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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 80 (Friday, April 25, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22908-22910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-09409]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0256; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-214-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 777 airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by reports of dual pitch rate sensor (PRS) failures, resulting 
in autopilot disconnects. This proposed AD would require an inspection 
to determine the PRS part number and replacement if necessary. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent a dual PRS failure that could cause an 
automatic disengagement of the autopilot and autoland, which may 
prevent continued safe flight and landing if disengagement occurs at 
low altitude and the flight crew is unable to safely assume control and 
execute a go-around or manual landing.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 9, 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-
0256; 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: Marie Hogestad, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
phone: 425-917-6418; fax: 425-917-6590; email: marie.hogestad@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-2014-0256; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-214-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 22909]]

Discussion

    We received reports of dual PRS failures on Model 777 airplanes 
causing the primary flight computers (PFCs) to transition from primary 
mode to secondary mode, resulting in autopilot disconnects. Vibration 
testing of the sensors identified a mechanical resonance, which can 
result in an erroneous sensor output that the PFCs would interpret as a 
PRS failure. It is suspected that variability in manufacturing 
tolerances could cause differences in the resonant frequency for 
individual PRS and, when combined with variability in the airplane 
vibration environment, results in a PRS failure. This condition, if not 
corrected, could cause an automatic disengagement of the autopilot and 
autoland, which may prevent continued safe flight and landing if 
disengagement occurs at low altitude and the flight crew is unable to 
safely assume control and execute a go-around or manual landing.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0115, 
dated May 22, 2013. For information on the procedures, see this service 
information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0256.

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 the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously, including an 
inspection to determine the PRS part number and replacement if 
necessary.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 47 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
            Action                       Labor cost               Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection...................  2 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $0             $170           $7,990
                                $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide the 
cost of parts specified in this proposed AD. 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement (Up to 4 PRSs per           Up to 4 work-hours x $85 per               $0   Up to $340.
 airplane).                              hour = $340.
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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-2014-0256; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NM-214-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 9, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 22910]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200LR, -300, -
300ER, and 777F series airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-0115, 
dated May 22, 2013.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of dual pitch rate sensor (PRS) 
failures causing the primary flight computers to transition from 
primary mode to secondary mode, resulting in autopilot disconnects. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent a dual PRS failure that could 
cause an automatic disengagement of the autopilot and autoland, 
which may prevent continued safe flight and landing if disengagement 
occurs at low altitude and the flight crew is unable to safely 
assume control and execute a go-around or manual landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect to 
determine the part numbers of all four PRSs, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-27-0115, dated May 22, 2013. For airplanes in group 1, 
as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-27-
0115, dated May 22, 2013: A review of airplane maintenance records 
is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number of the 
PRS can be conclusively determined from that review.

(h) Replacement

    If any PRS having P/N 402875-05-01 is found during the 
inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, before further 
flight, replace with a PRS having P/N 402875-03-01, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 777-27-0115, dated May 22, 2013.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a PRS 
having P/N 402875-05-01 on any airplane.

(j) 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 (k)(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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Marie Hogestad, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6418; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
marie.hogestad@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 April 18, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-09409 Filed 4-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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