Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, 33851-33855 [2023-11064]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 101 / Thursday, May 25, 2023 / Proposed Rules
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA–
2023–1041; Project Identifier AD–2022–
01223–T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by July 10, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company
Model 737–600, 737–700, and 737–800 series
airplanes, certificated in any category, as
identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737–53A1217, Revision 1, dated September
8, 2022.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an evaluation by
the design approval holder (DAH) indicating
the fuselage skin at the double row of
fasteners centered on certain stringers is
subject to skin cracking. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address fatigue cracks at certain
fasteners centered on Stringers S–17L and S–
17R, at station (STA) 360 to STA 380 and at
STA 888 to STA 907. Such undetected
fatigue cracks, if not addressed, could grow
to a critical length, which could result in
rapid decompression and loss of structural
integrity of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
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(g) Required Actions
For Group 1 through 3, Configuration 3
airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 737–53A1217, Revision 1,
dated September 8, 2022: Except as specified
in paragraph (h) of this AD, at the applicable
times specified in Tables 3 through 6 of
paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 737–53A1217,
Revision 1, dated September 8, 2022, do all
applicable actions identified as ‘‘RC’’
(required for compliance) in, and in
accordance with, the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737–53A1217, Revision 1, dated September
8, 2022.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information
Specifications
Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737–
53A1217, Revision 1, dated September 8,
2022, specifies contacting Boeing for repair
instructions or for alternative inspections:
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.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR–520 Continued
Operational Safety Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
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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 (k) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the 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.
(4) Except as specified by paragraph (h) of
this AD: For service information that
contains steps that are labeled as Required
for Compliance (RC), the provisions of
paragraphs (i)(4)(i) and (ii) of this AD apply.
(i) The steps labeled as RC, including
substeps under an RC step and any figures
identified in an RC step, must be done to
comply with the AD. If a step or substep is
labeled ‘‘RC Exempt,’’ then the RC
requirement is removed from that step or
substep. An AMOC is required for any
deviations to RC steps, including substeps
and identified figures.
(ii) Steps not labeled 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 RC steps,
including substeps and identified figures, can
still be done as specified, and the airplane
can be put back in an airworthy condition.
(j) Related Information
For more information about this AD,
contact Bill Ashforth, Senior Aerospace
Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle
ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206–231–3520;
email: bill.ashforth@faa.gov.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
(IBR) of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737–
53A1217, Revision 1, dated September 8,
2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd.,
MC 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740–5600;
telephone 562–797–1717; website
myboeingfleet.com.
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33851
(4) You may view this service information
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call
206–231–3195.
(5) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA,
fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to:
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued on May 9, 2023.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–11199 Filed 5–24–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2023–1037; Project
Identifier AD–2023–00511–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
supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2020–26–08 which applies to The
Boeing Company Model 787–8, 787–9,
and 787–10 airplanes powered by RollsRoyce Trent 1000 engines. AD 2020–26–
08 requires repetitive inspections of the
inner fixed structure (IFS) forward
upper fire seal and thermal insulation
blankets in the forward upper area of
the thrust reverser (TR) for damage and
applicable on-condition actions. Since
the FAA issued AD 2020–26–08, it was
determined a new upper splitter fairing
assembly is needed to prevent the
damage to the fire seal and thermal
insulation blanket. This proposed AD
would continue to require the actions
specified in AD 2020–26–08 and would
require determining if an affected part
number of the upper splitter fairing
assembly is installed on the engine,
replacing an affected upper splitter
fairing assembly part number with a
new upper splitter fairing assembly part
number, inspecting the IFS forward
upper fire seal and thermal insulation
blanket for any damage, and applicable
on-condition actions. This proposed AD
would also prohibit the installation of
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 101 / Thursday, May 25, 2023 / Proposed Rules
affected parts. The FAA is proposing
this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by July 10, 2023.
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
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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD
docket at regulations.gov under Docket
No. FAA–2023–1037; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For service information identified
in this NPRM, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Attention:
Contractual & Data Services (C&DS),
2600 Westminster Boulevard, MC 110–
SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740–5600;
telephone 562–797–1717; website:
myboeingfleet.com.
