AD 2013-05-10

final rule

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AD Number: 2013-05-10
Status: final_rule
Effective Date: May 3, 2013
Product Category: aircraft
Docket: Docket No. FAA-2011-1417
FR Citation: 78 FR 19093

Applicability

Type	Manufacturer	Model	Details
aircraft	The Boeing Company	777-200 Series	Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
aircraft	The Boeing Company	777-200LR Series	Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
aircraft	The Boeing Company	777-300 Series	Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
aircraft	The Boeing Company	777-300ER Series	Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
aircraft	The Boeing Company	777F Series	Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Unsafe Condition

Escape slides/rafts did not deploy due to galvanic corrosion of the door-mounted slide/raft packboard release mechanisms.

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Required Actions

Inspect the housing assembly of the packboard release mechanism for surface treatment sealing. Replace the housing assembly with a new or serviceable one if unsealed.

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Compliance Time

Within 42 months of the effective date (May 3, 2013).

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Affected Aircraft

The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes, as specified in the AD.

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Federal Register Abstract

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that escape slides/rafts did not deploy due to galvanic corrosion of the door-mounted slide/raft packboard release mechanisms. This AD requires doing a general visual inspection of the housing assembly of the packboard release mechanism to determine if its surface treatment has been sealed, and if the surface of the housing assembly is unsealed, replacing the housing assembly with a new or serviceable housing assembly. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion of the packboard release mechanisms, which could interfere with escape slide/raft deployment, prohibit doors from opening in the armed mode, and cause consequent delay and injury during evacuation of passengers and crew from the cabin in the event of an emergency.

Applicability Source Text

Show captured applicability text from the source AD

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -
300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
777-25-0507, dated June 30, 2011.

Document Text

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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 61 (Friday, March 29, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19093-19096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05871]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1417; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-159-AD;
Amendment 39-17382; AD 2013-05-10]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports
that escape slides/rafts did not deploy due to galvanic corrosion of
the door-mounted slide/raft packboard release mechanisms. This AD
requires doing a general visual inspection of the housing assembly of
the packboard release mechanism to determine if its surface treatment
has been sealed, and if the surface of the housing assembly is
unsealed, replacing the housing assembly with a new or serviceable
housing assembly. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
corrosion of the packboard release mechanisms, which could interfere
with escape slide/raft deployment, prohibit doors from opening in the
armed mode, and cause consequent delay and injury during evacuation of
passengers and crew from the cabin in the event of an emergency.

DATES: This AD is effective May 3, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 3, 2013.

ADDRESSES: 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 <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>. For Air Cruisers service information identified
in this AD, contact Air Cruisers Company, 1747 State Route 34, Wall, NJ
07727-3935; telephone: 732-681-3527; fax: 732-681-9163; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#46072f342534332f35233435063c29222f27252723342935362725236825292b">[email&#160;protected]</a>. You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>; 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 Document 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: Ana Martinez Hueto, 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: 425-917-6592; fax: 425-917-6591; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#58393639763576302d3d2c37183e3939763f372e">[email&#160;protected]</a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2012 (77 FR
2666). That NPRM proposed to require doing a general visual inspection
of the housing assembly of the packboard release mechanism to determine
if its surface treatment has been sealed, and if unsealed, replacing
the housing assembly with a new or serviceable housing assembly.

[[Page 19094]]

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal
(77 FR 2666, January 19, 2012), and the FAA's response to each comment.
Boeing supported the NPRM. American Airlines stated that it has
incorporated the requirements of the NPRM into its maintenance program
and will continue to do so. United Airlines (United) did not object to
the proposed compliance time.

Request To Allow Verification of Stencil

United requested that we revise the NPRM (77 FR 2666, January 19,
2012) to provide instructions for inspecting for the accomplishment of
Air Cruisers Service Bulletin 777 107-25-30, dated September 30, 2010,
by verifying the stencil of the ``Inspected and/or Mod per S.B. 777
107-25-30'' on the girt assembly and upper lacing cover. United also
requested that we revise the NPRM to permit operators to demonstrate
compliance by means of a technical records review for the
accomplishment of Air Cruisers Service Bulletin 777 107-25-30, dated
September 30, 2010.
We agree because, if the modification has been accomplished before
the issuance of the AD, there is no need to duplicate it. We have
revised paragraph (g) of this final rule to specify only slides/rafts
that have not been modified using Air Cruisers Service Bulletin 777
107-25-30, dated September 30, 2010, require the replacement of the
housing assembly. We also have added a new paragraph (h) to this final
rule (and re-identified subsequent paragraphs accordingly) to state
that verifying the stencil or a review of technical or maintenance
records is acceptable for determining if the modification has been
accomplished.

Request To Revise Service Information

Delta Airlines (Delta) requested that we revise the NPRM (77 FR
2666, January 19, 2012) to provide instructions stating how to inspect
for discrepant unsealed components. Delta stated that the instructions
are referenced within a note in Air Cruisers Service Bulletin 777 107-
25-30, dated September 30, 2010. (Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 777-25-0507, dated June 30, 2011, references Air Cruisers
Service Bulletin 777 107-25-30, dated September 30, 2010, as an
additional source of guidance for inspecting and installing a new
housing assembly of the door-mounted slide/raft packboard release
mechanism.) Delta stated that it is not recommended to have important
instructions listed only within a note.
We disagree with the commenter's request to revise the AD to
provide inspection instructions. We reference the Air Cruisers Service
Bulletin as an additional source of guidance for accomplishing the
actions. To delay this AD so manufacturer service information could be
revised would be inappropriate, in light of the identified unsafe
condition. We have not changed the AD in this regard.

