Rules and Regulations. Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)

Agency: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT
Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
Citation: 90 FR (No. 59) · FR Doc. 2025-04951 · RIN 2120-AA64 · Docket No. FAA-2025-0348; Project Identifier AD-2024-00626-T · 14 CFR 39

Summary

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200LR Series and 777-300ER Series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of chafing and arcing damage on the light emitting diode (LED) sidewall wire bundles. This proposed AD would require a general visual inspection (GVI) of the sidewall light for chafing damage and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Dates

The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 12, 2025.

Supplementary Information

Comments Invited The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2025-0348; Project Identifier AD-2024-00626-T” at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments. Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to regulations.gov , including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM. Confidential Business Information CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.” The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Raja Vengadasalam, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3537; email: raja.vengadasalam@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives that is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Background The FAA has received reports of chafing and arcing damage on the LED sidewall wire bundles. An operator reported that wire chafing and arcing damage was found on the power cable of the LED sidewall lights during a maintenance check. The damage was caused by the LED sidewall light power connector wire bundle becoming trapped between the sidewall light housing and moisture barrier after maintenance. Relative motion and deflection between the crown and sidewall may mechanically strain the wires in the LED sidewall light power connector wire bundle. The 115-volt alternating current power wire eventually arcs to the electromagnetic interference shield and the communication wires inside the shield, but the circuit breaker may fail to open. This condition, if not addressed, could result in maintenance personnel contact with a live high-voltage electrical cable. FAA's Determination The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51 The FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated October 15, 2024. This material specifies procedures for a GVI of the sidewall lights for wire chafing damage and applicable on-condition actions, including repairing the wire chafing damage, replacing the light, adjusting the wire routing, and installing a new wire clip, ringpost, and clamp. This material 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. Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the material already described, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. For information on the procedures, see this material at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0348. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 31 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: Estimated Costs Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators Inspection Up to 100 work-hours × $85 per hour = $8,500 $15,390 Up to $23,890 Up to $740,590. The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary actions that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these actions: On-Condition Costs Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Repair or replacement, adjusting wire routing, and installing parts 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 Up to $7,613 Up to $7,698. 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. The 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. Regulatory Findings The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation: (1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866, (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (3) Would 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. The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2025-0348; Project Identifier AD-2024-00626-T. (a) Comments Due Date The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by May 12, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200LR Series and 777-300ER Series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated October 15, 2024. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 33, Lights. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of chafing and arcing damage on the light emitting diode (LED) sidewall wire bundles. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent and address chafing damage on the LED sidewall wire bundles. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in maintenance personnel contact with a live high-voltage electrical cable. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in the “Compliance” paragraph of Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated October 15, 2024, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated October 15, 2024. Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-33-0069, dated October 15, 2024, which is referred to in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated October 15, 2024. (h) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications Where the “Boeing Recommended Compliance Time” column in the table under the “Compliance” paragraph of Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated October 15, 2024, refers to “the Original Issue date of Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB,” this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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: AMOC@faa.gov. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards 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 Company Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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. (j) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Raja Vengadasalam, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3537; email: raja.vengadasalam@faa.gov. (2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (k)(3) this AD. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated October 15, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For the Boeing material 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; website myboeingfleet.com. (4) You may view this material 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. (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on March 12, 2025. Peter A. White, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-04951 Filed 3-27-25; 8:45 am]