Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, 10110-10112 [2022-03804]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 23, 2022 / Proposed Rules
if there is a crack, deterioration of the liner,
or extrusion of the liner, before further flight,
replace the bearing.
(2) Inspect the pitch link assembly sealant
for pin holes and voids and to determine if
the sealant thickness is 0.025 inch (0.64 mm)
or less, extends over the roll staked lip by
0.030 inch (0.76 mm) or more, and is clear
of the bearing ball. If there is a pin hole or
void, or if the sealant exceeds 0.026 inch
(0.66 mm), does not extend over the roll
staked lip by 0.030 inch (0.76 mm) or more,
or is not clear of the bearing ball, before
further flight, replace the bearing.
(i) Terminating Action for Certain Actions in
AD 2020–17–10
Accomplishing the initial inspection
required by paragraph (g)(1) or (h) of this AD
constitutes terminating action for the
inspections required by paragraph (f)(2) of
AD 2020–17–10 for that pitch link assembly
only.
(j) Optional Terminating Action
The repetitive inspections required by
paragraph (h) of this AD are no longer
required for helicopters that incorporate
pitch link assemblies, P/N 429–012–212–105
or 429–012–212–107, in accordance with Part
III of the Accomplishment Instructions of
Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 429–15–16,
Revision C, dated October 16, 2020.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, 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 manager of the International Validation
Branch, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@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.
(l) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD,
contact Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer,
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950 L’Enfant
Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; phone:
(202) 267–9167; email: hal.jensen@faa.gov.
(2) Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 429–15–
16, Revision C, dated October 16, 2020,
which is not incorporated by reference,
contains additional information about the
subject of this AD. For service information
identified in this AD, contact Bell Textron
Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l’Avenir,
Mirabel, Quebec J7J 1R4, Canada; telephone
1–450–437–2862 or 1–800–363–8023; fax 1–
450–433–0272; email productsupport@
bellflight.com; or at https://
www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support.
You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101
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17:39 Feb 22, 2022
Jkt 256001
Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth,
TX 76177. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222–
5110.
(3) The subject of this AD is addressed in
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD
CF–2015–16R3, dated April 30, 2021 (TCCA
AD CF–2015–16R3). You may view the
Transport Canada AD on the internet at
https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No.
FAA–2022–0145.
Issued on February 15, 2022.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–03770 Filed 2–22–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2021–1168; Project
Identifier AD–2021–00825–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
737–8 airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by a report that, during
production, a small number of fasteners
in certain locations of the center fuel
tank were cap sealed on top of a black
stripe of ink with a clear overcoat. This
clear overcoat is not an approved
surface for sealing and can potentially
compromise sealant adhesion.
Compromised sealant adhesion can,
over time, affect the lightning-protection
properties of the airplane. This
proposed AD would require preparation
of the affected surface areas to ensure
that there is adequate sealant adhesion,
and complete encapsulation of the
discrepant fastener locations with the
approved production sealant. 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 April 11, 2022.
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.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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• 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–
1168.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–1168; 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:
Chris Baker, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206–
231–3552; email: christopher.r.baker@
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–2021–1168; Project Identifier AD–
2021–00825–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
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 23, 2022 / Proposed Rules
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.
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 Chris Baker,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion
Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone and fax: 206–231–3552; email:
christopher.r.baker@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 that,
during production, a small number of
fasteners common to upper wing panel
stringers U–S1, U–S10, U–S12, U–S20,
and U–S21 and lower wing panel
stringer L–S14 were cap sealed on top
of a black stripe of ink with a clear
overcoat. The black stripe and clear
overcoat were applied during airplane
assembly to certain interior areas of the
center fuel tank to ensure proper
alignment of components, and this
discrepancy was not identified by
Boeing prior to the delivery of certain
airplanes. The purpose of cap sealing is
to provide a secondary layer of lightning
protection to the metal-to-metal rivet
installation bond, however, the clear
overcoat is not an approved surface for
sealing and can compromise sealant
adhesion. Compromised sealant
adhesion can, over time, affect the
lightning-protection properties of the
airplane. This condition, if not
addressed, could result in ignition of
fuel vapors and subsequent explosion of
the fuel tank in the event of a lightning
strike. The FAA expects, however, that
the degree to which sealant adhesion is
compromised under these
circumstances, and therefore the risk,
will initially be small, and increase
gradually over a period of years as the
adhesion begins to deteriorate.
