42012 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 136 / Thursday, July 16, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 7, 

2015. 

Earl Lawrence, 

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 

Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2015–17193 Filed 7–15–15; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2014–0926; Directorate 

Identifier 2014–NM–085–AD; Amendment 

39–18204; AD 2015–14–06] 

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 747–8 and 

747–8F series airplanes. This AD was 

prompted by an analysis, which 

indicated that in a limited flight 

envelope with specific conditions, 

divergent flutter could occur during a 

high g-load maneuver in combination 

with certain system failures. This AD 

requires replacing the lateral control 

electronic (LCE) modules, replacing the 

inboard elevator power control packages 

(PCPs), installing new external 

compensators for the PCPs, and revising 

the maintenance or inspection program. 

We are issuing this AD to prevent 

certain system failures from resulting in 

divergent flutter, and subsequent loss of 

continued safe flight and landing. 

DATES: This AD is effective August 20, 

2015. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of August 20, 2015. 

ADDRESSES: 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 referenced 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. It is also available 

on the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2014– 

0926. 

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–2014– 

0926; 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 

Docket 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: 

Douglas Tsuji, Senior Aerospace 

Engineer, Systems and Equipment 

Branch, ANM–130S, Seattle Aircraft 

Certification Office, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; 

phone: 425–917–6546; fax: 425–917– 

6590; email: douglas.tsuji@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to certain The Boeing Company 

Model 747–8 and 747–8F series 

airplanes. The NPRM published in the 

Federal Register on December 17, 2014 

(79 FR 75100). The NPRM was 

prompted by an analysis, which 

indicated that in a limited flight 

envelope with specific conditions, 

divergent flutter could occur during a 

high g-load maneuver in combination 

with certain system failures. The NPRM 

proposed to require replacing the LCE 

modules, replacing the inboard elevator 

PCPs, installing new external 

compensators for the PCPs, and revising 

the maintenance or inspection program. 

We are issuing this AD to prevent 

certain system failures from resulting in 

divergent flutter, and subsequent loss of 

continued safe flight and landing. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

have considered the comment received. 

Boeing supported the NPRM (79 FR 

75100, December 17, 2014). 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comment received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting this 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 (79 FR 

75100, December 17, 2014) for 

correcting the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 75100, 

December 17, 2014). 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

We reviewed the following service 

information. 

• Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– 

27A2506, dated February 3, 2014, which 

describes procedures for replacing the 

LCE modules. 

• Boeing Service Bulletin 747– 

27A2513, Revision 1, dated July 18, 

2014, which describes procedures for 

installing the inboard elevator 

compensator and replacing the PCP. 

We have also reviewed Boeing 747–8/ 

8F Certification Maintenance 

Requirements (CMRs) Document 

D011U721–02–03, Revision December 

2013, which contains the following 

tasks in Section G., ‘‘CMR Tasks’’: 

• Item Number 27–CMR–10, 

‘‘Lubricate inboard elevator hinge 

bearings.’’ 

• Item Number 27–CMR–11, 

‘‘Functional check of inboard elevator 

hinge bearing and power control unit 

rod end bearing free play.’’ 

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 of 

this AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 8 

airplanes of U.S. registry 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this AD: 


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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 136 / Thursday, July 16, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 42013 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Replacement of LCEs ..................................... 4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 ............. $0 $340 $2,720 

Replacement of inboard elevator PCPs and 

installation of external inboard elevator 

compensators.

57 work-hours × $85 per hour = $4,845 ........ 44,894 49,739 397,912 

Revision to maintenance or inspection program.1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ................. 0 85 680 

According to the manufacturer, all of 

the costs of this AD may be covered 

under warranty, thereby reducing the 

cost impact on affected individuals. We 

do not control warranty coverage for 

affected individuals. As a result, we 

have included all costs in our cost 

estimate. 

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): 

2015–14–06 The Boeing Company: 

Amendment 39–18204; Docket No. 

FAA–2014–0926; Directorate Identifier 

2014–NM–085–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective August 20, 2015. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

airplanes, certificated in any category, 

identified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and 

(c)(3) of this AD. 

(1) Model 747–8 and 747–8F series 

airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–27A2506, dated 

February 3, 2014. 

(2) Model 747–8 and 747–8F series 

airplanes, as identified in Boeing Service 

Bulletin 747–27A2513, Revision 1, dated July 

18, 2014. 

(3) Model 747–8 series airplanes that are 

operated less than 1,200 flight hours per 

calendar year. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 27, Flight Controls. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by an analysis, 

which indicated that in a limited flight 

envelope with specific conditions, divergent 

flutter could occur during a high g-load 

maneuver in combination with certain 

system failures. We are issuing this AD to 

prevent certain system failures from resulting 

in divergent flutter, and subsequent loss of 

continued safe flight and landing. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Replacement of Lateral Control 

Electronic (LCE) Modules 

For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(1) 

of this AD: Within 12 months after the 

effective date of this AD, replace the LCE 

modules with new LCE modules having 

revised software, and do an operational test 

of the LCE modules, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–27A2506, dated 

February 3, 2014. If the operational test fails, 

before further flight, do corrective actions 

and repeat the operational test and applicable 

corrective actions until the operational test 

passes. 

