[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78827-78831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21689]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2144; Project Identifier AD-2024-00424-T]
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: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2022-15-06, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -
200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes. AD 2022-15-06 requires 
disconnecting certain connectors and capping and stowing the wires that 
had been attached to the affected transorb modules. Since the FAA 
issued AD 2022-15-06, the agency has determined additional connectors 
are affected. Also, a replacement has been developed to address the 
unsafe condition, which would terminate the existing actions. This 
proposed AD would continue to require the actions specified in AD 2022-
15-06 and would require those actions for additional connectors. This 
proposed AD would also require determining if affected transorb modules 
are installed, replacing or testing affected transorb modules, and 
applicable on-condition actions. This proposed AD would also prohibit 
the installation of affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 
12, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room

[[Page 78828]]

W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2144; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this NPRM, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For the material identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services 
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; 
telephone 562-797-1717; website myboeingfleet.com.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2144.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raja Vengadasalam, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3859; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5e2c3f343f70283b30393f3a3f2d3f323f331e383f3f70393128"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="384a595259164e5d565f595c594b59545955785e5959165f574e">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites 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-2024-2144; 
Project Identifier AD-2024-00424-T'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting 
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Raja 
Vengadasalam, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3859; email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9fedfef5feb1e9faf1f8fefbfeecfef3fef2dff9fefeb1f8f0e9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b6c4d7dcd798c0d3d8d1d7d2d7c5d7dad7dbf6d0d7d798d1d9c0">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA receives that is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued AD 2022-15-06, Amendment 39-22126 (87 FR 47334, 
August 3, 2022) (AD 2022-15-06), for all The Boeing Company Model 777-
200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes. AD 2022-15-06 was 
prompted by high electrical resistance within the gust suppression 
sensor (GSS) transorb modules due to corrosion on the transorb threads. 
AD 2022-15-06 requires disconnecting certain connectors and capping and 
stowing the wires that had been attached to the affected transorb 
modules. The FAA issued AD 2022-15-06 to address high electrical 
resistance in both transorb modules, which can result in two actuator 
control electronics (ACEs) being exposed to damaging lightning 
transient voltages in excess of the qualification levels, potentially 
inducing erroneous or oscillatory outputs to flight control surfaces. 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of control 
of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2022-15-06 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2022-15-06, a replacement mitigating action 
has been developed to address the unsafe condition, which would 
terminate the existing actions. The preamble to AD 2022-15-06 explains 
that the FAA considers the requirements ``interim action'' and may 
consider further rulemaking. The FAA has now determined that further 
rulemaking is indeed necessary, and the replacement specified in this 
proposed AD follows from that determination.
    In addition, Boeing and several operators notified the FAA that 
certain bundles/connectors were not identified in AD 2022-15-06. Boeing 
noted that there are connector designation variances between earlier 
and later Model 777 airplanes and that bundle/connector W7314/D02099P 
is on the right-hand side of certain line number airplanes. Boeing 
stated it sent a Boeing multi-operator message to operators to reduce 
confusion and recommended bundle/connector W7314/D02099P be identified 
as an affected bundle/connector. American Airlines, Qatar Airways, and 
United Airlines also noted that bundle/connector W7314/D02099P is not 
identified in AD 2022-15-06. United Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and 
Kilitta Air, LLC, noted that bundle/connector W6313/D02098P is not 
identified in AD 2022-15-06 but it is identified as a bundle/connector 
for certain airplanes.
    The FAA has determined the additional connectors are affected by 
the unsafe condition. Therefore, this proposed AD would require that 
operators disconnect the connectors and cap and stow the wires to 
bundles/connectors W6313/D02098P and W7314/D02099P until the proposed 
replacement is done as specified in paragraph (h) of this proposed AD.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-27A0125 RB, 
dated February 3, 2023. This material specifies procedures for 
replacing affected transorb modules with new or serviceable transorb 
modules or testing affected transorb modules and accomplishing 
applicable on-condition actions. The on-condition actions include part 
marking any module that meets certain specifications or replacing any 
modules that do not meet the specifications.
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

[[Page 78829]]

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would retain all requirements of AD 2022-15-06 and 
would require those actions for additional connectors. This proposed AD 
would also require determining if affected transorb modules are 
installed, replacing or testing affected transorb modules, and 
applicable on-condition actions. This proposed AD would also prohibit 
the installation of affected parts.
    For information on the procedures and compliance times, see Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-27A0125 RB, dated February 3, 2023, at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-2144.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Referenced Material

    The effectivity of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-27A0125 
RB, dated February 3, 2023, is limited to Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, 
-300ER, and 777F series airplanes, having certain line numbers. 
However, the applicability of this proposed AD includes all Model 777-
200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes. Because the 
affected parts are rotable parts, the FAA has determined that these 
parts could later be installed on airplanes that were initially 
delivered with acceptable parts, thereby subjecting those airplanes to 
the unsafe condition. The FAA has confirmed with Boeing that the 
Accomplishment Instructions in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-
27A0125 RB, dated February 3, 2023, are applicable to the expanded 
group of airplanes.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 312 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                         Labor cost                   Parts cost                Cost per product          Cost on U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disconnecting connectors, capping    3 work-hours x $85 per hour  $0.........................  $255.......................  $79,560.
 and stowing wires (retained          = $255.
 actions from AD 2022-15-06).
Disconnecting additional             3 work-hours x $85 per hour  $0.........................  $255.......................  $79,560.
 connectors, capping and stowing      = $255.
 wires (new proposed action).
Determining if affected transorb     Up to 3 work-hours x $85     Up to $3,668...............  Up to $3,923...............  Up to $1,223,976.
 modules are installed, and           per hour = $255.
 replacing or testing affected
 modules (new proposed action).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed testing. The agency has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these actions:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                       Labor cost                Parts cost             Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part marking or replacing          Up to 3 work-hours x $85   Up to $3,668............  Up to $3,923.
 affected modules.                  per hour = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the 
cost impact on affected operators.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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:

