Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, 55325-55328 [2022-19298]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 174 / Friday, September 9, 2022 / Proposed Rules
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with PROPOSALS
prohibited tasks were accomplished during
or after compliance with paragraph (h)(1) or
(2) of this AD, or if it cannot be conclusively
confirmed that they were not accomplished
during or after compliance with paragraph
(h)(1) or (2) of this AD: Within 6,000 flight
hours or 36 months after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs first, do the
actions required by paragraph (h)(1) or (2) of
this AD, as applicable.
(2) For airplanes having serial numbers
4598 and subsequent, with an airplane date
of manufacture, as identified on the
identification plate of the airplane, dated
before the effective date of this AD: Within
60 days after the effective date of this AD,
review the airplane maintenance records to
confirm if any of the prohibited tasks
(defined in paragraph (g) of this AD) were
accomplished on or after the airplane date of
manufacture. If any of the prohibited tasks
were accomplished on or after the airplane
date of manufacture, or if it cannot be
conclusively confirmed that they were not
accomplished on or after the airplane date of
manufacture: Within 6,000 flight hours or 36
months after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first, obtain and follow
instructions for rework using a method
approved by the Manager, New York ACO
Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil
Aviation (TCCA); or De Havilland Aircraft of
Canada Limited’s TCCA Design Approval
Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO,
the approval must include the DAOauthorized signature.
(j) Maintenance Task Prohibitions
For all airplanes: As of the effective date
of this AD, comply with the prohibitions
specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (2) of this
AD.
(1) It is prohibited to use the Bombardier
aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) tasks
identified in paragraphs (j)(1)(i) through (vii)
of this AD, which are specified in the
Bombardier Q400, PSM 1–84–2, Revision 63,
dated October 5, 2018, or earlier revisions of
these tasks. Temporary Revisions (TRs)
including these AMM tasks, dated November
2, 2018, or earlier, are also prohibited for use
except as specified in paragraph (j)(1)(i)
through (vii) of this AD.
(i) Task 28–12–01–000–801, Removal of
the Inboard Vent Line, with the exception of
(Bombardier) Q400 Dash 8 AMM TR 28–170,
dated November 2, 2018.
(ii) Task 28–12–01–400–801, Installation of
the Inboard Vent Line, with the exception of
(Bombardier) Q400 Dash 8 AMM TR 28–171,
dated November 2, 2018.
(iii) Task 28–11–06–000–801, Removal of
the Motive Flow Lines, with the exception of
(Bombardier) Q400 Dash 8 AMM TR 28–166,
dated November 2, 2018.
(iv) Task 28–11–06–400–801, Installation
of the Motive Flow Lines, with the exception
of (Bombardier) Q400 Dash 8 AMM TR 28–
167, dated November 2, 2018.
(v) Task 28–11–16–000–801, Removal of
the Scavenge Flow Lines, with the exception
of (Bombardier) Q400 Dash 8 AMM TR 28–
168, dated November 2, 2018.
(vi) Task 28–11–16–400–801, Installation
of the Scavenge Flow Lines, with the
exception of (Bombardier) Q400 Dash 8
AMM TR 28–169 dated November 2, 2018.
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(vii) Task 28–10–00–280–806, Detailed
Inspection of the TeflonTM Sleeve on the Fuel
Tank Vent Line, LH and RH (FSL #284000–
406), with the exception of (Bombardier)
Q400 Dash 8 AMM TR 28–163, dated August
1, 2018.
(2) It is prohibited to use the Bombardier
Q400 Dash 8 Maintenance Task Card Manual
(MTCM) task cards identified in paragraphs
(j)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD that are specified
in the Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 MTCM, PSM
1–84–7TC, Revision 43, dated May 5, 2018,
or earlier revisions or amendments of these
task cards. MTCM task card revisions or
amendments dated August 1, 2018, or earlier,
are also prohibited for use, except as
specified in paragraphs (j)(2)(i) and (ii) of this
AD.
