Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, 52257-52260 [2020-18491]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 165 / Tuesday, August 25, 2020 / Rules and Regulations Issued on August 13, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2020–18488 Filed 8–24–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2020–0690; Project Identifier AD–2020–00860–T; Amendment 39–21207; AD 2020–17–02] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. AGENCY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747–8 and –8F series airplanes, and Model 787–8, –9, and –10 airplanes. This AD requires removing Kathon FP 1.5 biocide from the fuel tanks and engines, installing a fuel limitation placard, and revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to prohibit operation of the airplane with Kathon FP 1.5 biocide in a fuel tank or engine. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that Kathon FP 1.5 biocide added to fuel and running through the engines can lead to significant engine anomalies. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective August 25, 2020. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 25, 2020. The FAA must receive comments on this AD by October 9, 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. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:10 Aug 24, 2020 Jkt 250001 For service information identified in this final rule, 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 service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2020–0690. 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– 0690; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tak Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206– 231–3553; email: takahisa.kobayashi@ faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Discussion The FAA has received a report indicating that a The Boeing Company Model 787 airplane equipped with General Electric Company (GE) GEnx– 1B model turbofan engines experienced temporary thrust anomalies on both engines during descent into Kansai International Airport in Japan, on March 29, 2019. Specifically, both engines briefly fell below idle thrust, and the flightcrew received failure messages for both engines. The FAA’s review of the data from this incident indicated the thrust anomalies resulted from fuel control instability. The fuel tanks of the event airplane had recently been treated with Kathon FP 1.5 biocide for suspected microbial growth contamination. Salt crystals can form in the fuel under certain conditions after Kathon FP 1.5 biocide is applied. These salt crystals have the potential to cause slow response of engine hydromechanical control features, resulting in compressor PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 52257 stalls or flameouts, potentially on both engines. This condition, if not addressed, could result in malfunction of the engine’s control system hydromechanical unit due to undispersed Kathon FP 1.5 biocide contaminating and restricting the movement of internal parts. Because the fuel systems for both engines on an affected airplane are likely to be similarly affected, there is the potential for loss of thrust control on both engines. Loss of thrust control on both engines could result in failure to climb on takeoff, a forced off-airport landing, or an unacceptably high flightcrew workload. However, after this biocide is added to the fuel tanks, adding fuel without biocide diminishes the hazard. Eventually, after the tanks have been refilled a sufficient number of times with untreated fuel, enough of the treated fuel would be dissipated, and the unsafe condition would be removed. Specifically, Boeing determined that operating the airplane, or any individual engine, for at least 30 flight cycles, while adding only fuel that has not been treated with this biocide, would flush the biocide from the fuel tank system and the engines. The FAA finds this number of flight cycles to be sufficiently conservative, and therefore has incorporated it the requirements of this AD. The FAA’s analysis of the risks posed by this issue has been ongoing, as has the information available to the agency. On March 10, 2020, the manufacturer of Kathon FP 1.5 issued a letter recommending an immediate halt of using Kathon FP 1.5 biocide for aviation fuel applications. A copy of that letter is in the docket for this rulemaking. On March 25, 2020, the FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB), which is in the docket for this rulemaking, regarding the use of Kathon FP 1.5 and another biocide. Most recently, on June 25, 2020, the Japan Transport Safety Board issued an ‘‘Aircraft Serious Incident Investigation Report’’ regarding the March 29, 2019 incident. That report is in the docket for this rulemaking. The engine and aircraft manufacturers also evaluated the potential of Kathon FP 1.5 biocide application resulting in adverse effects on the engines besides GEnx–1B model engines installed on Model 787 airplanes. Based on this evaluation, the FAA has determined that the unsafe condition also exists on The Boeing Company Model 747–8 and –8F series airplanes powered by GEnx– 2B model engines. E:\FR\FM\25AUR1.SGM 25AUR1 52258 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 165 / Tuesday, August 25, 2020 / Rules and Regulations Related Rulemaking The FAA issued AD 2020–14–09, Amendment 39–21163 (85 FR 42689, July 15, 2020), for The Boeing Company Model 737–8 and –9 airplanes to require the same actions required by this AD. Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 The FAA reviewed Boeing MultiOperator Messages MOM–MOM–20– 0577–01B, dated July 13, 2020; and MOM–MOM–20–0578–01B, dated July 14, 2020. This service information describes procedures for removing Kathon FP 1.5 biocide from fuel tanks and engines. These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane models. 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 issuing 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. AD Requirements This AD requires removing Kathon FP 1.5 biocide from the fuel tanks and engines, installing a fuel limitation placard, and revising the existing AFM to prohibit operation of the airplane with Kathon FP 1.5 biocide in a fuel tank or engine. Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective Date Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ‘‘good cause,’’ finds that those procedures are ‘‘impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.’’ Under this section, an agency, upon finding good cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, upon a finding of good cause. An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public and flightcrews justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the simultaneous loss of thrust control on both engines, due to malfunction of the engine’s control system hydromechanical unit due to undispersed Kathon FP 1.5 biocide contaminating and restricting the movement of internal parts, could result in failure to climb on takeoff, a forced off-airport landing, or an unacceptably high flightcrew workload. In addition, the compliance time for the required action is shorter than the time necessary for the public to comment and for publication of the final rule. Therefore this rule must be issued immediately, to ensure the continued safe operation of these airplanes. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and comment. CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this 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 the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Comments Invited Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA–2020–0690 and Project Identifier AD–2020–00860–T at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments refer to a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this final rule The requirements of the RFA do not apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required. 