[[Page 78830]]

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-15-06, Amendment 39-22126 
(87 FR 47334, August 3, 2022), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2024-2144; Project Identifier AD-
2024-00424-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by November 12, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2022-15-06, Amendment 39-22126 (87 FR 47334, 
August 3, 2022) (AD 2022-15-06).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, 
-300, -300ER, and 777F series 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 high electrical resistance within the 
gust suppression sensor (GSS) transorb modules due to corrosion on 
the transorb threads and insufficient engagement of the anti-
rotation teeth. The FAA is issuing this AD to address high 
electrical resistance in both transorb modules, which can result in 
two actuator control electronics (ACEs) being exposed to damaging 
lightning transient voltages in excess of the qualification levels, 
potentially inducing erroneous or oscillatory outputs to flight 
control surfaces. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Requirement To Disconnect, Cap, and Stow Transorb Module 
Connectors, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2022-15-06, with no changes. At the later of the times specified in 
paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD: Disconnect the connectors and 
cap and stow the wires to bundles/connectors W7314/D02006P and 
W7579/D02005P from the transorb module part numbers CLPT-12SP-06, -
07, and -67.
    Note 1 to the introductory text of paragraph (g): Guidance on 
locating wire bundles/connectors W7314/D02006P and W7579/D02005P can 
be found in Section 05-55-43 of the Boeing 777 aircraft maintenance 
manual.
    Note 2 to the introductory text of paragraph (g): Guidance on 
capping and stowing the wires once they are disconnected can be 
found in Section 20-10-11 of the Boeing Standard Wiring Practices 
Manual.
    (1) Before the accumulation of 75,000 total flight hours or 
23,000 total flight cycles, whichever occurs first.
    (2) Within 3 months after August 18, 2022 (the effective date of 
AD 2022-15-06).

(h) New Requirement To Disconnect, Cap, and Stow Certain Other Transorb 
Module Connectors

    At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (2) 
of this AD: Disconnect the connectors and cap and stow the wires to 
bundles/connectors W6313/D02098P and W7314/D02099P from the transorb 
module part numbers CLPT-12SP-06, -07, and -67.
    Note 3 to the introductory text of paragraph (h): Guidance on 
locating wire bundles/connectors W6313/D02098P and W7314/D02099P can 
be found in Section 05-55-43 of the Boeing 777 aircraft maintenance 
manual.
    Note 4 to the introductory text of paragraph (h): Guidance on 
capping and stowing the wires once they are disconnected can be 
found in Section 20-10-11 of the Boeing Standard Wiring Practices 
Manual.
    (1) Before the accumulation of 75,000 total flight hours or 
23,000 total flight cycles, whichever occurs first.
    (2) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD.

(i) New Required Actions

    (1) For airplanes with original airworthiness certificate or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before the 
effective date of this AD: At the later of the times specified in 
paragraph (i)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD, do an inspection to 
determine if any airplane has a transorb module with part number 
CLPT-12SP-06, -07, or -67 installed. A review of airplane 
maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of the inspection if the 
part numbers can be conclusively determined from that review.
    (i) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.
    (ii) Within 24 months after the date of issuance of the original 
standard certificate of airworthiness or the original export 
certificate of airworthiness.
    (2) If, during any inspection or records review required by 
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, any transorb module with part number 
CLPT-12SP-06, -07, or -67 is found: Except as specified by paragraph 
(j) of this AD, at the applicable times specified in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-
27A0125 RB, dated February 3, 2023, do all applicable actions 
identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-27A0125 RB, 
dated February 3, 2023. Doing the replacement required by this 
paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g) and (h) of 
this AD.
    Note 5 to paragraph (i)(2): Guidance for accomplishing the 
actions required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD can be found in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0125, dated February 3, 2023, 
which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-
27A0125 RB, dated February 3, 2023.

(j) Exception to Requirements Bulletin Specifications

    Where the Compliance Time column of the table in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-
27A0125 RB, dated February 3, 2023, refers to the original issue 
date of Requirements Bulletin 777-27A0125 RB, this AD requires using 
the effective date of this AD.

(k) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
transorb module, part numbers CLPT-12SP-06, CLPT-12SP-07, and CLPT-
12SP-67, on any airplane.

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, 
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 
responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the certification office, 
send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph 
(m)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1554585a56557374743b727a63"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a7e6eae8e4e7c1c6c689c0c8d1">[email protected]</span></a>.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD 
if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation 
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, to make those 
findings. To be approved, the repair method, modification deviation, 
or alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the 
airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) AMOCs approved for AD 2022-15-06 are approved as AMOCs for 
the corresponding provisions of paragraph (g) of this AD.

(m) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Raja 
Vengadasalam, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3859; email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#88fae9e2e9a6feede6efe9ece9fbe9e4e9e5c8eee9e9a6efe7fe"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d0a2b1bab1fea6b5beb7b1b4b1a3b1bcb1bd90b6b1b1feb7bfa6">[email protected]</span></a>.
    (2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by 
reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (n)(3) 
of this AD.

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

[[Page 78831]]

    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-27A0125 RB, dated 
February 3, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For the material identified in this AD, contact Boeing 
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 
2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; 
telephone 562-797-1717; website myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#385e4a1651564b485d5b4c5157567856594a59165f574e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a2c4d08ccbccd1d2c7c1d6cbcdcce2ccc3d0c38cc5cdd4">[email protected]</span></a>.

    Issued on September 18, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-21689 Filed 9-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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