Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, 29673-29676 [2020-10539]

Download as PDF 29673 Proposed Rules Federal Register Vol. 85, No. 96 Monday, May 18, 2020 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service 7 CFR Part 271 and 273 RIN 0584–AE68 Employment and Training Opportunities in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Extension of Comment Period Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA. ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period. AGENCY: The Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is extending the public comment period on the proposed rule titled, ‘‘Employment and Training Opportunities in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’’, which was published in the Federal Register on March 17, 2020. This action extends the deadline for receipt of public comments to give the public additional time to review the proposed rule. DATES: To be assured of consideration, comments on this proposed rule must be received by the Food and Nutrition Service on or before June 17, 2020. ADDRESSES: The Food and Nutrition Service invites interested persons to submit comments on this proposed rule. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Send comments to Moira Johnston, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Employment and Training, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314. • Email: Send comments to ETORule@usda.gov. Include Docket ID Number FNS–2019–0008, ‘‘Employment and Training Opportunities in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’’ in the subject line of the message. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:13 May 15, 2020 Jkt 250001 • All comments submitted in response to this proposed rule will be included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the substance of the comments and the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be subject to public disclosure. FNS will make the comments publicly available on the internet via https://www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Moira Johnston, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Employment and Training, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314, and ETORule@ usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Food and Nutrition Service is extending the public comment period for the proposed rule, ‘‘Employment and Training Opportunities in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’’, which published March 17, 2020 at 85 FR 15304. The new comment period ends June 17, 2020. There are no other changes to this proposed rule. Pamilyn Miller, Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. [FR Doc. 2020–10536 Filed 5–15–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–30–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2020–0211; Product Identifier 2020–NM–006–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 747–100, 747–100B, 747–100B SUD, 747–200B, 747–200C, 747–200F, 747– 300, 747–400, 747–400D, 747–400F, and 747SR series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of inboard foreflap departures from the airplane. This proposed AD would require repetitive replacement of certain parts; a SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 general visual inspection to determine production configuration for certain parts; a repetitive lubrication of certain parts and a repetitive general visual inspection of certain parts for any exuding grease; repetitive detailed inspections of certain parts for loose or missing attachment bolts, cracks or bushing migration, cracks or gouges, or broken, binding, or missing rollers; repetitive detailed inspections of certain parts for cracks or corrosion; repetitive lubrication; and on-condition actions if necessary. 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 July 2, 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; phone: 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–2020–0211. 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–2020– 0211; 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 E:\FR\FM\18MYP1.SGM 18MYP1 29674 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 96 / Monday, May 18, 2020 / Proposed Rules 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: Eric Lin, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206–231–3523; email: eric.lin@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–2020–0211; Product Identifier 2020–NM–006–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 FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because of those comments. The FAA will post all comments, without change, to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this proposed AD. Discussion The FAA has received reports of partial and full inboard foreflap departures from the airplane, some of which resulted in significant damage to the airplane. Inboard foreflap departures have been attributed to inadequate lubrication of the outboard fitting assembly, corrosion of the outboard fitting assembly, and corrosion in the inboard link assembly. In addition, broken center toggle rollers at the inboard sequence carriage and binding of inboard foreflap tracks due to defective or seized foreflap track rollers can lead to higher than normal loads on the outboard fitting assembly and the inboard link assembly, which may lead to cracked or broken attachment fittings, and in some cases the damage has resulted in an inboard foreflap departing the airplane. This condition, if not addressed, could result in the departure of an inboard foreflap assembly from the airplane possibly resulting in damage to the airplane, and adversely affecting the airplane’s continued safe flight and landing. Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747–57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019. This service information describes procedures for repetitive replacement of certain parts; a general visual inspection to determine production configuration for certain parts; a repetitive lubrication of certain parts and a repetitive general visual inspection of certain parts for any exuding grease; repetitive detailed inspections of certain parts for loose or missing attachment bolts, cracks or bushing migration, cracks or gouges, or broken, binding, or missing rollers; repetitive detailed inspections of certain parts for cracks or corrosion; repetitive lubrication; and on-condition actions if necessary. On-condition actions include replacements 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. FAA’s Determination The FAA is proposing this AD because the FAA 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 747–57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 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–2020– 0211. 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 affects 125 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS Cost per product Action Labor cost Repetitive Replacement ......................... Up to 10 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $850 per replacement cycle. $35,719 General Visual Inspection for Parts Production Configuration. Repetitive Detailed Inspections .............. 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ........ $0 4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 per inspection cycle. 