[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 21, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69859-69861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29376]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-373-AD; Amendment 39-11993; AD 2000-23-20]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes, that
requires replacement of certain components. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent corrosion of the axle of the main
landing gear, which could result in cracking and failure of one or more
axles, loss of the wheels on the axle, and loss of controllability of
the airplane on the ground. This action is intended to address the
identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective December 26, 2000.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 26, 2000.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stan Wood, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2772; fax (425) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD)
[[Page 69860]]
that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes was
published in the Federal Register on July 31, 2000 (65 FR 46666). That
action proposed to require replacement of certain components.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comment received.
The commenter states that the unsafe condition in the Discussion
section of the proposed rule is understated. The commenter also states
that failure of more than one axle on one main landing gear (MLG) can
equal two axles or even all three axles, which would increase the
potential hazard. The commenter further states that there is potential
for a ``cascade failure scenario.'' From this comment, the FAA infers
that the commenter is requesting that the unsafe condition be revised
to include the failure scenario suggested by the commenter. The FAA
agrees with the commenter that there is always a possibility of
additional failures (i.e., ``cascade failure scenario'') resulting from
the initial failure.
The FAA has revised the unsafe condition of the final rule to read,
``which could result in cracking and failure of one or more axles, loss
of the wheels on the axle, and loss of controllability of the airplane
on the ground.''
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 8 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 4 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD. It will take between 56 and 93 work hours
per airplane (depending on which, and how many, of the airplane's MLG
axles are affected) to accomplish the required replacement, at an
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will be
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operator. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
between $3,360 and $5,580 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other
administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
2000-23-20 Boeing: Amendment 39-11993. Docket 99-NM-373-AD.
Applicability: Model 777-200 series airplanes; line numbers 7
through 11 inclusive, 26, 28, and 33; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent corrosion of the axle of the main landing gear, which
could result in cracking and failure of one or more axles, loss of
the wheels on the axle, and loss of controllability of the airplane
on the ground, accomplish the following:
Replacement
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace specified axles of the main landing gear with new axles, in
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-32A0024, dated
August 12, 1999.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add
comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 777-32A0024, dated August 12, 1999. This
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies may be obtained
[[Page 69861]]
from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Effective Date
(e) This amendment becomes effective on December 26, 2000.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 9, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-29376 Filed 11-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P