This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains regulatory documents having general

applicability and legal effect, most of which

are keyed to and codified in the Code of

Federal Regulations, which is published under

50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

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REGISTER issue of each week.

Rules and Regulations Federal Register

31167 

Vol. 77, No. 102 

Friday, May 25, 2012 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–1259; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–181–AD; Amendment 

39–17059; AD 2012–10–10] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

The Boeing Company Model 777 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by 

reports of corrosion damage on the outer 

diameter chrome surface of the 

horizontal stabilizer pivot pins. Microcracks in the chrome plating of the pivot 

pin, some of which extended into the 

base metal, were also reported. This 

condition, if not corrected, could result 

in a fractured horizontal stabilizer pivot 

pin. This AD requires replacing the 

existing horizontal stabilizer pivot pins 

with new or reworked pivot pins having 

improved corrosion resistance, doing 

repetitive inspections after installing the 

pivot pins, and doing corrective actions 

if necessary. We are issuing this AD to 

prevent a fractured horizontal stabilizer 

pivot pin, which may cause excessive 

horizontal stabilizer freeplay and 

structural damage significant enough to 

result in loss of control of the airplane. 

DATES: This AD is effective June 29, 

2012. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in the AD 

as of June 29, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: 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. 

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 AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The address for the 

Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is 

Document Management Facility, U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Docket 

Operations, M–30, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, 

DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

James Sutherland, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; phone: 425– 

917–6533; fax: 425–917–6590; email: 

james.sutherland@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to the specified products. That 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on December 6, 2011 (76 FR 

76066). That NPRM proposed to replace 

the existing horizontal stabilizer pivot 

pins with new or reworked pivot pins 

having improved corrosion resistance, 

doing repetitive inspections after 

installing the pivot pins, and doing 

corrective actions if necessary. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. The 

following presents the comments 

received on the proposal (76 FR 76066, 

December 6, 2011) and the FAA’s 

response to each comment. 

Request To Delay Rule Due to Pending 

Service Information 

FedEx and All Nippon Airways 

(ANA) requested that the release date of 

the AD be postponed until Revision 1 of 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777– 

55A0018 is issued. FedEx stated that the 

horizontal stabilizer jacking tool used 

for the pivot pin removal/installation 

procedure, as specified in Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 777–55A0018, dated 

July 27, 2011, is being re-designed, and 

suggested that the release date of the AD 

be postponed until re-design of the tool 

is completed and Revision 1 is issued. 

ANA noted that Boeing does not 

recommend accomplishing Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 777–55A0018, dated 

July 27, 2011, until the anti-rotation 

plates and jacking tool are available. 

We do not agree to postpone issuing 

the final rule, because Boeing has issued 

Alert Service Bulletin 777–55A0018, 

Revision 1, dated March 6, 2012. That 

service bulletin includes the new antirotation plates, and, as an alternative to 

having the new anti-rotation plates, a 

procedure for reworking the existing 

anti-rotation plates. The pin removal 

tool is an optional tool allowing 

operators an alternate method to remove 

the horizontal stabilizer pivot pins 

without the jacking tool. The existing 

tool is applicable to line numbers 1 

through 40, and Boeing has issued 

rework instructions for the operators to 

modify existing tools for all Model 777 

airplanes. The scope of this AD has not 

been expanded. We have updated the 

references in paragraphs (c), (g), (h), and 

(i) of this AD accordingly. In paragraph 

(j) of this AD, we are giving credit for 

actions done using Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 777–55A0018, dated July 27, 

2011. 

Other Changes to NPRM (76 FR 76066, 

December 6, 2011) 

The Repeat Interval columns of tables 

2 and 3 of paragraph 1.E., 

‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 777–55A0018, Revision 1, 

dated March 6, 2012, are corrected to 

include the phrase ‘‘after the most 

recent inspection.’’ Therefore, we have 

removed the exception stated in 

paragraph (i)(1) of the NPRM (76 FR 

76066, December 6, 2011). 


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31168 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 102 / Friday, May 25, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

as proposed except for minor editorial 

changes. We have determined that these 

minor changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 

76066, December 6, 2011) for correcting 

the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 76066, 

December 6, 2011). 

We also determined that these 

changes will not increase the economic 

burden on any operator or increase the 

scope of the AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 155 

airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators 

Replacement of horizontal 

stabilizer pivot pins.

16 work-hours × $85 per hour 

= $1,360.

$11,452 $12,812 .................................. $1,985,860 

Repetitive inspections ............ 22 work-hours × $85 per hour 

= $1,870 per inspection 

cycle.

0 $1,870 per inspection cycle ... $289,850 per inspection 

cycle. 

We estimate the following costs to do 

any necessary replacements that would 

be required based on the results of the 

inspections. 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 

Pivot pin or spacer replacement .................................. 16 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,360 ...................... $11,452 $12,812 

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 

This AD will not have federalism 

implications under Executive Order 

13132. This AD will 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 that this AD: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under 

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. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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): 

2012–10–10 The Boeing Company: 

Amendment 39–17059; Docket No. 

