Document ID: FAA-2014-0777-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: The Boeing Company Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-11-28T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 229 (Friday, November 28, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70802-70804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28130]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0777; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-088-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by numerous reports of failures of the proximity sensor within 
the slat skew detection mechanism assembly (DMA) leading to slats up 
landing events. This proposed AD would require replacing the slat skew 
DMAs with new slat skew DMAs, and marking the existing identification 
plates on the slat with the new part number. We are proposing this AD 
to prevent failure of the proximity sensor, which could result in the 
slats being shut down and a slats up high speed landing. This 
condition, in combination with abnormal landing conditions such as a 
short runway or adverse weather conditions, could result in a runway 
excursion.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 12, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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, 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.

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-
0777; 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: Douglas Tsuji, Senior Aerospace 
Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
telephone: 425-917-6546; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
douglas.tsuji@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-2014-0777; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-088-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite

[[Page 70803]]

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 have received numerous reports of failures of the proximity 
sensor within the slat skew detection mechanism assembly (DMA) leading 
to slats up landing events. It was determined that the failed sensors 
had broken magnet wires due to stresses induced by thermal expansion 
and contraction of an epoxy applied around them. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of the proximity sensor, which could 
result in the slats being shut down and a slats up high speed landing. 
This condition in combination with abnormal landing conditions such as 
a short runway or adverse weather conditions, could result in a runway 
excursion.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB270021-00, 
Issue 001, dated March 20, 2014. For information on the procedures and 
compliance times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0777.

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 the same type design.

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

                                                 Estimated costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
            Action                       Labor cost               Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement..................  11 work-hours x $85 per hour =              $0             $935          $14,025
                                $935.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 proposed 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

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):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2014-0777; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-088-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 12, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin B787-81205-SB270021-00, Issue 001, dated March 20, 2014.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by numerous reports of failures of the 
proximity sensor within the slat skew detection mechanism assembly 
(DMA) leading to slats up landing events. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the proximity sensor, which could result in the 
slats being shut down and a slats up high speed landing. This 
condition, in combination with abnormal landing conditions such as a 
short runway or adverse weather conditions, could result in a runway 
excursion.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replacement

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace 
the slat skew DMA in slat number 5 and slat number 8 with new slat 
skew DMA, and mark the existing identification plates on the slat 
with the new

[[Page 70804]]

part number, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB270021-00, Issue 001, 
dated March 20, 2014.

(h) Parts Installation Prohibitions

    (1) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
slat skew DMA, part number P683A0001-03, on any airplane.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any airplane, a slat skew DMA in slat number 5, having part 
number 145Z0201-11-8, 145Z0201-21-4, 145Z0201-21-3, 145Z0201-21-5, 
145Z0201-21-8, 145Z0201-21-9, 145Z0201-31-1, or 145Z0201-33-1.
    (3) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any airplane, a slat skew DMA in slat number 8, having part 
number 145Z0201-12-8, 145Z0201-22-4, 145Z0201-22-3, 145Z0201-22-5, 
145Z0201-22-8, 145Z0201-22-9, 145Z0201-32-1, or 145Z0201-34-1.

(i) 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 (j)(1) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Douglas Tsuji, 
Senior Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, 
FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone: 425-917-6546; fax: 425-917-6590; 
email: douglas.tsuji@faa.gov.
    (2) 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.

     Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 13, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-28130 Filed 11-26-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P