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 per lubrication. $0 Repetitive inspection for lubrication and repetitive lubrication. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:13 May 15, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4702 Parts cost Sfmt 4702 $0 Cost on U.S. operators Up to $36,569 per replacement cycle. $85 ......................... Up to $4,571,125 per replacement cycle. $10,625. $340 per inspection cycle. $85 per lubrication $42,500 per inspection cycle. $10,625 per lubrication. E:\FR\FM\18MYP1.SGM 18MYP1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 96 / Monday, May 18, 2020 / Proposed Rules The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-condition actions that would be required. The FAA has no way of determining the 29675 number of aircraft that might need these on-condition actions: ESTIMATED COSTS OF ON-CONDITION REPLACEMENTS Labor cost Parts cost Up to 8 work-hour × $85 per hour = $680 .............................................. Up to $17,720 ................................ The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the FAA to provide cost estimates for the oncondition repairs 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. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:13 May 15, 2020 Jkt 250001 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 (AD): ■ The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 2020–0211; Product Identifier 2020– NM–006–AD. (a) Comments Due Date The FAA must receive comments by July 2, 2020. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747–100, 747–100B, 747–100B SUD, 747–200B, 747–200C, 747–200F, 747–300, 747–400, 747–400D, 747–400F, and 747SR, series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747–57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of inboard foreflap departures from the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address departures of the inboard foreflap assembly from the airplane, which could result in damage to the airplane and adversely affect the airplane’s continued safe flight and landing. (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 747–57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Cost per product Up to $18,400. the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747–57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019. Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–57A2367, dated November 15, 2019, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747–57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019. (h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747–57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019, uses the phrase ‘‘the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747–57A2367 RB,’’ this AD requires using ‘‘the effective date 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: 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. (j) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Eric Lin, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206–231–3523; email: eric.lin@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; phone: 562–797–1717; internet: https:// E:\FR\FM\18MYP1.SGM 18MYP1 29676 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 96 / Monday, May 18, 2020 / Proposed Rules 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 on March 27, 2020. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2020–10539 Filed 5–15–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2020–0494; Project Identifier AD–2020–00324–E] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) GE90– 110B1 and GE90–115B model turbofan engines with a certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor stage 2 disk installed. This proposed AD was prompted by a report from the manufacturer that a subsurface anomaly was found on a HPT rotor stage 2 disk. This proposed AD would require an ultrasonic inspection (USI) of the HPT rotor stage 2 disk and, depending on the result of the inspection, replacement of the HPT rotor stage 2 disk with a part eligible for installation. 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 July 2, 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. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:13 May 15, 2020 Jkt 250001 For service information identified in this NPRM, contact General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513–552–3272; email: aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781–238–7759. 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–2020– 0494; 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, 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: Stephen Elwin, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781–238–7236; fax: 781–238–7199; email: stephen.l.elwin@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–2020–0494; Project Identifier AD–2020–00324–E’’ at the beginning of your comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM. Confidential Business Information 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 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Stephen Elwin, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Discussion The FAA received a report from the manufacturer that a subsurface anomaly was found on a HPT rotor stage 2 disk. The manufacturer determined that the subsurface anomaly developed during the material melting process. This condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained HPT rotor stage 2 disk release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 The FAA reviewed GE GE90–100 Service Bulletin (SB) 72–0838, dated January 31, 2020. The SB describes procedures for performing an USI of the HPT rotor stage 2 disk. 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 it 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 an USI of the HPT rotor stage 2 disk and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the HPT rotor stage 2 disk with a part eligible for installation. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 12 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. E:\FR\FM\18MYP1.SGM 18MYP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 96 (Monday, May 18, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29673-29676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-10539]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0211; Product Identifier 2020-NM-006-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 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 
747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 
747SR series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of 
inboard foreflap departures from the airplane. This proposed AD would 
require repetitive replacement of certain parts; a general visual 
inspection to determine production configuration for certain parts; a 
repetitive lubrication of certain parts and a repetitive general visual 
inspection of certain parts for any exuding grease; repetitive detailed 
inspections of certain parts for loose or missing attachment bolts, 
cracks or bushing migration, cracks or gouges, or broken, binding, or 
missing rollers; repetitive detailed inspections of certain parts for 
cracks or corrosion; repetitive lubrication; and on-condition actions 
if necessary. 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 July 2, 
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; phone: 
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-2020-0211.

