2846 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 18, 2011 / Proposed Rules 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–1312; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–NM–220–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 the 

products listed above. This proposed 

AD would require installing foreign 

object debris (FOD) rubber shields over 

the primary and secondary external 

power connectors for certain airplanes, 

and wrapping fire-resistant silicone tape 

around the hydraulic tube for certain 

other airplanes. This proposed AD was 

prompted by a report of a fire in the 

main equipment center due to failure of 

an external power connector, which 

caused high-temperature arcing and 

subsequent splatter of molten copper on 

an adjacent hydraulic tube, creating a 

hole in the tube and spraying hydraulic 

fluid into the power connector, resulting 

in a fire. In addition there were several 

reports of overheating or arcing of 

external power connectors, and one 

report of a fire due to arcing caused by 

FOD. We are proposing this AD to 

prevent FOD from entering the primary 

and secondary external power 

connectors, which could result in 

overheating or arcing and consequent 

fire in the main equipment center. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by March 4, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://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 http:// 

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: 

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; email: georgios.roussos@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– 

2010–1312; Directorate Identifier 2010– 

NM–220–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 http:// 

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 

We received a report of a fire in the 

main equipment center due to failure of 

an external power connector, which 

caused high-temperature arcing and 

subsequent splatter of molten copper on 

an adjacent hydraulic tube, creating a 

hole in the tube and spraying hydraulic 

fluid into the power connector, resulting 

in a fire. In addition there were several 

reports of overheating or arcing of 

external power connectors, and one 

report of a fire due to arcing caused by 

FOD. During one incident a fire 

occurred on an airplane in the factory at 

the secondary external power connector 

location. Investigation revealed that the 

overheating and arcing events were 

caused by FOD; during a maintenance 

check a washer was found inside the 

external power connector. FOD in the 

primary and secondary external power 

connectors could result in overheating 

or arcing and consequent fire in the 

main equipment center. 

Relevant Service Information 

We reviewed Boeing Special 

Attention Service Bulletin 777–29– 

0032, dated August 9, 2007 (for Model 

777–200, –200LR, –300, and –300ER 

airplanes); and Boeing Service Bulletin 

777–24–0102, Revision 1, dated June 17, 

2010 (for Model 777–200, –200LR, –300, 

and –300ER airplanes that require 

rubber FOD shields). 

Boeing Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 777–29–0032, dated August 9, 

2007, describes procedures for wrapping 

self-fusing fire-resistant silicone tape 

around the alternate extension 

hydraulic tube section of the nose 

landing gear adjacent to the P30 panel. 

Boeing Service Bulletin 777–24–0102, 

Revision 1, dated June 17, 2010, 

describes procedures for installing new 

FOD rubber shields over the primary 

and secondary external power 

connectors at approximately station 350 

in the main equipment center. 

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, except as discussed under 

‘‘Difference Between the Proposed AD 

and the Service Information.’’ 

Difference Between the Proposed AD 

and the Service Information 

Boeing Service Bulletin 777–24–0102, 

Revision 1, dated June 17, 2010, does 

not provide a compliance time for 

installing new FOD rubber shields; 

however, this proposed AD requires that 

installation be done within 36 months 

after the effective date of this AD. We 

considered the manufacturer’s 

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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 18, 2011 / Proposed Rules 2847 

recommendation that the compliance 

time coincide with the compliance time 

specified in Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 777–29–0032, dated 

August 9, 2007. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

will affect 126 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Number of 

airplanes 

affected 

Fleet cost 

Install FOD rubber shields ........................ 6 work-hour × $85 per hour = $510 ......... $134 $644 124 $79,856 

Wrap silicone tape .................................... 2 work-hour × $85 per hour = $170 ......... $0 $170 126 $21,420 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 

2010–1312; Directorate Identifier 2010– 

NM–220–AD. 

Comments Due Date 

(a) We must receive comments by March 4, 

2011. 

Affected ADs 

(b) None. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to all The Boeing 

Company Model 777–200, –200LR, –300, and 

–300ER series airplanes; certificated in any 

category. 

Subject 

(d) Joint Aircraft System Component 

(JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Codes 29: Hydraulic power; and 24: 

Electrical power. 

