Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, 55958-55963 [2017-24502]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 226 (Monday, November 27, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55958-55963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24502]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1421; Product Identifier 2014-NM-177-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM); reopening 
of comment period.

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SUMMARY: We are revising an earlier proposal for certain The Boeing 
Company Model 767-300 and -300F

[[Page 55959]]

series airplanes. This action revises the notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) by adding new high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for 
cracking of an expanded area of the lower outboard wing skin for 
certain airplanes. We are proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) 
to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions 
would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, we are 
reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment 
on these changes.

DATES: The comment period for the NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on June 5, 2015 (80 FR 32066), is reopened.
    We must receive comments on this SNPRM by January 11, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this SNPRM, contact Aviation 
Partners Boeing, 2811 S. 102nd Street, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98168; 
telephone 206-762-1171; Internet https://www.aviationpartnersboeing.com. You may view this service information 
at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA. 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1421; 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 SNPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: 
800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allen Rauschendorfer, Aerospace 
Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue 
SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6450; fax: 425-917-6590; 
email: allen.rauschendorfer@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite 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-2015-1421; 
Product Identifier 2014-NM-177-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this SNPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this SNPRM because 
of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this SNPRM.

Discussion

    We issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that 
would apply to certain The Boeing Company Model 767-300 and -300F 
series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 5, 
2015 (80 FR 32066). The NPRM was prompted by reports of fatigue 
cracking on airplanes with Aviation Partners Boeing winglets installed. 
The NPRM proposed to require an HFEC inspection for cracking of the 
lower outboard wing skin, and repair or modification if necessary. The 
NPRM also proposed to require one of three follow-on actions: repeating 
the HFEC inspections; modifying certain internal stringers and 
oversizing and plugging the existing fastener holes of the lower wing; 
or modifying the external doubler/tripler and doing repetitive post-
modification inspections.

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued

    Since we issued the NPRM, we have determined that new HFEC 
inspections for cracking of an expanded area of the lower outboard wing 
skin are necessary to address the identified unsafe condition for 
certain airplanes.
    Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) has released Service Bulletin AP767-
57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017. In the NPRM, we refer to APB 
Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 7, dated November 4, 2014, as 
the appropriate source of service information for accomplishing the 
proposed actions. APB Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated 
April 3, 2017, corrects certain errors and omissions that were in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of APB Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, 
Revision 7, dated November 4, 2014, and provides clarification of 
certain procedures. APB Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, 
dated April 3, 2017, also removes all work related to stringer L-6.5 
due to recent analysis that the modification was not sufficient to meet 
the 767 design service objective.
    In light of this analysis, new repetitive post-modification HFEC 
inspections have been added for airplanes on which the optional 
terminating modification of the existing skin or external skin doubler 
has been done. We have revised this proposed AD to refer to APB Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017, for 
accomplishing proposed actions for stringer L-9.5.
    APB has also released Service Bulletin AP767-57-014, Revision 1, 
dated April 12, 2017. APB Service Bulletin AP767-57-014, Revision 1, 
dated April 12, 2017, includes procedures for inspections, repair 
(modification), and repair of stringer L-6.5 of the lower outboard wing 
skin (which replace the actions that were removed from APB Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed APB Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated 
April 3, 2017. The service information describes procedures for an HFEC 
inspection for cracking of the external surface of the lower outboard 
wing skin at stringer L-9.5 and on-condition actions that include 
repetitive HFEC inspections; modification by oversizing and plugging 
the existing fastener holes of the wing skin; repair (modification) of 
the stringer with new stringer; repair (modification) of the stringer 
with external doubler/tripler; repetitive post-repair inspections for 
cracking; and repair.
    We also reviewed APB Service Bulletin AP767-57-014, Revision 1, 
dated April 12, 2017. The service information describes procedures for 
an HFEC inspection for cracking of the lower outboard wing skin at 
stringer L-6.5 and on-condition actions that include repetitive HFEC 
inspections; repair (modification) of the stringer with new stringer; 
repetitive post-repair

[[Page 55960]]

HFEC inspections for cracking; and repair.
    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.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this proposed AD. We considered the comments received.

