AD 2016-19-04

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of uncommanded movement by a captain's seat during a landing rollout due to a failure in the seat horizontal actuator. This AD requires repetitive tests of the captain and first officer seat assemblies for proper operation, and corrective action if necessary. This AD also requires installation of new captain and first officer seat assemblies, which terminates the repetitive tests. We are issuing this AD to prevent a seat actuator clutch failure, which could result in a loss of seat locking and uncommanded motion of the captain's or first officer's seat; uncommanded seat movement could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

Final rule.

Adoption of 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 \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) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): \n\n2016-19-04 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18653; Docket No. FAA- 2016-3992; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-075-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective October 31, 2016. \n\n\n\t(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n\n\t(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250054-00, Issue 001, dated December 19, 2014. \n\n\n\t(d) Subject \n\n\n\tAir Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/ furnishings. \n\n\n\t(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by a report of uncommanded movement by a captain's seat during a landing rollout due to a failure in the seat horizontal actuator. We are issuing this AD to prevent a seat actuator clutch failure, which could result in a loss of seat locking and uncommanded motion of the captain's or first officer's seat; uncommanded seat motion could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. \n\n\n\t(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n\n\t(g) Repetitive Tests of Captain and First Officer Seat Assembly Operation \n\n\n\tWithin 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, test the operation of the captain and first officer seat assemblies and do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787- 81205-SB250054-00, Issue 001, dated December 19, 2014. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight. Repeat the operational test thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight hours until the installation required by paragraph (h) of this AD is done. \n\n\n\t(h) New Seat Installation \n\n\n\tWithin 72 months after the effective date of this AD, do the actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD. Installing the seat specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, as applicable, is terminating action for the repetitive operational tests required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that seat only. \n\t(1) Install a new captain seat assembly, in accordance with paragraph 2.F., ''Part 3: Terminating Action: Captain Seat Assembly Replacement,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250054-00, Issue 001, dated December 19, 2014. \n\t(2) Install a new first officer seat assembly, in accordance with paragraph 2.I., ''Part 6: Terminating Action: First Officer Seat Assembly Replacement,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions ofBoeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250054-00, Issue 001, dated December 19, 2014. \n\n\n\t(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(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 (j) 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 local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 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 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. \n\t(4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of \n\n((Page 65860)) \n\nparagraphs (i)(4)(i) and (i)(4)(ii) of this AD, apply. \n\t(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. \n\t(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. \n\n\n\t(j) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Brandon Lucero, 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: 425-917-6572; fax: 425-917-6590; email: Brandon.Lucero@faa.gov. \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 Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250054-00, Issue 001, dated December 19, 2014. \n\t(ii) Reserved. \n\t(3) For The BoeingCompany 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. \n\t(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. \n\t(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.

Discussion \n\n\n\tWe 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 March 7, 2016 (81 FR 11687) (''the \n\n((Page 65858)) \n\nNPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by a report of uncommanded movement by a captain's seat during a landing rollout due to a failure in the seat horizontal actuator. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive tests of the captain and first officer seat assemblies for proper operation, and corrective action if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to require installation of new captain and first officer seat assemblies, which would terminate the repetitive tests. We are issuing this AD to prevent a seat actuator clutch failure, which could result in a loss of seat locking and uncommanded motion of the captain's or first officer's seat; uncommanded seat movement could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. \n\nComments \n\n\n\tWe 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. \n\nRequest To Remove Service Bulletin Issue Number and Date \n\n\n\tBoeing requested that we revise the NPRM to not specify the Service Bulletin issue number and date, or alternatively to include ''or subsequent'' when referencing Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205- SB250054-00, Issue 001, dated December 19, 2014. \n\tBoeing commented that the seat supplier is currently working on a related nuisance issue of intermittent electrical operation of the seat-powered adjustment system. Boeing stated that the resolution to this issue may result in changes to the part numbers of the actuators and seat assemblies, and revision to the service bulletin issue number and date. \n\tWe do not agree with the commenter's request to remove the issue number and date of the service information. We cannot allow use of ''later-approved revisions'' in an AD when referring to the service document. Doing so violates Office of the Federal Register (OFR) regulations for approval of materials ''incorporated by reference,'' as specified in 1 CFR 51.1(f). If for any reason the issue and date of the service bulletin should change, the FAA may consider issuing an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to allow use of a later revision. We have not changed this AD in this regard. \n\nRequest To Remove the Replacement Seat Part Numbers \n\n\n\tBoeing requested that we remove the replacement seat part numbers to be installed as terminating action from this AD, and instead specify that seats be replaced with part numbers ''as specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250054-00.'' \n\tBoeing commented that the seat supplier is currently working on a related nuisance issue of intermittent electrical operation of the seat-powered adjustment system. The resolution to this issue may result in change to the part numbers of the actuators and seat assemblies. \n\tWe partially agree with the commenter's request. We have changed paragraph (h) of this AD to remove the part numbers of the actuators and seat assemblies from this AD and to include the part numbers specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250054-00. However, we have included the revision level and date of the service information for the reasons noted in the previous comment response. The FAA may consider issuing an AMOC to allow use of a later revision of the service information. \n\nRequest To Allow Credit for Prior Accomplishment of Service Bulletins \n\n\n\tUnited Airlines requested that the AD allow credit for prior accomplishment of Boeing and Ipeco service information. \n\tWe already provide credit in paragraph (f) of this AD for prior accomplishment of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250054-00, Issue 001, dated December 19, 2014, if accomplished before the effective dateof this AD. In addition, credit is not necessary for using the Ipeco service information referenced in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250054-00, Issue 001, dated December 19, 2014, because this AD does not specifically require using Ipeco service information. No change to this AD is necessary. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tWe 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: \n\tAre consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and \n\tDo not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM. \n\tWe also determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD. \n\nRelated Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tWe reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250054-00, Issue 001, dated December 19, 2014. This service information provides procedures for installation of new captain and first officer seat assemblies, a test of the captain and first officer seat assemblies, and corrective action if necessary. 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. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tWe estimate that this AD affects 18 airplanes of U.S. registry. \n\tWe estimate the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\n\n\tEstimated Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost on U.S. \n\tAction Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operational test................ 2 work-hours x $85 $0................ $170 per test $3,060 per test \n\tper hour = $170 cycle. cycle. \n\tper test cycle. Seat assembly installation...... 3 work-hours x $85 $15,141 per seat x $30,537 to replace $549,666. \n\tper hour = $255 2 seats = $30,282. two seats. \n\tto replace two \n\tseats. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\n\n\tWe estimate the following costs to do any necessary corrective actions that would be required based on the results of the operational tests. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these actions: \n\n((Page 65859)) \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\tOn-Condition Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost per \n\tAction Labor cost Parts cost product ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Replacement of captain seat vertical actuator. 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $7,500 $7,670 \n\t$170. Replacement of captain seat horizontal 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = 7,500 7,670 \n\tactuator. $170. Replacement of first officer seat vertical 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = 7,500 7,670 \n\tactuator. $170. Replacement of first officer seat horizontal 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = 7,500 7,670 \n\tactuator. $170. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \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\tWe 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. \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) Is not a ''significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), \n\t(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and \n\t(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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.