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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 84 (Monday, May 2, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24354-24356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9674]

[[Page 24354]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0026; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-104-AD; 
Amendment 39-16673; AD 2011-09-11]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -
300 Series Airplanes Equipped With Pratt and Whitney Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD requires repetitive inspections for 
hydraulic fluid contamination of the interior of the strut disconnect 
assembly; repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the interior of 
the strut disconnect assembly, if necessary; repetitive inspections of 
the exterior of the strut disconnect assembly for cracks, if necessary; 
and corrective action if necessary. This AD also provides an optional 
terminating action for the inspections. This AD was prompted by reports 
of system disconnect boxes that have been contaminated with hydraulic 
fluid and, in one incident, led to subsequent cracking of titanium 
parts in the system disconnect assembly. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct hydraulic fluid contamination, which can cause 
cracking of titanium parts in the system disconnect assembly, resulting 
in compromise of the engine firewall. A cracked firewall can allow fire 
in the engine area to enter the strut and can lead to an uncontained 
engine strut fire if flammable fluid is present. Cracking of the 
disconnect box may also reduce the effectiveness of the fire 
extinguishing system in the engine compartment and could contribute to 
an uncontained engine fire. In addition, a cracked disconnect box can 
leak flammable fluids into the engine core, which can initiate an 
engine fire, and lead to one or both fire conditions discussed above.

DATES: This AD is effective June 6, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of June 6, 2011.

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; e-mail 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: Kevin Nguyen, Propulsion Branch, ANM-
140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6501; fax: 
425-917-6590; e-mail: kevin.nguyen@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to 
the specified products. That NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
January 20, 2011 (76 FR 3566). That NPRM proposed to require repetitive 
inspections for hydraulic fluid contamination of the interior of the 
strut disconnect assembly; repetitive inspections for discrepancies of 
the interior of the strut disconnect assembly, if necessary; repetitive 
inspections of the exterior of the strut disconnect assembly for 
cracks, if necessary; and corrective action if necessary. That NPRM 
also provided an optional terminating action for the inspections.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comment received. Boeing concurs with 
the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 53 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
also estimate that it takes about 48 work-hours per product to comply 
with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required 
parts cost about $122,617 per product. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $6,714,941, or 
$122,697 per product.

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.

[[Page 24355]]

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

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):

 2011-09-11 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16673; Docket No. FAA-
2011-0026; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-104-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective June 6, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 
series airplanes, certificated in any category; equipped with Pratt 
and Whitney engines; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-
54A0024, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010.

Subject

    (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America Code 54: Nacelles/Pylons.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD was prompted by reports of system disconnect boxes 
that have been contaminated with hydraulic fluid, in which one case 
a crack was found. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
hydraulic fluid contamination, which can cause cracking of titanium 
parts in the system disconnect assembly, resulting in compromise of 
the engine firewall. A cracked firewall can allow fire in the engine 
area to enter the strut and can lead to an uncontained engine strut 
fire if flammable fluid is present. Cracking of the disconnect box 
may also reduce the effectiveness of the fire extinguishing system 
in the engine compartment and could contribute to an uncontained 
engine fire. In addition, a cracked disconnect box can leak 
flammable fluids into the engine core, which can initiate an engine 
fire and lead to one or both fire conditions discussed above.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspections and Corrective Actions

    (g) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
general visual inspection for hydraulic fluid contamination of the 
interior of the strut disconnect assembly, in accordance with Part 1 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-
54A0024, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010.
    (1) For airplanes on which no hydraulic fluid contamination is 
found (Condition 1): Repeat the general visual inspection required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
6,000 flight cycles or 750 days, whichever occurs first.
    (2) For airplanes on which hydraulic fluid contamination is 
found (Condition 2): Before further flight, do a detailed inspection 
for discrepancies (e.g., hydraulic fluid coking, heat discoloration, 
cracks, and etching or pitting) of the interior of the strut 
disconnect assembly, in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-54A0024, Revision 1, 
dated November 4, 2010.
    (i) For airplanes on which no discrepancy is found during the 
inspection required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD (Condition 2A): 
Repeat the detailed inspection required by paragraph (g)(2) of this 
AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight cycles or 750 
days, whichever occurs first.
    (ii) For airplanes on which hydraulic fluid coking or heat 
discoloration is found but no cracking, etching, or pitting is found 
during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD 
(Condition 2B): Do the actions required by paragraph (g)(2)(ii)(A) 
and (g)(2)(ii)(B) of this AD.
    (A) Within 300 flight cycles after doing the inspection required 
by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD: Do a detailed inspection of the 
exterior of the strut disconnect assembly for cracks, in accordance 
with Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-54A0024, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010; and repeat 
the detailed inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 
flight cycles.
    (B) Within 6,000 flight cycles or 750 days after hydraulic fluid 
coking and/or heat discoloration was found during the inspection 
required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, whichever occurs first: 
Replace the titanium system disconnect assembly with an Inconel 
system, in accordance with Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-54A0024, Revision 1, dated November 
4, 2010.
    (h) For airplanes on which any crack, etching, or pitting is 
found during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(2) or 
(g)(2)(ii)(A) of this AD (Condition 3): Before further flight, 
replace the titanium system disconnect assembly with an Inconel 
system, in accordance with Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-54A0024, Revision 1, dated November 
4, 2010.

Optional Terminating Action

    (i) Replacing the titanium system disconnect assembly with an 
Inconel system disconnect assembly in accordance with Part 4 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-54A0024, 
Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010, terminates the actions required 
by this AD.

Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    (j) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD 
according to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-54A0024, dated April 
1, 2010, are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions specified in this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k)(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 e-mailed 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.

Related Information

    (l) For more information about this AD, contact Kevin Nguyen, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 
phone: 425-917-6501; fax: 425-917-6590; e-mail: 
kevin.nguyen@faa.gov.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (m) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 777-54A0024, Revision 
1, dated November 4, 2010, to do the actions required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (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; e-mail 
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 an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

[[Page 24356]]

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 12, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-9674 Filed 4-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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