[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2013)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 59293-59295] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-23456] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2013-0830; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-128-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 777 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of cracking in the fuselage skin underneath the satellite communication (SATCOM) antenna adapter. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the visible fuselage skin and doubler if installed, for cracking, corrosion, and any indication of contact of a certain fastener to a bonding jumper, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking and corrosion in the fuselage skin, which could lead to rapid decompression and loss of structural integrity of the airplane. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 12, 2013. 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 review copies of the 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; 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: Melanie Violette, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6422; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: [email protected] . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: [[Page 59294]] 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-2013-0830; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-128-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 a report of cracking and corrosion in the fuselage skin underneath the SATCOM antenna adapter. During a maintenance planning data inspection, one operator reported a 16-inch crack under the 3-bay SATCOM antenna adapter plate in the crown skin of the fuselage on an airplane that was 14 years old with approximately 14,000 total flight cycles. Subsequent to this crack finding, the same operator inspected 42 other airplanes that are between 6 and 16 years old and found some local corrosion, but no other cracking. Cracking and corrosion in the fuselage skin, if not corrected, could lead to rapid decompression and loss of structural integrity of the airplane. Relevant Service Information We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013. For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2013-0830. 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 the Proposed AD and the Service Information.'' Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information The service bulletin specifies to contact the manufacturer for instructions on how to repair certain conditions, but this proposed AD would require repairing those conditions in one of the following ways: In accordance with a method that we approve; or Using data that meet the certification basis of the airplane, and that have been approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) whom we have authorized to make those findings. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this proposed AD affects 120 airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: Estimated Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cost on U.S. Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inspection....................... Up to 36 $0 Up to $3,060 per Up to $367,200 per work[dash]hours x inspection cycle. inspection cycle. $85 per hour = $3,060 per inspection cycle. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed AD. 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-2013-0830; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-128-AD. [[Page 59295]] (a) Comments Due Date We must receive comments by November 12, 2013. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, - 300, -300ER, and -777F series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777- 53A0068, dated June 12, 2013. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of cracking in the fuselage skin underneath the satellite communication (SATCOM) antenna adapter. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking and corrosion in the fuselage skin, which could lead to rapid decompression and loss of structural integrity of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Repetitive Inspections (1) For Group 1-4 airplanes and Group 5, Configuration 3 and 4 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013: Except as required by paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, within the applicable compliance times specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013, do internal detailed and surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the visible fuselage skin, and doubler if installed, for cracking; do external detailed and surface HFEC inspections of the visible fuselage skin, and doubler if installed, for cracking, corrosion, and any indication that shows a contact of a certain fastener to a bonding jumper; and do all applicable repairs; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777- 53A0068, dated June 12, 2013, except as required by paragraph (h)(3) of this AD. Thereafter, repeat the inspections at the applicable intervals specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013. Do all applicable repairs before further flight. (2) For Group 5, Configuration 1, 2, and 5 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013: No action is required by this AD. (h) Exceptions to the Service Information (1) The ``Condition Questionnaire'' column in Tables 1, 5, and 9 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013, refers to airplanes with certain conditions ``at the time of the original issue date of this service bulletin.'' For this AD, use ``as of the effective date of this AD'' instead of ``at the time of the original issue date of this service bulletin.'' (2) Where paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013, specifies a compliance time ``after the original issue date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD. (3) If any crack, corrosion, or indication that shows a contact of the fastener attaching the SATCOM lug adapter plate to the bonding plate is found during any inspection required by this AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013, specifies to contact Boeing for repair instructions: Before further flight, repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD. (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 the Related Information section of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected] . (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) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD. (j) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Melanie Violette, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM 120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057 3356; phone: (425) 917-6422; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: [email protected] . (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 review copies of the 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 18, 2013. Ross Landes, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2013-23456 Filed 9-25-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P