23110 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 75 / Thursday, April 18, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0932; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–014–AD; Amendment 

39–17426; AD 2013–08–09] 

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, 

–200LR, –300, –300ER, and 777F series 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 

report that during a test of the oxygen 

system, an operator found that the 

passenger oxygen masks did not 

properly flow oxygen, and that a loud 

noise occurred in the overhead area, 

which was caused by the flex line 

separating from the hard line due to a 

missing clamshell coupler. This AD 

requires, for certain airplanes, 

performing a detailed inspection of 

certain areas of the airplane oxygen 

system to ensure clamshell couplers are 

installed and fully latched, and 

corrective actions if necessary. For all 

airplanes, this AD requires performing 

and meeting the requirements of the low 

pressure leak test. We are issuing this 

AD to prevent the oxygen system flex 

line from separating from the hard line, 

which could cause an oxygen leak and 

a drop in the oxygen system pressure, 

resulting in improper flow of oxygen 

through the passenger masks and injury 

to passengers if emergency oxygen is 

needed. 

DATES: This AD is effective May 23, 

2013. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in the AD 

as of May 23, 2013. 

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 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 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: 

Susan Monroe, Aerospace Engineer, 

Cabin Safety and Environmental 

Systems Branch, ANM–150S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 

98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6457; fax: 

425–917–6590; email: 

susan.l.monroe@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 September 11, 2012 (77 FR 

55768). That NPRM proposed to require, 

for certain airplanes, performing a 

detailed inspection of certain areas of 

the airplane oxygen system to ensure 

clamshell couplers are installed and 

fully latched, and corrective actions if 

necessary. For all airplanes, that NPRM 

proposed to require performing and 

meeting the requirements of the low 

pressure leak test. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. The 

Boeing Company and Kristopher 

Charles Kleiner supported this final 

rule. The following presents the 

comment received on the NPRM (77 FR 

55768, September 11, 2012) and the 

FAA’s response to the comment. 

Request Clarification of Note 1 to 

Paragraph (i) of NPRM (77 FR 55768, 

September 11, 2012) 

Air New Zealand requested 

clarification of Note 1 to paragraph (i) of 

the NPRM (77 FR 55768, September 11, 

2012). Air New Zealand asked if the 

FAA intended to state a specific 

revision for the installation of the 

clamshell coupler in Subject 35–00–00, 

Oxygen, of Chapter 35, Oxygen, of Part 

II, Practices and Procedures, of the 

Boeing 777 Aircraft Maintenance 

Manual, Revision 65, dated May 5, 

2012, knowing that it will be revised 

within the time frame of this NPRM. Air 

New Zealand also asked if an alternative 

method of compliance (AMOC) will be 

required if an operator intends to use a 

later revision of the maintenance 

manual. 

We agree to provide clarification of 

Note 1 to paragraph (i) of the NPRM (77 

FR 55768, September 11, 2012). Note 1 

to paragraph (i) of the NPRM is 

provided as guidance and is not an AD 

requirement; therefore, approval of an 

AMOC will not be required for using 

later revisions of the maintenance 

manual. Since we issued the NPRM, the 

aircraft maintenance manual has been 

revised. We have updated Note 1 to 

paragraph (i) of this AD with the latest 

revision. We have changed this AD 

accordingly. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comment received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

with the change described previously— 

and minor editorial changes. We have 

determined that these minor changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 

55768, September 11, 2012) for 

correcting the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 55768, 

September 11, 2012). 

We also determined that these 

changes will not increase the economic 

burden on any operator or increase the 

scope of the AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 6 

airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this AD: 


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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 75 / Thursday, April 18, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 23111 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Detailed inspection and leak test ............................ 26 work-hours × $85 per hour = $2,210 ................ $0 $2,210 $13,260 

We have received no definitive data 

that would enable us to provide cost 

estimates for the on-condition actions 

specified in this AD. 

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. 

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): 

2013–08–09 The Boeing Company: 

Amendment 39–17426; Docket No. 

FAA–2012–0932; Directorate Identifier 

2012–NM–014–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective May 23, 2013. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

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

777F series airplanes; certificated in any 

category; as identified in Boeing Special 

Attention Service Bulletin 777–35–0024, 

dated September 1, 2011. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 35, Oxygen. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report that 

during a test of the oxygen system, an 

operator found that the passenger oxygen 

masks did not properly flow oxygen and that 

a loud noise occurred in the overhead area, 

which was caused by the flex line separating 

from the hard line due to a missing clamshell 

coupler. We are issuing this AD to prevent 

the oxygen system flex line from separating 

from the hard line, which could cause an 

oxygen leak and a drop in the oxygen system 

pressure, resulting in improper flow of 

oxygen through the passenger masks and 

injury to passengers if emergency oxygen is 

needed. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Inspection 

Within 36 months after the effective date 

of this AD, do the applicable actions in 

paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD. 

