Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, 59665-59667 [2021-23218]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 206 / Thursday, October 28, 2021 / Proposed Rules
alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or
intervals are allowed unless they are
approved as specified in the provisions of the
‘‘Ref. Publications’’ section of EASA AD
2021–0140.
(j) Terminating Action for Certain
Requirements in AD 2020–20–05
Accomplishing the actions required by this
AD, including incorporating Task 531135–
03–1, terminates Task 531135–03–2, as
required by paragraph (i) of AD 2020–20–05.
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
(k) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft
Section, International Validation 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 Large Aircraft
Section, International Validation Branch,
send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (l)(2) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov. 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.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any
requirement in this AD to obtain instructions
from a manufacturer, the instructions must
be accomplished using a method approved
by the Manager, Large Aircraft Section,
International Validation Branch, FAA; or
EASA; or Airbus SAS’s EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by
the DOA, the approval must include the
DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except
as required by paragraph (k)(2) of this AD, if
any service information contains procedures
or tests that are identified as RC, those
procedures and tests must be done to comply
with this AD; any procedures or tests that are
not identified as RC are recommended. Those
procedures and tests that are not identified
as RC may be deviated from using accepted
methods in accordance with the operator’s
maintenance or inspection program without
obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided
the procedures and tests identified as RC can
be done and the airplane can be put back in
an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or
changes to procedures or tests identified as
RC require approval of an AMOC.
(l) Related Information
(1) For information about EASA AD 2021–
0140, contact 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 EASA AD on the EASA website at
https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this
material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products
Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. This
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:49 Oct 27, 2021
Jkt 256001
material may be found in the AD docket on
the internet at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–0888.
(2) For more information about this AD,
contact Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206–
231–3223; email sanjay.ralhan@faa.gov.
Issued on October 20, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–23216 Filed 10–27–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. FAA–2021–0844; Project
Identifier AD–2021–00689–T]
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
787–8, 787–9, and 787–10 airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by
reports of a missing shim at a joint
common to the main torque box (MTB)
skin panel and rear spar root fitting.
This proposed AD would require
inspecting the MTB skin panel and rear
spar root fitting for cracking and
delamination, and applicable oncondition 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 December 13,
2021.
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
SUMMARY:
Frm 00014
Fmt 4702
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, Airworthiness Products
Section, Operational Safety Branch,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA.
For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 206–231–
3195. It is also available at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–
0844.
Examining the AD Docket
14 CFR Part 39
PO 00000
59665
Sfmt 4702
You may examine the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–0844; 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joseph Hodgin, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206–
231–3962; email: joseph.j.hodgin@
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 ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2021–0844; Project Identifier AD–
2021–00689–T’’ at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments
reference 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 proposal
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
agency will also post a report
summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
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59666
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 206 / Thursday, October 28, 2021 / Proposed Rules
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 NPRM
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 NPRM, 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
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to Joseph Hodgin,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section,
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone and fax: 206–231–3962; email:
joseph.j.hodgin@faa.gov. Any
commentary that the FAA receives
which is not specifically designated as
CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA has received a report
indicating that a skin depression was
noticed on the vertical fin, located at a
joint common to the MTB skin panel,
rear spar, and root fitting #4. The cause
was discovered to be the omission of a
shim during production, between the
MTB skin panel and rear spar flange at
the attachment to the root fitting. This
condition, if not addressed, could result
in a reduction in fatigue performance of
the MTB skin panel and rear spar root
fittings, which could affect the
structural integrity of the airplane.
FAA’s Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after
determining that the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB550011–00 RB, Issue 001, dated May
18, 2021. This service information
specifies procedures for an ultrasonic
test for cracking and delamination of the
skin panel, an open hole high frequency
eddy current (HFEC) inspection for
cracking of the rear spar root fitting at
the fastener holes common to the MTB
skin panel and rear spar root fitting
interface, and a surface HFEC inspection
for cracking of visible rear spar root
fitting surface areas, and applicable on-
condition actions. On-condition actions
include measurement of the gap
between the MTB skin panel and the
rear spar flange, installation of a new
shim between the MTB skin panel and
the rear spar flange, and installation of
new fasteners in the MTB skin panel
and the rear spar flange.
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 ADDRESSES.
Proposed AD Requirements in This
NPRM
This proposed AD would require
accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information already
described, 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–2021–
0844.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if
adopted as proposed, would affect 91
airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA
estimates the following costs to comply
with this proposed AD:
ESTIMATED COSTS
Action
Labor cost
Inspections ..............................
14 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,190 ................................
The FAA estimates the following
costs to do any necessary measurements
and installations that would be required
Cost per
product
Parts cost
based on the results of the proposed
inspection. The agency has no way of
$0
$1,190
Cost on U.S.
operators
$108,290
determining the number of aircraft that
might need these actions:
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ON-CONDITION COSTS
Action
Labor cost
Gap measurement ........................................................
Installation .....................................................................
1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ...............................
10 work-hours × $85 per hour = $850 .........................
The FAA has received no definitive
data on which to base the cost estimates
for the repairs specified in this proposed
AD.
The FAA has included all known
costs in its cost estimate. According to
the manufacturer, however, some or all
of the costs of this proposed AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby
reducing the cost impact on affected
operators.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:49 Oct 27, 2021
Jkt 256001
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
PO 00000
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Sfmt 4702
Parts cost
$0
$11,330
Cost per
product
$85
$12,180
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
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 206 / Thursday, October 28, 2021 / Proposed Rules
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) Would not affect intrastate
aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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
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:
■
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA–
2021–0844; Project Identifier AD–2021–
00689–T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by December 13,
2021.
