81 FR 58818 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 166 (August 26, 2016)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of an incident involving a landing in which the pilots needed to input corrections due to airplane yaw and roll to the right; the main landing gear (MLG) aft trunnion pin was later found to be fractured. This AD requires identification and replacement of certain MLG aft trunnion pins. We are issuing this AD to prevent a fractured MLG aft trunnion pin, which could result in collapse of the MLG and consequent loss of control of the airplane during landing.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58818-58821]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20375]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-0463; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-155-
AD;Amendment 39-18623; AD 2016-17-10]
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 all The 
Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of 
an incident involving a landing in which the pilots needed to input 
corrections due to airplane yaw and roll to the right; the main landing 
gear (MLG) aft trunnion pin was later found to be fractured. This AD 
requires identification and replacement of certain MLG aft trunnion 
pins. We are issuing this AD to prevent a fractured MLG aft trunnion 
pin, which could result in collapse of the MLG and consequent loss of 
control of the airplane during landing.

DATES: This AD is effective September 30, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
30, 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-2016-
0463.

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-
0463; 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 Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Lin, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe 
Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6412; fax: 
415-917-6590; 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 all The Boeing Company 
Model 777 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
February 18, 2016 (81 FR 8164) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by 
a report of an incident involving a landing in which the pilots needed 
to input corrections due to airplane yaw and roll to the right; the MLG 
aft trunnion pin was later found to be fractured. The NPRM proposed to 
require identification and replacement of certain MLG aft trunnion 
pins. We are issuing this AD to prevent a fractured MLG aft trunnion 
pin, which could result in collapse of the MLG and consequent loss of 
control of the airplane during landing.

[[Page 58819]]

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM

    Three commenters indicated their support for the NPRM.

Request To Update the Cost Section

    One commenter, Gilles Oriot, asked that we update the cost estimate 
to reflect the costs shown in Boeing Information Notice 777-32A0103 IN 
03, dated February 2, 2015.
    We agree with the commenter and have updated the Costs of 
Compliance to reflect the updated information.

Request To Add to Credit Information

    The Boeing Company, American Airlines, Air France, Korean Air, 
Etihad Airways, and All Nippon Airways requested that we allow 
installation of pins with serial numbers beginning with ``EGL'' or 
``MAL'' that have been inspected previously but were not marked ``BASE 
METAL INSPECTED'' to fulfill the requirements of the proposed AD. The 
commenters stated that the previous inspection may have been done as 
part of a previous overhaul or required inspection using other service 
information that did not specify to mark ``BASE METAL INSPECTED.'' The 
commenters also stated that the actions specified in the service 
information are consistent with the requirements of the proposed AD. 
The commenters suggested various changes in order to allow installation 
of these parts.
    We acknowledge that previous inspections may have been done as part 
of an overhaul or previous service requests, but we do not agree with 
the suggested changes. We disagree because providing credit for the 
inspections required by this AD undermines the level of record review 
required by this AD for compliance, cannot ensure that the various 
actions taken for each pin are the same actions required by this AD, 
and may not provide an acceptable level of safety equivalent to this 
AD. Operators that would like credit for the actions performed before 
the effective date of this AD may request approval of an alternative 
method of compliance (AMOC). The request should include a list of 
affected pin serial numbers, the airplane on which each pin is 
currently installed (if applicable), and the actions that were 
performed for each pin with applicable service information. We have not 
changed this final rule regarding this issue.

Request To Allow Alternative Part Marking

    FedEx requested that we allow the suffix ``BMI'' to be allowed for 
marking the pins. FedEx stated that its record keeping system can only 
track unique part number and serial number combinations; it is not 
capable of tracking the additional ``BASE METAL INSPECTED'' marking.
    We disagree with the commenter's request. We disagree because pins 
can be rotated among other airplanes and operators. Operators need to 
be consistent with how the pins are identified to comply with this AD 
and ensure the safety of passengers and crew. We recommend that the 
commenter work with the manufacturer to identify a suitable method of 
compliance for future revision of the service information. We have not 
changed this final rule regarding this issue.

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 Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-32A0103, Revision 1, 
dated December 10, 2015. The service information describes procedures 
for identifying and replacing certain MLG aft trunnion pins. 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 123 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection........................  2 work-hours x $85 per                 $0             $170          $20,910
                                     hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this 
repair:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                  Action                                Labor cost                 Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of aft trunnion pin...........  211 work-hours x $85 per hour =             $5,291          $23,226
                                             $17,935.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 58820]]

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
    (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):

2016-17-10 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18623; Docket No. FAA-
2016-0463; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-155-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 30, 2016.

 (b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 777-200, 777-
200LR, 777-300, 777-300ER, and 777F series airplanes, certificated 
in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an incident involving a 
landing in which the pilots needed to input corrections due to 
airplane yaw and roll to the right; the main landing gear (MLG) aft 
trunnion pin was later found to be fractured. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent a fractured MLG aft trunnion pin, which could result in 
collapse of the MLG and consequent loss of control of the airplane 
during landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Aft Trunnion Pin Identification

    For airplanes on which the original airworthiness certificate or 
the original export certificate of airworthiness was issued on or 
before the effective date of this AD: Within 36 months after the 
effective date of this AD, identify the serial number and marking of 
the MLG aft trunnion pins, in accordance with Part 1 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
32A0103, Revision 1, dated December 10, 2015.

(h) MLG Aft Trunnion Pin Replacement

    For any MLG aft trunnion pin that begins with serial number 
``EGL'' or ``MAL,'' on which no ``BASE METAL INSPECTED'' marking is 
found, replace with a new or serviceable MLG aft trunnion pin within 
36 months after the effective date of this AD, in accordance with 
Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 777-32A0103, Revision 1, dated December 10, 2015.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on 
any airplane, any MLG aft trunnion pin that begins with serial 
number ``EGL'' or ``MAL'' and is not marked ``BASE METAL 
INSPECTED.''

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Multi-Operator Message (MOM) 
MOM-MOM-15-0303-01B, dated May 13, 2015, which is not incorporated 
by reference in this AD.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed 
before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 777-32A0103, dated September 11, 2015, 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) 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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Eric Lin, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6412; 
fax: 415-917-6590; 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 Alert Service Bulletin 777-32A0103, Revision 1, dated 
December 10, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (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.

[[Page 58821]]

    (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 August 17, 2016.
Dorr M. Anderson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-20375 Filed 8-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P