Request To Clarify Service Information and Actions in the Proposed AD

    Multiple commenters (United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American 
Airlines, Japan Airlines, FedEx, Boeing) requested that the actions 
specified in APB Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 7, dated 
November 4, 2014, be revised. Commenters noted that APB Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 7, dated November 4, 2014, contained 
multiple errors. United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines 
and Boeing also requested that the actions specified in the proposed AD 
be revised for clarity because certain language in the proposed AD did 
not match the language in APB Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 
7, dated November 4, 2014. APB stated APB Service Bulletin AP767-57-
010, Revision 7, dated November 4, 2014, is being revised to include 
corrections and clarifications and additional work. APB recommend that 
we refer to updated service information.
    We acknowledge the commenters' request and have revised this SNPRM 
to refer to the updated service information in APB Service Bulletin 
AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017, and APB Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-014, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2017.

Request To Allow Previously Approved Repairs

    American Airlines, APB, and Boeing requested that we give credit 
for repairs in the subject area that had received 8100-9 approval prior 
to the effective date of the AD.
    We agree to give credit for repairs that we have determined will 
address the identified unsafe condition. We replaced the content of 
paragraph (i) of the proposed AD (in the NPRM) with new content in this 
proposed AD to specify that repairs of the lower outboard wing skin 
done after June 15, 2017, and before the effective date of this AD, 
that are approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization 
Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the 
Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, are approved for the applicable repairs 
required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.

Request To Allow Previous Modifications

    Air New Zealand requested that we give credit for accomplishing the 
proposed modification before the effective date of the AD by adding the 
required service information to paragraph (i) of the proposed AD, which 
specifies credit for previous actions.
    We acknowledge the comment. However, no change to this proposed AD 
is necessary. Operators who accomplish the actions required by an AD 
using the required service information before the effective date of an 
AD are in compliance with the AD. Paragraph (f) of this proposed AD 
states ``comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.'' Credit for previous actions in ADs is used 
primarily to give credit for earlier revisions of required service 
information that are also acceptable for compliance if done before the 
effective date of the AD.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. 
Certain changes described above expand the scope of the NPRM. As a 
result, we have determined that it is necessary to reopen the comment 
period to provide additional opportunity for the public to comment on 
this SNPRM.

Proposed Requirements of This SNPRM

    This SNPRM would require accomplishing the actions specified in the 
service information described previously, except as discussed under 
``Differences Between this Proposed Rule and the Service Information.''
    The compliance times vary depending on airplane configuration and 
inspection area. The shortest initial compliance time is the later of: 
1,500 flight cycles or 7,500 flight hours after winglet installation, 
whichever occurs first; or 18 months after the effective date of the 
AD. Except for one group of airplanes, the longest initial compliance 
time is the later of: 7,800 flight cycles or 23,400 flight hours after 
installation of a certain modification, whichever occurs first; or 18 
months after the effective date of the AD. For one group of airplanes, 
the longest initial compliance time is 29,000 total flight cycles or 
111,000 total flight hours, whichever occurs first.
    The shortest repetitive interval is 1,500 flight cycles or 7,500 
flight hours, whichever occurs first. The longest repetitive interval 
is 12,000 flight cycles or 36,000 flight hours, whichever occurs first.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Information

    APB Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 
2017, and APB Service Bulletin AP767-57-014, Revision 1, dated April 
12, 2017, specify to contact the manufacturer for instructions on how 
to repair certain conditions, but this proposed AD would require 
repairing those conditions in one of the following ways:
     In accordance with a method that we approve; or
     Using data that meet the certification basis of the 
airplane, and that have been approved by the Boeing Commercial 
Airplanes ODA whom we have authorized to make those findings.
    Table 5a of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of APB Service Bulletin 
AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017, does not provide a 
grace period for airplanes that have exceeded a certain compliance 
time. We have added a grace period of 6 months to paragraph (g)(2) of 
this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 140 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                        Estimated Costs--Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HFEC Inspections..................  6 work-hours x $85 per                 $0             $510          $71,400
                                     hour = $510.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 55961]]

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary on-condition 
actions that would be required based on the results of the proposed 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that 
might need these on-condition actions.

