Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, 20363-20364 [2024-05913]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 57 / Friday, March 22, 2024 / Proposed Rules DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2022–0876; Project Identifier AD–2021–00999–T] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal. AGENCY: The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would have applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 787–8, 787–9, and 787–10 airplanes. The NPRM was prompted by a report indicating that during regular pre-flight checks, multiple door assist handles failed by pulling loose from their lower attachment point in the doorway support bracket. The NPRM would have required, depending on airplane configuration, inspecting the forward and aft door assist handles for correct installation, installing a new retainer above the lower keyway of the support bracket assembly at certain locations, installing a placard on certain support bracket assemblies, re-identifying the support bracket assembly, and replacing the upper spring clip. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that the intended corrective actions do not address the unsafe condition. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn. DATES: As of March 22, 2024, the proposed rule, which was published in the Federal Register on September 22, 2022 (87 FR 57850), is withdrawn. ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. +FAA–2022–0876; 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 AD action, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandon Lucero, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206– 231–3569; email: Brandon.Lucero@ faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PROPOSALS1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:08 Mar 21, 2024 Jkt 262001 Background The FAA issued an NPRM that proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company Model 787–8, 787–9, and 787–10 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 22, 2022 (87 FR 57850). The NPRM was prompted by a report that during regular pre-flight checks, multiple door assist handles failed by pulling loose from their lower attachment point in the doorway support bracket. The NPRM proposed to require, depending on airplane configuration, inspecting the forward and aft door assist handles for correct installation, installing a new retainer above the lower keyway of the support bracket assembly at certain locations, installing a placard on certain support bracket assemblies, reidentifying the support bracket assembly, and replacing the upper spring clip. The proposed actions were intended to address loose or detached door assist handles, which could result in injury to passengers, crew, or maintenance personnel due to falling out of the airplane when opening the door, and could limit exit from the airplane during a time-limited emergency evacuation. Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that the proposed corrective actions do not mitigate the unsafe condition. The FAA continues to work with Boeing to develop an acceptable corrective action and corresponding service information, and is considering further rulemaking to address the identified unsafe condition. Withdrawal of the NPRM constitutes only such action and does not preclude the FAA from further rulemaking on this issue, nor does it commit the FAA to any course of action in the future. Comments The FAA received a comment from the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change. The FAA received additional comments from Avianca Airlines and United Airlines. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA’s response to each comment. Request To Change the Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code Avianca Airlines requested that paragraph (d), Subject, of the proposed AD be changed to ‘‘Code 25, Equipment and furnishings.’’ Avianca Airlines suggested the proposed AD should be PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 20363 consistent with the ATA chapter as classified by the service information. Boeing Requirements Bulletin B787– 81205–SB250253–00 RB, Issue 001, dated June 18, 2021; and Boeing Requirements Bulletin B787–81205– SB250254–00 RB, Issue 001, dated February 22, 2021; are under the scope of ATA 25. The FAA agrees with the change requested by the commenter, but because the FAA is withdrawing the NPRM, the request is no longer necessary. Request To Include the Later Revisions for a Safran Service Bulletin United Airlines Engineering concurred with the work scope and compliance time of the NPRM, but requested that the proposed AD include later revisions of Safran SB C355101– 25–02 since it has been revised to Revision 3, dated July 16, 2021. Paragraph (h)(3) of the proposed AD covers only SAFRAN Service Bulletin C355101–25–02, Revision 2, dated February 24, 2021. The commenter requested that paragraph (h)(3) of the proposed AD be changed to ‘‘SAFRAN Service Bulletin C355101–25–02, Revision 2, dated February 24, 2021 or later.’’ The FAA acknowledges the comment. However, because the NPRM is being withdrawn, the commenter’s request is no longer necessary. FAA’s Conclusions Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that the NPRM does not adequately address the identified unsafe condition. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn. Regulatory Findings Since this action only withdraws an NPRM, it is neither a proposed nor a final rule. This action therefore is not covered under Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. The Withdrawal Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking (Docket No. FAA–2022– 0876), which was published in the Federal Register on September 22, 2022 (87 FR 57850), is withdrawn. E:\FR\FM\22MRP1.SGM 22MRP1 20364 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 57 / Friday, March 22, 2024 / Proposed Rules Issued on March 15, 2024. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024–05913 Filed 3–21–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2024–0757; Project Identifier MCAI–2023–01205–T] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022–14–10, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319–111, –112, –113, –114, –115, –131, –132, and –133 airplanes; Model A320–211, –212, –214, –216, –231, –232, and –233 airplanes; and Model A321–111, –112, –131, –211, –212, –213, –231, and –232 airplanes. AD 2022–14–10 requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the radius of the front spar vertical stringers and the horizontal floor beam on a certain frame (FR), repetitive inspections for cracking of the fastener holes of the front spar vertical stringers on that frame, and repair if necessary. AD 2022–14–10 provides, for certain airplanes, a modification of the center wing box area that terminates the repetitive inspections under certain conditions. Since the FAA issued AD 2022–14–10, an additional airplane model has been identified that is also subject to the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2022–14–10 and would add Model A321–271N airplanes to the applicability, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 May 6, 2024. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PROPOSALS1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:08 Mar 21, 2024 Jkt 262001 • 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–2024–0757; 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, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Material Incorporated by Reference: • For the EASA AD identified in this NPRM, contact EASA, KonradAdenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA– 2024–0757. • You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 817–222–5102; email timothy.p.dowling@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–2024–0757; Project Identifier MCAI–2023–01205–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 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 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 Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 817–222–5102; email timothy.p.dowling@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Background The FAA issued AD 2022–14–10, Amendment 39–22115 (87 FR 42315, July 15, 2022) (AD 2022–14–10), for certain Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319–111, –112, –113, –114, –115, –131, –132, and –133 airplanes; Model A320–211, –212, –214, –216, –231, –232, and –233 airplanes; and Model A321–111, –112, –131, –211, –212, –213, –231, and –232 airplanes. AD 2022–14–10 was prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2021–0241, dated November 8, 2021 (EASA AD 2021–0241), to correct an unsafe condition. EASA AD 2021–0241 stated that during full-scale certification fatigue testing of the center fuselage, cracks were found on a wing front spar vertical stringer at FR36. AD 2022–14–10 requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the radius of the front spar vertical stringers and the horizontal floor beam on frame (FR) 36, repetitive inspections for cracking of the fastener holes of the front spar vertical stringers on FR 36, and repair if E:\FR\FM\22MRP1.SGM 22MRP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 57 (Friday, March 22, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20363-20364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05913]



