50872 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 165 / Tuesday, August 26, 2014 / Proposed Rules 

Requirements, Revision 04, dated August 27, 

2013, except as provided by paragraph (k)(2) 

of this AD, accomplish all applicable 

maintenance tasks. Accomplishing these 

actions terminates the requirements of 

paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (j) of this AD. 

(2) Where paragraph 3 of the ‘‘Record of 

Revisions’’ section of Airbus A330 ALS Part 

3—Certification Maintenance Requirements, 

Revision 04, dated August 27, 2013, specifies 

accomplishing the actions ‘‘from 27 August 

2013,’’ this AD requires compliance within 

the specified compliance time after the 

effective date of this AD. 

(l) No Alternative Inspections or Intervals 

After accomplishing the action required by 

paragraph (k)(1) of this AD, no alternative 

inspections or inspection intervals may be 

used, other than those specified in Airbus 

A330 ALS, Part 3—Certification Maintenance 

Requirements, Revision 04, dated August 27, 

2013, except as provided by paragraph (k)(2) 

of this AD, unless the inspections or intervals 

are approved as an AMOC in accordance 

with the procedures specified in paragraph 

(m) of this AD. 

(m) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Branch, 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 International Branch, send it to ATTN: 

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; 

telephone (425) 227–1138; fax (425) 227– 

1149. Information may be emailed to: 

9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 

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. The AMOC 

approval letter must specifically reference 

this AD. 

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any 

requirement in this AD to obtain corrective 

actions from a manufacturer, the action must 

be accomplished using a method approved 

by the Manager, International Branch, ANM– 

116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or 

the European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA); or Airbus’s EASA Design 

Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by 

the DOA, the approval must include the 

DOA-authorized signature. 

(n) Related Information 

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA 

Airworthiness Directive 2013–0245, dated 

October 2, 2013, for related information. This 

MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the 

Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. FAA– 

2014–0587. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness 

Office—EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 

31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 

5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email 

airworthiness.A330@airbus.com; Internet 

http://www.airbus.com. You may view this 

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. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 

18, 2014. 

Kevin Hull, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2014–20257 Filed 8–25–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2014–0585; Directorate 

Identifier 2013–NM–248–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Airbus Model A318, A319, and A321 

series airplanes; and Model A320–211, 

–212, –214, –231, –232, and –233 

airplanes. This proposed AD was 

prompted by a report of corrosion found 

during the manufacturing process for 

some oxygen pipe assemblies that are 

used to supply oxygen to the flight 

crew. This proposed AD would require 

an inspection to determine the batch 

number or installation date of the 

oxygen pipe assembly that is installed at 

the end of the right-hand crew 

distribution line, and, if necessary, 

replacement of the pipe. We are 

proposing this AD to detect and correct 

corrosion, which could lead to blocked 

or reduced oxygen supply to a flight 

crew member during a decompression 

event or a smoke/fire event in the 

cockpit. Under certain conditions, 

corrosion particles could increase the 

risk of fire in the cockpit. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by October 10, 2014. 

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, between 9 

a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this proposed AD, contact Airbus, 

Airworthiness Office—EIAS, 1 Rond 

Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 

Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 

96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email 

account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; 

Internet http://www.airbus.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. 

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–2014– 

0585; 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 Operations 

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: 

Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 

98057–3356; telephone 425–227–1405; 

fax 425–227–1149. 

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–2014–0585; Directorate Identifier 

2013–NM–248–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 based on those comments. 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 165 / Tuesday, August 26, 2014 / Proposed Rules 50873 

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 

The European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Community, has issued EASA 

Airworthiness Directive 2013–0278, 

dated November 26, 2013 (referred to 

after this as the Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information, or ‘‘the 

MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition 

for all Airbus Model A318, A319, and 

A321 series airplanes; and Model A320– 

211, –212, –214, –231, –232, and –233 

airplanes. The MCAI states: 

Some oxygen pipe assemblies, Part 

Number (P/N) D3511032000640, have been 

found corroded during manufacturing at 

supplier level. The affected pipe assembly is 

installed at the end of the right hand (RH) 

crew distribution line, just upstream of the 

First Officer and RH Observer oxygen mask 

boxes. 