(i) Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 MTCM
Maintenance Task Card 000–28–520–704
(Config A01), Detailed Inspection of the
TeflonTM Sleeve on the Fuel Tank Vent Line
(LH), with the exception of (Bombardier)
Q400 Dash 8 MTCM Maintenance Task Card
000–28–520–704 (Config A01), Detailed
Inspection of the TeflonTM Sleeve on the Fuel
Tank Vent Line (LH), Revision 43,
Amendment 0001, dated August 1, 2018.
(ii) Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 MTCM
Maintenance Task Card 000–28–620–704
(Config A01), Detailed Inspection of the
TeflonTM Sleeve on the Fuel Tank Vent Line
(RH), with the exception of (Bombardier)
Q400 Dash 8 MTCM Maintenance Task Card
000–28–620–704 (Config A01), Detailed
Inspection of the TeflonTM Sleeve on the Fuel
Tank Vent Line (RH), Revision 43,
Amendment 0001, dated August 1, 2018.
(k) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, New York 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 ATTN: Program Manager,
Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New
York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue,
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone
516–228–7300. Before using any approved
AMOC, notify your appropriate principal
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the responsible Flight
Standards 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, New York ACO Branch,
FAA; or TCCA; or De Havilland Aircraft of
Canada Limited’s TCCA DAO. If approved by
the DAO, the approval must include the
DAO-authorized signature.
(l) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information (MCAI) TCCA AD
CF–2020–01, dated January 14, 2020, for
related information. This MCAI may be
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55325
found in the AD docket at regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–
2022–1151.
(2) For more information about this AD,
contact Joseph Catanzaro, Aerospace
Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Section,
FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
telephone 516–228–7366; email 9-avs-nyacocos@faa.gov.
(3) For service information identified in
this AD, contact De Havilland Aircraft of
Canada Limited, Dash 8 Series Customer
Response Centre, 5800 Explorer Drive,
Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 5K9, Canada;
North America (toll-free): 855–310–1013,
Direct: 647–277–5820; email thd@
dehavilland.com; internet dehavilland.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.
Issued on August 31, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–19232 Filed 9–8–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2022–0815; Project
Identifier AD–2021–00679–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
737–600, –700, –700C, –800, –900, and
–900ER series airplanes. This proposed
AD was prompted by reports of missing
shims, a wrong type of shims, shanked
fasteners, fastener head gaps, and
incorrect hole sizes common to the left
and right side at a certain station (STA)
frame inner chord and web. This
proposed AD would require inspecting
for existing repairs, inspecting the area
for cracking, 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 October 24,
2022.
SUMMARY:
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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
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 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
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2022–
0815.
ADDRESSES:
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2022–
0815; 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: Bill
Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone and fax: 206–231–3520; email:
bill.ashforth@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with PROPOSALS
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–2022–0815; Project Identifier AD–
2021–00679–T’’ at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments
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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
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.
before the cracking reaches a critical
length. This condition, if not addressed,
could result in cracks in fatigue critical
baseline structure (FCBS) and the
inability of a principal structural
element (PSE) to sustain limit load,
which could adversely affect the
structural integrity of the airplane.
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 Bill Ashforth,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section,
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone and fax: 206–231–3520; email:
bill.ashforth@faa.gov. Any commentary
that the FAA receives that is not
specifically designated as CBI will be
placed in the public docket for this
rulemaking.
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin 737–53A1402
RB, dated July 2, 2021. This service
information specifies procedures for a
general visual inspection of the left and
right side STA 727 frame inner chord at
S–18A for existing repairs, an open hole
high frequency eddy current (HFEC)
inspection of the left and right side
entire stackup of the STA 727 frame
inner chord at S–18A for cracking (for
certain configurations), a surface HFEC
inspection of the left and right side STA
727 frame inner chord at S–18A web for
cracking, and applicable on-condition
actions. On-condition actions include
installing a new shim, a surface HFECD
inspection of the STA 727 frame inner
chord at S–18A for cracking, and repair.
This service information is reasonably
available because the interested parties
have access to it through their normal
course of business or by the means
identified in ADDRESSES.