• You may view this service
information at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety
Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des
Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA,
call 206–231–3195. It is also available at
regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA–2023–1037.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tak
Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Section, West Certification
Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712–4137;
telephone: 206–231–3553; email:
takahisa.kobayashi@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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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–2023–1037; Project Identifier AD–
2023–00511–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
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 Tak Kobayashi,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion
Section, West Certification Branch,
FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, CA 90712–4137; telephone:
206–231–3553; email:
takahisa.kobayashi@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.
Background
The FAA issued AD 2020–26–08,
Amendment 39–21363 (85 FR 83755,
December 23, 2020) (AD 2020–26–08),
for The Boeing Company Model 787–8,
787–9, and 787–10 airplanes powered
by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. AD
2020–26–08 was prompted by reports of
damage to the IFS forward upper fire
seal and damage to the thermal
insulation blankets in the forward upper
area of the thrust reverser. AD 2020–26–
08 requires repetitive inspections of the
IFS forward upper fire seal and thermal
insulation blankets in the forward upper
area of the TR for damage and
applicable on-condition actions. The
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FAA issued AD 2020–26–08 to address
the damage to the IFS forward upper fire
seal and the thermal insulation blankets
of the TR due to airflow through
structural gapping that could occur at
the interface between the leading edge
of the IFS and the engine splitter
structure during flight. Failure of the
IFS forward upper fire seal could cause
the loss of seal pressurization and
degrade the ability to detect and
extinguish an engine fire, resulting in an
uncontrolled fire. Damage to the TR
insulation blanket could result in
thermal damage to the TR inner wall,
the subsequent release of engine exhaust
components, and consequent damage to
critical areas of the airplane.
Furthermore, damage to the TR inner
wall and IFS forward upper fire seal
could compromise the integrity of the
firewall and its ability to contain an
engine fire, resulting in an uncontrolled
fire, which could lead to loss of airplane
control.
Actions Since AD 2020–26–08 Was
Issued
The preamble to AD 2020–26–08
specifies that the FAA considers that
AD ‘‘interim action’’ and that the FAA
might consider further rulemaking if a
modification is developed, approved,
and available. The manufacturer has
since developed such a modification
(installation of upper splitter fairing
assembly part number KH99185), which
would terminate the repetitive
inspections required by AD 2020–26–
08. The FAA has determined that this
modification should be required.
AD 2020–26–08 specifies doing
actions in accordance with Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB780041–00 RB, Issue 001, dated
March 31, 2020. Boeing has since issued
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787–81205–SB780041–00, Issue 002,
dated December 21, 2021. Issue 002
adds two variable numbers to the
effectivity that were missing in Issue
001; however, Issue 002 does not change
the procedures in the Accomplishment
Instructions or the compliance times.
The FAA has added Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB780041–00, Issue 002, dated
December 21, 2021, as an optional
method of compliance to paragraph (g)
of this proposed AD.
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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 101 / Thursday, May 25, 2023 / Proposed Rules
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB720007–00 RB, Issue 001, dated
December 12, 2022. This service
information specifies procedures for
replacing the upper splitter fairing
assembly with a new upper splitter
fairing assembly with ramp fairing
incorporated, doing a general visual
inspection of the IFS forward upper fire
seal and thermal insulation blanket of
the left and right TR halves for any
damage, and applicable on-condition
actions. On-condition actions include
replacing the IFS forward upper fire seal
and thermal insulation blanket of each
TR half if damage is found. Those
procedures in the service information
apply to each affected engine.
The FAA also reviewed Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB780041–00, Issue 002, dated
December 21, 2021. The service
information describes procedures for
repetitive inspections of the IFS forward
upper fire seal and thermal insulation
blanket of the left and right TR halves
for any damage, and applicable oncondition actions. On-condition actions
include replacing the IFS forward upper
fire seal and thermal insulation blanket
of each TR half if damage is found.
Those procedures in the service
information apply to each affected
engine.
This proposed AD would also require
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787–81205–SB780041–00 RB, Issue
001, dated March 31, 2020, which the
Director of the Federal Register
approved for incorporation by reference
as of January 27, 2021 (85 FR 83755,
December 23, 2020).