The investigation showed that the affected 

pipes had been heat treated just 4 weeks 

before the summer factory closure and were 

only cleaned after re-opening of the factory. 

During this interruption, corrosion developed 

in these pipes. 

This condition, if not detected and 

corrected, could lead to blocked or reduced 

oxygen supply to one flight crew member in 

case of decompression or smoke/fire in the 

cockpit. In addition, the presence of particles 

in oxygen lines, under certain conditions, 

increases the risk of fire in the cockpit. 

The parts manufacturer identified the 

batch numbers of the potentially affected 

pipes that were manufactured in a specific 

period in 2011. Based on that information, 

Airbus has identified the aeroplanes on 

which those pipes have been installed on the 

production line and has issued Service 

Bulletin (SB) A320–35–1069, containing 

instructions to remove the affected pipes 

from service. 

For the reasons described above, this 

[EASA] AD requires the identification of the 

affected oxygen pipes P/N D3511032000640, 

and for those included in the affected 

batches, replacement of the oxygen pipe. 

This [EASA] AD also prohibits installation of 

any of the affected pipes on other aeroplanes. 

You may examine the MCAI in the 

AD docket on the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating it in Docket No. FAA– 

2014–0585. 

Relevant Service Information 

Airbus has issued Service Bulletin 

A320–35–1069, dated April 26, 2013. 

The actions described in this service 

information are intended to correct the 

unsafe condition identified in the 

MCAI. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of This Proposed AD 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 

country, and is approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to our 

bilateral agreement with the State of 

Design Authority, we have been notified 

of the unsafe condition described in the 

MCAI and service information 

referenced above. We are proposing this 

AD because we evaluated all pertinent 

information and determined an unsafe 

condition exists and is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of the same 

type design. 

‘‘Contacting the Manufacturer’’ 

Paragraph in This Proposed AD 

Since late 2006, we have included a 

standard paragraph titled ‘‘Airworthy 

Product’’ in all MCAI ADs in which the 

FAA develops an AD based on a foreign 

authority’s AD. 

The MCAI or referenced service 

information in an FAA AD often directs 

the owner/operator to contact the 

manufacturer for corrective actions, 

such as a repair. Briefly, the Airworthy 

Product paragraph allowed owners/

operators to use corrective actions 

provided by the manufacturer if those 

actions were FAA-approved. In 

addition, the paragraph stated that any 

actions approved by the State of Design 

Authority (or its delegated agent) are 

considered to be FAA-approved. 

In an NPRM having Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–101–AD (78 FR 

78285, December 26, 2013), we 

proposed to prevent the use of repairs 

that were not specifically developed to 

correct the unsafe condition, by 

requiring that the repair approval 

provided by the State of Design 

Authority or its delegated agent 

specifically refer to the FAA AD. This 

change was intended to clarify the 

method of compliance and to provide 

operators with better visibility of repairs 

that are specifically developed and 

approved to correct the unsafe 

condition. In addition, we proposed to 

change the phrase ‘‘its delegated agent’’ 

to include a design approval holder 

(DAH) with State of Design Authority 

design organization approval (DOA), as 

applicable, to refer to a DAH authorized 

to approve required repairs for the 

proposed AD. 

One commenter to the NPRM having 

Directorate Identifier 2012–NM–101–AD 

(78 FR 78285, December 26, 2013) stated 

the following: ‘‘The proposed wording, 

being specific to repairs, eliminates the 

interpretation that Airbus messages are 

acceptable for approving minor 

deviations (corrective actions) needed 

during accomplishment of an AD 

mandated Airbus service bulletin.’’ 

This comment has made the FAA 

aware that some operators have 

misunderstood or misinterpreted the 

Airworthy Product paragraph to allow 

the owner/operator to use messages 

provided by the manufacturer as 

approval of deviations during the 

accomplishment of an AD-mandated 

action. The Airworthy Product 

paragraph does not approve messages or 

other information provided by the 

manufacturer for deviations to the 

requirements of the AD-mandated 

actions. The Airworthy Product 

paragraph only addresses the 

requirement to contact the manufacturer 

for corrective actions for the identified 

unsafe condition and does not cover 

deviations from other AD requirements. 

