81 FR 36449 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 109 (June 7, 2016)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped with Pratt and Whitney engines. This AD was prompted by reports of blocked drain lines at the engine forward strut that caused flammable fluid to accumulate in a flammable leakage zone. This AD requires doing the following actions on the left strut and right strut: A one-time cleaning of certain forward strut drain lines; installing new forward strut drain lines and insulation blankets; a leak check of the forward strut drain lines; and repair if any leak is found. This AD also requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a certain airworthiness limitation. We are issuing this AD to prevent blockage of forward strut drain lines. This condition could cause flammable fluids to collect in the forward strut area and potentially cause an uncontrolled fire or cause failure of engine attachment structure and consequent airplane loss.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 7, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36449-36452]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12599]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-8130; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-175-AD; 
Amendment 39-18534; AD 2016-11-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped 
with Pratt and Whitney engines. This AD was prompted by reports of 
blocked drain lines at the engine forward strut that caused flammable 
fluid to accumulate in a flammable leakage zone. This AD requires doing 
the following actions on the left strut and right strut: A one-time 
cleaning of certain forward strut drain lines; installing new forward 
strut drain lines and insulation blankets; a leak check of the forward 
strut drain lines; and repair if any leak is found. This AD also 
requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
to incorporate a certain airworthiness limitation. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent blockage of forward strut drain lines. This condition 
could cause flammable fluids to collect in the forward strut area and 
potentially cause an uncontrolled fire or cause failure of engine 
attachment structure and consequent airplane loss.

DATES: This AD is effective July 12, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of July 12, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
8130.

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-2015-
8130; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building

[[Page 36450]]

Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 
20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6501; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company 
Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped with Pratt and Whitney 
engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 31, 
2015 (80 FR 81788) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by reports of 
blocked drain lines at the engine forward strut that caused flammable 
fluid to accumulate in a flammable leakage zone. The NPRM proposed to 
require doing the following actions on the left strut and right strut: 
A one-time cleaning of certain forward strut drain lines; installing 
new forward strut drain lines and insulation blankets; a leak check of 
the forward strut drain lines; and repair if any leak is found. The 
NPRM also proposed to require revising the maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to incorporate a certain airworthiness 
limitation. We are issuing this AD to prevent blockage of forward strut 
drain lines. This condition could cause flammable fluids to collect in 
the forward strut area and potentially cause an uncontrolled fire or 
cause failure of engine attachment structure and consequent airplane 
loss.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM.

Support for the NPRM

    Boeing, United Airlines, and Airline Pilots Association 
International have no objections to the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed the following service information:
     Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-54-0028, 
Revision 1, dated December 10, 2013. This service information describes 
procedures for a general visual inspection for hydraulic fluid 
contamination of the interior of the strut forward dry bay and 
corrective actions.
     Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-71-0055, 
Revision 1, dated April 15, 2015. The service information describes 
procedures for installing new forward strut drain lines and insulation 
blankets on the left and right engines.
     Airworthiness Limitation 54-AWL-01, ``Forward Strut Drain 
Line,'' as specified in Section D.4, Pratt and Whitney Forward Strut 
Drain Line, dated March 2014, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning 
Data (MPD) Document Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-9, dated 
October 2014. This service information describes an airworthiness 
limitation task for the functional check of the forward strut drain 
line.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 54 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleaning strut drain lines, installing  16 work-hours x $85 per          $17,080         $18,440        $995,760
 new drain lines and insulation          hour = $1,360.
 blankets, doing a leak check, and
 revising the maintenance or
 inspection program.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that will enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this 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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

[[Page 36451]]

    (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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2016-11-07 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18534; Docket No. FAA-
2015-8130; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-175-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 12, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects the ADs specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and 
(b)(2) of this AD.
    (1) AD 2014-20-10, Amendment 39-17983 (79 FR 60331, October 7, 
2014) (``AD 2014-20-10'').
    (2) AD 2015-17-13, Amendment 39-18246 (80 FR 52948, September 2, 
2015) (``AD 2015-17-13'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, equipped with Pratt 
and Whitney engines, as identified in Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 777-71-0055, Revision 1, dated April 15, 2015.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71, Powerplant.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of blocked drain lines at the 
engine forward strut that caused flammable fluid to accumulate in a 
flammable leakage zone. We are issuing this AD to prevent blockage 
of forward strut drain lines. This condition could cause flammable 
fluids to collect in the forward strut area and potentially cause an 
uncontrolled fire or cause failure of engine attachment structure 
and consequent airplane loss.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Actions