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 final rule. Confidential Business Information Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD affects 137 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES ESTIMATED COSTS Cost per product Action Labor cost Kathon FP 1.5 biocide removal ........ Up to 24 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $2,040 ... $30 Up to $2,070 Fueling placard installation ............... AFM revision ..................................... 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ............................... 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ............................... 50 0 135 85 VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:10 Aug 24, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4700 Parts cost Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25AUR1.SGM 25AUR1 Cost on U.S. operators Up to $283,590 18,495 11,645 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 165 / Tuesday, August 25, 2020 / Rules and Regulations Authority for This Rulemaking Adoption of the Amendment 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. Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: (1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under Executive Order 12866, and khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES (g) Removal of Kathon FP 1.5 Biocide [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): ■ 2020–17–02 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39–21207; Docket No. FAA–2020–0690; Project Identifier AD– 2020–00860–T. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective August 25, 2020. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD. (1) Model 747–8 and –8F series airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original standard airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before October 31, 2020. (2) Model 787–8, –9, and –10 airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original standard airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before October 31, 2020, and equipped with General Electric Model GEnx–1B engines. (d) Subject (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska. Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel; 73, Engine. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 (e) Unsafe Condition Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. This AD was prompted by a report that Kathon FP 1.5 biocide, when used as a fuel additive and running through the engines, can lead to significant engine anomalies. The VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:10 Aug 24, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4700 Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. Sfmt 4725 (1) For airplanes identified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD: Before further flight, remove Kathon FP 1.5 biocide from the fuel tanks and engines, as applicable, in accordance with Boeing Multi-Operator Message MOM–MOM–20–0577–01B, dated July 13, 2020 (for Model 747–8 and –8F series airplanes); or MOM–MOM–20–0578– 01B, dated July 14, 2020 (for Model 787–8, –9, and –10 airplanes); as applicable. (i) Airplanes that have operated for fewer than 30 flight cycles after the last treatment with Kathon FP 1.5 biocide. (ii) Airplanes having any engine that has operated for fewer than 30 flight cycles after the last exposure to Kathon FP 1.5 biocide. (2) No action is required by paragraph (g) of this AD for the engines on which General Electric confirmed via a GE Salesforce case response that the engines are operating as expected. (h) Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision for Fuel Additive Limitation Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Certificate Limitations section of the existing Boeing 787 AFM or Boeing 747–8 AFM to include the information specified in figure 1 or 2 to paragraph (h) of this AD, as applicable. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the existing AFM. When a statement identical to that in figure 1 or figure 2 to paragraph (h) of this AD has been included in the general revisions of the existing Boeing 787 AFM or Boeing 747–8 AFM, as applicable, the general revisions may be inserted into the existing AFM, and the copy of this AD may be removed from the existing AFM. E:\FR\FM\25AUR1.SGM 25AUR1 ER25AU20.000</GPH> Regulatory Findings Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 FAA is issuing this AD to prevent these anomalies, which could result in loss of thrust control on both engines because the fuel systems for both engines are likely to be similarly affected. Loss of thrust control on both engines could result in failure to climb on takeoff, a forced off-airport landing, or an unacceptably high flightcrew workload. (f) Compliance 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: ■ 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. 52259 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 165 / Tuesday, August 25, 2020 / Rules and Regulations (i) Fueling Placard Installation Concurrently with accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD, or within 30 days after the issuance of an original standard airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs later: Install a placard with letters having a minimum height of 0.20 inch on white or light gray background containing the text ‘‘DO NOT OPERATE ENGINE WITH KATHONTM FP 1.5 BIOCIDE FUEL ADDITIVE’’ on the interior area of the refuel access panel in a location that allows refueling personnel full view of the placard text when the access door is open. (j) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, are not allowed until the applicable actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD have been accomplished. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES (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) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-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. (l) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Tak Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206–231–3553; email: takahisa.kobayashi@faa.gov. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:10 Aug 24, 2020 Jkt 250001 (m) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Boeing Multi-Operator Message MOM– MOM–20–0577–01B, dated July 13, 2020. (ii) Boeing Multi-Operator Message MOM– MOM–20–0578–01B, dated July 14, 2020. (3) 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. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https:// www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. Issued on August 6, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2020–18491 Filed 8–24–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2020–0682; Product Identifier 2020–NM–090–AD; Amendment 39–21202; AD 2020–16–18] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A310 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking found at certain fuselage frames. This AD requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of certain locations in and around the fuselage and applicable corrective actions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD becomes effective September 9, 2020. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 9, 2020. The FAA must receive comments on this AD by October 9, 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: 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 material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this IBR material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. It is also available in the AD docket on SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\25AUR1.SGM 25AUR1 ER25AU20.001</GPH> 52260

