Document ID: FAA-2011-1165-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Boeing Co. Model 777-200 and -300 Series Airplanes
Posted Date: 2011-11-04T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 214 (Friday, November 4, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68366-68368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28568]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 214 / Friday, November 4, 2011 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 68366]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1165; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-002-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -
300 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. 
This proposed AD would require replacing certain single-tabbed bonding 
brackets in the airplane empennage with two-tabbed bonding brackets. 
This proposed AD would also require, for certain airplanes, installing 
new bonding jumpers, and measuring the resistance of the modified 
installation to verify resistance is within specified limits. This 
proposed AD was prompted by reports of two failures of the single-
tabbed bracket on the rudder. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
failure of the bonding jumper bracket, which could result in loss of 
lightning protection ground path, which could lead to increased 
lightning-induced currents and subsequent damage to composite 
structures, hydraulic tubes, and actuator control electronics. In the 
event of a lightning strike, loss of lightning ground protection could 
result in the loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 19, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments 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.
    For service information identified in this proposed 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 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: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 
telephone (425) 917-6482; fax (425) 917-6590; email: 
georgios.roussos@faa.gov.

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-2011-1165; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-002-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

    We received reports of two failures of the single-tabbed bracket on 
the rudder. The bracket was discolored and melted, the tab was 
completely severed and burned, and the bonding jumpers were detached 
from the bracket. We also received a report of a similar failure of the 
ground clip that connects to the other end of the jumpers to the 
vertical stabilizer. Boeing has determined that the root cause of these 
failures was a combination of electromagnetic forces on the jumpers and 
resistive heating of the bracket and ground clip during lightning 
strikes. This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of 
lightning protection ground path, which could lead to increased 
lightning-induced currents and could subsequently damage composite 
structures, hydraulic tubes, and actuator control electronics. In the 
event of a lightning strike, loss of lightning ground protection could 
result in loss of control of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 777-55A0014, Revision 1, dated 
April 1, 2010. This service bulletin describes procedures for replacing 
certain single-tabbed bonding brackets in the airplane empennage with 
two-tabbed bonding brackets.
    Boeing Service Bulletin 777-55A0014, Revision 1, dated April 1, 
2010, specifies prior or concurrent accomplishment of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-55A0010, Revision 1, dated April 17, 2001, for installing 
new bonding jumpers, and measuring the resistance of the modified 
installation to verify resistance is within specified limits.

[[Page 68367]]

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 these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 87 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Parts     Cost per   Cost on U.S.
                   Action                              Labor cost              cost     product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement................................  21 work-hours x $85 per hour      $1,235     $3,020        $262,740
                                              = $1,785.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                     Estimated Costs for Concurrent Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Parts     Cost per   Cost on U.S.
                   Action                              Labor cost              cost     product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement................................  66 work-hours x $85 per hour      $2,668     $8,278        $248,340
                                              = $5,610.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    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):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2011-1165; Directorate Identifier 
2011-NM-002-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by December 19, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-55A0014, Revision 1, dated April 1, 2010.

Subject

    (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America Code 55: Stabilizers.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD was prompted by reports of two failures of the 
single-tabbed bonding bracket on the rudder. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent failure of the bonding jumper bracket, which could result 
in loss of lightning protection ground path, which could lead to 
increased lightning-induced currents and subsequent damage to 
composite structures, hydraulic tubes, and actuator control 
electronics. In the event of a lightning strike, loss of lightning 
ground protection could result in loss of control of the airplane.

Compliance

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

Replacement

    (g) Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace certain single-tabbed bonding brackets in the airplane 
empennage with two-tabbed bonding brackets, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-55A0014, 
Revision 1, dated April 1, 2010.

Concurrent Requirements

    (h) For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-
55A0010, Revision 1, dated April 17, 2001: Prior to or concurrently 
with accomplishing the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD, 
install new bonding jumpers, and do resistance measurements of the 
modified installation to verify resistance is within the limits 
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-55A0010, Revision 1, dated April 17, 2001. Do the 
actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-55A0010, Revision 1, dated April 17, 2001.

[[Page 68368]]

Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    (i) Replacing certain single-tabbed bonding brackets with two-
tabbed bonding brackets in accordance with Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 777-55A0014, dated May 8, 2008, before the effective date 
of this AD, is acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
modification required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (j) Installing new bonding jumpers, and doing resistance 
measurements of the modified installation that verify the resistance 
is within the specified limits, in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 777-55A0010, dated October 26, 2000, before the 
effective date of this AD, is acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding modification required by paragraph (h) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 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-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 Georgios 
Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue 
SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6482; fax 
(425) 917-6590; email: georgios.roussos@faa.gov.
    (m) 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 20, 2011.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-28568 Filed 11-3-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P