Additionally, the compliance time
would allow operators to align this work
with the typical schedule for
maintenance into the airplane’s fuel
tank, which rarely exceeds once every
ten years. Therefore, based on the
evaluated risk, the FAA has determined
that the related actions need to be
completed within the timeframes
identified in paragraph (g) of this
proposed AD and in the manufacturer’s
service information.
FAA’s Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after
determining that the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
10111
develop on other products of the same
type design.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Special
Attention Requirements Bulletin 737–
57–1352 RB, dated February 1, 2021.
This service information specifies
procedures for preparing the surface and
completely encapsulating the black
stripe of ink, the clear overcoat, and the
existing sealant with the approved
production (BMS5–45) sealant at upper
stringer U–S1, U–S10, U–S12, U–S20,
and U–S21, and lower stringer L–S14.
The affected areas are all located on the
portion of the stringers just outboard of
the wing box.
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–
1168.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if
adopted as proposed, would affect 11
airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA
estimates the following costs to comply
with this proposed AD:
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
ESTIMATED COSTS
Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per
product
Cost on U.S.
operators
Apply Sealant ..........................
106 work-hours × $85 per hour = $9,010 ..............................
$500
$9,510
$104,610
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:39 Feb 22, 2022
Jkt 256001
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
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
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
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 23, 2022 / Proposed Rules
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–
2021–1168; Project Identifier AD–2021–
00825–T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by April 11,
2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company
Model 737–8 airplanes, certificated in any
category, as identified in Boeing Special
Attention Requirements Bulletin 737–57–
1352 RB, dated February 1, 2021.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that,
during production, a small number of
fasteners in certain locations of the center
fuel tank were cap sealed on top of a black
stripe of ink with a clear overcoat. This clear
overcoat is not an approved surface for
sealing and can potentially compromise
sealant adhesion. Compromised sealant
adhesion can, over time, affect the lightningprotection properties of the airplane. The
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:39 Feb 22, 2022
Jkt 256001
FAA is issuing this AD to address
compromised sealant adhesion within the
center fuel tank, which, if not addressed,
could result in ignition of fuel vapors and
subsequent explosion of the fuel tank in the
event of a lightning strike.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Required Actions
Within 10 years after the date of issuance
of the original airworthiness certificate or the
original export certificate of airworthiness,
do all applicable actions identified in, and in
accordance with, the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention
Requirements Bulletin 737–57–1352 RB,
dated February 1, 2021.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for
accomplishing the actions required by this
AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 737–57–1352, dated
February 1, 2021, which is referred to in
Boeing Special Attention Requirements
Bulletin 737–57–1352 RB, dated February 1,
2021.
(h) 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
deviation must meet the certification basis of
the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD,
contact Chris Baker, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines,
WA 98198; phone and fax: 206–231–3552;
email: christopher.r.baker@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
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
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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 December 21, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–03804 Filed 2–22–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2022–0143; Project
Identifier MCAI–2021–01401–T]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland
Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type
Certificate Previously Held by
Bombardier, Inc.) 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 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
Limited (type certificate previously held
by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC–8–401
and –402 airplanes. This proposed AD
was prompted by reports of a certain
bolt at the pivot pin link being found
missing or having stress corrosion
cracking. This proposed AD would
require a modification to the nose
landing gear (NLG) shock strut
assembly. 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 April 11, 2022.