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 25, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52257-52260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18491]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0690; Project Identifier AD-2020-00860-T; 
Amendment 39-21207; AD 2020-17-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and -8F series airplanes, and 
Model 787-8, -9, and -10 airplanes. This AD requires removing Kathon FP 
1.5 biocide from the fuel tanks and engines, installing a fuel 
limitation placard, and revising the existing airplane flight manual 
(AFM) to prohibit operation of the airplane with Kathon FP 1.5 biocide 
in a fuel tank or engine. This AD was prompted by a report indicating 
that Kathon FP 1.5 biocide added to fuel and running through the 
engines can lead to significant engine anomalies. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 25, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 25, 
2020.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by October 9, 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 final rule, 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 service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products 
Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, 
WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 206-231-3195. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0690.

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-
0690; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tak Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3553; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report indicating that a The Boeing Company 
Model 787 airplane equipped with General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B 
model turbofan engines experienced temporary thrust anomalies on both 
engines during descent into Kansai International Airport in Japan, on 
March 29, 2019. Specifically, both engines briefly fell below idle 
thrust, and the flightcrew received failure messages for both engines.
    The FAA's review of the data from this incident indicated the 
thrust anomalies resulted from fuel control instability. The fuel tanks 
of the event airplane had recently been treated with Kathon FP 1.5 
biocide for suspected microbial growth contamination. Salt crystals can 
form in the fuel under certain conditions after Kathon FP 1.5 biocide 
is applied. These salt crystals have the potential to cause slow 
response of engine hydromechanical control features, resulting in 
compressor stalls or flameouts, potentially on both engines.
    This condition, if not addressed, could result in malfunction of 
the engine's control system hydromechanical unit due to undispersed 
Kathon FP 1.5 biocide contaminating and restricting the movement of 
internal parts. Because the fuel systems for both engines on an 
affected airplane are likely to be similarly affected, there is the 
potential for loss of thrust control on both engines. Loss of thrust 
control on both engines could result in failure to climb on takeoff, a 
forced off-airport landing, or an unacceptably high flightcrew 
workload.
    However, after this biocide is added to the fuel tanks, adding fuel 
without biocide diminishes the hazard. Eventually, after the tanks have 
been refilled a sufficient number of times with untreated fuel, enough 
of the treated fuel would be dissipated, and the unsafe condition would 
be removed. Specifically, Boeing determined that operating the 
airplane, or any individual engine, for at least 30 flight cycles, 
while adding only fuel that has not been treated with this biocide, 
would flush the biocide from the fuel tank system and the engines. The 
FAA finds this number of flight cycles to be sufficiently conservative, 
and therefore has incorporated it the requirements of this AD.
    The FAA's analysis of the risks posed by this issue has been 
ongoing, as has the information available to the agency. On March 10, 
2020, the manufacturer of Kathon FP 1.5 issued a letter recommending an 
immediate halt of using Kathon FP 1.5 biocide for aviation fuel 
applications. A copy of that letter is in the docket for this 
rulemaking. On March 25, 2020, the FAA issued a Special Airworthiness 
Information Bulletin (SAIB), which is in the docket for this 
rulemaking, regarding the use of Kathon FP 1.5 and another biocide. 
Most recently, on June 25, 2020, the Japan Transport Safety Board 
issued an ``Aircraft Serious Incident Investigation Report'' regarding 
the March 29, 2019 incident. That report is in the docket for this 
rulemaking.
    The engine and aircraft manufacturers also evaluated the potential 
of Kathon FP 1.5 biocide application resulting in adverse effects on 
the engines besides GEnx-1B model engines installed on Model 787 
airplanes. Based on this evaluation, the FAA has determined that the 
unsafe condition also exists on The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and -8F 
series airplanes powered by GEnx-2B model engines.