Background
The FAA has received a report
indicating that a Boeing quality
investigation found missing shims, a
wrong type of shims, shanked fasteners,
fastener head gaps, and incorrect hole
sizes common to the left and right side
STA 727 frame inner chord and S–18A
web. These conditions could exist on
delivered airplanes. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address cracking
in the left and right side of STA 727
frame inner chord and S–18A web
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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
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 www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2022–0815.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if
adopted as proposed, would affect 1,925
airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA
estimates the following costs to comply
with this proposed AD:
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ESTIMATED COSTS
Action
Labor cost
General visual inspection ................................
HFEC inspection and shim installation ...........
2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 .............
5 work-hours × $85 per hour = $425 .............
The FAA estimates the following
costs to do any necessary repairs or
inspections that would be required
Cost per
product
Parts cost
based on the results of the proposed
inspection. The agency has no way of
$0
0
Cost on U.S.
operators
$170
425
$327,250
818,125
determining the number of aircraft that
might need these repairs or inspections:
ON-CONDITION COSTS
Action
Labor cost
Inspection .....................................................................
3 work hours × $85 per hour = $255 ...........................
The FAA has received no definitive
data on which to base the cost estimates
for the on-condition repairs specified in
this proposed AD.
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with PROPOSALS
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
section 106, describes the authority of
the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII:
Aviation Programs, describes in more
detail the scope of the Agency’s
authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking
under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section
44701: General requirements. Under
that section, Congress charges the FAA
with promoting safe flight of civil
aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and
procedures the Administrator finds
necessary for safety in air commerce.
This regulation is within the scope of
that authority because it addresses an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or
develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this
proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order
13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the
States, on the relationship between the
national Government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify this proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate
aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
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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–
2022–0815; Project Identifier AD–2021–
00679–T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by October 24,
2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company
Model 737–600, –700, –700C, –800, –900,
and –900ER series airplanes, certificated in
any category, as identified in Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin 737–53A1402 RB,
dated July 2, 2021.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 53, Fuselage.
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Cost per
product
Parts cost
$0
$255
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of
missing shims, a wrong type of shims,
shanked fasteners, fastener head gaps, and
incorrect hole sizes common to the left and
right side station (STA) 727 frame inner
chord and S–18A web. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address cracking in the left and
right side of STA 727 frame inner chord and
S–18A web before it reaches a critical length.
This condition, if not addressed, could result
in cracks in fatigue critical baseline structure
(FCBS) and the inability of a principal
structural element (PSE) to sustain limit load,
which could adversely 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 737–53A1402 RB,
dated July 2, 2021, do all applicable actions
identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin 737–53A1402 RB,
dated July 2, 2021.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for
accomplishing the actions required by this
AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 737–53A1402, dated July 2, 2021,
which is referred to in Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin 737–53A1402 RB,
dated July 2, 2021.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information
Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time columns
of the tables in the ‘‘Compliance’’ paragraph
of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737–
53A1402 RB, dated July 2, 2021, use the
phrase ‘‘the original issue date of the
Requirements Bulletin 737–53A1402 RB,’’
this AD requires using ‘‘the effective date of
this AD.’’
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 737–53A1402 RB, dated July 2,
2021, specifies contacting Boeing for repair
instructions or for alternative inspections:
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 174 / Friday, September 9, 2022 / Proposed Rules
This AD requires doing the repair, or doing
the alternative inspections and applicable oncondition actions using a method approved
in accordance with the procedures specified
in paragraph (i) of this AD.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
[Docket No. FAA–2022–0978; Project
Identifier AD–2022–00460–E]
(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 paragraph (j)(1) of
this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the 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 Bill Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone and fax: 206–231–3520; email:
bill.ashforth@faa.gov.
(2) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd.,
MC 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740–5600;
telephone 562–797–1717; internet
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.
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with PROPOSALS
Issued on July 1, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–19298 Filed 9–8–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
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Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
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 a manufacturer
investigation that revealed that certain
high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 2
disks, forward seals, and stages 6–10
compressor rotor spools were
manufactured from powder metal
material suspected to contain iron
inclusion. This proposed AD would
require the replacement of the affected
HPT stage 2 disks, forward seals, and
stages 6–10 compressor rotor spools.