                                      Estimated Costs--On-Condition Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post-repair Inspections....................  6 work-hours x $85 per hour = $510               $0            $510
                                              per inspection cycle.
Repair/Modification........................  262 work-hours x 85 per hour =                    0          22,270
                                              22,270.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for on-condition repairs for the post-repair inspections 
specified in this proposed AD.

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.
    This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated 
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as 
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, 
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the 
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable 
to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight 
Division.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.

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

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):

    The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2015-1421; Product Identifier 
2014-NM-177-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 11, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767-300 and -300F 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, with Aviation 
Partners Boeing winglets installed; as identified in Aviation 
Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated 
April 3, 2017; and Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-
57-014, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2017.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracking in the lower 
outboard wing skin at the inboard fastener of stringer L-9.5, and 
the lower outboard wing skin of stringer L-6.5, on airplanes with 
winglets installed per Supplemental Type Certificate ST01920SE. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking in the lower 
outboard wing skin, which could result in failure and subsequent 
separation of the wing and winglet and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Repetitive Stringer L-9.5 Inspections, Modification, Repair 
(Modification), Repetitive Post-Repair Inspections, and Repair

    (1) For Group 1 and Group 2 airplanes identified in Aviation 
Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated 
April 3, 2017: At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-
57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017, except as required by 
paragraph (j)(1) of this AD: Do a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) 
inspection for cracking of the lower outboard wing skin at stringer 
L-9.5, in accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 
11, dated April 3, 2017.
    (i) For airplanes on which ``Condition 1'' is found, as defined 
in the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners Boeing 
Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017, 
during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(1)(i)(A) 
of this AD: Do the applicable actions required by paragraph 
(g)(1)(i)(A), (g)(1)(i)(B), (g)(1)(i)(C), or (g)(1)(i)(D) of this 
AD.
    (A) Repeat the inspection specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this 
AD thereafter at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-
57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017.
    (B) Do the applicable actions required by paragraphs 
(g)(1)(i)(B)(1), (g)(1)(i)(B)(2), and (g)(1)(i)(B)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Before further flight, do actions (modifications and repair 
(modification)) in

[[Page 55962]]

accordance with Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5, as applicable, 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners Boeing 
Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017.
    (2) For airplanes on which the repair (modification) specified 
in Part 5 of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-010 
was done: At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-
57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017, do a post-repair HFEC 
inspection for cracking, in accordance with Part 12 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners Boeing Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017; and repeat 
the inspection thereafter at the applicable times specified in 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017.
    (3) If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1)(i)(B)(2) of this AD, repair before further flight 
using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (k) of this AD.
    (C) Do the actions required by paragraphs (g)(1)(i)(C)(1) and 
(g)(1)(i)(C)(2) of this AD, and do all applicable actions required 
by paragraph (g)(1)(i)(C)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Before further flight, repair (modify) in accordance with 
Part 8 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners 
Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 
2017.
    (2) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-
57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017, do a post-repair HFEC 
inspection for cracking, in accordance with Part 9 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners Boeing Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017; and repeat 
the inspection thereafter at the applicable times specified in in 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017.
    (3) If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1)(i)(C)(2) of this AD, repair before further flight 
using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (k) of this AD.
    (D) Do the actions required by paragraphs (g)(1)(i)(D)(1) and 
(g)(1)(i)(D)(2) of this AD, and do all applicable actions required 
by paragraph (g)(1)(i)(D)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Before further flight, repair (modify) in accordance with 
Part 11 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners 
Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 
2017.
    (2) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-
57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017, do a post-repair HFEC 
inspection for cracking, in accordance with Part 13 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners Boeing Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017; and repeat 
the inspection thereafter at the applicable times specified in in 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017.
    (3) If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1)(i)(D)(2) of this AD, repair before further flight 
using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (k) of this AD.
    (ii) For airplanes on which ``Condition 2'' is found, as defined 
in the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners Boeing 
Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017, 
during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(1)(i)(A) 
of this AD: Do the actions required by paragraph (g)(1)(ii)(A) or 
(g)(1)(ii)(B) of this AD.
    (A) Do the actions required by paragraphs (g)(1)(ii)(A)(1) and 
(g)(1)(ii)(A)(2) of this AD, and do all applicable actions required 
by paragraph (g)(1)(ii)(A)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Before further flight, repair (modify) in accordance with 
Part 8 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners 
Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 
2017.
    (2) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-
57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017, do a post-repair HFEC 
inspection for cracking, in accordance with Part 9 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners Boeing Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017; and repeat 
the inspection thereafter at the applicable times specified in in 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017.
    (3) If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1)(ii)(A)(2) of this AD, repair before further flight 
using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (k) of this AD.
    (B) Do the actions required by paragraphs (g)(1)(ii)(B)(1) and 
(g)(1)(ii)(B)(2) of this AD, and do all applicable actions required 
by paragraph (g)(1)(ii)(B)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Before further flight, repair (modify) in accordance with 
Part 11 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners 
Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 
2017.
    (2) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-
57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017, do a post-repair HFEC 
inspection for cracking, in accordance with Part 13 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners Boeing Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017; and repeat 
the inspection thereafter at the applicable times specified in in 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017.
    (3) If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1)(ii)(B)(2) of this AD, repair before further flight 
using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (k) of this AD.
    (iii) For airplanes on which ``Condition 3'' is found, as 
defined in the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners 
Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 
2017, during the actions specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i)(B)(1) of 
this AD: Do the actions required by paragraph (g)(1)(iii)(A) or 
(g)(1)(iii)(B) of this AD.
    (A) Do the actions required by paragraphs (g)(1)(iii)(A)(1) and 
(g)(1)(iii)(A)(2) of this AD, and do all applicable actions required 
by paragraph (g)(1)(iii)(A)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Before further flight, repair (modify) in accordance with 
Part 8 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners 
Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 
2017.
    (2) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-
57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017, do a post-repair HFEC 
inspection for cracking, in accordance with Part 9 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners Boeing Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017; and repeat 
the inspection thereafter at the applicable times specified in in 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017.
    (3) If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1)(iii)(A)(2) of this AD, repair before further flight 
using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (k) of this AD.
    (B) Do the actions required by paragraphs (g)(1)(iii)(B)(1) and 
(g)(1)(iii)(B)(2) of this AD, and do all applicable actions required 
by paragraph (g)(1)(iii)(B)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Before further flight, repair (modify) in accordance with 
Part 11 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners 
Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 
2017.
    (2) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-
57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017, do a post-repair HFEC 
inspection for cracking, in accordance with Part 13 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners Boeing Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017; and repeat 
the inspection thereafter at the applicable times specified in in 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017.
    (3) If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1)(iii)(B)(2) of this AD, repair before further flight 
using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (k) of this AD.
    (iv) For airplanes on which ``Condition 4'' is found, as defined 
in the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners Boeing 
Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017, 
during any action specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i)(C)(1), 
(g)(1)(i)(D)(1), (g)(1)(ii)(A)(1), (g)(1)(ii)(B)(1), 
(g)(1)(iii)(A)(1), and (g)(1)(iii)(B)(1) of this AD: Repair before 
further flight using a method approved in accordance with the

[[Page 55963]]

procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
    (2) For Group 3 airplanes identified in Aviation Partners Boeing 
Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 2017: At 
the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, 
dated April 3, 2017, or within 6 months after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs later, do an HFEC inspection for cracking 
of the lower outboard wing skin at stringer L-9.5, in accordance 
with Part 7 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners 
Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 
2017. Repeat the inspection thereafter at the applicable time 
specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners 
Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 
2017. If any cracking is found during any inspection, repair before 
further flight using a method approved in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD. An approved repair 
terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g)(2) 
of this AD.

