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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11687-11689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04679]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-3992; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-075-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 787-8 airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by a report that a captain's seat moved uncommanded during a 
landing rollout due to a failure in the seat horizontal actuator. This 
proposed AD would require repetitive tests of the captain and first 
officer seat assemblies for proper operation, and corrective action if 
necessary. This proposed AD would also require installing new captain 
and first officer seat assemblies, which would terminate the repetitive 
tests. We are proposing this AD to prevent a seat actuator clutch 
failure, which could result in a loss of seat locking and uncommanded 
motion of the captain's or first officer's seat; uncommanded seat 
movement could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 21, 2016.

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.

[[Page 11688]]

    For service information identified in this NPRM, 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. 
It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-3992.

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-2016-
3992; 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: Brandon Lucero, 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: 425-917-6572; fax: 425-917-6590.

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-2016-3992; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-075-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

    This proposed AD was prompted by a report that a captain's seat 
moved uncommanded during a landing rollout due to a failure in the seat 
horizontal actuator. Investigation found press fit clutch pins in the 
actuator could migrate loose when subjected to repeated dynamic impact 
loading from clutch re-engagement when the manual horizontal control 
lever is released with the seat still moving on the tracks. The clutch 
pins can migrate loose, overturn, and force clutch plate separation, 
resulting in degraded or failed seat locking.
    We are proposing this AD to prevent a seat actuator clutch failure, 
which could result in a loss of seat locking and uncommanded motion of 
the captain's or first officer's seat; uncommanded seat movement could 
result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250054-00, 
Issue 001, dated December 19, 2014. This service information provides 
procedures for installation of new captain and first officer seat 
assemblies, a test of the captain and first officer seat assemblies, 
and corrective action if necessary. This service information 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.

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. 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-2016-
3992.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 18 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost           Parts cost        Cost per product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operational test.................  2 work-hours x $85   $0.................  $170 per test cycle           $3060
                                    per hour = $170
                                    per test cycle.
Seat assembly installation.......  3 work-hours x $85   $15,141 per seat x   30,537 to replace           549,666
                                    per hour = $255 to   2 seats = $30,282.   two seats.
                                    replace two seats.
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    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary corrective 
actions that would be required based on the results of the proposed 
operational tests. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need these actions:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of captain seat vertical actuator.  2 work-hours x $85 per hour =             $7,500          $7,670
                                                 $170.
Replacement of captain seat horizontal          2 work-hours x $85 per hour =              7,500           7,670
 actuator.                                       $170.
Replacement of first officer seat vertical      2 work-hours x $85 per hour =              7,500           7,670
 actuator.                                       $170.
Replacement of first officer seat horizontal    2 work-hours x $85 per hour =              7,500           7,670
 actuator.                                       $170.
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[[Page 11689]]

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-2016-3992; Directorate Identifier 
2015-NM-075-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 21, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin B787-81205-SB250054-00, Issue 001, dated December 19, 2014.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that a captain's seat moved 
uncommanded during a landing rollout due to a failure in the seat 
horizontal actuator. We are issuing this AD to prevent a seat 
actuator clutch failure, which could result in a loss of seat 
locking and uncommanded motion of the captain's or first officer's 
seat; uncommanded seat motion could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Repetitive Tests of Captain and First Officer Seat Assembly 
Operation

    Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
test the operation of the captain and first officer seat assemblies 
and do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-
81205-SB250054-00, Issue 001, dated December 19, 2014. Do all 
applicable corrective actions before further flight. Repeat the 
operational test thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight 
hours until the installation required by paragraph (h) of this AD is 
done.

(h) New Seat Installation

    Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250054-00, Issue 001, dated December 
19, 2014. Installing the seat specified in paragraph (h)(1) or 
(h)(2) of this AD is terminating action for the repetitive 
operational tests required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that seat 
only.
    (1) Install new captain seat assembly, part number (P/N) 3A380-
0007-01-7.
    (2) Install new first officer seat assembly, P/N 3A380-0008-01-
7.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, ANM-
150S, 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.
    (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.
    (4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs 
(i)(4)(i) and (i)(4)(ii) of this AD, apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, 
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Brandon Lucero, 
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: 425-917-6572; fax: 
425-917-6590.
    (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 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 February 23, 2016.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04679 Filed 3-4-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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