82 FR 15123 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 57 (March 27, 2017)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the fire block in the closets and video control stations, and fire blocking tape in the floor panel opening in the forward and aft main passenger cabin, might be missing on some airplanes. This AD requires installing a fire block in the closets and video control stations, as applicable, and installing fire blocking tape in the floor panel openings in the forward and aft main passenger cabin. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 57 (Monday, March 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15123-15126]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05521]


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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; 
Amendment 39-18833; AD 2017-06-09]
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 787-8 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 
report indicating that the fire block in the closets and video control 
stations, and fire blocking tape in the floor panel opening in the 
forward and aft main passenger cabin, might be missing on some 
airplanes. This AD requires installing a fire block in the closets and 
video control stations, as applicable, and installing fire blocking 
tape in the floor panel openings in the forward and aft main passenger 
cabin. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 1, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 1, 2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data 
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 
90740; telephone 562-797-1717; 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 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: Susan L. Monroe, 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: 425-917-6457; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 15124]]

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 787-8 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
August 17, 2016 (81 FR 54750) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by 
a report indicating that the fire block in the closets and video 
control stations, and fire blocking tape in the floor panel opening in 
the forward and aft main passenger cabin, might be missing on some 
airplanes. The NPRM proposed to require installing a fire block in the 
closets and video control stations, as applicable, and installing fire 
blocking tape in the floor panel openings in the forward and aft main 
passenger cabin. We are issuing this AD to prevent propagation of a 
fire in the lower lobe cheek area outboard of a closet or video control 
station. Such propagation could result in an increased risk of smoke 
and/or fire propagation into the passenger cabin.

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 NPRM

    The Air Line Pilots Association, International indicated its 
support for the intent of the NPRM.

Request To Clarify the Unsafe Condition

    Boeing asked that we clarify certain language related to the unsafe 
condition throughout the NPRM. Boeing stated that the location of the 
unsafe condition, referred to in the NPRM as ``video control station 
and closets,'' should be changed to ``closets and video control 
stations.'' Boeing stated that closets and video control stations are 
two separate monument designs, and the current wording implies that the 
requirement applies only to monuments with video controls.
    We agree with the commenter's request for the reason provided. We 
have clarified this language in all applicable sections of this AD.

Request To Include Later Revision of Service Information

    United Airlines (UA) asked that we include Issue 002 of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530018-00, for accomplishing 
certain actions in the proposed AD. UA stated that it was informed by 
Boeing that Issue 002 is in work. UA noted that adding this later 
revision will minimize potential requests for alternative methods of 
compliance (AMOCs).
    We do not agree with the commenter's request. We do not consider 
that delaying this final rule until after the release of the 
manufacturer's planned service information (Issue 002 of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530018-00) is warranted. We have 
identified an unsafe condition and the actions specified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530018-00, Issue 001, dated June 7, 
2013, address the unsafe condition for airplanes identified in 
paragraph (g)(3) of this AD. However, under the provisions of paragraph 
(h) of this AD, operators may request approval to use later revisions 
of the service information as an AMOC with this AD. We have not changed 
this AD in this regard.

Request To Issue Two ADs Instead of One

    UA asked that we split the NPRM into two ADs; one AD for 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; and one AD for Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin B787-81205-SB530018-00, Issue 001, dated June 7, 2013. UA 
stated that although all of this service information addresses fire 
blocking, different areas with different procedures are specified in 
each service bulletin.
    We do not agree with the commenter's request. We do not consider 
that delaying this final rule, so that the required actions can be 
split into two ADs based on the location of the corrective actions, is 
warranted. In order to address the identified unsafe condition in a 
timely manner, we find that we must issue this AD by mandating the 
specified actions described in the referenced service information. We 
have not changed this AD in this regard.

Request To Clarify Certain Action in the Costs of Compliance Section

    Boeing asked that we change the phrase ``video control closet'' to 
``closet'' in the Costs of Compliance section, for clarification. 
Boeing stated that the referenced service information does not have a 
monument listing for a ``video control closet'' but lists this monument 
as a ``closet.''
    We agree with the commenter's request for the reason provided. We 
have changed this language in the Costs of Compliance section 
accordingly.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously and 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.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

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 a fire block in the closets and video control stations.
    Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250070-00, Issue 001, 
dated March 10, 2015. The service information describes procedures for 
installing a 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 6 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 15125]]



                                                 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
 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 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
    (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):

2017-06-09 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18833; Docket No. FAA-
2016-8844; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-026-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 1, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in the service 
information specified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of 
this AD.
    (1) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250028-00, Issue 
001, dated August 1, 2013.
    (2) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250070-00, Issue 
001, dated March 10, 2015.
    (3) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530018-00, Issue 
001, dated June 7, 2013.

(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 closets and video control stations, 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 closet or video control station. 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 a 
fire block in the closets and video control stations, 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 a 
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 openings 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) of this AD. 
Information may be

[[Page 15126]]

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

    For more information about this AD, contact Susan L. Monroe, 
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: 425-917-6457; fax: 
425-917-6590; email: [email protected].

(j) 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 B787-81205-SB250028-00, Issue 
001, dated August 1, 2013.
    (ii) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250070-00, Issue 
001, dated March 10, 2015.
    (iii) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB530018-00, 
Issue 001, dated June 7, 2013.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services 
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740; 
telephone 562-797-1717; 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 March 14, 2017.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-05521 Filed 3-24-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P