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 section.
Proposed AD Requirements in This
NPRM
This proposed AD would retain all
requirements of AD 2020–26–08.
Accomplishing the new actions
proposed in this AD would terminate
the requirements of AD 2020–26–08.
This proposed AD would require
accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information already
described, except as discussed under
‘‘Differences Between this Proposed AD
and the Service Information’’ and except
for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this
proposed AD. This proposed AD would
also prohibit the installation of affected
parts. For information on the procedures
and compliance times, see this service
information at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA–2023–1037.
33853
Differences Between This Proposed AD
and the Service Information
The effectivity of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB720007–00 RB, Issue 001, dated
December 12, 2022, is limited to Model
787–8, –9 and –10 airplanes having
certain line numbers. However, the
applicability of this proposed AD
includes all Boeing Model 787–7, –8,
and –9 airplanes with Rolls-Royce Trent
1000 engines installed. Because the
affected upper splitter fairing assembly
are rotable parts, the FAA has
determined that these parts could later
be installed on airplanes that were
initially delivered with acceptable
upper splitter fairing assembly, thereby
subjecting those airplanes to the unsafe
condition. The FAA has determined that
the Accomplishment Instructions in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787–81205–SB720007–00 RB, Issue
001, dated December 12, 2022, can be
applied to airplanes outside the
effectivity of the service information if
an affected part is installed on those
airplanes. This proposed AD includes
an inspection or records review to
determine if an affected part is installed.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if
adopted as proposed, would affect 13
airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA
estimates the following costs to comply
with this proposed AD:
ESTIMATED COSTS
Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Inspection (retained actions from AD
2020–26–08).
Inspection or records review (new
proposed action).
Replacement of each upper splitter
fairing assembly (new proposed
action).
Inspection (new proposed action) ....
2 work-hours × $85 per hour =
$170 per inspection cycle.
1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ..
71 work-hours × $85 per hour =
$6,035.
Cost per product
Cost on U.S. operators
$2,210 per inspection cycle.
0
$170 per inspection
cycle.
$85 ...............................
$1,105.
230,000
$236,035 ......................
$3,068,455.
0
$170 .............................
$2,210.
$0
2 work-hours × $85 per hour =
$170.
The FAA estimates the following
costs to do any necessary replacements
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
replacements:
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ON-CONDITION COSTS
Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Fire seal replacement ................................
2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 per
TR half.
1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 per
TR half.
$1,383 per TR half ............
Thermal insulation blanket replacement ...
According to the manufacturer, some
of the costs of this AD may be covered
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$18,214 per TR half ..........
under warranty by Goodrich, thereby
reducing the cost impact on affected
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Cost per product
$1,553 per TR half (4 TR
halves per airplane).
$18,299 per TR half.
operators. The FAA does not control
warranty coverage for affected operators.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 101 / Thursday, May 25, 2023 / Proposed Rules
§ 39.13
As a result, the FAA has included all
known costs in the cost estimate.
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.
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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.