[[Page 52258]]

Related Rulemaking

    The FAA issued AD 2020-14-09, Amendment 39-21163 (85 FR 42689, July 
15, 2020), for The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and -9 airplanes to 
require the same actions required by this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Multi-Operator Messages MOM-MOM-20-0577-
01B, dated July 13, 2020; and MOM-MOM-20-0578-01B, dated July 14, 2020. 
This service information describes procedures for removing Kathon FP 
1.5 biocide from fuel tanks and engines. These documents are distinct 
since they apply to different airplane models. 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 issuing 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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires removing Kathon FP 1.5 biocide from the fuel tanks 
and engines, installing a fuel limitation placard, and revising the 
existing AFM to prohibit operation of the airplane with Kathon FP 1.5 
biocide in a fuel tank or engine.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and 
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds 
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to 
the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public and 
flightcrews justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of 
this rule because the simultaneous loss of thrust control on both 
engines, due to malfunction of the engine's control system 
hydromechanical unit due to undispersed Kathon FP 1.5 biocide 
contaminating and restricting the movement of internal parts, could 
result in failure to climb on takeoff, a forced off-airport landing, or 
an unacceptably high flightcrew workload. In addition, the compliance 
time for the required action is shorter than the time necessary for the 
public to comment and for publication of the final rule. Therefore this 
rule must be issued immediately, to ensure the continued safe operation 
of these airplanes. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public interest 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, the FAA finds that good 
cause exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment 
effective in less than 30 days, for the same reasons the FAA found good 
cause to forgo notice and comment.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2020-0690 and 
Project Identifier AD-2020-00860-T at the beginning of your comments. 
The most helpful comments refer to a specific portion of the proposal, 
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting 
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this final rule 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 final rule.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this 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 the 
person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Any 
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated 
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    The requirements of the RFA do not apply when an agency finds good 
cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and 
comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt 
this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 137 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Cost per
              Action                     Labor cost         Parts cost        product     Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kathon FP 1.5 biocide removal.....  Up to 24 work-hours              $30    Up to $2,070  Up to $283,590
                                     x $85 per hour = Up
                                     to $2,040.
Fueling placard installation......  1 work-hour x $85                 50             135  18,495
                                     per hour = $85.
AFM revision......................  1 work-hour x $85                  0              85  11,645
                                     per hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 52259]]