(h) Replacement of Inboard Elevator Power 

Control Packages (PCPs) and Installation of 

External Inboard Elevator Compensators 

For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(2) 

of this AD: Within 60 months after the 

effective date of this AD, replace both 

inboard elevator PCPs with new PCPs that 

have the internal compensators removed, 

install two larger external compensators for 

each PCP, and do an operational test of each 

inboard elevator PCP, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 

Service Bulletin 747–27A2513, Revision 1, 

dated July 18, 2014. If the operational test 

fails, before further flight, do corrective 

actions and repeat the operational test and 

applicable corrective actions until the 

operational test passes. 

(i) Revision to the Maintenance or Inspection 

Program 

For all airplanes: Within 90 days after the 

effective date of this AD, revise the 

maintenance or inspection program, as 

applicable, to incorporate Item Numbers 27– 

CMR–10, ‘‘Lubricate inboard elevator hinge 

bearings,’’ and 27–CMR–11, ‘‘Functional 

check of inboard elevator hinge bearing and 

power control unit rod end bearing free 

play,’’ of Section G., ‘‘CMR Tasks,’’ of the 

Boeing 747–8/8F Certification Maintenance 

Requirements (CMRs) Document D011U721– 

02–03, Revision December 2013. The initial 

compliance times and repetitive intervals for 


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42014 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 136 / Thursday, July 16, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 

the lubrication and functional check are 

specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this 

AD. 

(1) For airplanes identified in paragraphs 

(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD that are not 

identified in paragraph (c)(3) of this AD: 

(i) The initial compliance time for the 

lubrication of the inboard elevator hinge 

bearings is within 18 months after the most 

recent lubrication. The repetitive lubrication 

intervals are specified in Item Number 27– 

CMR–10, ‘‘Lubricate inboard elevator hinge 

bearings,’’ of Section G., ‘‘CMR Tasks,’’ of the 

Boeing 747–8/8F Certification Maintenance 

Requirements (CMRs) Document D011U721– 

02–03, Revision December 2013. 

(ii) The initial compliance time for the 

functional check of the inboard elevator 

hinge bearing and power control unit rod end 

bearing freeplay is within 12 months after the 

effective date of this AD. The repetitive 

functional check intervals are specified in 

Item Number 27–CMR–11, ‘‘Functional check 

of inboard elevator hinge bearing and power 

control unit rod end bearing free play,’’ of 

Section G., ‘‘CMR Tasks,’’ of the Boeing 747– 

8/8F Certification Maintenance 

Requirements, D011U721–02–03, Revision 

December 2013. 

(2) For airplanes identified in paragraph 

(c)(3) of this AD: 

(i) The initial compliance time for the 

lubrication of the inboard elevator hinge 

bearings is within 24 months after the most 

recent lubrication. Repeat the lubrication 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24 

months. 

(ii) The initial compliance time for the 

functional check of the inboard elevator 

hinge bearing and power control unit rod end 

bearing freeplay is within 36 months after the 

effective date of this AD. Repeat the 

functional check thereafter at intervals not to 

exceed 36 months. 

(j) Parts Installation Prohibition 

As of the effective date of this AD, no 

person may install on any airplane an LCE 

having part number (P/N) CA49253–001 or 

CA49253–002, or an inboard elevator PCP 

having P/N 327400–1009. 

(k) Credit for Previous Actions 

This paragraph provides credit for the 

actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD, 

if those actions were performed before the 

effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–27A2513, dated 

February 4, 2014, which is not incorporated 

by reference in this AD. 

(l) 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 

paragraph (m)(1) of this AD. Information may 

be emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOCRequests@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. 

(4) For service information that contains 

steps that are labeled as Required for 

Compliance (RC), the provisions of 

paragraphs (l)(4)(i) and (l)(4)(ii) 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 

(m) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Douglas Tsuji, Senior Aerospace 

Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, 

ANM–130S, Seattle Aircraft Certification 

Office, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

WA 98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6546; fax: 

425–917–6590; email: douglas.tsuji@faa.gov. 

(2) Service information identified in this 

AD that is not incorporated by reference is 

available at the addresses specified in 

paragraphs (n)(3) and (n)(4) of this AD. 

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– 

27A2506, dated February 3, 2014. 

(ii) Boeing Service Bulletin 747–27A2513, 

Revision 1, dated July 18, 2014. 

(iii) Boeing 747–8/8F Certification 

Maintenance Requirements (CMRs) 

Document D011U721–02–03, Revision 

December 2013. 

(3) 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 referenced 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. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at 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. 

(5) You may view this 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/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 1, 

2015. 

Michael Kaszycki, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2015–17023 Filed 7–15–15; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2014–0428; Directorate 

Identifier 2014–NM–067–AD; Amendment 

39–18205; AD 2015–14–07] 

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 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by 

reports of deficiencies in the flight 

control module (FCM) software. This 

AD requires installing certain FCM 

software. We are issuing this AD to 

correct deficiencies in the FCM 

software, which, if not corrected, could 

prevent continued safe flight and 

landing. 

DATES: This AD is effective August 20, 

2015. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of August 20, 2015. 

ADDRESSES: 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 referenced 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, 


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