90 FR 59 pgs. 14024-14026 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Type: RULEVolume: 90Number: 59Pages: 14024 - 14026
Pages: 14024, 14025, 14026Docket number: [Docket No. FAA-2024-2713; Project Identifier AD-2024-00328-T; Amendment 39-23000; AD 2025-06-12]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2025-05296 Filed 3-27-25; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2713; Project Identifier AD-2024-00328-T; Amendment 39-23000; AD 2025-06-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that an airplane experienced a glideslope (G/S) beam anomaly during an instrument landing system (ILS) approach, which resulted in a higher-than-expected descent rate during the final segment of an ILS approach. The flightcrew might follow misleading flight director (F/D) guidance after disconnecting the autopilot, without reference to the other available information and flight deck indications. This AD requires installing new autopilot flight director computer (AFDC) operational program software (OPS) and doing a software configuration check. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES:
This AD is effective May 2, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 2, 2025.
ADDRESSES:
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AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-2713; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For 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.
• 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. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-2713.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Closson, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3973; email: Michael.P.Closson@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The 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 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 27, 2024 (89 FR 105485). The NPRM was prompted by a report indicating that an airplane experienced a G/S beam anomaly during an ILS approach, which resulted in a higher-than-expected descent rate during the final segment of an ILS approach. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require installing new AFDC OPS and doing a software configuration check. The FAA is issuing this AD to address misleading F/D guidance that the flightcrew might follow after disconnecting the autopilot, without reference to the other available information and flight deck indications. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a late touchdown, a runway excursion, or controlled flight into terrain.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), Boeing, and one individual commenter, who supported the NPRM without change.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-22A0046 RB, dated October 25, 2022. This material specifies procedures for installing new AFDC OPS, doing a software configuration check, and making sure that the correct software part number is installed in the correct location. 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 266 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
| Action | Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product | Cost on U.S. operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software installation and configuration check | 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 | $13 | $183 | $48,678 |
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
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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
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
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority:
49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
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2. The FAA amends §?39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
2025-06-12 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-23000; Docket No. FAA-2024-2713; Project Identifier AD-2024-00328-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 2, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(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 Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-22A0046 RB, dated October 25, 2022.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 22, Auto flight.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report indicating that an airplane experienced a glideslope (G/S) beam anomaly during an instrument landing system (ILS) approach, which resulted in a higher-than-expected descent rate during the final segment of an ILS approach. The FAA is issuing this AD to address misleading flight director guidance that the flightcrew might follow after disconnecting the autopilot, without reference to the other available information and flight deck indications. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a late touchdown, a runway excursion, or controlled flight into terrain.
(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 paragraph 3., "Compliance," of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-22A0046 RB, dated October 25, 2022, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-22A0046 RB, dated October 25, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-22A0046, dated October 25, 2022, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-22A0046 RB, dated October 25, 2022.
(h) Exception to Service Information Specifications
Where the Compliance Time column of the table in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-22A0046 RB, dated October 25, 2022, refers to "the Original Issue date of Requirements Bulletin 777-22A0046 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 Michael Closson, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3973; email: Michael.P.Closson@faa.gov.
(2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (k)(3) of 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 Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-22A0046 RB, dated October 25, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For 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 24, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-05296 Filed 3-27-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P