Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2006/12/07/E6-20624/airworthiness-directives-boeing-model-777-airplanes
Timestamp: 2018-02-17 21:59:42
Document Index: 373107100

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 39', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 51']

Amendment 39-14846
AD 2006-25-05
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E6-20624 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E6-20624
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 777 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for corrosion or missing corrosion inhibiting compound of the fuselage skin under the forward and aft wing-to-body fairings for certain airplanes, or the fuselage skin under the forward wing-to-body fairings only for other airplanes; and corrective action if necessary. The AD also provides an optional preventive modification of the fairing areas, which terminates the repetitive inspections. This AD results from several reports indicating that significant levels of corrosion were found on the external surface of the fuselage skin under the forward and aft wing-to-body fairings. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion, and prevent subsequent fatigue cracks, on the fuselage skin under the forward and aft wing-to-body fairings, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Boeing Model 777 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February 8, 2006 (71 FR 6402). That NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections for corrosion or missing corrosion inhibiting compound (CIC) of the fuselage skin under the forward and aft wing-to-body fairings for certain airplanes, or the fuselage skin under the forward wing-to-body fairings only for other airplanes; and corrective action if necessary. That NPRM also proposed to provide an optional preventive modification of the wing-to-body fairing panels, which would terminate the repetitive inspections.
Continental Airlines (CAL) asks that the NPRM mandate Revision 1 of the referenced service bulletin when it becomes available, instead of the original issue. (Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, dated July 28, 2005, was referenced in the NPRM as the appropriate source of service information for accomplishing the specified actions.) CAL states that it found some discrepancies in the instructions in Part 2 of the service bulletin during incorporation of the preventive modification specified in the original issue of the service bulletin. CAL adds that those discrepancies need clarification in order to meet the scope of the service bulletin and the objective of the NPRM. CAL notes that the instructions specified in Figures 11 and 15 of the original issue of the service bulletin are misleading and can cause incorrect assumptions and actions when implemented. CAL coordinated with Boeing to obtain clarification and enhancement of the instructions specified in Figures 11 and 15. CAL notes that the corrected instructions will be incorporated into Revision 1 of the service bulletin by Boeing.
We partially agree with CAL. Boeing has issued Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, Revision 1, dated June 22, 2006, which we have subsequently reviewed.
We agree to include Revision 1 of the referenced service bulletin in the AD as the appropriate source of service information for accomplishing the specified actions. Revision 1 is essentially the same as the original issue of the service bulletin; however, Revision 1 recommends that airplanes in Groups 1 and 4 that have been previously changed per the original issue of the service bulletin be inspected at the next scheduled under-fairing zonal or surveillance inspections. This is to ensure that the fastener fillet sealing at body stations 1035 and 1434 are in compliance with Figures 11, 15, and 20, as applicable, of Revision 1. The original issue of the service bulletin identified airplanes that were divided into Groups 1 and 2. Revision 1 of the service bulletin divides the airplanes into Groups 1 through 6; however, there is no increase in the number of airplanes.
We do not agree to remove reference to the original issue of the service bulletin and refer to only Revision 1, because operators who previously did the required actions in accordance with the original issue of the service bulletin would then be out of compliance as of the effective date of the new AD. We find that actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the instructions in the original issue of the service bulletin will provide an acceptable level of safety until the newly required actions are done. We have changed paragraph (h) of this AD to add the following sentence: “After the effective date of this AD, only Revision 1 of the service bulletin may be used for accomplishing the preventive modification.” Although no more work is necessary on airplanes changed per the original issue of the service bulletin; it is recommended that airplanes in Groups 1 and 4 which have been previously changed per the original issue, be inspected at the next scheduled under-fairing zonal or surveillance inspections as specified above.
Boeing asks that the language for the optional terminating action specified in paragraph (h) of the NPRM be changed. Start Printed Page 70861Boeing reiterates that paragraph and states that it should be changed to read “Accomplishing the preventive modification in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, dated July 28, 2005, terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD.” Boeing states that, in the forward fairing area the preventive modification consists of modification to the forward body fairing panels, as well as addition of fastener head fillet sealing and revised CIC in specific areas above the wing body fairing panels. Boeing adds that, in the aft fairing area, the preventive modification consists of fastener head fillet sealing and revised CIC in specific areas above the wing body fairing panels. Boeing states that there is no change to the wing-to-body fairing panels in the aft fairing area, and the proposed wording could be interpreted as not providing a terminating action for the aft fairing area. Boeing notes that this is inconsistent with the referenced service bulletin, and changing the language would make the NPRM consistent with the service bulletin.
We agree with Boeing for the reasons provided. We have changed the subject language in the Summary section. We have also changed the language in paragraph (h) of this AD to read “Accomplishing the preventive modification of the fairing areas in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, dated July 28, 2005; or Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, Revision 1, dated June 22, 2006; terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD.”
The inspection takes about 8 work hours per airplane for Groups 1, 3, 4, and 5 airplanes, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the inspection for U.S. operators is $520 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
The inspection takes about 4 work hours per airplane for Groups 2 and 6 airplanes, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the inspection for U.S. operators is $260 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
2006-25-05 Boeing: Amendment 39-14846. Docket No. FAA-2006-23817; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-176-AD.
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, Revision 1, dated June 22, 2006.
(f) At the latest of the compliance times specified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), and (f)(3) of this AD, as applicable: Perform a detailed inspection of the fuselage skin under the wing-to-body fairings for corrosion or missing corrosion inhibiting compound (CIC) by doing all the applicable actions specified in Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, dated July 28, 2005; or Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, Revision 1, dated June 22, 2006. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,500 days until the requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD are accomplished.
(1) Before the accumulation of 1,500 days since the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness. Start Printed Page 70862
(g) If any corrosion or missing CIC is found during any inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Before further flight, do a detailed inspection to determine the full extent of the corrosion; repair before further flight by doing all the applicable actions specified in Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, dated July 28, 2005; or Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, Revision 1, dated June 22, 2006. Where the service bulletin specifies to contact Boeing for repair instructions: Repair before further flight, according to a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
(h) Accomplishing the preventive modification of the fairing areas in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, dated July 28, 2005; or Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, Revision 1, dated June 22, 2006; terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD. After the effective date of this AD, only Revision 1 of the service bulletin may be used for accomplishing the preventive modification.
(j) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, dated July 28, 2005; or Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0044, Revision 1, dated June 22, 2006; as applicable; to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov;​ or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/​federal_​register/​code_​of_​federal_​regulations/​ibr_​locations.html.
[FR Doc. E6-20624 Filed 12-6-06; 8:45 am]