[[Page 20363]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0876; Project Identifier AD-2021-00999-T]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would 
have applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-
10 airplanes. The NPRM was prompted by a report indicating that during 
regular pre-flight checks, multiple door assist handles failed by 
pulling loose from their lower attachment point in the doorway support 
bracket. The NPRM would have required, depending on airplane 
configuration, inspecting the forward and aft door assist handles for 
correct installation, installing a new retainer above the lower keyway 
of the support bracket assembly at certain locations, installing a 
placard on certain support bracket assemblies, re-identifying the 
support bracket assembly, and replacing the upper spring clip. Since 
issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that the intended 
corrective actions do not address the unsafe condition. Accordingly, 
the NPRM is withdrawn.

DATES: As of March 22, 2024, the proposed rule, which was published in 
the Federal Register on September 22, 2022 (87 FR 57850), is withdrawn.

ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov 
under Docket No. +FAA-2022-0876; 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 AD action, any comments received, 
and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandon Lucero, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3569; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA issued an NPRM that proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 
adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-
8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on September 22, 2022 (87 FR 57850). The NPRM was prompted by 
a report that during regular pre-flight checks, multiple door assist 
handles failed by pulling loose from their lower attachment point in 
the doorway support bracket. The NPRM proposed to require, depending on 
airplane configuration, inspecting the forward and aft door assist 
handles for correct installation, installing a new retainer above the 
lower keyway of the support bracket assembly at certain locations, 
installing a placard on certain support bracket assemblies, 
reidentifying the support bracket assembly, and replacing the upper 
spring clip.
    The proposed actions were intended to address loose or detached 
door assist handles, which could result in injury to passengers, crew, 
or maintenance personnel due to falling out of the airplane when 
opening the door, and could limit exit from the airplane during a time-
limited emergency evacuation.

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued

    Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that the 
proposed corrective actions do not mitigate the unsafe condition. The 
FAA continues to work with Boeing to develop an acceptable corrective 
action and corresponding service information, and is considering 
further rulemaking to address the identified unsafe condition.
    Withdrawal of the NPRM constitutes only such action and does not 
preclude the FAA from further rulemaking on this issue, nor does it 
commit the FAA to any course of action in the future.

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from the Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.
    The FAA received additional comments from Avianca Airlines and 
United Airlines. The following presents the comments received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Change the Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code

    Avianca Airlines requested that paragraph (d), Subject, of the 
proposed AD be changed to ``Code 25, Equipment and furnishings.'' 
Avianca Airlines suggested the proposed AD should be consistent with 
the ATA chapter as classified by the service information. Boeing 
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250253-00 RB, Issue 001, dated June 
18, 2021; and Boeing Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250254-00 RB, 
Issue 001, dated February 22, 2021; are under the scope of ATA 25.
    The FAA agrees with the change requested by the commenter, but 
because the FAA is withdrawing the NPRM, the request is no longer 
necessary.

Request To Include the Later Revisions for a Safran Service Bulletin

    United Airlines Engineering concurred with the work scope and 
compliance time of the NPRM, but requested that the proposed AD include 
later revisions of Safran SB C355101-25-02 since it has been revised to 
Revision 3, dated July 16, 2021. Paragraph (h)(3) of the proposed AD 
covers only SAFRAN Service Bulletin C355101-25-02, Revision 2, dated 
February 24, 2021. The commenter requested that paragraph (h)(3) of the 
proposed AD be changed to ``SAFRAN Service Bulletin C355101-25-02, 
Revision 2, dated February 24, 2021 or later.''
    The FAA acknowledges the comment. However, because the NPRM is 
being withdrawn, the commenter's request is no longer necessary.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that the NPRM 
does not adequately address the identified unsafe condition. 
Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

Regulatory Findings

    Since this action only withdraws an NPRM, it is neither a proposed 
nor a final rule. This action therefore is not covered under Executive 
Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Withdrawal

    Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking (Docket No. FAA-
2022-0876), which was published in the Federal Register on September 
22, 2022 (87 FR 57850), is withdrawn.


[[Page 20364]]


    Issued on March 15, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-05913 Filed 3-21-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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