[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 5, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 735-737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-170]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19998; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-224-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require replacing the pressure switches on the override/jettison 
fuel pumps with new pressure switches, and replacing the ship side 
electrical connectors for the pressure switches on override/jettison 
fuel pumps with new connectors. This proposed AD is prompted by reports 
that the ``FUEL LOW CENTER'' message does not activate when the fuel 
level in the center tank is low. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
the fuel pumps in the center fuel tank from running dry and becoming a 
potential ignition source, which could result in a fuel tank explosion.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 22, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> By fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-
401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This 
docket number is FAA-2004-19998; the directorate identifier for this 
docket is 2004-NM-224-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Technical information: Margaret Langsted, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone 
(425) 917-6500; fax (425) 917-6590.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6e030f1c0d070f40190f021a0b1c1d2e080f0f40090118"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e28f8390818b83cc95838e96879091a2848383cc858d94">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and

[[Page 736]]

assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19998; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-224-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    We have received reports indicating that the ``FUEL LOW CENTER'' 
message on the engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS) did 
not come on during flight when the fuel quantity in the center tank was 
low (400 lbs or less), on several Boeing Model 777-200 series 
airplanes. A Boeing Model 777-200 series airplane was flight-tested to 
evaluate the problem. An analysis of the data collected indicated a 
problem with the design of the system tubing at the inlet of the center 
fuel tank pump. That design allows some residual fuel to collect near 
the pump impeller after the center tank fuel supply has been exhausted. 
As a result, the center tank pump produces sustained pressure above its 
low pressure switch range of 4-7 pounds per square inch gage (psig) 
when the main tank boost pumps supply back pressure against the center 
pump discharge check valve. Failure of the ``FUEL LOW CENTER'' message 
and the pump low pressure lights to come on when the center tank 
becomes empty, if not corrected, could result in the pumps running dry 
and becoming a potential ignition source in the fuel tank, which could 
consequently cause a fuel tank explosion.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-
0036, dated September 2, 2004. The service bulletin describes 
procedures for replacing the pressure switches on the override/jettison 
fuel pump with new pressure switches, and replacing the ship side 
electrical connectors for the pressure switches on the override/
jettison fuel pumps with new connectors. Accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information is intended to adequately address 
the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 61 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Average                          Number of
                                                  Work      labor                Cost per     U.S.-      Fleet
                    Action                       hours     rate per    Parts     airplane  registered     cost
                                                             hour                           airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement..................................          3        $65    $13,430    $13,625          21   $286,125
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 have 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

[[Page 737]]

on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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); and
    3. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2004-19998; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
224-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by February 22, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; as listed in Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 777-28-0036, dated September 2, 2004.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports that the ``FUEL LOW CENTER'' 
message does not activate when the fuel level in the center tank is 
low. We are issuing this AD to prevent the fuel pumps in the center 
fuel tank from running dry and becoming a potential ignition source, 
which could result in a fuel tank explosion.

Compliance

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

Replacement

    (f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the pressure switches on the override/jettison fuel pumps 
with new pressure switches, and replace the ship side electrical 
connectors for the pressure switches on the override/jettison fuel 
pumps with new connectors, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-28-
0036, dated September 2, 2004.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 27, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-170 Filed 1-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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