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Jkt 259001
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by:
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive
2020–26–08, Amendment 39–21363 (85
FR 83755, December 23, 2020), and
■ b. Adding the following new
Airworthiness Directive:
■
■
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA–
2023–1037; Project Identifier AD–2023–
00511–T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by July 10, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2020–26–08,
Amendment 39–21363 (85 FR 83755,
December 23, 2020) (AD 2020–26–08).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company
Model 787–8, 787–9, and 787–10 airplanes,
certificated in any category, with Rolls-Royce
Trent 1000 engines installed.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code: 72, Turbine/turboprop engine.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of RollsRoyce Trent 1000 powered airplanes having
damage to the thrust reverser inner fixed
structure (IFS) forward upper fire seal and
damage to thermal insulation blankets in the
forward upper area of the thrust reverser
(TR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the damage to the IFS forward upper fire seal
and the thermal insulation blankets of the TR
due to airflow through structural gapping
that could occur at the interface between the
leading edge of the IFS and the engine
splitter structure during flight. Failure of the
IFS forward upper fire seal could cause the
loss of seal pressurization and degrade the
ability to detect and extinguish an engine
fire, resulting in an uncontrolled fire. Damage
to the TR insulation blanket could result in
thermal damage to the TR inner wall, the
subsequent release of engine exhaust
components, and consequent damage to
critical areas of the airplane. Furthermore,
damage to the TR inner wall and IFS forward
upper fire seal could compromise the
integrity of the firewall and its ability to
contain an engine fire, resulting in an
uncontrolled fire.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Retained Actions, With New Service
Information and Revised Affected Airplanes
This paragraph restates the requirements of
paragraph (g) of AD 2020–26–08, with new
service information and revised affected
airplanes. For airplanes with an original
airworthiness certificate or original export
certificate of airworthiness issued on or
before the effective date of this AD and for
airplanes listed in Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787–81205–SB720007–00 RB, Issue
001, dated December 12, 2022: Except as
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specified by paragraph (h) of this AD, at the
applicable times specified in the
‘‘Compliance’’ paragraph of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB780041–00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 31,
2020; or Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787–81205–SB780041–00, Issue 002, dated
December 21, 2021; do all applicable actions
identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB780041–00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 31,
2020; or Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787–81205–SB780041–00, Issue 002, dated
December 21, 2021. Accomplishing the
actions required by paragraph (i)(2) of this
AD terminates the actions required by this
paragraph.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for
accomplishing the actions required by
paragraph (g) of this AD can be found in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787–81205–
SB780041–00, Issue 001, dated March 31,
2020, which is referred to in Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB780041–00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 31,
2020; or in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
B787–81205–SB780041–00, Issue 002, dated
December 21, 2021, which is referred to in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787–
81205–SB780041–00, Issue 002, dated
December 21, 2021.
(h) Retained Exceptions to Service
Information Specifications in Paragraph (g)
of This AD, With Added Reference to New
Service Information
This paragraph restates the exceptions
specified in paragraph (h) of AD 2020–26–08,
with added reference to new service
information. Where Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB780041–00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 31,
2020; or Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787–81205–SB780041–00, Issue 002, dated
December 21, 2021; uses the phrase ‘‘the
Issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin
B787–81205–SB780041–00 RB,’’ this AD
requires using January 27, 2021, (the effective
date of AD 2020–26–08).
(i) New Required Actions
(1) For airplanes with original
airworthiness certificate or original export
certificate of airworthiness issued on or
before the effective date of this AD and for
airplanes listed in the Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB720007–00 RB, Issue 001, dated December
12, 2022: Within 7 years after the effective
date of this AD, or within 7 years after the
date of issuance of the original airworthiness
certificate or original export certificate of
airworthiness, whichever occurs later,
inspect to determine the part number of the
upper splitter fairing assembly installed on
each engine. A review of airplane
maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of
this inspection if the part number of the
upper splitter fairing assembly can be
conclusively determined from that review.
For engines on which no upper splitter
fairing assembly part number (P/N) KH60375
was found during the inspection, the actions
required by paragraph (g) of this AD are no
longer required for that engine.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 101 / Thursday, May 25, 2023 / Proposed Rules
(2) If, during any inspection or records
review required by paragraph (i)(1) of this
AD, an upper splitter fairing assembly P/N
KH60375 is found on any engine of an
airplane: Except as specified by paragraph (j)
of this AD, at the applicable times specified
in the ‘‘Compliance’’ paragraph of Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB720007–00 RB, Issue 001, dated December
12, 2022, do all applicable actions identified
in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB720007–00 RB, Issue 001, dated December
12, 2022, for each affected engine.
Accomplishing the actions required by this
paragraph on all affected engines of an
airplane terminates the actions required by
paragraph (g) of this AD for that airplane.
Note 2 to paragraph (i)(2): Guidance for
accomplishing the actions required by this
AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin B787–81205–SB720007–00, Issue
001, dated December 12, 2022, which is
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787–81205–SB720007–00 RB, Issue
001, dated December 12, 2022.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
(j) Exceptions to Service Information
Specifications for Paragraph (i)(2) of This
AD
Where the ‘‘Effectivity’’ paragraph and the
Condition and Compliance Time columns of
the tables in the ‘‘Compliance’’ paragraph of
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787–
81205–SB720007–00 RB, Issue 001, dated
December 12, 2022, use the phrase ‘‘the
original issue date of Requirements Bulletin
B787–81205–SB720007–00 RB,’’ this AD
requires using ‘‘the effective date of this AD.’’
