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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21720-21722]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07839]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-2959; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-008-AD; 
Amendment 39-18470; AD 2016-07-25]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This AD was prompted by 
reports indicating that the ram air turbine (RAT) assembly may fail to 
operate if deployed at low airspeeds. This AD requires replacing either 
the RAT pump and control module assembly or the entire RAT assembly. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the RAT assembly to operate 
at low air speeds. The volume fuse on the RAT assembly may be activated 
in-flight before the RAT is deployed. This may lead to improper pump 
hydraulic pressure offloading when the RAT is needed. Failure of the 
RAT to operate in an all engine out event would result in loss of 
control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective May 18, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 18, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 
Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service information 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
2959.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
2959; 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 Docket 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: Sean J. Schauer, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6479; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
sean.schauer@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company 
Model 787-8 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
July 24, 2015 (80 FR 43972) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by 
reports indicating that the RAT assembly may fail to operate if 
deployed at low airspeeds. The NPRM proposed to require replacing 
either the RAT pump and control module assembly or

[[Page 21721]]

the entire RAT assembly. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the RAT assembly to operate at low air speeds. The volume fuse on the 
RAT assembly may be activated in-flight before the RAT is deployed. 
This may lead to improper pump hydraulic pressure offloading when the 
RAT is needed. Failure of the RAT to operate in an all engine out event 
would result in loss of control of the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM

    United Airlines stated that it supports the NPRM.

Request for Correction of RAT Minimum Design Speed

    Boeing requested that we revise the NPRM to state that the RAT 
minimum design speed is 120 knots, not 130 knots. Boeing explained that 
the RAT will remain operational as the airplane decelerates through the 
minimum RAT design speed of 120 knots, not 130 knots. Boeing expressed 
that the performance of the RAT was shown to meet the Boeing Model 787 
requirement that specifies 120 knots as the minimum RAT design speed.
    We agree that the RAT will remain operational as the airplane 
decelerates through the minimum RAT design speed of 120 knots, not 130 
knots. However, that specific information is in the preamble of the 
NPRM, which is not restated in this final rule. Therefore, no changes 
have been made to this final rule in this regard.

Request To Revise Compliance Time

    The Air Line Pilots Association requested that we revise the 
compliance time of 36 months, to 12 months because the 36 months 
compliance time is too long, and that 12 months would be more suitable.
    We disagree with the request to revise the compliance time. No data 
was submitted to substantiate the request made by the commenter. 
Engineering analysis indicates that 36 months is an appropriate 
compliance time to complete the required actions of this AD, and 
provides an acceptable level of safety. Most ADs, including this one, 
permit operators to accomplish the requirements of an AD at a time 
earlier than the specified compliance time; therefore, an operator may 
choose to perform the actions required by this AD earlier then the 
specified compliance time. We have made no changes to this final rule 
in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB290015-00, 
Issue 002, dated November 25, 2014. The service information describes 
procedures for replacing either the RAT pump and control module 
assembly or the RAT assembly including an installation test and 
corrective actions if necessary. This service information is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 12 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement.........................  7 work-hours x $85 per              N/A             $595           $7,140
                                       hour = $595.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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.
    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.

[[Page 21722]]

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):

2016-07-25 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18470; Docket No. FAA-
2015-2959; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-008-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 18, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin B787-81205-SB290015-00, Issue 002, dated November 25, 2014.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 29, Hydraulic 
Power.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports indicating that the ram air 
turbine (RAT) assembly may fail to operate if deployed at low 
airspeeds. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the RAT 
assembly to operate at low air speeds. The volume fuse on the RAT 
assembly may be activated in-flight before the RAT is deployed. This 
may lead to improper pump hydraulic pressure offloading when the RAT 
is needed. Failure of the RAT to operate in an all engine out event 
would result in loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replacement

    Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the RAT pump and control module assembly or the RAT assembly, 
including an installation test and applicable corrective actions, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB290015-00, Issue 002, dated November 
25, 2014. Do all applicable corrective actions before further 
flight.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-
SB290015-00, Issue 001, dated September 4, 2014, which is not 
incorporated by reference in 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 paragraph (j)(1) 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, modification, or alteration 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. To be approved, the 
repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must 
meet the certification basis of the airplane and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs 
(i)(4)(i) and (i)(4)(ii) of this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, 
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Sean J. Schauer, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM 130S, FAA, 
Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 
425-917-6479; fax: 425-917-6590; email: sean.schauer@faa.gov.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (k)(3) and (k)(4) of this AD.

(k) 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.
    (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB290015-00, Issue 
002, dated November 25, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Boeing service information identified in this AD, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 
Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; 
telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet 
https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this 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: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 26, 2016.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-07839 Filed 4-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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