This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

46201 

Vol. 79, No. 152 

Thursday, August 7, 2014 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2014–0523; Directorate 

Identifier 2014–NM–050–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 certain 

The Boeing Company Model 777–200 

and –300 series airplanes equipped with 

Pratt and Whitney engines. This 

proposed AD was prompted by reports 

of blocked drain lines at the engine 

forward strut that caused flammable 

fluid to accumulate in a flammable 

leakage zone. This AD would require 

repetitive functional checks for blockage 

of the forward strut drain line, and 

doing corrective actions (including 

cleaning or replacing any blocked drain 

lines) if necessary; and a one-time 

cleaning of certain forward strut drain 

lines. We are proposing this AD to 

detect and correct blockage of forward 

strut drain lines, which could cause 

flammable fluids to collect in the 

forward strut area and potentially cause 

an uncontrolled fire or cause failure of 

engine attachment structure and 

consequent airplane loss. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by September 22, 

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 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– 

0523; 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: 

Kevin Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, 

Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 

98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6501; fax: 

425–917–6590; email: kevin.nguyen@

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– 

2014–0523; Directorate Identifier 2014– 

NM–050–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 received more than five reports of 

the forward drain lines of the engine 

struts being blocked with coked 

particles. Coked particles form when 

hydraulic fluid is exposed to, and 

degraded by, the high temperatures of 

the hot core zone of the engine and the 

hot pneumatic bleed ducts. In two 

events, fluids backed up into the 

electrical (left) side of the disconnect 

box assembly of the strut system, 

causing an electrical fault that resulted 

in a false overheat detection engine 

indicating and crew-alerting system 

(EICAS) message. Flammable fluids 

collecting in the electrical side of the 

disconnect box assembly of the strut 

system can cause an electrical fault for 

electrical components, and create a 

potential ignition source for trapped 

flammable fluids that can lead to fuel 

explosion. 

In the other three events, flammable 

fluids backed up and pooled in the fluid 

(right) side of the disconnect box 

assembly of the strut system. Flammable 

fluids collecting in the disconnect box 

assembly of the strut system are a fire 

hazard because that area has no fire 

detection, containment, or extinguishing 

capability and with an ignition source 

can result in an uncontrolled fire in the 

strut. Also, flammable fluids pooling in 

the disconnect box assembly of the strut 

system can spill over onto the engine 

and initiate an engine fire in the engine 

core cavity compartment. 

Hydraulic fluid collecting in the 

disconnect box assembly of the strut 

system can cause contamination and 

hydrogen embrittlement of the titanium 

structure resulting in cracks that can 

compromise the engine firewall by 

allowing a fire in the engine area to 

enter the strut; or by allowing 

flammable fluids to leak down and 

initiate an engine fire in the engine core 

cavity compartment, and also 

compromise the engine fire 

extinguishing system. Hydraulic fluid 

contamination, including contamination 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
46202 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 152 / Thursday, August 7, 2014 / Proposed Rules 

caused by hydraulic fluid in its liquid, 

vapor, and/or solid (i.e., coked) form, in 

the strut forward dry bay can lead to 

hydrogen embrittlement of the titanium 

fittings of the forward engine mount 

bulkhead and also the consequent 

inability of the fittings to carry engine 

loads, resulting in the loss or separation 

of an engine. Hydraulic embrittlement 

could also cause a through-crack 

formation across the fittings through 

which an engine fire could breach into 

the strut, resulting in an uncontained 

strut fire. We are proposing this AD to 

detect and correct blockage of forward 

strut drain lines, which could cause 

flammable fluids to collect in the 

forward strut area and potentially cause 

an uncontrolled fire or cause failure of 

engine attachment structure and 

consequent airplane loss. 

Related Rulemaking 

On May 24, 2013, we issued AD 

2013–11–14, Amendment 39–17474 (78 

FR 35749, June 14, 2013), for certain 

The Boeing Company Model 777–200 

and -300 series airplanes. AD 2013–11– 

14 currently requires repetitive general 

visual inspections of the strut forward 

dry bay for hydraulic fluid 

contamination, and related investigative 

and corrective actions if necessary. AD 

2013–11–14 was prompted by reports of 

hydraulic fluid contamination found in 

the strut forward dry bay. The actions 

required by AD 2013–11–14 are 

intended to detect and correct hydraulic 

fluid contamination of the strut forward 

dry bay that could result in hydrogen 

embrittlement of the titanium forward 

engine mount bulkhead fittings, and the 

consequent inability of the fittings to 

carry engine loads, resulting in engine 

separation. 