(k) Parts Installation Prohibition
(1) For airplanes with an original
airworthiness certificate or original export
certificate of airworthiness issued after the
effective date of this AD, except for airplanes
listed in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787–81205–SB720007–00 RB, Issue 001,
dated December 12, 2022: As of the effective
date of this AD, no person may install an
engine with an upper splitter fairing
assembly P/N KH60375 on any airplane.
(2) For airplanes with original
airworthiness certificate or original export
certificate of airworthiness issued on or
before the effective date of this AD and for
airplanes listed in Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787–81205–SB720007–00 RB, Issue
001, dated December 12, 2022: At the
applicable time specified in paragraph
(k)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD, no person may
install an engine with an upper splitter
fairing assembly P/N KH60375 on any
airplane.
(i) For airplanes on which no upper splitter
fairing assembly P/N KH60375 was found
during the inspection required by paragraph
(i)(1) of this AD: After accomplishing the
inspection required by paragraph (i)(1) of this
AD.
(ii) For airplanes on which an upper
splitter fairing assembly P/N KH60375 was
found during the inspection required by
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD: At the applicable
time specified in paragraph (k)(2)(ii)(A) or (B)
of this AD.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:08 May 24, 2023
Jkt 259001
(A) For an engine on which an upper
splitter fairing assembly P/N KH60375 was
not found: After accomplishing the
inspection required by paragraph (i)(1) of this
AD.
(B) For an engine on which an upper
splitter fairing assembly P/N KH60375 was
found: After replacing an affected upper
splitter fairing assembly part number with a
new upper splitter fairing assembly part
number for that engine as required by
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD.
(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR–520 Continued
Operational Safety 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 (m) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the 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, AIR–520 Continued Operational
Safety 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.
(m) Related Information
For more information about this AD,
contact Tak Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Section, West Certification
Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, CA 90712–4137; telephone: 206–
231–3553; email: takahisa.kobayashi@
faa.gov.
(n) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
(IBR) of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(3) The following service information was
approved for IBR on [DATE 35 DAYS AFTER
PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].
(i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787–81205–SB720007–00 RB, Issue 001,
dated December 12, 2022.
(ii) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787–81205–SB780041–00, Issue 002, dated
December 21, 2021.
(4) The following service information was
approved for IBR on January 27, 2021 (85 FR
83755, December 23, 2020).
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
33855
(i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787–81205–SB780041–00 RB, Issue 001,
dated March 31, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(5) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster
Boulevard, MC 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA
90740–5600; telephone 562–797–1717;
website: myboeingfleet.com.
(6) You may view this service information
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th
Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 206–231–3195.
(7) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA,
fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to:
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued on May 8, 2023.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–11064 Filed 5–24–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Parts 61, 91, 107, and 135
[Docket No.: FAA–2023–1256]
UAS Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight
Operations
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Request for comment.
AGENCY:
As the FAA reviews the
recommendations of the UAS Beyond
Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS)
Operations Aviation Rulemaking
Committee (ARC), the FAA is
considering the expansion of BVLOS
operations in certain operating
environments with the appropriate
safety mitigations to ensure no adverse
safety impact. The FAA is seeking
comment to gather additional technical
input on key concepts and potential
approaches that the FAA is
contemplating for use in future
exemptions.
