82210 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 251 / Friday, December 30, 2011 / Proposed Rules 

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. For BAE Systems 

service information identified in this AD, 

contact BAE Systems, Attention: Commercial 

Product Support, 600 Main Street, Room 

S18C, Johnson City, NY 13790–1806; 

telephone (607) 770–3084; fax (607) 770– 

3015; email CS– 

Customer.Service@baesystems.com; Internet 

http://www.baesystems-ps.com/

customersupport. 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 

December 16, 2011. 

Michael Kaszycki, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–33575 Filed 12–29–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–1412 Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–158–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. This 

proposed AD was prompted by reports 

of cracked retract actuator fuse pins that 

can fail earlier than the previously 

determined safe life limit of the pins. A 

fractured retract actuator fuse pin can 

cause the main landing gear (MLG) to 

extend without restriction and attempt 

to lock into position under high 

dynamic loads. This proposed AD 

would require an inspection for the part 

number of the fuse pin, and replacement 

of the pin if necessary. We are 

proposing this AD to prevent structural 

damage to the side and drag brace lock 

assemblies, which could result in 

landing gear collapse during 

touchdown, rollout, or taxi. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by February 13, 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: 

James Sutherland, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 

98057–3356; phone: (425) 917–6533; 

fax: (425) 917–6590; email: 

james.sutherland@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– 

2011–1412; Directorate Identifier 2011– 

NM–158–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 have received reports of cracked 

retract actuator fuse pins that can fail 

earlier than previously determined safe 

life limit of the pins. A fractured retract 

actuator fuse pin can cause the main 

landing gear (MLG) to extend without 

restriction and attempt to lock into 

position under high dynamic loads. 

Unrestricted MLG extension could 

cause structural damage to the side and 

drag brace lock assemblies. This 

condition, if not corrected, could result 

in structural damage to the side and 

drag brace lock assemblies, which could 

result in landing gear collapse during 

touchdown, rollout, or taxi. 

Relevant Service Information 

We reviewed Boeing Special 

Attention Service Bulletin 777–32– 

0083, Revision 1, dated February 17, 

2011. The service information describes 

procedures for inspecting the retract 

actuator fuse pin to identify the part 

number of the pin and, if an affected pin 

is found, replacing it with a new part 

number pin. 

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 35 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this proposed AD: 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 251 / Friday, December 30, 2011 / Proposed Rules 82211 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Inspection ................................ 4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 ..................................... $0 $340 $11,900 

We estimate the following costs to do 

any necessary pin 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 

Pin replacement ....................... 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 per pin ............................... $769 per pin .............. $854 per pin. 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 

2011–1412; Directorate Identifier 2011– 

NM–158–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by February 

13, 2012. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

Model 777–200 and –300 series airplanes, 

certificated in any category, as identified in 

Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 

777–32–0083, Revision 1, dated February 17, 

2011. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 32, Main landing gear. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

cracked retract actuator fuse pins that can fail 

earlier than the previously determined safe 

life limit of the pins. A fractured retract 

actuator fuse pin can cause the main landing 

gear (MLG) to extend without restriction and 

attempt to lock into position under high 

dynamic loads. We are issuing this AD to 

prevent structural damage to the side and 

drag brace lock assemblies, which could 

result in landing gear collapse during 

touchdown, rollout, or taxi. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Inspection of Retract Actuator Fuse Pin 

Within 6 months after the effective date of 

this AD: Inspect the part number of the fuse 

pins of the left and right MLG retract 

actuators, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 

Special Attention Service Bulletin 777–32– 

0083, Revision 1, dated February 17, 2011. A 

review of airplane maintenance records is 

acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the 

part number of the installed actuator fuse pin 

can be conclusively determined from that 

review. 

(1) If any retract actuator fuse pin having 

part number 112W1769–3 is found installed, 

no further action is required by this 

paragraph for that fuse pin. 

(2) If any retract actuator fuse pin having 

part number 112W1769–1 is found installed 

and the pin has accumulated more than 

10,000 total flight cycles as of the effective 

date of this AD: Within 6 months after the 

effective date of this AD, replace the fuse pin 

with a new part number 112W1769–3 fuse 

pin, in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 777–32–0083, Revision 1, 

dated February 17, 2011. 

(3) If any retract actuator fuse pin having 

part number 112W1769–1 is found installed 

and the pin has accumulated 8,000 or more, 

but fewer than or equal to 10,000 total flight 

cycles, as of the effective date of this AD: 

Before the accumulation of 10,000 total flight 

cycles on the pin, or within 12 months after 

the effective date of this AD, whichever 

occurs later, replace the fuse pin with a new 

part number 112W1769–3 fuse pin, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 777–32–0083, Revision 1, 

dated February 17, 2011. 


