Document ID: FAA-2014-0649-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: The Boeing Company Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-09-23T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 184 (Tuesday, September 23, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56682-56684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22622]

 ========================================================================
 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. 79, No. 184 / Tuesday, September 23, 2014 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 56682]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0649; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-132-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company 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 787-8 airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by reports of missing bonded plugs found prior to airplane 
delivery, during manufacturing inspections, at various locations in 
certain stringers of the forward electrical equipment (EE) bay of the 
lower lobe cargo compartments. This proposed AD would require drilling 
a hole and installing and bonding plugs in certain stringers of the 
forward EE bay of the lower lobe cargo compartments. We are proposing 
this AD to detect and correct missing or misaligned bonded plugs which, 
in the event of a fire, could cause an increased rate of loss of Halon 
in the lower cargo compartments, and result in the inability to 
extinguish a fire and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 7, 
2014.

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-
0649; 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: Francis Smith, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6596; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
francis.smith@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-2014-0649; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-132-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 have received reports of missing bonded plugs found prior to 
airplane delivery, during manufacturing inspections, at various 
locations in certain stringers of the forward electrical equipment (EE) 
bay of the lower lobe cargo compartments. The cause was determined to 
be miscalculated pressure exposures during design. This condition, if 
not corrected, could result in missing or misaligned bonded plugs 
which, in the event of a fire, could cause an increased rate of loss of 
Halon in the lower cargo compartments, and result in the inability to 
extinguish a fire and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530024-00, 
Issue 001, dated May 15, 2014. For information on the procedures and 
compliance times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2014-0649.

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, except as discussed 
under ``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service 
Information.''

Explanation of ``RC'' Steps in Service Information

    The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the 
Airworthiness Directives Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee, 
to enhance the AD system. One enhancement was a

[[Page 56683]]

new process for annotating which steps in the service information are 
required for compliance with an AD. Differentiating these steps from 
other tasks in the service information is expected to improve an 
owner's/operator's understanding of crucial AD requirements and help 
provide consistent judgment in AD compliance. The actions specified in 
the service information described previously include steps that are 
labeled as RC (required for compliance) because these steps have a 
direct effect on detecting, preventing, resolving, or eliminating an 
identified unsafe condition.
    As noted in the specified service information, steps labeled as RC 
must be done to comply with the proposed AD. However, steps that are 
not labeled as RC are recommended. Those steps that are not labeled as 
RC may be deviated from, done as part of other actions, or done using 
accepted methods different from those identified in the service 
information without obtaining approval of an alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC), provided the steps labeled as RC can be done and the 
airplane can be put back in a serviceable condition. Any substitutions 
or changes to steps labeled as RC will require approval of an AMOC.

Difference Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Although Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530024-00, 
Issue 001, dated May 15, 2014, recommends installing and bonding the 
plugs within 24 months, we and Boeing have determined a 12-month 
compliance time is appropriate. We have advised Boeing to correct the 
compliance time statement in the next revision of the service 
information to specify a 12-month compliance time. In developing an 
appropriate compliance time for this AD, we considered the degree of 
urgency associated with the subject unsafe condition, and the average 
utilization of the affected fleet and time necessary to perform the 
installation. In light of these factors, we find that a 12-month 
compliance time represents an appropriate interval of time for affected 
airplanes to continue to operate without compromising safety.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 3 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bonded plug installations.........  100 work-hours x $85           $3,466         $11,966  Up to $35,898.
                                     per hour = $8,500.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, all of the costs of this proposed 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

    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-2014-0649; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-132-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 7, 2014.

(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-SB530024-00, Issue 001, dated May 15, 2014.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage 
Structure (General).

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of missing bonded plugs found 
prior to airplane delivery, during manufacturing inspections, at 
various locations in certain stringers of the forward electrical 
equipment (EE) bay of the lower lobe cargo compartments. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct missing or misaligned bonded 
plugs which, in the event of a fire, could cause an increased rate 
of loss of Halon in the lower cargo compartments, and result in the 
inability to extinguish a fire and consequent loss of control of the 
airplane.

[[Page 56684]]

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Bonded Plug Installation

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Drill a 
hole in stringers S-34L and S-35L, remove the plugs, and install and 
bond new plugs, in the forward EE bay of the lower lobe cargo 
compartments, as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530024-
00, Issue 001, dated May 15, 2014.

(h) 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 (k)(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.
    (3) If the service information contains steps that are labeled 
as RC (Required for Compliance), those steps must be done to comply 
with this AD; any steps that are not labeled as RC are recommended. 
Those steps that are not labeled as RC may be deviated from, done as 
part of other actions, or done using accepted methods different from 
those identified in the specified service information without 
obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the steps labeled as RC can 
be done and the airplane can be put back in a serviceable condition. 
Any substitutions or changes to steps labeled as RC require approval 
of an AMOC.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Francis Smith, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, 
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6596; fax: 425-
917-6590; email: francis.smith@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 September 12, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-22622 Filed 9-22-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P