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company
Model 787–8, 787–9, and 787–10 airplanes,
certificated in any category, as specified in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787–
81205–SB550011–00 RB, Issue 001, dated
May 18, 2021.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 55, Stabilizers.
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16:49 Oct 27, 2021
Jkt 256001
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of a
missing shim at a joint common to the main
torque box (MTB) skin panel and rear spar
root fitting. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the omission of a shim between the
MTB skin panel and rear spar flange at the
attachment to the root fitting. This condition,
if not addressed, could result in a reduction
in fatigue performance of the MTB skin panel
and rear spar root fittings, which could affect
the 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 B787–81205–
SB550011–00 RB, Issue 001, dated May 18,
2021, do all applicable actions identified in,
and in accordance with, the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787–81205–SB550011–00 RB, Issue
001, dated May 18, 2021.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for
accomplishing the actions required by this
AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin B787–81205–SB550011–00, Issue
001, dated May 18, 2021, which is referred
to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787–81205–SB550011–00 RB, Issue 001,
dated May 18, 2021.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information
Specifications
Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787–81205–SB550011–00 RB, Issue 001,
dated May 18, 2021, 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 responsible Flight
Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the
certification office, send it to the attention of
the person identified in Related Information.
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 responsible Flight Standards Office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable
level of safety may be used for any repair,
modification, or alteration required by this
AD if it is approved by The Boeing Company
Organization Designation Authorization
(ODA) that has been authorized by the
Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, to make
those findings. To be approved, the repair
method, modification deviation, or alteration
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
59667
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 Joseph Hodgin, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone and fax: 206–231–3962; email:
joseph.j.hodgin@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,
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.
Issued on September 30, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–23218 Filed 10–27–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2021–0831; Project
Identifier AD–2021–00712–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
certain General Electric Company (GE)
GEnx–1B and GEnx–2B model turbofan
engines. This proposed AD was
prompted by the manufacturer’s report
of two findings of sheared compressor
discharge pressure (CDP) bolts during
engine shop visits. This proposed AD
would require initial and repetitive
inspections of the CDP bolted joint and,
depending on the findings, a piece part
inspection of the stages 6–10
compressor rotor spool, CDP seal, and
high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor stage
1 disk. As a terminating action, this
proposed AD would require operators to
reassemble the CDP bolted joint using a
specific torque wrench. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 206 (Thursday, October 28, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59665-59667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23218]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0844; Project Identifier AD-2021-00689-T]
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 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of a missing shim
at a joint common to the main torque box (MTB) skin panel and rear spar
root fitting. This proposed AD would require inspecting the MTB skin
panel and rear spar root fitting for cracking and delamination, 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 December
13, 2021.
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, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0844.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0844; 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Hodgin, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3962; 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 ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0844; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00689-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference 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 proposal 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 agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
[[Page 59666]]
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 NPRM 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 NPRM, 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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Joseph Hodgin, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-
231-3962; email: [email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA
receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in
the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA has received a report indicating that a skin depression was
noticed on the vertical fin, located at a joint common to the MTB skin
panel, rear spar, and root fitting #4. The cause was discovered to be
the omission of a shim during production, between the MTB skin panel
and rear spar flange at the attachment to the root fitting. This
condition, if not addressed, could result in a reduction in fatigue
performance of the MTB skin panel and rear spar root fittings, which
could affect the structural integrity of the airplane.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB550011-00 RB, Issue 001, dated May 18, 2021. This service information
specifies procedures for an ultrasonic test for cracking and
delamination of the skin panel, an open hole high frequency eddy
current (HFEC) inspection for cracking of the rear spar root fitting at
the fastener holes common to the MTB skin panel and rear spar root
fitting interface, and a surface HFEC inspection for cracking of
visible rear spar root fitting surface areas, and applicable on-
condition actions. On-condition actions include measurement of the gap
between the MTB skin panel and the rear spar flange, installation of a
new shim between the MTB skin panel and the rear spar flange, and
installation of new fasteners in the MTB skin panel and the rear spar
flange.
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 ADDRESSES.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information already described, 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-2021-0844.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 91 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections........................ 14 work-hours x $85 per $0 $1,190 $108,290
hour = $1,190.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
measurements and installations that would be required based on the
results of the proposed inspection. The agency has no way of
determining the number of aircraft that might need these actions:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gap measurement............................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 $0 $85
Installation.................................. 10 work-hours x $85 per hour = $11,330 $12,180
$850.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the repairs specified in this proposed AD.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of
this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the
cost impact on affected operators.
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
[[Page 59667]]
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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2021-0844; Project Identifier AD-
2021-00689-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by December 13, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and
787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category, as specified in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB550011-00 RB, Issue
001, dated May 18, 2021.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of a missing shim at a joint
common to the main torque box (MTB) skin panel and rear spar root
fitting. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the omission of a
shim between the MTB skin panel and rear spar flange at the
attachment to the root fitting. This condition, if not addressed,
could result in a reduction in fatigue performance of the MTB skin
panel and rear spar root fittings, which could affect the 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 B787-81205-SB550011-00 RB, Issue 001,
dated May 18, 2021, do all applicable actions identified in, and in
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB550011-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
May 18, 2021.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
B787-81205-SB550011-00, Issue 001, dated May 18, 2021, which is
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB550011-00 RB, Issue 001, dated May 18, 2021.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB550011-00
RB, Issue 001, dated May 18, 2021, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office,
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of
the certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in Related Information. 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 responsible Flight Standards Office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD
if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, 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 Joseph Hodgin,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3962;
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, 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.
Issued on September 30, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-23218 Filed 10-27-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
