AD 2021-13-02

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-300ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a production design change to certain insulation blankets inadvertently opened up leakage paths for halon and smoke to escape from the aft cargo compartment in the event of a fire. This AD requires installation of an insulation blanket assembly on top of existing insulation blankets in certain areas of the forward endwall in the aft cargo compartment. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

The Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES PROJECT NO. 15021-000 \n\n\n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) Project No. 15021-000 \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: \n\n2021-13-02 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-21607; Docket No. FAA- 2020-1030; Project Identifier AD-2020-01079-T. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 19, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-25-0753 RB, dated July 31, 2020. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tAir Transport Association (ATA) ofAmerica Code 25, Equipment/ Furnishings. \n\n(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by a report that a production design change to certain insulation blankets inadvertently opened up leakage paths for halon and smoke to escape from the aft cargo compartment in the event of a fire. The FAA is issuing this AD to address increased leakage paths, which, in the event of a fire, could result in loss of fire suppressant in the cargo compartment, and could lead to an uncontained fire and subsequent loss of the airplane. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Required Actions \n\n\n\tExcept as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in the ''Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-25-0753 RB, dated July 31, 2020, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-25-0753 RB, dated July 31, 2020. \n\tNote 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25-0753, dated July 31, 2020, which is referred to in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-25-0753 RB, dated July 31, 2020. \n\n(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications \n\n\n\tWhere Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-25-0753 RB, dated July 31, 2020, uses the phrase ''the original issue date of the Requirements Bulletin 777-25-0753 RB,'' this AD requires using ''the effective date of this AD.'' \n\n(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. \n\t(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. \n\t(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 Company Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, 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. \n\n(j) Related Information \n\n\n\t(1) For more information about this AD, contact Courtney Kronenberger, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3986; email: courtney.a.kronenberger@faa.gov. \n\t(2) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (k)(3) and (4) of this AD. \n\n(k) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(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. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-25-0753 RB, dated July 31, 2020. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(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- 5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. \n\t(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. \n\t(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the \n\n((Page 37221)) \n\nNational Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on June 9, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-15028 Filed 7-14-21; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Background \n\n\n\tThe FAA 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 777-300ER series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 29, 2020 (85 FR 85557). The NPRM was prompted by report indicating that a production design change to certain insulation blankets inadvertently opened up leakage paths for halon and smoke to escape from the aft cargo compartment in the event of a fire. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require installation of an insulation blanket assembly on top of existing insulation blankets in certain areas of the forward endwall in the aft cargo compartment. The FAA is issuing this AD to address increased leakage paths, which, in the event of a fire, could result in loss of fire suppressant in the cargo compartment, and could lead to an uncontained fire and subsequent loss of the airplane. \n\nDiscussion of Final Airworthiness Directive \n\nComments \n\n\n\tThe FAA received comments from one commenter, Boeing, who supported the NPRM without change. \n\tThe FAA received additional comments from one commenter, United Airlines. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment. \n\nRequest for Update to Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) \n\n\n\tUnited Airlines stated that it agrees with the intent of the proposed AD. United Airlines also recommended that Boeing update the applicable IPC to show configuration control of the new part numbers that are installed during the accomplishment of the actions specified in the referenced service information. United Airlines noted that the update would provide proper configuration control and documentation support to maintain the new insulation blanket installation changes made prior to the release of the AD. United Airlines also asserted that the change could mitigate incorrect blanket installation. \n\tThe FAA acknowledges the commenter's recommendation and reasoning. However, the FAA does not control or require changes to the IPC. The FAA has not changed this AD in this regard. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator. \n\nRelated Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-25-0753 RB, dated July 31, 2020. This service information specifies procedures for installing an insulation blanket assembly on top of existing insulation blankets on the left and right side corner of the forward endwall in the aft cargo compartment. 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 ADDRESSES. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD affects 22 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\n\n\tEstimated Costs for Required Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost per Cost on U.S. \n\tAction Labor cost Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Insulation blanket installation....... 1 work-hour x $85 per $240 $325 $7,150 \n\thour = $85. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\n\n\n((Page 37220)) \n\n\n\tAccording to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected operators. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs in the cost estimate. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 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. \n\tThe FAA is 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. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tThis 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. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\t(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, \n\t(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and \n\t(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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.