The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these
products.
SUMMARY:
The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by October 24,
2022.
DATES:
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 General Electric
Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati,
OH 45215; phone: (513) 552–3272;
email: aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com;
website: https://www.ge.com. You may
view this service information at the
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For
information on the availability of this
ADDRESSES:
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material at the FAA, call (817) 222–
5110.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2022–0978; 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:
Alexei Marqueen, Aviation Safety
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: (781) 238–7178; email:
Alexei.T.Marqueen@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–2022–0978; Project Identifier AD–
2022–00460–E’’ 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.
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
E:\FR\FM\09SEP1.SGM
09SEP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 174 (Friday, September 9, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55325-55328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19298]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0815; Project Identifier AD-2021-00679-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 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900,
and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports
of missing shims, a wrong type of shims, shanked fasteners, fastener
head gaps, and incorrect hole sizes common to the left and right side
at a certain station (STA) frame inner chord and web. This proposed AD
would require inspecting for existing repairs, inspecting the area for
cracking, 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 October 24,
2022.
[[Page 55326]]
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 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 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 www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0815.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0815; 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: Bill Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3520; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0815; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00679-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
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 Bill
Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-
231-3520; email: [email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA
receives that 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 Boeing quality
investigation found missing shims, a wrong type of shims, shanked
fasteners, fastener head gaps, and incorrect hole sizes common to the
left and right side STA 727 frame inner chord and S-18A web. These
conditions could exist on delivered airplanes. The FAA is proposing
this AD to address cracking in the left and right side of STA 727 frame
inner chord and S-18A web before the cracking reaches a critical
length. This condition, if not addressed, could result in cracks in
fatigue critical baseline structure (FCBS) and the inability of a
principal structural element (PSE) to sustain limit load, which could
adversely 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 737-53A1402 RB,
dated July 2, 2021. This service information specifies procedures for a
general visual inspection of the left and right side STA 727 frame
inner chord at S-18A for existing repairs, an open hole high frequency
eddy current (HFEC) inspection of the left and right side entire
stackup of the STA 727 frame inner chord at S-18A for cracking (for
certain configurations), a surface HFEC inspection of the left and
right side STA 727 frame inner chord at S-18A web for cracking, and
applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions include
installing a new shim, a surface HFECD inspection of the STA 727 frame
inner chord at S-18A for cracking, and repair.
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in 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 www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0815.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 1,925 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the
following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
[[Page 55327]]
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General visual inspection............. 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $327,250
hour = $170.
HFEC inspection and shim installation. 5 work-hours x $85 per 0 425 818,125
hour = $425.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary repairs
or inspections 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 repairs or inspections:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.................................... 3 work hours x $85 per hour = $0 $255
$255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this proposed AD.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) 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-2022-0815; Project Identifier AD-
2021-00679-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by October 24, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -
700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, certificated in any
category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-
53A1402 RB, dated July 2, 2021.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of missing shims, a wrong type
of shims, shanked fasteners, fastener head gaps, and incorrect hole
sizes common to the left and right side station (STA) 727 frame
inner chord and S-18A web. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
cracking in the left and right side of STA 727 frame inner chord and
S-18A web before it reaches a critical length. This condition, if
not addressed, could result in cracks in fatigue critical baseline
structure (FCBS) and the inability of a principal structural element
(PSE) to sustain limit load, which could adversely 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 737-53A1402 RB, dated July 2, 2021, do
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
737-53A1402 RB, dated July 2, 2021.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737-53A1402, dated July 2, 2021, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1402 RB, dated July 2, 2021.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-
53A1402 RB, dated July 2, 2021, use the phrase ``the original issue
date of the Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1402 RB,'' this AD requires
using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1402 RB,
dated July 2, 2021, specifies contacting Boeing for repair
instructions or for alternative inspections:
[[Page 55328]]
This AD requires doing the repair, or doing the alternative
inspections and applicable on-condition actions 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 paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the 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 Bill Ashforth,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3520;
email: [email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet 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 July 1, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-19298 Filed 9-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P