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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 23, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 79735-79738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32055]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-7525; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-064-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series 
airplanes; Model 757 airplanes; and Model 767 airplanes. This proposed 
AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded autopilot engagement events 
resulting in incorrect stabilizer trim adjustment during takeoff. This 
proposed AD would require, depending on the model/configuration for 
Model 747 airplanes, installing an on-ground stabilizer autotrim 
inhibit system, doing routine functional testing of the automatic 
stabilizer trim inhibit system and corrective actions if necessary; for 
Model 757 airplanes and Model 767 airplanes, installing relays and 
related wiring to open and close the flight control computer (FCC) 
analog output that controls the stabilizer trim adjustment, doing 
routine functional testing of the automatic stabilizer trim inhibit 
system, and corrective actions if necessary; and for Model 767-300, and 
-300F series airplanes, installing new operational program software 
(OPS) into the FCCs. We are proposing this AD to prevent stabilizer 
mistrim, which could result in a high-speed rejected takeoff and runway 
overrun, or reduced controllability of the airplane after takeoff due 
to insufficient pitch control.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 8, 
2016.

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 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-
7525.

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-
7525; 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: Fnu Winarto, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6659; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
fnu.winarto@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-2015-7525; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-064-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.

[[Page 79736]]

Discussion

    We have received reports of uncommanded autopilot engagement events 
resulting in incorrect stabilizer trim adjustment during takeoff. The 
current configuration of affected airplanes allows engagement of the 
autopilot while on the ground. This engagement can result in the 
stabilizer trim being positioned to a trim setting outside of the 
acceptable takeoff setting range. The root cause is unknown, but the 
erroneous autopilot engage request is believed to have come from the 
mode control panel (MCP) and to have been caused by contamination 
within the MCP. Incorrect stabilizer trim adjustment during takeoff, if 
not corrected, could result in a high-speed rejected takeoff and runway 
overrun, or reduced controllability of the airplane after takeoff due 
to insufficient pitch control.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed the following service information.
     Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-22-2256, 
dated March 6, 2015. This service information describes procedures for 
installing an on-ground stabilizer autotrim inhibit system, and doing 
functional testing.
     Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-22-0096, 
dated March 23, 2015. This service information describes procedures for 
modifying relays and wiring to open and close the FCC analog output 
that controls the stabilizer trim adjustment, and doing functional 
testing.
     Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-22-0143, 
Revision 1, dated July 6, 2015. This service information describes 
procedures for modifying relays and wiring to open and close the FCC 
analog output that controls the stabilizer trim adjustment, and doing 
functional testing.
     Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-22-0146, 
Revision 1, dated June 25, 2015. This service information describes 
procedures for installing new OPS into the FCCs.
    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 of this 
NPRM.

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 these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously. For information on the 
procedures and compliance times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
7525.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    For Model 747 airplanes, this proposed AD would require doing post-
modification routine functional testing of the automatic stabilizer 
trim inhibit system, and corrective actions if necessary, at intervals 
not to exceed 1,500 flight hours. The service information does not 
require these actions.

Explanation of ``RC'' Steps in Service Information

    The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the 
Airworthiness Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee 
(ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement was a new process for 
annotating which steps in the service information are required for 
compliance with an AD. Differentiating these steps from other tasks in 
the service information is expected to improve an owner's/operator's 
understanding of crucial AD requirements and help provide consistent 
judgment in AD compliance. The steps identified as Required for 
Compliance (RC) in any service information identified previously have a 
direct effect on detecting, preventing, resolving, or eliminating an 
identified unsafe condition.
    For service information that contains steps that are labeled as RC, 
the following provisions apply: (1) 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, and an AMOC is required for any 
deviations to RC steps, including substeps and identified figures; and 
(2) 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1,220 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                 Cost on  U.S.
             Action                     Labor cost          Parts cost     Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model 747 series airplane        123 work-hours x $85             $2,714  $13,169...........  $1,790,984.
 modification (136 airplanes).    per hour = $10,455.
Model 747 series airplane        4 work-hours x $85 per                0  $340 per test.....  $46,240 per test.
 functional test (136             hour = $340.
 airplanes).
Model 757 series airplane        83 work-hours x $85 per           3,236  $10,291...........  $6,977,298.
 modification (678 airplanes).    hour = $7,055.
Model 757 series airplane        3 work-hours x $85 per                0  $255 per test.....  $172,890 per test.
 functional test (678             hour = $255 per test.
 airplanes).
Model 767 series airplane        121 work-hours x $85              6,076  $16,361...........  $6,642,566.
 modification (406 airplanes).    per hour = $10,285.
Model 767 series airplane        1 work-hour x $85 per                 0  $85...............  $1,955.
 software modification (23        hour = $85.
 airplanes).
Model 767 series airplane        5 work-hours x $85 per                0  $425 per test.....  $172,550 per test.
 functional test (406             hour = $425 per test.
 airplanes).
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[[Page 79737]]