SUMMARY:
Comments on this petition must
identify the petition docket number and
must be received on or before June 14,
2023.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified
by docket number FAA–2023–1256
using any of the following methods:
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\25MYP1.SGM
25MYP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33851-33855]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11064]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1037; Project Identifier AD-2023-00511-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2020-26-08 which applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and
787-10 airplanes powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. AD 2020-26-
08 requires repetitive inspections of the inner fixed structure (IFS)
forward upper fire seal and thermal insulation blankets in the forward
upper area of the thrust reverser (TR) for damage and applicable on-
condition actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-26-08, it was
determined a new upper splitter fairing assembly is needed to prevent
the damage to the fire seal and thermal insulation blanket. This
proposed AD would continue to require the actions specified in AD 2020-
26-08 and would require determining if an affected part number of the
upper splitter fairing assembly is installed on the engine, replacing
an affected upper splitter fairing assembly part number with a new
upper splitter fairing assembly part number, inspecting the IFS forward
upper fire seal and thermal insulation blanket for any damage, and
applicable on-condition actions. This proposed AD would also prohibit
the installation of
[[Page 33852]]
affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 10,
2023.
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 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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1037; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Boulevard, MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; website: myboeingfleet.com.
You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South
216th Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at
regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2023-1037.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tak Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Section, West Certification Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; telephone: 206-231-3553; 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-2023-1037; Project Identifier
AD-2023-00511-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
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 Tak
Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, West Certification
Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137;
telephone: 206-231-3553; 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 issued AD 2020-26-08, Amendment 39-21363 (85 FR 83755,
December 23, 2020) (AD 2020-26-08), for The Boeing Company Model 787-8,
787-9, and 787-10 airplanes powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.
AD 2020-26-08 was prompted by reports of damage to the IFS forward
upper fire seal and damage to the thermal insulation blankets in the
forward upper area of the thrust reverser. AD 2020-26-08 requires
repetitive inspections of the IFS forward upper fire seal and thermal
insulation blankets in the forward upper area of the TR for damage and
applicable on-condition actions. The FAA issued AD 2020-26-08 to
address the damage to the IFS forward upper fire seal and the thermal
insulation blankets of the TR due to airflow through structural gapping
that could occur at the interface between the leading edge of the IFS
and the engine splitter structure during flight. Failure of the IFS
forward upper fire seal could cause the loss of seal pressurization and
degrade the ability to detect and extinguish an engine fire, resulting
in an uncontrolled fire. Damage to the TR insulation blanket could
result in thermal damage to the TR inner wall, the subsequent release
of engine exhaust components, and consequent damage to critical areas
of the airplane. Furthermore, damage to the TR inner wall and IFS
forward upper fire seal could compromise the integrity of the firewall
and its ability to contain an engine fire, resulting in an uncontrolled
fire, which could lead to loss of airplane control.
Actions Since AD 2020-26-08 Was Issued
The preamble to AD 2020-26-08 specifies that the FAA considers that
AD ``interim action'' and that the FAA might consider further
rulemaking if a modification is developed, approved, and available. The
manufacturer has since developed such a modification (installation of
upper splitter fairing assembly part number KH99185), which would
terminate the repetitive inspections required by AD 2020-26-08. The FAA
has determined that this modification should be required.
AD 2020-26-08 specifies doing actions in accordance with Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
March 31, 2020. Boeing has since issued Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00, Issue 002, dated December 21, 2021.
Issue 002 adds two variable numbers to the effectivity that were
missing in Issue 001; however, Issue 002 does not change the procedures
in the Accomplishment Instructions or the compliance times. The FAA has
added Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00, Issue
002, dated December 21, 2021, as an optional method of compliance to
paragraph (g) of this proposed AD.
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.
[[Page 33853]]
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022. This service
information specifies procedures for replacing the upper splitter
fairing assembly with a new upper splitter fairing assembly with ramp
fairing incorporated, doing a general visual inspection of the IFS
forward upper fire seal and thermal insulation blanket of the left and
right TR halves for any damage, and applicable on-condition actions.
On-condition actions include replacing the IFS forward upper fire seal
and thermal insulation blanket of each TR half if damage is found.
Those procedures in the service information apply to each affected
engine.
The FAA also reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB780041-00, Issue 002, dated December 21, 2021. The service
information describes procedures for repetitive inspections of the IFS
forward upper fire seal and thermal insulation blanket of the left and
right TR halves for any damage, and applicable on-condition actions.
On-condition actions include replacing the IFS forward upper fire seal
and thermal insulation blanket of each TR half if damage is found.