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-2020-
0211; 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

[[Page 29674]]

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: Eric Lin, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe 
Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3523; 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-2020-0211; 
Product Identifier 2020-NM-006-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 FAA will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of partial and full inboard foreflap 
departures from the airplane, some of which resulted in significant 
damage to the airplane. Inboard foreflap departures have been 
attributed to inadequate lubrication of the outboard fitting assembly, 
corrosion of the outboard fitting assembly, and corrosion in the 
inboard link assembly. In addition, broken center toggle rollers at the 
inboard sequence carriage and binding of inboard foreflap tracks due to 
defective or seized foreflap track rollers can lead to higher than 
normal loads on the outboard fitting assembly and the inboard link 
assembly, which may lead to cracked or broken attachment fittings, and 
in some cases the damage has resulted in an inboard foreflap departing 
the airplane. This condition, if not addressed, could result in the 
departure of an inboard foreflap assembly from the airplane possibly 
resulting in damage to the airplane, and adversely affecting the 
airplane's continued safe flight and landing.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, 
dated November 15, 2019. This service information describes procedures 
for repetitive replacement of certain parts; a general visual 
inspection to determine production configuration for certain parts; a 
repetitive lubrication of certain parts and a repetitive general visual 
inspection of certain parts for any exuding grease; repetitive detailed 
inspections of certain parts for loose or missing attachment bolts, 
cracks or bushing migration, cracks or gouges, or broken, binding, or 
missing rollers; repetitive detailed inspections of certain parts for 
cracks or corrosion; repetitive lubrication; and on-condition actions 
if necessary. On-condition actions include replacements 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.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is proposing this AD because the FAA 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 747-57A2367 RB, dated 
November 15, 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-2020-0211.

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 affects 125 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimate 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repetitive Replacement.........  Up to 10 work-hours x           $35,719  Up to $36,569 per   Up to $4,571,125
                                  $85 per hour = Up to                     replacement cycle.  per replacement
                                  $850 per replacement                                         cycle.
                                  cycle.
General Visual Inspection for    1 work-hour x $85 per                $0  $85...............  $10,625.
 Parts Production Configuration.  hour = $85.
Repetitive Detailed Inspections  4 work-hours x $85 per               $0  $340 per            $42,500 per
                                  hour = $340 per                          inspection cycle.   inspection cycle.
                                  inspection cycle.
Repetitive inspection for        1 work-hour x $85 per                $0  $85 per             $10,625 per
 lubrication and repetitive       hour = $85 per                           lubrication.        lubrication.
 lubrication.                     lubrication.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 29675]]

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required. The FAA has no way of 
determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition 
actions:

              Estimated Costs of On-Condition Replacements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost                 Parts cost       Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 8 work-hour x $85 per hour  Up to $17,720.....  Up to $18,400.
 = $680.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the FAA 
to provide cost estimates for the on-condition repairs 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.

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:

    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-2020-0211; Product Identifier 
2020-NM-006-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by July 2, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 
747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-
400D, 747-400F, and 747SR, series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of inboard foreflap departures 
from the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address departures 
of the inboard foreflap assembly from the airplane, which could 
result in damage to the airplane and adversely affect the airplane's 
continued safe flight and landing.

(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 747-57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019, 
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
747-57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g):  Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-57A2367, dated November 15, 2019, which is referred to in Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, dated 
November 15, 2019, uses the phrase ``the original issue date of 
Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the 
effective date 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 Eric Lin, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3523; 
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; phone: 562-797-1717; internet: https://

[[Page 29676]]

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 on March 27, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-10539 Filed 5-15-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.