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82212 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 251 / Friday, December 30, 2011 / Proposed Rules 

(4) If any retract actuator fuse pin having 

part number 112W1769–1 is found installed 

and the pin has accumulated fewer than 

8,000 total flight cycles as of the effective 

date of this AD: Before the accumulation of 

8,000 total flight cycles on the pin, or within 

24 months after the effective date of this AD, 

whichever occurs later, replace the fuse pin 

with a new part number 112W1769–3 fuse 

pin, in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 777–32–0083, Revision 1, 

dated February 17, 2011. 

(h) Parts Installation 

As of the effective date of this AD, no 

person may install a retract actuator fuse pin 

having P/N 112W1769–1 on any airplane. 

(i) Credit for Actions Accomplished in 

Accordance With Previous Service 

Information 

Actions done before the effective date of 

this AD in accordance with Boeing Special 

Attention Service Bulletin 777–32–0083, 

dated February 5, 2009, are acceptable for 

compliance with the corresponding 

requirements of this AD. 

(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 the 

Related Information section of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-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 

required by this AD if it is approved by 

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. 

(k) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact James Sutherland, Aerospace 

Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, 

FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057– 

3356; phone: (425) 917–6533; fax: (425) 917– 

6590; email: james.sutherland@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 

December 23, 2011. 

John P. Piccola, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–33544 Filed 12–29–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 

AFFAIRS 

38 CFR Part 17 

RIN 2900–AO01 

Grants for Transportation of Veterans 

in Highly Rural Areas 

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs. 

ACTION: Proposed rule. 

SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans 

Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its 

regulations in part 17 to establish a new 

program to provide grants to eligible 

entities to assist veterans in highly rural 

areas through innovative transportation 

services to travel to VA medical centers, 

and to otherwise assist in providing 

transportation services in connection 

with the provision of VA medical care 

to these veterans. This rulemaking is 

necessary to implement new statutory 

authority by establishing procedures for 

evaluating grant applications under the 

new grant program, and otherwise 

administering the new grant program. 

This proposed rule would implement 

section 307 of title III of the Caregivers 

and Veterans Omnibus Health Services 

Act of 2010 (the 2010 Act). 

DATES: Comments must be received by 

VA on or before February 28, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be 

submitted through http://www.

regulations.gov; by mail or hand 

delivery to the Director, Regulation 

Policy and Management (02REG), 

Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 

Vermont Ave. NW., Room 1068, 

Washington, DC 20420; or by fax to 

(202) 273–9026. Comments should 

indicate that they are submitted in 

response to ‘‘RIN 2900–AO01, Grants for 

Transportation of Veterans in Highly 

Rural Areas.’’ Copies of comments 

received will be available for public 

inspection in the Office of Regulation 

Policy and Management, Room 1063B, 

between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 

p.m., Monday through Friday (except 

holidays). Please call (202) 461–4902 

(this is not a toll-free number) for an 

appointment. In addition, during the 

comment period, comments may be 

viewed online through the Federal 

Docket Management System at http:// 

www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

David Riley, Director, Veterans 

Transportation Service, Chief Business 

Office (10NB), Veterans Health 

Administration, Department of Veterans 

Affairs, 2957 Clairmont Road, Atlanta, 

GA 30329, (404) 828–5601. (This is not 

a toll-free number). 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 

307 of the 2010 Act, requires that VA 

‘‘establish a grant program to provide 

innovative transportation options to 

veterans in highly rural areas.’’ To 

comply with section 307 of the 2010 

Act, VA will award grants to eligible 

entities to assist veterans in highly rural 

areas to travel to VA medical centers, 

and to otherwise assist in providing 

transportation in connection with the 

provision of VA medical care to these 

veterans. This proposed rule would 

establish the grant program in 

accordance with paragraph (a) of section 

307 of the 2010 Act, and establish 

regulations for evaluating grant 

applications and otherwise 

administering the grant program in 

accordance with paragraph (b) of section 

307 of the 2010 Act. 

Section 307(d) of the 2010 Act 

authorizes $3,000,000 of appropriated 

funds for each fiscal year beginning 

2010 through 2014 to carry out the grant 

program. We would indicate this 

funding limitation for each of the fiscal 

years in a Notice of Fund Availability 

(NOFA) publication in the Federal 

Register, to adequately provide notice to 

eligible recipients of the grants. It is not 

necessary to include the funding 

limitation or to indicate the specific 

fiscal years for the program’s funding in 

the proposed rule, however, because the 

amount of authorized appropriations 

may change after fiscal year 2014 and 

Congress could extend the program past 

fiscal year 2014. Section 307 of the 2010 

Act is not designated by Congress to be 

a pilot program, and the law does not 

otherwise contain a provision that it 

will cease to have effect after a specific 

date unless extended. By not including 

the funding limitation or the specific 

fiscal years the program is to be funded 

in the proposed rule, we would prevent 

having a regulation in the Code of 

Federal Regulations that appeared to 

restrict or stop the grant program 

beyond a certain date, when VA may 

still be compelled to administer the 

grant program. If funding ceases to be 

provided or the grant program is not 

extended beyond 2014, we would not 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS