
inspections. However, in order to require compliance with those revised 
life limits and/or inspection intervals, the FAA must engage in 
rulemaking. Because loss of structural integrity would result in an 
unsafe condition, it is appropriate to impose these requirements 
through the airworthiness directive (AD) process.
    Boeing recently has completed extensive analyses and testing of 
fatigue cracking of principal structural elements (PSE) on Model 777 
airplanes, which included:
     Crack growth analysis,
     Service experience analysis,
     Crack growth testing,
     Fatigue testing, and
     Analysis of the effectiveness of applicable non-
destructive inspection techniques to detect cracking and other 
anomalies.
    The results of the testing and analyses demonstrated the need to 
incorporate updated inspection requirements to detect fatigue cracking 
of PSEs. We are proposing this AD to ensure that fatigue cracking of 
various PSEs is detected and corrected; such fatigue cracking could 
adversely affect the structural integrity of these airplanes.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Subsection B, Airworthiness Limitations--Structural 
Inspections, of Section 9, of ``Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),'' D622W001-9, Revision 
January 2010, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) 
Document. Subsection B of Section 9 contains updated inspection 
requirements to detect fatigue cracking of PSEs.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 153 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

[[Page 3056]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Cost on
                 Action                              Labor cost             Parts cost    Cost per       U.S.
                                                                                          product     operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revision................................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour =              $0          $85      $13,005
                                           $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

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 
airworthiness directive (AD):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2011-0025; Directorate Identifier 
2010-NM-208-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by March 7, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, 
-300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original 
export certificate of airworthiness issued before September 1, 2010.

    Note 1: Airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or after 
September 1, 2010, must already be in compliance with the 
airworthiness limitations (AWLs) specified in this AD because those 
limitations were applicable as part of the airworthiness 
certification of those airplanes.


    Note 2: This AD requires revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with 
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes 
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the 
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must 
request approval for an alternative method of compliance according 
to paragraph (i) of this AD. The request should include a 
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure 
the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA 
has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular 
(AC) 25.1529-1.

Subject

    (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America Codes 27, Flight Controls; 28, Fuel; 
32, Landing Gear; 52, Doors; 53, Fuselage; 54, Nacelles/Pylons; 55, 
Stabilizers; 57, Wings.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD was prompted by a new revision to the airworthiness 
limitations of the maintenance planning document. We are issuing 
this AD to ensure that fatigue cracking of various principal 
structural elements (PSEs) is detected and corrected; such fatigue 
cracking could adversely affect the structural integrity of these 
airplanes.

Compliance

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

Revision of Maintenance Program

    (g) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the maintenance program by incorporating the information in 
Subsection B, Airworthiness Limitations--Structural Inspections, of 
Section 9, of ``Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification 
Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),'' D622W001-9, Revision January 
2010, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document. 
The initial compliance time for the inspections is within the 
applicable times specified in Subsection B, Airworthiness 
Limitations--Structural Inspections, of Section 9, of 
``Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMRs),'' D622W001-9, Revision January 2010, of the 
Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, or within 18 
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

Alternative Inspections and Inspection Intervals

    (h) After accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD, no alternative inspections or inspection intervals may be 
used unless the alternative inspection or interval is approved as an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in the Related Information 
section of this AD. Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.

[[Page 3057]]

    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by the 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization 
(ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO to make 
those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must 
meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.

Related Information

    (j) For more information about this AD, contact Duong Tran, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: (425) 
917-6452; fax: (425) 917-6590; e-mail: Duong.Tran@faa.gov.
    (k) For service information identified in this 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. 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 11, 2011.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-1017 Filed 1-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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