However, deviations to AD-required 

actions are addressed in 14 CFR 39.17, 

and anyone may request the approval 

for an alternative method of compliance 

to the AD-required actions using the 

procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

To address this misunderstanding and 

misinterpretation of the Airworthy 

Product paragraph, we have changed the 

paragraph and retitled it ‘‘Contacting the 

Manufacturer.’’ This paragraph now 

clarifies that for any requirement in this 

proposed AD to obtain corrective 

actions from a manufacturer, the actions 

must be accomplished using a method 

approved by the FAA, the European 

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), or 

Airbus’s EASA DOA. 

The Contacting the Manufacturer 

paragraph also clarifies that, if approved 

by the DOA, the approval must include 

the DOA-authorized signature. The DOA 

signature indicates that the data and 

information contained in the document 

are EASA-approved, which is also FAAapproved. Messages and other 

information provided by the 

manufacturer that do not contain the 

DOA-authorized signature approval are 

not EASA-approved, unless EASA 

directly approves the manufacturer’s 

message or other information. 

This clarification does not remove 

flexibility previously afforded by the 

Airworthy Product paragraph. 

Consistent with long-standing FAA 

policy, such flexibility was never 

intended for required actions. This is 

also consistent with the 

recommendation of the Airworthiness 

Directive Implementation Aviation 

Rulemaking Committee to increase 

flexibility in complying with ADs by 

identifying those actions in 

manufacturers’ service instructions that 

are ‘‘Required for Compliance’’ with 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
50874 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 165 / Tuesday, August 26, 2014 / Proposed Rules 

ADs. We continue to work with 

manufacturers to implement this 

recommendation. But once we 

determine that an action is required, any 

deviation from the requirement must be 

approved as an alternative method of 

compliance. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 2 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We also estimate that it would take 

about 2 work-hours per product to 

comply with the basic requirements of 

this proposed AD. The average labor 

rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on 

these figures, we estimate the cost of 

this proposed AD on U.S. operators to 

be $340, or $170 per product. 

In addition, we estimate that any 

necessary follow-on actions would take 

about 5 work-hours, for a cost of $425 

per product. We have no way of 

determining the number of aircraft that 

might need this action. 

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. Amend § 39.13 by adding the 

following new airworthiness directive 

(AD): 

Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2014–0585; 

Directorate Identifier 2013–NM–248–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by October 10, 

2014. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes 

identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) 

of this AD, certificated in any category, all 

manufacturer serial numbers. 

(1) Model A318–111, –112, –121, and –122 

airplanes. 

(2) Model A319–111, –112, –113, –114, 

–115, –131, –132, and –133 airplanes. 

(3) Model A320–211, –212, –214, –231, 

–232, and –233 airplanes. 

(4) Model A321–111, –112, –131, –211, 

–212, –213, –231, and –232 airplanes. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 35, Oxygen. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by a report of 

corrosion found during the manufacturing 

process for some oxygen pipe assemblies that 

are used to supply oxygen to the flight crew. 

We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 

corrosion, which could lead to blocked or 

reduced oxygen supply to a flight crew 

member during a decompression event or a 

smoke/fire event in the cockpit. Under 

certain conditions, corrosion particles could 

increase the risk of fire in the cockpit. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Inspecting for Part Numbers and 

Replacement 

For airplanes identified in paragraph 1.A. 

of Airbus Service Bulletin A320–35–1069, 

dated April 26, 2013: Within 7,500 flight 

hours or 26 months after the effective date of 

this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the 

crew oxygen pipe, having part number (P/N) 

D3511032000640, to determine the batch 

number of that pipe, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A320–35–1069, dated April 

26, 2013. A review of airplane maintenance 

records is acceptable in lieu of this 

inspection if the batch number of the pipe 

can be conclusively determined from that 

review. If the batch number of the oxygen 

pipe is 19356252, 40008586, 40076689, 

40187414, 40292749, 40405164, 40649383, 

40724994, 40820410, or 40911832, within 

7,500 flight hours or 26 months after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 

first, replace the oxygen pipe with a 

serviceable part, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A320–35–1069, dated April 

26, 2013. 