Request To Extend Compliance Time

Delta expressed concern that the 42-month compliance time would be
difficult to meet if replacement part kits were not available upon the
issuance of the AD. We infer from this comment that Delta is requesting
that the 42-month compliance time be extended to allow the part
supplier adequate time to make part kits available.
We disagree with the request to extend the compliance time because
we have confirmed that the supplier has prepared to have parts
available and also to support the compliance time of the AD. If
adequate parts are not available as planned approaching the end of the
compliance period, paragraph (j) of this AD provides operators the
opportunity to request approval of an alternative compliance time if
data are presented that prove that the alternative compliance time will
provide an acceptable level of safety. We have not changed this AD
regarding this issue.

Request To Provide Credit for Previous Actions

United requested that we allow credit for work done prior to the
effective date of the AD using Air Cruisers Service Bulletin 777 107-
25-30, dated September 30, 2010, since Air Cruisers Service Bulletin
777 107-25-30 is now at Revision 1.
We find that no change is necessary because this AD requires that
actions be done in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0507, dated June 30,
2011, which references Air Cruisers Service Bulletin 777 107-25-30,
dated September 30, 2010, as an additional source of guidance for
inspecting and installing a new housing assembly of the door-mounted
slide/raft packboard release mechanism. Boeing has not revised its
service bulletin and, therefore, this AD references the original issue
of Air Cruisers Service Bulletin 777 107-25-30, dated September 30,
2010. We have not changed this AD in this regard.

Explanation of Change Made to This Final Rule

We have changed Note 1 to paragraph (g) of the NPRM (77 FR 2666,
January 19, 2012), which defined a general visual inspection, to new
paragraph (i) in the regulatory text of this AD, and re-identified
subsequent paragraphs and notes accordingly.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
the AD with the changes described previously--and minor editorial
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
<bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (77 FR 2666, January 19, 2012) for correcting the unsafe
condition; and
<bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 2666, January 19, 2012).
We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 161 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection...................... Between 4 and 16 work- $0 Between $340 and Between $54,740 and
hours x $85 per hour = $1,360. $218,960.
Between $340 and $1,360.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 19095]]

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 these
replacements:

On-condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement.................................. 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85..... $137 $222
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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):

2013-05-10 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17382; Docket No. FAA-
2011-1417; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-159-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective May 3, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -
300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes, certificated in any
category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin
777-25-0507, dated June 30, 2011.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports that escape slides/rafts did not
deploy due to galvanic corrosion of the door-mounted slide/raft
packboard release mechanisms. We are issuing this AD to detect and
correct corrosion in the packboard release mechanisms, which could
interfere with escape slide/raft deployment, prohibit doors from
opening in the armed mode, and cause consequent delay and injury
during evacuation of passengers and crew from the cabin in the event
of an emergency.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection and Replacement

Within 42 months after the effective date of this AD, at the
applicable passenger/crew entry doors identified in Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0507, dated June 30, 2011, that
have not been modified as specified in Air Cruisers Service Bulletin
777 107-25-30, dated September 30, 2010 (which is not incorporated
by reference in this AD): Do a general visual inspection of the
housing assembly of the packboard release mechanism to determine if
its surface treatment has been sealed; and if unsealed, before
further flight, replace the housing assembly with a new or
serviceable housing assembly; in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-
0507, dated June 30, 2011.

Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 777-25-0507, dated June 30, 2011, refers to Air
Cruisers Service Bulletin 777 107-25-30, dated September 30, 2010
(which is not incorporated by reference in this AD), as an
additional source of guidance for inspecting and installing a new
housing assembly of the door-mounted slide/raft packboard release
mechanism.

(h) Optional Terminating Action

Verifying the housing assembly has been replaced with a new or
serviceable housing assembly by inspecting for a stencil to verify
that there is a stencil marked ``Inspected and/or Mod per S.B. 777
107-25-30'' on the girt assembly and upper lacing cover on the
housing assembly of the packboard release mechanism; or by reviewing
technical or maintenance records, if it can be conclusively
determined that the modification specified in Air Cruisers Service
Bulletin 777 107-25-30, dated September 30, 2010, (which is not
incorporated by reference in this AD), as specified in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0507, dated June 30, 2011,
has been accomplished; terminates the requirements of paragraph (g)
of this AD.

(i) Definition of a General Visual Inspection

For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is: A
visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or
assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This
level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless
otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual
access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of
inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such
as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may
require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands,
ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area
being checked.

[[Page 19096]]

(j) 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 the Related Information
section of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f9c0d4b8b7b4d4aa9c988d8d959cd4b8bab6d4b8b4b6bad4ab9c888c9c8a8d8ab99f9898d79e968f">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
(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.

(k) Related Information

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Ana Martinez
Hueto, 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: 425-917-6592;
fax: 425-917-6591; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#35545b541b581b5d4050415a755354541b525a43">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
(2) For Air Cruisers service information identified in this AD,
contact Air Cruisers Company, 1747 State Route 34, Wall, NJ 07727-
3935; telephone: 732 681-3527; fax: 732 681-9163; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#56173f243524233f25332425162c39323f37353733243925263735337835393b">[email&#160;protected]</a>. You may review copies of the
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.

(l) 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 777-25-0507, dated
June 30, 2011.
(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
<a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. 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: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 5, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-05871 Filed 3-28-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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