On April 12, 2011, we issued AD 

2011–09–11, Amendment 39–16673 (76 

FR 24354, May 2, 2011), for certain The 

Boeing Company Model 777–200 and 

-300 series airplanes. AD 2011–09–11 

requires repetitive inspections for 

hydraulic fluid contamination of the 

interior of the strut disconnect 

assembly; repetitive inspections for 

discrepancies of the interior of the strut 

disconnect assembly, if necessary; 

repetitive inspections of the exterior of 

the strut disconnect assembly for cracks, 

if necessary; corrective action if 

necessary; and an optional terminating 

action for the inspections. AD 2011–09– 

11 resulted from reports of system 

disconnect boxes that have been 

contaminated with hydraulic fluid and, 

in one incident, led to subsequent 

cracking of titanium parts in the system 

disconnect assembly. We issued AD 

2011–09–11 to detect and correct 

hydraulic fluid contamination, which 

can cause cracking of titanium parts in 

the system disconnect assembly, 

resulting in compromise of the engine 

firewall. 

Relevant Service Information 

We reviewed Boeing Special 

Attention Service Bulletin 777–54– 

0027, Revision 1, dated September 12, 

2013. 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–2014– 

0523. 

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 this same 

type design. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This AD would require repetitive 

functional checks for blockage of the 

forward strut drain line, doing 

corrective actions (including cleaning or 

replacing any blocked drain lines) if 

necessary; and a one-time cleaning of 

certain forward strut drain lines. This 

proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information described 

previously. 

The phrase ‘‘corrective actions’’ is 

used in this proposed AD. ‘‘Corrective 

actions’’ are actions that correct or 

address any condition found. Corrective 

actions in an AD could include, for 

example, repairs. 

Interim Action 

We consider this proposed AD 

interim action. The manufacturer is 

currently developing a modification that 

will address the unsafe condition 

identified in this AD. Once this 

modification is developed, approved, 

and available, we might consider 

additional rulemaking. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 54 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators 

Repetitive functional checks 

of 2 struts per inspection 

cycle.

9 work-hours × $85 per hour 

= $765 per inspection cycle.

$0 $765 per inspection cycle ...... $41,310 per inspection cycle. 

One-time cleaning .................. 13 work-hours × $85 per hour 

= $1,105.

0 $1,105 .................................... $59,670. 

We estimate the following costs to do 

any necessary replacements that would 

be required based on the results of the 

proposed inspection. We have no way of 

determining the number of aircraft that 

might need these replacements: 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product 

Clean and repair drain tube assemblies in up to 2 

struts.

Up to 5 work-hours × $85 per hour = $425 .............. $0 ..................... Up to $425. 

Replace drain tube assemblies in up to 2 struts ....... Up to 5 work-hours × $85 per hour = $425 .............. Up to $4,484 ..... Up to $4,909. 

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 costs in our 

cost estimate. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 152 / Thursday, August 7, 2014 / Proposed Rules 46203 

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 proposed 

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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 

2014–0523; Directorate Identifier 2014– 

NM–050–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by September 

22, 2014. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

Model 777–200 and –300 series airplanes, 

certificated in any category, equipped with 

Pratt & Whitney engines, as identified in 

Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 

777–54–0027, Revision 1, dated September 

12, 2013. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 54, Nacelles/pylons. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

blocked drain lines at the engine forward 

strut that caused flammable fluid to 

accumulate in a flammable leakage zone. We 

are proposing this AD to detect and correct 

blockage of forward strut drain lines, which 

could cause flammable fluids to collect in the 

forward strut area and potentially cause an 

uncontrolled fire or cause failure of engine 

attachment structure and consequent 

airplane loss. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Functional Check, Cleaning, and 

Corrective Actions 

At the applicable times specified in 

paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing 

Special Attention Service Bulletin 777–54– 

0027, Revision 1, dated September 12, 2013, 

except as provided by paragraph (h) of this 

AD, do the actions specified in paragraphs 

(g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 

777–54–0027, Revision 1, dated September 

12, 2013. Repeat the functional check 

required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, 

thereafter at the applicable times specified in 

paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing 

Special Attention Service Bulletin 777–54– 

0027, Revision 1, dated September 12, 2013. 

(1) Do a functional check for blockage of 

the forward strut drain line of the left and 

right strut, clean the forward strut drain line, 

and do all applicable corrective actions 

(including cleaning or replacing blocked 

drain tubes, repairing water leaks, and 

cleaning the inlet drain screen on the right 

system disconnect assembly inlet). Do all 

applicable corrective actions before further 

flight. 

(2) Do a one-time cleaning of the smaller 

forward strut drain lines connected to the left 

systems disconnect, the strut forward lower 

spar, and the forward fire seal pan inlets. 

(h) Exception to the Service Information 

Where Boeing Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 777–54–0027, Revision 1, dated 

September 12, 2013, refers to a compliance 

time ‘‘after the Revision 1 date of this Service 

Bulletin,’’ this AD requires compliance 

within the specified compliance time after 

the effective date of 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-AMOCRequests@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 

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. For a repair 

method to be approved, the repair must meet 

the certification basis of the airplane, and the 

approval must specifically refer to this AD. 

(j) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Kevin Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, 

Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA, Seattle 

Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; 

phone: 425–917–6501; fax: 425–917–6590; 

email: kevin.nguyen@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 July 30, 

2014. 

Jeffrey E. Duven, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2014–18664 Filed 8–6–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS