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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 63 (Friday, April 1, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18741-18743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07190]

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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
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to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 63 / Friday, April 1, 2016 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 18741]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5038; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-029-AD; 
Amendment 39-18455; AD 2016-07-10]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The 
Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes. This AD requires 
revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to instruct the flightcrew to 
avoid abrupt flight control inputs in response to sudden drops in 
airspeed, and to reinforce the need to disconnect the autopilot before 
making any manual flight control inputs. This AD was prompted by 
reports indicating that in certain weather conditions with high 
moisture content or possible icing, erroneous low airspeed may be 
displayed to the flightcrew before detection and annunciation via 
engine-indicating and crew-alerting system (EICAS) messages. We are 
issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew avoids abrupt pilot 
control inputs in response to an unrealistic, sudden drop in displayed 
airspeed at high actual airspeed. Abrupt pilot control inputs in this 
condition could exceed the structural capability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective April 14, 2016.
    We must receive comments on this AD by May 16, 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: 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.

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-2016-
5038; 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 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:

Discussion

    We have received three reports of in-service displayed airspeed 
anomalies on Model 787 airplanes. We continue to investigate this issue 
with Boeing; however, the anomalous behavior is consistent with 
significant water ingestion or simultaneous icing of two or three of 
the three pitot probes. During each of the reported events, the 
displayed airspeed rapidly dropped significantly below the actual 
airplane airspeed. In normal operations, the air data reference system 
supplies the same airspeed to both the captain and first officer 
primary flight displays. During one in-service event, with autopilot 
engaged, the pilot overrode the engaged autopilot in response to the 
displayed erroneous low airspeed and made significant nose-down manual 
control inputs. In this situation, there is the potential for large 
pilot control inputs at high actual airspeed, which could cause the 
airplane to exceed its structural capability.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing 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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires revising the AFM to add a ``Non-normal Procedure'' 
for ``Airspeed Drop'' that instructs the flightcrew to avoid abrupt 
flight control inputs, and reinforces the need to disconnect the 
autopilot prior to making any manual flight control inputs.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. The airplane manufacturer is 
currently developing modifications to the display and crew alerting 
system, flight control system, and air data system that will address 
the unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once these modifications 
are developed, approved, and available, we may consider additional 
rulemaking.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because 
large, abrupt pilot control inputs in response to an unrealistic, 
sudden drop in displayed airspeed at high actual airspeed could exceed 
the structural capability of the airplane. Therefore, we find that 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and 
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 
30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about

[[Page 18742]]

this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES 
section. Include the docket number FAA-2016-5038 and Directorate 
Identifier 2016-NM-029-AD at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this 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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 43 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFM revision........................  1 work-hour x $85 per                $0              $85           $3,655
                                       hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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):

2016-07-10 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18455; Docket No. FAA-
2016-5038; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-029-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 14, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports indicating that in certain 
weather conditions with high moisture content or possible icing, 
erroneous low airspeed data may be displayed to the flightcrew 
before detection and annunciation via engine-indicating and crew-
alerting system (EICAS) messages. We are issuing this AD to ensure 
that the flightcrew avoids abrupt pilot control inputs in response 
to an unrealistic, sudden drop in displayed airspeed at high actual 
airspeed. Abrupt pilot control inputs could exceed the structural 
capability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision: Operating Procedures

    Within 15 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
applicable Boeing 787 AFM to add a ``Non-normal Procedure'' that 
includes the information in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD. 
This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.

[[Page 18743]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP16.000

(h) 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 (i) 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.

(i) Related Information

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

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 25, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-07190 Filed 3-31-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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