81 FR 54750 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 159 (August 17, 2016)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating that the fire block in the video control station and closets, and fire blocking tape in the floor panel opening in the forward and aft main passenger cabin, might be missing on some airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing fire block in the video control station and closets, as applicable, and installing fire blocking tape in the floor panel openings in the forward and aft main passenger cabin. We are proposing this AD to prevent propagation of a fire in the lower lobe cheek area outboard of a video control station and closet. Such propagation could result in an increased risk of smoke and/or fire propagation into the passenger cabin.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 17, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54750-54752]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19487]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-8844; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-026-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 a report indicating that the fire block in the video 
control station and closets, and fire blocking tape in the floor panel 
opening in the forward and aft main passenger cabin, might be missing 
on some airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing fire block 
in the video control station and closets, as applicable, and installing 
fire blocking tape in the floor panel openings in the forward and aft 
main passenger cabin. We are proposing this AD to prevent propagation 
of a fire in the lower lobe cheek area outboard of a video control 
station and closet. Such propagation could result in an increased risk 
of smoke and/or fire propagation into the passenger cabin.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 3, 2016.

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 NPRM, 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-2016-
8844.

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-2016-
8844; 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 (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6596; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

[[Page 54751]]


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-2016-8844; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-026-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 a report from Boeing indicating that the fire 
block in the video control station and closets, and fire blocking tape 
in the floor panel opening in the forward and aft main passenger cabin 
might be missing on some airplanes. The materials were not installed 
during production. We are proposing this AD to prevent propagation of a 
fire in the lower lobe cheek area outboard of a video control station 
and closet. Such propagation could result in an increased risk of smoke 
and/or fire in the passenger cabin.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed the following service information:
    Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250028-00, Issue 001, 
dated August 1, 2013. The service information describes procedures for 
installing fire block in the video control station and closets.
    Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250070-00, Issue 001, 
dated March 10, 2015. The service information describes procedures for 
installing fire block in the video control station.
    Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530018-00, Issue 001, 
dated June 7, 2013. The service information describes procedures for 
installing fire blocking tape in the floor panel openings in the 
forward and aft main passenger cabin.
    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.

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. 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-2016-
8844.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 6 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire blocking tape installation    Up to 23 work-hours              $0  Up to $1,955 per     Up to $11,730 per
 in the floor panel openings.       x $85 per hour =                     installation.        installation.
                                    $1,955 per
                                    installation.
Fire block installation in the     5 work-hours x $85              489  $914 per             $5,484 per
 video control closet.              per hour = $425                      installation.        installation.
                                    per installation.
Fire block installation in the     5 work-hours x $85              276  $701 per             $4,206 per
 video control station.             per hour = $425                      installation.        installation.
                                    per installation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some 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

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,

[[Page 54752]]

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-2016-8844; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-026-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 3, 2016.

(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-SB530018-00, Issue 001, dated June 7, 2013; 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250028-00, Issue 001, 
dated August 1, 2013; and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-
SB250070-00, Issue 001, dated March 10, 2015.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings; 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the fire block 
in the video control station and closets, and fire blocking tape in 
the floor panel opening in the forward and aft main passenger cabin, 
might be missing on some airplanes. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent propagation of a fire in the lower lobe cheek area outboard 
of a video control station and closet. Such propagation could result 
in an increased risk of smoke and/or fire propagation into the 
passenger cabin.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Installation of Fire Block and Fire Blocking Tape, as Applicable

    Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this 
AD, as applicable.
    (1) For airplanes specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
B787-81205-SB250028-00, Issue 001, dated August 1, 2013: Install 
fire block in the video control station and closets, as applicable, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250028-00, Issue 001, dated August 1, 
2013.
    (2) For airplanes specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
B787-81205-SB250070-00, Issue 001, dated March 10, 2015: Install 
fire block in the video control station, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-
81205-SB250070-00, Issue 001, dated March 10, 2015.
    (3) For airplanes specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
B787-81205-SB530018-00, Issue 001, dated June 7, 2013: Install fire 
blocking tape in the floor panel opening in the forward and aft main 
passenger cabin, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530018-00, Issue 001, 
dated June 7, 2013.

(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 (i)(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 
(h)(4)(i) and (h)(4)(ii) of this AD 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 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.

(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 ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6596; 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 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 August 5, 2016.
Chris L. Spangenberg,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-19487 Filed 8-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P