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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 30, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74012-74013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30821]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1257; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-124-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 Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, and -300ER series 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report from the 
manufacturer indicating that the lowered ceiling support structure of 
Section 41, in airplanes incorporating the overhead space utilization 
(OSU) option, was found to be under-strength when subjected to a 9.0 g 
forward load. This proposed AD would require installing new structural 
members in and new tie rod(s) and attach fittings on the left and right 
sides of the lowered ceiling support structure. We are proposing this 
AD to prevent the forward lowered ceiling panels and support structure 
from becoming dislodged during an occurrence of a 9.0 g forward load 
and consequent injury to personnel or interference with an emergency 
evacuation.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 17, 
2012.

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, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 
(206) 544-5000, extension 1; fax (206) 766-5680; email 
me.boecom@boeing.com; 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 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: Ana Martinez Hueto, Aerospace 
Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6592; fax: (425) 917-6591; 
email: ana.m.hueto@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-2011-1257; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-124-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 a report from the manufacturer indicating that the 
lowered ceiling support structure of Section 41, in airplanes 
incorporating the OSU option, was found to be under-strength when 
subjected to a 9.0 g forward load. This condition, if not corrected, 
could cause the forward lowered ceiling panels and support structure to 
become dislodged during an occurrence of a 9.0 g forward load and 
consequent injury to personnel or interference with an emergency 
evacuation.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0482, 
dated February 24, 2011. This service information describes procedures 
for installing new structural members and new tie rod(s) and attach 
fittings on the left and right sides of the lowered ceiling support 
structure.

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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 4 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

[[Page 74013]]

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection and Installation........  19 work-hours x $85 per             $13,329         $14,944         $59,776
                                      hour = $1,615.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.

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.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2011-1257; Directorate Identifier 
2011-NM-124-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 17, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to the Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, 
and -300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0482, 
dated February 24, 2011.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 25: Equipment/Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report from the manufacturer 
indicating that the lowered ceiling support structure of Section 41, 
in airplanes incorporating the overhead space utilization (OSU) 
option, was found to be under-strength when subjected to a 9.0 g 
forward load. We are issuing this AD to prevent the forward lowered 
ceiling panels and support structure from becoming dislodged during 
an occurrence of a 9.0 g forward load and consequent injury to 
personnel or interference with an emergency evacuation.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Installation of Lowered Ceiling Support Structure

    Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, install 
new structural members and new tie rod(s) and attach fittings on the 
left and right sides of the lowered ceiling support structure in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0482, dated February 24, 2011.

(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 the Related Information 
section 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

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Ana Martinez 
Hueto, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems 
Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6592; 
fax: (425) 917-6591; email: ana.m.hueto@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, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 
(206) 544-5000, extension 1; fax (206) 766-5680; email 
me.boecom@boeing.com; 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 22, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-30821 Filed 11-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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