(h) Repetitive Stringer L-6.5 Inspections, Repair (Modification), 
Repetitive Post-Repair Inspections, and Repair

    (1) For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-
57-014, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2017: At the applicable time 
specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners 
Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-014, Revision 1, dated April 12, 
2017, except as required by paragraph (j)(2) of this AD: Do an HFEC 
inspection for cracking of stringer L-6.5 of the lower outboard wing 
skin, in accordance with Part 1 of Aviation Partners Boeing Service 
Bulletin AP767-57-014, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2017. If no 
cracking is found, repeat the inspection thereafter at the 
applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-014, Revision 1, 
dated April 12, 2017, except as provided by paragraph (h)(3) of this 
AD.
    (2) If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, do the actions required by paragraphs 
(h)(2)(i) and (h)(2)(ii) of this AD, and do all applicable actions 
required by paragraph (h)(2)(iii) of this AD.
    (i) Before further flight, repair (modify) stringer L-6.5, in 
accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-014, Revision 1, 
dated April 12, 2017.
    (ii) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-
57-014, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2017, except as required by 
paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, do an HFEC post-repair inspection for 
cracking, in accordance with Part 3 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-
014, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2017, and repeat the inspection 
thereafter at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-
57-014, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2017.
    (iii) If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (h)(2)(ii) of this AD, repair before further flight using 
a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in 
paragraph (k) of this AD.
    (3) As an option to the repetitive inspections required by 
paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, do the actions required by paragraphs 
(h)(3)(i) and (h)(3)(ii) of this AD, and do all applicable actions 
required by paragraph (h)(3)(iii) of this AD.
    (i) Before further flight after accomplishing the most recent 
inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, repair (modify) 
stringer L-6.5, in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-
014, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2017.
    (ii) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-
57-014, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2017, except as required by 
paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, do a post-repair HFEC inspection for 
cracking, in accordance with Part 3 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-
014, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2017, and repeat the inspection 
thereafter at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-
57-014, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2017.
    (iii) If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (h)(3)(ii) of this AD, repair before further flight using 
a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in 
paragraph (k) of this AD.

(i) Repair Approval

    Repairs of the lower outboard wing skin done after June 15, 
2017, and before the effective date of this AD, that are approved by 
the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation 
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle 
ACO Branch, are approved for the applicable repairs required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.

(j) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners 
Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-010, Revision 11, dated April 3, 
2017, specifies a compliance time of ``after the issue date of 
Revision 11 of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance 
within the specified compliance time after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners 
Boeing Service Bulletin AP767-57-014, Revision 1, dated April 12, 
2017, specifies a compliance time of ``after the initial issue date 
of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance within the 
specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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 local Flight Standards District 
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 (l)(1) of this AD. Information may be 
emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
    (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.
    (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 ODA that has 
been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 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.
    (4) Except as required by paragraphs (g)(1)(i)(B)(3), 
(g)(1)(i)(C)(3), (g)(1)(i)(D)(3), (g)(1)(ii)(A)(3), 
(g)(1)(ii)(B)(3), (g)(1)(iii)(A)(3), (g)(1)(iii)(B)(3), (g)(1)(iv), 
(g)(2), (h)(2)(iii), and (h)(3)(iii) of this AD: For service 
information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for 
Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (k)(4)(i) and 
(k)(4)(ii) of this AD apply.
    (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. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the 
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is 
required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and 
identified figures.
    (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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Allen 
Rauschendorfer, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle 
ACO Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-
917-6450; fax: 425-917-6590; email: allen.rauschendorfer@faa.gov.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Aviation Partners Boeing, 2811 S. 102nd Street, Suite 200, Seattle, 
WA 98168; telephone 206-762-1171; Internet https://www.aviationpartnersboeing.com. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue 
SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 3, 2017.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-24502 Filed 11-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P