Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, 65034-65036 [2019-25574]

Download as PDF 65034 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 228 / Tuesday, November 26, 2019 / Proposed Rules licensee chooses to operate. The ‘‘benefits’’ received, as described therein, are not related to a determination of when commercial operation begins or the licensee’s ability to generate revenue. The collection of annual fees is required to recover the resources needed to regulate each fee class that are not otherwise recovered through charges assessed for specific services in each fee class under 10 CFR part 170, ‘‘Fees for facilities, materials, import and export licenses, and other regulatory services under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended.’’ Additionally, NRC fees are not based on whether a licensed entity is commercially operating or commercially viable, and the NRC achieves fairness and equity by conducting an annual public rulemaking process to update its fees. Furthermore, an analysis of a licensee’s commercial viability is outside the mission of the agency. Therefore, the NRC will not consider amending fee regulations to begin annual fee assessments based upon commercial operation under the licensee’s and/or State regulatory agency’s accounting rules. V. Conclusion For the reasons cited in this document, the NRC will consider one issue raised in this petition in its rulemaking process and will deny the remaining issue. The NRC will consider the one issue in the FY 2020 proposed fee rule. The NRC notes that acceptance of this portion of the petition into the rulemaking process does not mean that the petitioner’s concerns will be addressed exactly as the petitioner requested. The NRC tracks the status of petitions and rules on its websites at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doccollections/rulemaking-ruleforum/ petitions-by-year.html and https:// www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/ rulemaking/rules-petitions.html. The public may monitor the docket for the rulemaking addressing Issue 1 on the Federal rulemaking website, https:// www.regulations.gov, by searching on Docket ID NRC–2017–0228. In addition, the Federal rulemaking website allows members of the public to receive alerts when changes or additions occur in a docket folder. To subscribe: (1) Navigate to the docket folder (NRC–2017–0228); (2) click the ‘‘Email Alert’’ link; and (3) enter an email address and select the frequency for email receipts (daily, weekly, or monthly). As in all rulemakings, the NRC will request and consider public comments during the proposed rule phase before determining the approach that will be the basis for the final rule. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:02 Nov 25, 2019 Jkt 250001 Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 19th day of November, 2019. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Maureen E. Wylie, Chief Financial Officer. [FR Doc. 2019–25581 Filed 11–25–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2019–0875; Product Identifier 2019–NM–143–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747–400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a certain modification that causes interference with inspections that are intended to detect fatigue cracks. This proposed AD would require repetitive low frequency eddy current (LFEC) inspections of a certain fuselage upper skin lap splice for cracks, repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of a certain fuselage upper skin lap splice for cracks, 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 January 10, 2020. SUMMARY: 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740–5600; telephone 562–797–1717; internet https:// www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Standards 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 on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2019–0875. 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–2019– 0875; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206–231–3520; email: bill.ashforth@faa.gov. 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–2019–0875; Product Identifier 2019–NM–143–AD’’ at the beginning of your comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The agency will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because of those comments. The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this proposed AD. Discussion The FAA has received a report indicating that installation of a fuselage modification (Mod) doubler common to station (STA) 1640 to STA 1820 at stringer (STR)–34 and STR–40, done as E:\FR\FM\26NOP1.SGM 26NOP1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 228 / Tuesday, November 26, 2019 / Proposed Rules course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section. part of a The Boeing Company Model 747–400BCF conversion, interferes with existing required inspections, which are intended to detect fatigue cracks. As a result, the existing inspections, which are required by AD 2008–16–14, Amendment 39–15632 (73 FR 47035, August 13, 2008) (‘‘AD 2008–16–14’’), do not provide adequate fatigue crack detection in the area of the modification. This condition, if not addressed, could result in sudden decompression and loss of structural integrity of the airplane. FAA’s Determination The FAA is proposing this AD because the agency 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. Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747–53A2901 RB, dated July 25, 2019. This service information describes procedures for repetitive LFEC inspections of a certain fuselage upper skin lap splice for cracks, repetitive HFEC inspections of a certain fuselage upper skin lap splice for cracks, and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions include repair. This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal Proposed AD Requirements This proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747–53A2901 RB, dated July 25, 2019, described previously, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this service information at https:// www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2019– 0875. Explanation of Requirements Bulletin The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the Airworthiness 65035 Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee (AD ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement is a process for annotating which steps in the service information are ‘‘required for compliance’’ (RC) with an AD. Boeing has implemented this RC concept into Boeing service bulletins. In an effort to further improve the quality of ADs and AD-related Boeing service information, a joint process improvement initiative was worked between the FAA and Boeing. The initiative resulted in the development of a new process in which the service information more clearly identifies the actions needed to address the unsafe condition in the ‘‘Accomplishment Instructions.’’ The new process results in a Boeing Requirements Bulletin, which contains only the actions needed to address the unsafe condition (i.e., only the RC actions). Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 3 airplanes of U.S. registry. The agency estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS Action Labor cost LFEC inspection ...... 5 work-hours × $85 per hour = $425 per inspection cycle. 5 work-hours × $85 per hour = $425 per inspection cycle. HFEC inspection ..... The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the agency to provide cost estimates for the oncondition actions 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. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:02 Nov 25, 2019 Jkt 250001 Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators $0 $425 per inspection cycle ... $1,275 per inspection cycle. 0 $425 per inspection cycle ... $1,275 per inspection cycle. 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 and associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division. For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed regulation: (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. 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. The Proposed Amendment PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. 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: ■ E:\FR\FM\26NOP1.SGM 26NOP1 65036 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 228 / Tuesday, November 26, 2019 / Proposed Rules 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 (AD): ■ The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 2019–0875; Product Identifier 2019– NM–143–AD. (a) Comments Due Date The FAA must receive comments by January 10, 2020. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747–400 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747–53A2901 RB, dated July 25, 2019. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a certain modification that causes interference with inspections that are intended to detect fatigue cracks. The FAA is issuing this AD to address undetected fatigue cracks, which could result in sudden decompression and loss of structural integrity of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in the ‘‘Compliance’’ paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747–53A2901 RB, dated July 25, 2019, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747–53A2901 RB, dated July 25, 2019. Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–53A2901, dated July 25, 2019, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747–53A2901 RB, dated July 25, 2019. (h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications (1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this AD: Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747–53A2901 RB, dated July 25, 2019, uses the phrase ‘‘the original issue date of the Requirements Bulletin 747–53A2901 RB,’’ this AD requires using ‘‘the effective date of this AD,’’ except where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747–53A2901 RB, dated July 25, 2019, uses the phrase ‘‘the original issue date of the Requirements Bulletin 747–53A2901 RB’’ in a note or flag note. (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747–53A2901 RB, dated July 25, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:02 Nov 25, 2019 Jkt 250001 2019, specifies contacting Boeing for repair instructions: This AD requires doing the repair before further flight using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) [Docket No. FAA–2019–0834; Airspace Docket No. 19–ASO–22] (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 (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9ANM-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 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. RIN 2120–AA66 (j) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Bill Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206–231–3520; email: bill.ashforth@faa.gov. (2) 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. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on November 15, 2019. Dionne Palermo, Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2019–25574 Filed 11–25–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 71 Proposed Amendment of the Class E Airspace; Bowling Green and Somerset, KY Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace area designated as a surface area and the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport, Bowling Green, KY, and Lake Cumberland Regional Airport, Somerset, KY. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of the decommissioning of the Bowling Green VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid, which provided navigation information for the instrument procedures at these airports, as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. Additionally, the name and geographic coordinates of Lake Cumberland Regional Airport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA’s aeronautical database. DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 10, 2020. ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590; telephone (202) 366–9826, or (800) 647–5527. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA–2019– 0834; Airspace Docket No. 19–ASO–22, at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov. You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/air_ traffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\26NOP1.SGM 26NOP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 26, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65034-65036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25574]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0875; Product Identifier 2019-NM-143-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by a report of a certain modification that 
causes interference with inspections that are intended to detect 
fatigue cracks. This proposed AD would require repetitive low frequency 
eddy current (LFEC) inspections of a certain fuselage upper skin lap 
splice for cracks, repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) 
inspections of a certain fuselage upper skin lap splice for cracks, 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 January 10, 
2020.

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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, 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. You may 
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards 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 on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0875.

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-2019-
0875; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3520; email: 
[email protected].

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-2019-0875; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-143-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The agency 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this NPRM because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report indicating that installation of a 
fuselage modification (Mod) doubler common to station (STA) 1640 to STA 
1820 at stringer (STR)-34 and STR-40, done as

[[Page 65035]]

part of a The Boeing Company Model 747-400BCF conversion, interferes 
with existing required inspections, which are intended to detect 
fatigue cracks. As a result, the existing inspections, which are 
required by AD 2008-16-14, Amendment 39-15632 (73 FR 47035, August 13, 
2008) (``AD 2008-16-14''), do not provide adequate fatigue crack 
detection in the area of the modification. This condition, if not 
addressed, could result in sudden decompression and loss of structural 
integrity of the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2901 RB, 
dated July 25, 2019. This service information describes procedures for 
repetitive LFEC inspections of a certain fuselage upper skin lap splice 
for cracks, repetitive HFEC inspections of a certain fuselage upper 
skin lap splice for cracks, and applicable on-condition actions. On-
condition actions include 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.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is proposing this AD because the agency 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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions 
identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2901 RB, dated 
July 25, 2019, described previously, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
    For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this 
service information at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0875.

Explanation of Requirements Bulletin

    The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the 
Airworthiness Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee 
(AD ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement is a process for 
annotating which steps in the service information are ``required for 
compliance'' (RC) with an AD. Boeing has implemented this RC concept 
into Boeing service bulletins.
    In an effort to further improve the quality of ADs and AD-related 
Boeing service information, a joint process improvement initiative was 
worked between the FAA and Boeing. The initiative resulted in the 
development of a new process in which the service information more 
clearly identifies the actions needed to address the unsafe condition 
in the ``Accomplishment Instructions.'' The new process results in a 
Boeing Requirements Bulletin, which contains only the actions needed to 
address the unsafe condition (i.e., only the RC actions).

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 3 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The agency estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Cost on U.S.
            Action                   Labor cost         Parts cost      Cost per product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LFEC inspection...............  5 work-hours x $85                $0  $425 per inspection   $1,275 per
                                 per hour = $425 per                   cycle.                inspection cycle.
                                 inspection cycle.
HFEC inspection...............  5 work-hours x $85                 0  $425 per inspection   $1,275 per
                                 per hour = $425 per                   cycle.                inspection cycle.
                                 inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the 
agency to provide cost estimates for the on-condition actions 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.
    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.
    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 and associated appliances to the 
Director of the System Oversight Division.

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) 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 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:


[[Page 65036]]


    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-2019-0875; Product Identifier 
2019-NM-143-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by January 10, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2901 RB, dated July 25, 2019.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a certain modification that 
causes interference with inspections that are intended to detect 
fatigue cracks. The FAA is issuing this AD to address undetected 
fatigue cracks, which could result in sudden decompression and loss 
of structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2901 RB, dated July 25, 2019, do 
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
747-53A2901 RB, dated July 25, 2019.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Guidance for accomplishing 
the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2901, dated July 25, 2019, which is referred to in 
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2901 RB, dated July 25, 
2019.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements 
of this AD: Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2901 RB, 
dated July 25, 2019, uses the phrase ``the original issue date of 
the Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2901 RB,'' this AD requires using 
``the effective date of this AD,'' except where Boeing Alert 
Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2901 RB, dated July 25, 2019, uses the 
phrase ``the original issue date of the Requirements Bulletin 747-
53A2901 RB'' in a note or flag note.
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2901 RB, 
dated July 25, 2019, specifies contacting Boeing for repair 
instructions: This AD requires doing the repair before further 
flight using a method approved in accordance with the procedures 
specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.

(i) 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 (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be 
emailed to: [email protected].
    (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 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Bill Ashforth, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3520; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) 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. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th 
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on November 15, 2019.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-25574 Filed 11-25-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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