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 De Havilland
Aircraft of Canada Limited, Q-Series
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 23, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10110-10112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03804]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-1168; Project Identifier AD-2021-00825-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 737-8 airplanes. This proposed AD
was prompted by a report that, during production, a small number of
fasteners in certain locations of the center fuel tank were cap sealed
on top of a black stripe of ink with a clear overcoat. This clear
overcoat is not an approved surface for sealing and can potentially
compromise sealant adhesion. Compromised sealant adhesion can, over
time, affect the lightning-protection properties of the airplane. This
proposed AD would require preparation of the affected surface areas to
ensure that there is adequate sealant adhesion, and complete
encapsulation of the discrepant fastener locations with the approved
production sealant. 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 April 11,
2022.
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-
1168.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1168; 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: Chris Baker, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3552; 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-2021-1168; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00825-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
[[Page 10111]]
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.
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 Chris
Baker, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-
3552; 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 that, during production, a small
number of fasteners common to upper wing panel stringers U-S1, U-S10,
U-S12, U-S20, and U-S21 and lower wing panel stringer L-S14 were cap
sealed on top of a black stripe of ink with a clear overcoat. The black
stripe and clear overcoat were applied during airplane assembly to
certain interior areas of the center fuel tank to ensure proper
alignment of components, and this discrepancy was not identified by
Boeing prior to the delivery of certain airplanes. The purpose of cap
sealing is to provide a secondary layer of lightning protection to the
metal-to-metal rivet installation bond, however, the clear overcoat is
not an approved surface for sealing and can compromise sealant
adhesion. Compromised sealant adhesion can, over time, affect the
lightning-protection properties of the airplane. This condition, if not
addressed, could result in ignition of fuel vapors and subsequent
explosion of the fuel tank in the event of a lightning strike. The FAA
expects, however, that the degree to which sealant adhesion is
compromised under these circumstances, and therefore the risk, will
initially be small, and increase gradually over a period of years as
the adhesion begins to deteriorate. Additionally, the compliance time
would allow operators to align this work with the typical schedule for
maintenance into the airplane's fuel tank, which rarely exceeds once
every ten years. Therefore, based on the evaluated risk, the FAA has
determined that the related actions need to be completed within the
timeframes identified in paragraph (g) of this proposed AD and in the
manufacturer's service information.
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 Special Attention Requirements Bulletin
737-57-1352 RB, dated February 1, 2021. This service information
specifies procedures for preparing the surface and completely
encapsulating the black stripe of ink, the clear overcoat, and the
existing sealant with the approved production (BMS5-45) sealant at
upper stringer U-S1, U-S10, U-S12, U-S20, and U-S21, and lower stringer
L-S14. The affected areas are all located on the portion of the
stringers just outboard of the wing box.
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-2021-1168.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 11 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apply Sealant..................... 106 work-hours x $85 per $500 $9,510 $104,610
hour = $9,010.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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
[[Page 10112]]
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-2021-1168; Project Identifier AD-
2021-00825-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by April 11, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-8 airplanes,
certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special
Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-57-1352 RB, dated February 1,
2021.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that, during production, a
small number of fasteners in certain locations of the center fuel
tank were cap sealed on top of a black stripe of ink with a clear
overcoat. This clear overcoat is not an approved surface for sealing
and can potentially compromise sealant adhesion. Compromised sealant
adhesion can, over time, affect the lightning-protection properties
of the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address compromised
sealant adhesion within the center fuel tank, which, if not
addressed, could result in ignition of fuel vapors and subsequent
explosion of the fuel tank in the event of a lightning strike.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Within 10 years after the date of issuance of the original
airworthiness certificate or the original export certificate of
airworthiness, do all applicable actions identified in, and in
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-57-1352 RB, dated February 1,
2021.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737-57-1352, dated February 1, 2021, which is referred to
in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-57-1352 RB,
dated February 1, 2021.
(h) 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.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Chris Baker,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-
3552; 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 December 21, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-03804 Filed 2-22-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