Those procedures in the service information apply to each affected
engine.
This proposed AD would also require Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 31, 2020,
which the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation
by reference as of January 27, 2021 (85 FR 83755, December 23, 2020).
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 section.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would retain all requirements of AD 2020-26-08.
Accomplishing the new actions proposed in this AD would terminate the
requirements of AD 2020-26-08.
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information already described, except as discussed under
``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service Information''
and except for any differences identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this proposed AD. This proposed AD would also
prohibit the installation of affected parts. For information on the
procedures and compliance times, see this service information at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1037.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
The effectivity of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022, is limited to Model
787-8, -9 and -10 airplanes having certain line numbers. However, the
applicability of this proposed AD includes all Boeing Model 787-7, -8,
and -9 airplanes with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines installed. Because
the affected upper splitter fairing assembly are rotable parts, the FAA
has determined that these parts could later be installed on airplanes
that were initially delivered with acceptable upper splitter fairing
assembly, thereby subjecting those airplanes to the unsafe condition.
The FAA has determined that the Accomplishment Instructions in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
December 12, 2022, can be applied to airplanes outside the effectivity
of the service information if an affected part is installed on those
airplanes. This proposed AD includes an inspection or records review to
determine if an affected part is installed.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 13 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection (retained actions 2 work-hours x $0 $170 per $2,210 per inspection cycle.
from AD 2020-26-08). $85 per hour = inspection
$170 per cycle.
inspection
cycle.
Inspection or records review 1 work-hour x 0 $85............. $1,105.
(new proposed action). $85 per hour =
$85.
Replacement of each upper 71 work-hours x 230,000 $236,035........ $3,068,455.
splitter fairing assembly $85 per hour =
(new proposed action). $6,035.
Inspection (new proposed 2 work-hours x 0 $170............ $2,210.
action). $85 per hour =
$170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements 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 replacements:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire seal replacement................ 2 work-hours x $85 per $1,383 per TR half..... $1,553 per TR half (4
hour = $170 per TR TR halves per
half. airplane).
Thermal insulation blanket 1 work-hour x $85 per $18,214 per TR half.... $18,299 per TR half.
replacement. hour = $85 per TR half.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty by Goodrich, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for
affected operators.
[[Page 33854]]
As a result, the FAA has included all known costs in the cost estimate.
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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2020-26-08, Amendment 39-21363 (85
FR 83755, December 23, 2020), and
0
b. Adding the following new Airworthiness Directive:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2023-1037; Project Identifier AD-
2023-00511-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by July 10, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2020-26-08, Amendment 39-21363 (85 FR 83755,
December 23, 2020) (AD 2020-26-08).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and
787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category, with Rolls-Royce
Trent 1000 engines installed.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code: 72, Turbine/
turboprop engine.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of Rolls-Royce Trent 1000
powered airplanes having damage to the thrust reverser inner fixed
structure (IFS) forward upper fire seal and damage to thermal
insulation blankets in the forward upper area of the thrust reverser
(TR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the damage to the IFS
forward upper fire seal and the thermal insulation blankets of the
TR due to airflow through structural gapping that could occur at the
interface between the leading edge of the IFS and the engine
splitter structure during flight. Failure of the IFS forward upper
fire seal could cause the loss of seal pressurization and degrade
the ability to detect and extinguish an engine fire, resulting in an
uncontrolled fire. Damage to the TR insulation blanket could result
in thermal damage to the TR inner wall, the subsequent release of
engine exhaust components, and consequent damage to critical areas
of the airplane. Furthermore, damage to the TR inner wall and IFS
forward upper fire seal could compromise the integrity of the
firewall and its ability to contain an engine fire, resulting in an
uncontrolled fire.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Retained Actions, With New Service Information and Revised Affected
Airplanes
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD
2020-26-08, with new service information and revised affected
airplanes. For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate
or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before
the effective date of this AD and for airplanes listed in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001,
dated December 12, 2022: 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-SB780041-
00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 31, 2020; or Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00, Issue 002, dated December 21, 2021;
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB780041-00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 31, 2020; or
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00, Issue
002, dated December 21, 2021. Accomplishing the actions required by
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD terminates the actions required by this
paragraph.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by paragraph (g) of this AD can be found in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00, Issue 001, dated March 31,
2020, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB780041-00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 31, 2020; or in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00, Issue 002,
dated December 21, 2021, which is referred to in Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00, Issue 002, dated
December 21, 2021.