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs'' 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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):

2020-17-02 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-21207; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0690; Project Identifier AD-2020-00860-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 25, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD.
    (1) Model 747-8 and -8F series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, with an original standard airworthiness certificate or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before 
October 31, 2020.
    (2) Model 787-8, -9, and -10 airplanes, certificated in any 
category, with an original standard airworthiness certificate or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before 
October 31, 2020, and equipped with General Electric Model GEnx-1B 
engines.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel; 73, 
Engine.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that Kathon FP 1.5 biocide, 
when used as a fuel additive and running through the engines, can 
lead to significant engine anomalies. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent these anomalies, which could result in loss of thrust 
control on both engines because the fuel systems for both engines 
are likely to be similarly affected. Loss of thrust control on both 
engines could result in failure to climb on takeoff, a forced off-
airport landing, or an unacceptably high flightcrew workload.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Removal of Kathon FP 1.5 Biocide

    (1) For airplanes identified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of 
this AD: Before further flight, remove Kathon FP 1.5 biocide from 
the fuel tanks and engines, as applicable, in accordance with Boeing 
Multi-Operator Message MOM-MOM-20-0577-01B, dated July 13, 2020 (for 
Model 747-8 and -8F series airplanes); or MOM-MOM-20-0578-01B, dated 
July 14, 2020 (for Model 787-8, -9, and -10 airplanes); as 
applicable.
    (i) Airplanes that have operated for fewer than 30 flight cycles 
after the last treatment with Kathon FP 1.5 biocide.
    (ii) Airplanes having any engine that has operated for fewer 
than 30 flight cycles after the last exposure to Kathon FP 1.5 
biocide.
    (2) No action is required by paragraph (g) of this AD for the 
engines on which General Electric confirmed via a GE Salesforce case 
response that the engines are operating as expected.

(h) Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision for Fuel Additive Limitation

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
Certificate Limitations section of the existing Boeing 787 AFM or 
Boeing 747-8 AFM to include the information specified in figure 1 or 
2 to paragraph (h) of this AD, as applicable. This may be done by 
inserting a copy of this AD into the existing AFM. When a statement 
identical to that in figure 1 or figure 2 to paragraph (h) of this 
AD has been included in the general revisions of the existing Boeing 
787 AFM or Boeing 747-8 AFM, as applicable, the general revisions 
may be inserted into the existing AFM, and the copy of this AD may 
be removed from the existing AFM.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25AU20.000


[[Page 52260]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25AU20.001

(i) Fueling Placard Installation

    Concurrently with accomplishing the actions required by 
paragraph (h) of this AD, or within 30 days after the issuance of an 
original standard airworthiness certificate or original export 
certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs later: Install a 
placard with letters having a minimum height of 0.20 inch on white 
or light gray background containing the text ``DO NOT OPERATE ENGINE 
WITH KATHON\TM\ FP 1.5 BIOCIDE FUEL ADDITIVE'' on the interior area 
of the refuel access panel in a location that allows refueling 
personnel full view of the placard text when the access door is 
open.

(j) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 
21.199, are not allowed until the applicable actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD have been accomplished.

(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) 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.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Tak Kobayashi, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-
3553; email: [email protected].

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Multi-Operator Message MOM-MOM-20-0577-01B, dated 
July 13, 2020.
    (ii) Boeing Multi-Operator Message MOM-MOM-20-0578-01B, dated 
July 14, 2020.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on August 6, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-18491 Filed 8-24-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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