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
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 available costs in our 
cost estimate.
    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
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

    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

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):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2015-7525; Directorate Identifier 
2015-NM-064-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 8, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to certain The Boeing Company airplanes, 
certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
through (c)(4) of this AD.
    (1) Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes, as 
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-22-2256, 
dated March 6, 2015.
    (2) Model 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes, as 
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-22-0096, 
dated March 23, 2015.
    (3) Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes, as 
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-22-0143, 
Revision 1, dated July 6, 2015.
    (4) Model 767-300, and -300F series airplanes, as identified in 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-22-0146, Revision 1, 
dated June 25, 2015.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 22, Auto flight.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded autopilot 
engagement events resulting in incorrect stabilizer trim adjustment 
during takeoff. We are issuing this AD to prevent stabilizer 
mistrim, which could result in a high-speed rejected takeoff and 
runway overrun, or reduced controllability of the airplane after 
takeoff due to insufficient pitch control.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Model 747 Airplane Modification and Repetitive Functional Testing

    For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD: Within 
24 months after the effective date of this AD, install new wiring 
and relays to reroute the four autotrim arm signals through new or 
existing air/ground determination source select switches, and do 
functional testing, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-22-
2256, dated March 6, 2015. If the functional test fails, before 
further flight, do corrective actions, repeat the test, and do all 
applicable corrective actions until the functional test is passed, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 747-22-2256, dated March 6, 2015. Repeat 
the functional test of the automatic stabilizer trim system 
specified in step 250. of paragraph 3.B. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-22-
2256, dated March 6, 2015, thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
1,500 flight hours. If any functional test fails, before further 
flight, do corrective actions, repeat the test, and do all 
applicable corrective actions until the functional test is passed, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 747-22-2256, dated March 6, 2015.

(h) Model 757 Airplane Modification and Repetitive Functional Testing

    For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD: Within 
24 months after the effective date of this AD, install wiring to 
inhibit the automatic stabilizer trim arm discrete when the airplane 
is on ground, install a two-position momentary contact test switch 
in the main equipment center, and do the functional test and all 
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-22-
0096, dated March 23, 2015. Repeat the functional test of the 
automatic stabilizer trim system and all applicable corrective 
actions specified in step 11. of paragraph 3.B. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 757-22-0096, dated March 23, 2015, thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 1,500 flight hours.

(i) Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER Series Airplane Modification 
and Repetitive Functional Testing

    For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(3) of this AD: Within 
24 months after the effective date of this AD, install relays and 
wiring to open and close the flight control computer (FCC) analog 
output that controls the stabilizer trim adjustment, install a 
momentary action ground test switch, and do the functional testing 
and all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 767-22-0143, Revision 1, dated July 6, 2015. Repeat the 
functional test of the automatic stabilizer trim system and all 
applicable corrective actions specified in steps 5.a. through 5.g. 
of Paragraph 3.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-22-0143, Revision 1, dated 
July 6, 2015, thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight 
hours.

[[Page 79738]]

(j) Model 767-300 and -300F Series Airplane Modification

    For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(4) of this AD: Within 
16 months after the effective date of this AD, install new 
operational program software into the FCCs, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 767-22-0146, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2015.

(k) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraph (i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 767-22-0143, dated March 6, 2015.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraph (j) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 767-22-0146, dated March 24, 2015.

(l) 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 (m)(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 
(l)(4)(i) and (l)(4)(ii) 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.

(m) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Fnu Winarto, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6659; fax: 425-917-6590; 
email: fnu.winarto@faa.gov.
    (2) For 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. 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 8, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-32055 Filed 12-22-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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