Unsafe Condition 

(e) This AD was prompted by a report of 

a fire in the main equipment center due to 

failure of an external power connector, which 

caused high-temperature arcing and 

subsequent splatter of molten copper on an 

adjacent hydraulic tube, creating a hole in 

the tube and spraying hydraulic fluid into the 

power connector, resulting in a fire. In 

addition there were several reports of 

overheating or arcing of external power 

connectors, and one report of a fire due to 

arcing caused by foreign object damage 

(FOD). We are issuing this AD to prevent 

FOD from entering the primary and 

secondary external power connectors, which 

could result in overheating or arcing, and 

consequent fire in the main equipment 

center. 

Compliance 

(f) Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

Modification 

(g) Within 36 months after the effective 

date of this AD, do the actions required by 

paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD. 

(1) For airplanes identified in Boeing 

Service Bulletin 777–24–0102, Revision 1, 

dated June 17, 2010: Install FOD rubber 

shields over the primary and secondary 

external power connectors, in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Boeing Service Bulletin 777–24–0102, 

Revision 1, dated June 17, 2010. 

(2) For airplanes identified in Boeing 

Special Attention Service Bulletin 777–29– 

0032, dated August 9, 2007: Wrap fireresistant silicone tape around the hydraulic 

tube, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 

Special Attention Service Bulletin 777–29– 

0032, dated August 9, 2007. 

Exception to Service Information 

(h) Figure 1 of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 777–29–0032, dated August 

9, 2007, does not identify the dimensions of 

the electrical tape which is installed on the 

hydraulic tube; those dimensions should be 

measured in inches. 

Credit for Actions Accomplished in 

Accordance With Previous Service 

Information 

(i) Actions done before the effective date of 

this AD in accordance with Boeing Service 

Bulletin 777–24–0102, dated July 12, 2007, 

are acceptable for compliance with the 

corresponding requirements of this paragraph 

(g)(1) of this AD. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(j)(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, 

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2848 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 18, 2011 / Proposed Rules 

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. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your Principal Maintenance Inspector 

or Principal Avionics Inspector, as 

appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, 

your local Flight Standards District Office. 

Related Information 

(k) For more information about this AD, 

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; e-mail: 

georgios.roussos@faa.gov. 

(l) 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 

10, 2011. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–876 Filed 1–14–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–1311; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–NM–229–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Model 757 Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to 

supersede an existing airworthiness 

directive (AD) that applies to certain 

Model 757 airplanes. The existing AD 

currently requires inspecting certain 

power feeder wire bundles for damage, 

inspecting the support clamps for these 

wire bundles to determine whether the 

clamps are properly installed, and 

performing corrective actions if 

necessary. This proposed AD would 

require additional inspections for 

certain airplanes. This proposed AD 

results from a report that a power feeder 

wire bundle chafed against the number 

six auxiliary slat track, causing 

electrical wires in the bundle to arc, 

which damaged both the auxiliary slat 

track and power feeder wires. We are 

proposing this AD to prevent arcing that 

could be a possible ignition source for 

leaked flammable fluids, which could 

result in a fire. Arcing could also result 

in a loss of power from the generator 

connected to the power feeder wire 

bundle, and consequent loss of systems, 

which could reduce controllability of 

the airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by March 4, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://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 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 http:// 

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: 

Philip Sheridan, Aerospace Engineer, 

Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM– 

130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 

Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 

Renton, Washington 98057–3356; 

telephone (425) 917–6441; 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–2010–1311; Directorate Identifier 

2009–NM–229–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 http:// 

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 

On January 18, 2007, we issued AD 

2007–03–01, Amendment 39–14912 (72 

FR 3939, January 29, 2007), for certain 

Model 757 airplanes. That AD requires 

inspecting certain power feeder wire 

bundles for damage, inspecting the 

support clamps for those wire bundles 

to determine whether the clamps are 

properly installed, and performing 

corrective actions if necessary. That AD 

resulted from a report that a power 

feeder wire bundle chafed against the 

number six auxiliary slat track, causing 

electrical wires in the bundle to arc, 

which damaged both the auxiliary slat 

track and power feeder wires. We issued 

that AD to prevent arcing that could be 

a possible ignition source for leaked 

flammable fluids, which could result in 

a fire. Arcing could also result in a loss 

of power from the generator connected 

to the power feeder wire bundle, and 

consequent loss of systems, which could 

reduce controllability of the airplane. 

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued 

Since we issued AD 2007–03–01, we 

have learned that Boeing inadvertently 

identified certain airplanes with 

incorrect group numbers in Boeing 

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