(1) For Groups 1–6, 8, and 9 airplanes, as 

identified in Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 777–35–0024, dated 

September 1, 2011: Do a detailed inspection 

of certain areas of the airplane oxygen system 

to ensure clamshell couplers are installed 

and fully latched, and perform and meet the 

requirements of the low pressure leak test, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 777–35–0024, dated 

September 1, 2011. 

(2) For Group 7 airplanes, as identified in 

Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 

777–35–0024, dated September 1, 2011: 

Perform and meet requirements of the low 

pressure leak test, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 

Special Attention Service Bulletin 777–35– 

0024, dated September 1, 2011. 

(h) Corrective Action if Clamshell Coupler Is 

Not Fully Latched 

If, during any inspection required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD, any clamshell 

coupler is not fully latched: Before further 

flight, latch the clamshell coupler, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 777–35–0024, dated 

September 1, 2011. 

(i) Corrective Action if Clamshell Coupler Is 

Not Installed 

If, during any inspection required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD, any clamshell 

coupler is not installed: Before further flight, 

install a clamshell coupler. 

Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD: 

Guidance on installation of the clamshell 

coupler may be found in Subject 35–00–00, 

Oxygen, of Chapter 35, Oxygen, of Part II, 

Practices and Procedures, of the Boeing 777 

Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 67, 

dated January 5, 2013. 

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Seattle 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, 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
23112 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 75 / Thursday, April 18, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. 

(k) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Susan Monroe, Aerospace Engineer, 

Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems 

Branch, ANM–150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 

Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 

Renton, WA 98057–3356; phone: 425–917– 

6457; fax: 425–917–6590; email: 

susan.l.monroe@faa.gov. 

(l) 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 Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 777–35–0024, dated September 1, 

2011. 

(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, Washington 98124–2207; 

telephone 206–544–5000, extension 1; fax 

206–766–5680; Internet https:// 

www.myboeingfleet.com. 

(4) 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. 

(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/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 5, 

2013. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–08907 Filed 4–17–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0013; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–CE–046–AD; Amendment 

39–17421; AD 2013–08–04] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Grob-Werke 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for GrobWerke Model G115EG airplanes. This 

AD results from mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) 

issued by an aviation authority of 

another country to identify and correct 

an unsafe condition on an aviation 

product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 

condition as cracks in the elevator trim 

tab arms on several Grob G 115 

airplanes, which could result in failure 

of the part and consequent loss of 

control. We are issuing this AD to 

require actions to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective May 23, 

2013. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in the AD 

as of May 23, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD 

docket on the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov or in person at 

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 service information identified in 

this AD, contact Grob Aircraft AG, 

Lettenbachstrasse 9, D–86874 

Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany; 

telephone: +49 (0) 8268 998 139; fax: 

+49 (0) 8268 998 200; email: 

productsupport@grob-aircraft.de; 

Internet: www.grob-aircraft.com/ 

index.php/g-115e.html. You may review 

copies of the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Small Airplane 

Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, 

Missouri 64106. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, 

call (816) 329–4148. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer, 

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 

Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 

Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329– 

4138; fax: (816) 329–4090; email: 

taylor.martin@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 was published in the Federal 

Register on January 15, 2013 (78 FR 

2910). That NPRM proposed to correct 

an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

On several Grob G 115 aeroplanes, elevator 

trim tab arms Part Number (P/N) 115E–3758 

have been found cracked, from a rear 

mounting hole (either L/H or R/H) to the rear 

edge of the trim tab arm. 

This condition, if not detected and 

corrected, could lead to further crack 

propagation, possibly resulting in failure of 

the part and consequent loss of control of the 

aeroplane. 

For the reasons described above, this AD 

requires repetitive inspections of the elevator 

trim tab arm to detect cracks and, if detected, 

replacement of the part with a serviceable 

part. 

This AD also provides an optional 

terminating action for the repetitive 

inspections. 

The Model G115EG airplane is the 

only airplane type-certificated in the 

United States with the same part 

numbers and similar configuration as 

the airplane model described in the 

MCAI. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

received no comments on the NPRM (78 

FR 2910, January 15, 2013) or on the 

determination of the cost to the public. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the 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 (78 FR 2910, 

January 15, 2013) for correcting the 

unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 2910, 

January 15, 2013). 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect 0 

products of U.S. registry. We also 

estimate that it would take about 3 

work-hours per product to comply with 

the basic requirements of this AD. The 

average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. 

Required parts would cost about $372 

per product. 

Based on these figures, we estimate 

the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to 

be $627 per product. 

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. 


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