(h) Retained Exceptions to Service Information Specifications in
Paragraph (g) of This AD, With Added Reference to New Service
Information
This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph
(h) of AD 2020-26-08, with added reference to new service
information. Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB780041-00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 31, 2020; or Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00, Issue 002, dated
December 21, 2021; uses the phrase ``the Issue 001 date of
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00 RB,'' this AD requires
using January 27, 2021, (the effective date of AD 2020-26-08).
(i) New Required Actions
(1) For airplanes with original airworthiness certificate or
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before the
effective date of this AD and for airplanes listed in the Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001,
dated December 12, 2022: Within 7 years after the effective date of
this AD, or within 7 years after the date of issuance of the
original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of
airworthiness, whichever occurs later, inspect to determine the part
number of the upper splitter fairing assembly installed on each
engine. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in
lieu of this inspection if the part number of the upper splitter
fairing assembly can be conclusively determined from that review.
For engines on which no upper splitter fairing assembly part number
(P/N) KH60375 was found during the inspection, the actions required
by paragraph (g) of this AD are no longer required for that engine.
[[Page 33855]]
(2) If, during any inspection or records review required by
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, an upper splitter fairing assembly P/N
KH60375 is found on any engine of an airplane: Except as specified
by paragraph (j) of this AD, at the applicable times specified in
the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022, do
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022, for
each affected engine. Accomplishing the actions required by this
paragraph on all affected engines of an airplane terminates the
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that airplane.
Note 2 to paragraph (i)(2): Guidance for accomplishing the
actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022,
which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022.
(j) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications for Paragraph
(i)(2) of This AD
Where the ``Effectivity'' paragraph and the Condition and
Compliance Time columns of the tables in the ``Compliance''
paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-
00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022, use the phrase ``the
original issue date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00
RB,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(k) Parts Installation Prohibition
(1) For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or
original export certificate of airworthiness issued after the
effective date of this AD, except for airplanes listed in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001,
dated December 12, 2022: As of the effective date of this AD, no
person may install an engine with an upper splitter fairing assembly
P/N KH60375 on any airplane.
(2) For airplanes with original airworthiness certificate or
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before the
effective date of this AD and for airplanes listed in Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
December 12, 2022: At the applicable time specified in paragraph
(k)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD, no person may install an engine with
an upper splitter fairing assembly P/N KH60375 on any airplane.
(i) For airplanes on which no upper splitter fairing assembly P/
N KH60375 was found during the inspection required by paragraph
(i)(1) of this AD: After accomplishing the inspection required by
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
(ii) For airplanes on which an upper splitter fairing assembly
P/N KH60375 was found during the inspection required by paragraph
(i)(1) of this AD: At the applicable time specified in paragraph
(k)(2)(ii)(A) or (B) of this AD.
(A) For an engine on which an upper splitter fairing assembly P/
N KH60375 was not found: After accomplishing the inspection required
by paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
(B) For an engine on which an upper splitter fairing assembly P/
N KH60375 was found: After replacing an affected upper splitter
fairing assembly part number with a new upper splitter fairing
assembly part number for that engine as required by paragraph (i)(2)
of this AD.
(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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 (m)
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, AIR-520
Continued Operational Safety 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.
(m) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Tak Kobayashi,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, West Certification Branch,
FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; telephone:
206-231-3553; email: [email protected].
(n) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on
[DATE 35 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].
(i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00
RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022.
(ii) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00,
Issue 002, dated December 21, 2021.
(4) The following service information was approved for IBR on
January 27, 2021 (85 FR 83755, December 23, 2020).
(i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00
RB, Issue 001, dated March 31, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(5) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Boulevard, MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA
90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; website: myboeingfleet.com.
(6) You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200
South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(7) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on May 8, 2023.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-11064 Filed 5-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