FAA–2011–1259; Directorate Identifier 

2011–NM–181–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective June 29, 2012. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

Model 777–200, –200LR, –300, –300ER, and 

777F series airplanes, certificated in any 

category; as identified in Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 777–55A0018, Revision 1, 

dated March 6, 2012. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 55, Stabilizers. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

corrosion damage on the outer diameter 

chrome surface of the horizontal stabilizer 

pivot pins. Micro-cracks in the chrome 

plating of the pivot pins, some of which 

extended into the base metal, were also 

reported. We are issuing this AD to prevent 

a fractured horizontal stabilizer pivot pin, 

which may cause excessive horizontal 

stabilizer freeplay and structural damage 

significant enough to result in loss of control 

of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 102 / Friday, May 25, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 31169 

(g) Pivot Pin Replacement 

At the applicable time specified in 

paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing 

Alert Service Bulletin 777–55A0018, 

Revision 1, dated March 6, 2012, except as 

required by paragraph (i) of this AD: Replace 

the pivot pins of the horizontal stabilizer 

with new or reworked pivot pins, including 

replacing the spacer with a new spacer or 

with one that has been determined to be 

without corrosion damage or other 

irregularities; in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 777–55A0018, Revision 1, 

dated March 6, 2012. 

(h) Repetitive Inspections 

At the applicable time specified in 

paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing 

Alert Service Bulletin 777–55A0018, 

Revision 1, dated March 6, 2012: Do detailed 

inspections for cracks, corrosion damage, or 

other irregularity of the outer and inner pivot 

pins; and an ultrasonic inspection for 

cracking of the outer pivot pins; and do all 

applicable corrective actions; in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777–55A0018, 

Revision 1, dated March 6, 2012. Corrective 

actions must be done before further flight. 

Repeat the inspections at the applicable 

interval specified in paragraph 1.E., 

‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 777–55A0018, Revision 1, dated 

March 6, 2012. 

(i) Exception 

Where paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777–55A0018, 

Revision 1, dated March 6, 2012, specifies a 

compliance time ‘‘after the Revision 1 date of 

this service bulletin,’’ this AD requires 

compliance within the specified compliance 

time ‘‘after the effective date of this AD.’’ 

(j) Credit for Previous Actions 

This paragraph provides credit for the 

actions specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of 

this AD, if those actions were performed 

before the effective date of this AD using 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777–55A0018, 

dated July 27, 2011. 

(k) 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 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. 

(l) Related Information 

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, Washington 

98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6533; fax: 425– 

917–6590; email: james.sutherland@faa.gov. 

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference 

You must use the following service 

information to do the actions required by this 

AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 

Director of the Federal Register approved the 

incorporation by reference (IBR) of the 

following service information under 5 U.S.C. 

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51: 

(1) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777– 

55A0018, Revision 1, dated March 6, 2012. 

(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. 

(3) You may review copies of the 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. 

(4) You may also review copies of the 

service information that is incorporated by 

reference at the National Archives and 

Records Administration (NARA). For 

information on the availability of this 

material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go 

to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/ 

cfr/ibr-locations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 11, 

2012. 

Michael Kaszycki, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–12087 Filed 5–24–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0251; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–CE–002–AD; Amendment 

39–17058; AD 2012–10–09] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Piper 

Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are superseding an 

existing airworthiness directive (AD) for 

certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (type 

certificate previously held by The New 

Piper Aircraft Inc.) Models PA–31T and 

PA–31T1 airplanes. That AD currently 

requires correcting a model 

identification error on the aircraft data 

plate. Since we issued that AD, we have 

become aware that some owner/ 

operators of the affected airplanes 

modified the aircraft data plate in error 

because of confusion in the serial 

number applicability. Because of the 

confusion, the manufacturer has issued 

new service information to clarify 

affected airplane serial numbers. This 

new AD requires determining the 

airplane model based on the serial 

number and modifying the aircraft data 

plate to properly identify the airplane 

model. This new AD also requires doing 

a detailed search for all applicable 

airworthiness related documents that 

apply to any airplane that has an 

incorrectly marked data plate and take 

necessary corrective actions based on 

the search findings. We are issuing this 

AD to correct the unsafe condition on 

these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective June 29, 

2012. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in the AD 

as of June 29, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this AD, contact Piper 

Aircraft, Inc., 926 Piper Drive, Vero 

Beach, Florida 32960; telephone: (772) 

567–4361; Internet: www.piper.com. 

You may review copies of the 

referenced service information at the 

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 

Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 

For information on the availability of 

this material at the FAA, call (816) 329– 

4148. 

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 AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The address for the 

Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is 

Document Management Facility, U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Docket 

Operations, M–30, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, 

DC 20590. 


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