    Within 4,000 flight cycles or 750 days after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs later: Accomplish the actions specified 
in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD on the left and right 
struts, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-71-0055, Revision 1, dated 
April 15, 2015; and accomplish the revision specified in paragraph 
(g)(5) of this AD.
    (1) Disconnect and remove the forward strut drain lines.
    (2) Clean the left system disconnect, the strut forward lower 
spar, and the forward fireseal pan drain lines.
    (3) Install new forward strut drain lines and insulation 
blankets.
    (4) Do a leak check of the forward strut drain lines for any 
leak, and repair if any leak is found.
    (5) Revise the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
to incorporate Airworthiness Limitation 54-AWL-01, ``Forward Strut 
Drain Line'' as specified in Section D.4, Pratt and Whitney Forward 
Strut Drain Line, dated March 2014, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance 
Planning Data (MPD) Document Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations 
(AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-
9, dated October 2014. The initial compliance time for Airworthiness 
Limitation 54-AWL-01 is within 2,000 flight cycles or 1,500 days, 
whichever occurs first, after doing the actions specified in 
paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD.

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g)(5) of 
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may 
be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD.

(i) Terminating Action for Other ADs

    (1) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD terminates the actions required by paragraph (g) of AD 2015-17-13 
at the modified area only.
    (2) Accomplishing the actions specified in paragraphs (i)(2)(i) 
and (i)(2)(ii) of this AD terminates the inspections required by 
paragraph (g) of AD 2014-20-10 at the modified area only, provided 
the actions are accomplished concurrently, or the actions specified 
in paragraph (i)(2)(ii) of this AD are done after accomplishing the 
actions specified in paragraph (i)(2)(i) of this AD.
    (i) The actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of 
this AD on the left and right struts are done in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-71-0055, Revision 1, dated April 15, 2015; and the 
revision specified in paragraph (g)(5) of this AD is done.
    (ii) A one-time general visual inspection for hydraulic fluid 
contamination (including contamination caused by hydraulic fluid in 
its liquid, vapor, and/or solid (coked) form) of the interior of the 
strut forward dry bay, and all applicable related investigative and 
corrective actions (including checking drain lines for blockage due 
to hydraulic fluid coking, and cleaning or replacing drain lines to 
allow drainage) are done in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-54-
0028, Revision 1, dated December 10, 2013, except where Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-54-0028, Revision 1, dated 
December 10, 2013, specifies to contact Boeing for repair, the 
repair must be done using a method approved in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD, if those actions were 
performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 777-71-0055, dated June 12, 2014, which 
is not incorporated by reference in this AD.

(k) 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 (l)(1) 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, modification, or alteration 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. To be approved, the 
repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must 
meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs 
(k)(4)(i) and (k)(4)(ii) apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, 
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining

[[Page 36452]]

approval of an AMOC, provided the RC steps, including substeps and 
identified figures, can still be done as specified, and the airplane 
can be put back in an airworthy condition.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kevin Nguyen, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6501; 
fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (m)(3) and (m)(4) of this AD.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-54-0028, 
Revision 1, dated December 10, 2013.
    (ii) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-71-0055, 
Revision 1, dated April 15, 2015.
    (iii) Airworthiness Limitation 54-AWL-01, ``Forward Strut Drain 
Line,'' as specified in Section D.4, Pratt and Whitney Forward Strut 
Drain Line, dated March 2014, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning 
Data Document Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations and Certification 
Maintenance Requirements, D622W001-9, dated October 2014.
    (3) For Boeing 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.
    (4) You may view this 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 20, 2016.
Victor Wicklund,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-12599 Filed 6-6-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P