(h) Inspection for Part Number of Crew 

Oxygen Pipe 

For airplanes not identified in paragraph 

1.A. of Airbus Service Bulletin A320–35– 

1069, dated April 26, 2013: Within 7,500 

flight hours or 26 months after the effective 

date of this AD, whichever occurs first, 

inspect the crew oxygen pipe to determine 

whether P/N D3511032000640 was installed 

after June 2011. A review of airplane 

maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of 

this inspection if the part number and 

installation date of the pipe can be 

conclusively determined from that review. If 

the pipe was installed after June 2011, or the 

date cannot be conclusively determined, 

before further flight, do the actions required 

in paragraph (g) of this AD. 

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition 

As of the effective date of this AD, do not 

install, on any airplane, a crew oxygen pipe 

P/N D3511032000640, that is identified as 

belonging to batch number 19356252, 

40008586, 40076689, 40187414, 40292749, 

40405164, 40649383, 40724994, 40820410, or 

40911832. 

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 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 International Branch, send it to ATTN: 

Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 165 / Tuesday, August 26, 2014 / Proposed Rules 50875 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; 

telephone 425–227–1405; fax 425–227–1149. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116- 

AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 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. The AMOC approval letter 

must specifically reference this AD. 

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any 

requirement in this AD to obtain corrective 

actions from a manufacturer, the action must 

be accomplished using a method approved 

by the Manager, International Branch, ANM– 

116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or 

the European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA); or Airbus’s EASA Design 

Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by 

the DOA, the approval must include the 

DOA-authorized signature. 

(k) Related Information 

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA 

Airworthiness Directive 2013–0278, dated 

November 26, 2013, for related information. 

This MCAI may be found in the AD docket 

on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 

FAA–2014–0585. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus, Airworthiness 

Office—EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice 

Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; 

telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 

93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@

airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com. 

You may view this 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. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 

15, 2014. 

Michael Kaszycki, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2014–20261 Filed 8–25–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2014–0575; Directorate 

Identifier 2014–NM–086–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all The 

Boeing Company Model 747–8F and 

747–8 series airplanes. This proposed 

AD was prompted by reports of 

delamination damage to leading edge 

(LE) variable camber krueger (VCK) 

flaps. This proposed AD would require 

repetitive inspections to detect 

delamination damage of the lightning 

strike applique (LSA) on the LE VCK 

flaps, and corrective actions if 

necessary. We are proposing this AD to 

detect and correct delamination damage 

to the LE VCK flaps, which can reduce 

the lightning strike protection capability 

on the LE VCK flaps and result in an 

uncommanded motion of the trailing 

edge flap system. Such uncommanded 

flap motion, without shutdown of the 

trailing edge or leading edge flaps, may 

cause unexpected changes in lift, 

potentially resulting in asymmetric lift 

and loss of control of the airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by October 10, 2014. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, 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, WA 98124–2207; 

telephone 206–544–5000, extension 1; 

fax 206–766–5680; Internet https://

www.myboeingfleet.com. You may 

review 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. 

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–2014– 

0575; 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: 

Kenneth Frey, Aerospace Engineer, 

Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM– 

130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 

Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

WA 98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6468; 

fax: 425–917–6190; email: 

kenneth.frey@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– 

2014–0575; Directorate Identifier 2014– 

NM–086–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 have received multiple reports of 

damage to the LSA on the LE VCK flaps 

found during ground inspections on 

Model 747–8F and 747–8 series 

airplanes. The damage included 

delamination of topcoat and metal foil 

layers from the underlying dielectric 

layer of the LSA. In some cases, the LSA 

damage was incorrectly identified as 

missing or peeling paint. 

Excessive delamination damage can 

reduce the lightning strike protection 

capability on LE VCK flaps. Loss of 

lightning strike protection could expose 

the electrical traces of the leading edge 

failure indication (LEFI) system on the 

back side of the LE VCK flaps to a direct 

lightning strike. A direct lightning strike 

to the LE VCK flaps with existing LSA 

damage could result in direct lightning 

attachment to the high lift flap control 

units (FCUs), potentially resulting in an 

uncommanded motion of the trailing 

edge flap system. Such uncommanded 

flap motion, without shutdown of the 

trailing edge or leading edge flaps, may 

cause unexpected changes in lift, 

potentially resulting in asymmetric lift 

and loss of control of the airplane. 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS