Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, 42962-42964 [2012-16964]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2012 / Rules and Regulations (f) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits will not be issued. (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email sharon.y.miles@faa.gov. (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office or certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES (h) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6420: Tail Rotor Head. (i) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:44 Jul 20, 2012 Jkt 226001 (i) Able Engineering & Component Services Alert Service Bulletin No. 2012–001, Revision IR, dated March 7, 2012. (ii) Reserved. (3) For Able Engineering & Component Services service information identified in this AD, contact Able Engineering & Component Services, 2920 East Chambers Street, Phoenix, AZ 85040; telephone (602) 304–1227; fax (602) 304–1277; email info@ableengineering.com. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. (5) You may also view this service information at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741–6030, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal_register/ code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_ locations.html. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 2, 2012. Kim Smith, Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2012–17559 Filed 7–20–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2012–0149; Directorate Identifier 2011–NM–255–AD; Amendment 39–17117; AD 2012–14–03] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777–200 and –300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracks in the lap joints, which initiated at scribe lines that were made during production when maskant was removed from the affected skin panels during the chemical milling process. This AD requires repetitive external phased-array ultrasonic inspections to detect cracks of the affected fuselage skin lap splices in Sections 41, 43, and 44, as applicable, and repair if necessary. We are issuing SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\23JYR1.SGM 23JYR1 ER23JY12.002</GPH> 42962 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2012 / Rules and Regulations this AD to detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could grow large and cause sudden decompression and the inability to sustain limit flight and pressure loads. DATES: This AD is effective August 27, 2012. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of August 27, 2012. ADDRESSES: 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; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Sutherland, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; phone: 425– 917–6533; fax: 425–917–6590; email: James.Sutherland@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Discussion We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 22, 2012 (77 FR 10411). That NPRM proposed to require repetitive external phased-array ultrasonic inspections to detect cracks of the affected fuselage skin lap splices in Sections 41, 43, and 44, as applicable, and repair if necessary. Comments We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal (77 FR 10411, February 22, 2012) and the FAA’s response to each comment. Request To Allow Certain Repairs Boeing requested we add additional text to the end of paragraph (h)(2) of the NPRM (77 FR 10411, February 22, 2012) stating ‘‘* * * unless all cracked material has been completely removed and the repair is a reinforcing repair that has been FAA approved to [Federal 42963 Aviation Regulations] 14 CFR 25.571 and 14 CFR 26.43 (c) or (d).’’ Boeing stated that reinforcing repairs which are FAA approved to 14 CFR 25.571 at the certification basis for the subject Model 777 airplanes and 14 CFR 26.43(c) or (d) must have been evaluated for damage tolerance, and would have the damage tolerance inspection requirements in place in order to maintain the safety of the airplane at the repaired area. Boeing asserted that the requirement to obtain an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) approval for such repairs would therefore not be required to ensure the safety of the repaired airplane. We disagree. The change proposed by Boeing would only require compliance for two certain regulations and would not require other necessary regulatory standards. The requirements defined in the existing AMOC delegation authority include other FAA regulations and manufacturer’s design considerations beyond those listed on the airplane type certificate data sheet. We have not changed the final rule in this regard. Conclusion We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this AD affects 46 airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD: ESTIMATED COSTS Action Inspections for Group 1 airplanes (25 airplanes). Inspections for Group 2 airplanes (21 airplanes). Labor cost 126 work-hours × $85 per hour = $10,710 per inspection cycle. 50 work-hours × $85 per hour = $4,250 per inspection cycle. We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the on-condition repair. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with 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. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:44 Jul 20, 2012 Parts cost Jkt 226001 Cost per product $0 $10,710 per inspection cycle $267,750 per inspection cycle. 0 $4,250 per inspection cycle ... $89,250 per inspection cycle. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Cost on U.S. operators Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 products identified in this rulemaking action. Regulatory Findings This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. E:\FR\FM\23JYR1.SGM 23JYR1 42964 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2012 / Rules and Regulations For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: (1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under Executive Order 12866, (2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), (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. Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): ■ 2012–14–03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39–17117; Docket No. FAA–2012–0149; Directorate Identifier 2011–NM–255–AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective August 27, 2012. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777–200 and –300 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777–53A0043, dated November 9, 2011. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracks in the lap joints, which initiated at scribe lines that were made during production when maskant was removed from the affected skin panels during the chemical milling process. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could grow large and cause sudden decompression and the inability to sustain limit flight and pressure loads. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:44 Jul 20, 2012 Jkt 226001 (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Inspections and Repair Except as provided by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, at the applicable time identified in paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777–53A0043, dated November 9, 2011: Do external phased-array ultrasonic inspections to detect cracks of the affected fuselage skin lap splices in Sections 41, 43, and 44, as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777–53A0043, dated November 9, 2011. If any crack is found, before further flight, repair in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777–53A0043, dated November 9, 2011; except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD. Repeat the inspections of unrepaired areas thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,200 flight cycles. (h) Exception to Service Information (1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777–53A0043, dated November 9, 2011, specifies a compliance time ‘‘after the original issue date on this service bulletin,’’ this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD. (2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777–53A0043, dated November 9, 2011, specifies that ‘‘other approved methods’’ may be used to install a repair, this AD requires that the repair be done using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (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 emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. (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. (j) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact James Sutherland, Aerospace PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6533; fax: 425– 917–6590; email: James.Sutherland@faa.gov. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) You must use the following service information to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777– 53A0043, dated November 9, 2011. (ii) Reserved. (2) 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; Internet https:// www.myboeingfleet.com. (3) 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. (4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/ cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 28, 2012. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2012–16964 Filed 7–20–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2011–0304; Directorate Identifier 2010–NM–103–AD; Amendment 39–17095; AD 2012–12–15] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for The Boeing Company Model 757 Airplanes. That AD currently requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\23JYR1.SGM 23JYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 141 (Monday, July 23, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42962-42964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16964]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0149; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-255-AD; 
Amendment 39-17117; AD 2012-14-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by reports of fatigue cracks in the lap joints, which 
initiated at scribe lines that were made during production when maskant 
was removed from the affected skin panels during the chemical milling 
process. This AD requires repetitive external phased-array ultrasonic 
inspections to detect cracks of the affected fuselage skin lap splices 
in Sections 41, 43, and 44, as applicable, and repair if necessary. We 
are issuing

[[Page 42963]]

this AD to detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could grow 
large and cause sudden decompression and the inability to sustain limit 
flight and pressure loads.

DATES: This AD is effective August 27, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of August 27, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: 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; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Sutherland, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6533; fax: 425-917-6590; email: James.Sutherland@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 22, 2012 (77 FR 
10411). That NPRM proposed to require repetitive external phased-array 
ultrasonic inspections to detect cracks of the affected fuselage skin 
lap splices in Sections 41, 43, and 44, as applicable, and repair if 
necessary.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
(77 FR 10411, February 22, 2012) and the FAA's response to each 
comment.

Request To Allow Certain Repairs

    Boeing requested we add additional text to the end of paragraph 
(h)(2) of the NPRM (77 FR 10411, February 22, 2012) stating ``* * * 
unless all cracked material has been completely removed and the repair 
is a reinforcing repair that has been FAA approved to [Federal Aviation 
Regulations] 14 CFR 25.571 and 14 CFR 26.43 (c) or (d).'' Boeing stated 
that reinforcing repairs which are FAA approved to 14 CFR 25.571 at the 
certification basis for the subject Model 777 airplanes and 14 CFR 
26.43(c) or (d) must have been evaluated for damage tolerance, and 
would have the damage tolerance inspection requirements in place in 
order to maintain the safety of the airplane at the repaired area. 
Boeing asserted that the requirement to obtain an alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC) approval for such repairs would therefore not be 
required to ensure the safety of the repaired airplane.
    We disagree. The change proposed by Boeing would only require 
compliance for two certain regulations and would not require other 
necessary regulatory standards. The requirements defined in the 
existing AMOC delegation authority include other FAA regulations and 
manufacturer's design considerations beyond those listed on the 
airplane type certificate data sheet. We have not changed the final 
rule in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 46 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections for Group 1 airplanes  126 work-hours x                 $0  $10,710 per          $267,750 per
 (25 airplanes).                    $85 per hour =                       inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
                                    $10,710 per
                                    inspection cycle.
Inspections for Group 2 airplanes  50 work-hours x $85               0  $4,250 per           $89,250 per
 (21 airplanes).                    per hour = $4,250                    inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
                                    per inspection
                                    cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     We have received no definitive data that would enable us to 
provide cost estimates for the on-condition repair.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.

[[Page 42964]]

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2012-14-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17117; Docket No. FAA-
2012-0149; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-255-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 27, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0043, dated November 9, 2011.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracks in the lap 
joints, which initiated at scribe lines that were made during 
production when maskant was removed from the affected skin panels 
during the chemical milling process. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could grow large and 
cause sudden decompression and the inability to sustain limit flight 
and pressure loads.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspections and Repair

    Except as provided by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, at the 
applicable time identified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0043, dated November 9, 2011: 
Do external phased-array ultrasonic inspections to detect cracks of 
the affected fuselage skin lap splices in Sections 41, 43, and 44, 
as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0043, dated November 9, 2011. 
If any crack is found, before further flight, repair in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 777-53A0043, dated November 9, 2011; except as required by 
paragraph (h)(2) of this AD. Repeat the inspections of unrepaired 
areas thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,200 flight cycles.

(h) Exception to Service Information

    (1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0043, dated 
November 9, 2011, specifies a compliance time ``after the original 
issue date on this service bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance 
within the specified compliance time after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0043, dated 
November 9, 2011, specifies that ``other approved methods'' may be 
used to install a repair, this AD requires that the repair be done 
using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (i) of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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 emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
    (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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact James Sutherland, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6533; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
James.Sutherland@faa.gov.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0043, dated November 9, 
2011.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (2) 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; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 28, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-16964 Filed 7-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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