Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, 43344-43347 [2024-10299]
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43344
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 97 / Friday, May 17, 2024 / Proposed Rules
(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.
(f) Compliance
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
For the purposes of this AD:
(1) An ‘‘affected part’’ is a main landing
gear (MLG), nose landing gear (NLG), or
component identified in Table 1, 2, or 3 of
Section 6 in Britten-Norman SB 298, Issue 3,
dated July 7, 2023 (Britten-Norman SB 298,
Issue 3).
(2) A ‘‘part eligible for installation’’ is an
MLG, NLG, or component with a part that
has been established to be below the
associated fatigue life identified in Table 1,
2, or 3 of Section 6 in Britten-Norman SB
298, Issue 3.
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.
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive:
■
Britten-Norman Aerospace Ltd.: Docket No.
FAA–2024–1299; Project Identifier
MCAI–2023–00237–A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by July 1, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to certain Britten-Norman
Aerospace Ltd. airplanes fitted with Fairey
Hydraulics Ltd or Britten-Norman Aircraft
landing gear and associated landing gear
components, certificated in any category,
identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this
AD.
(1) Model BN–2, BN–2A, BN–2A–2, BN–
2A–3, BN–2A–6, BN–2A–8, BN–2A–9, BN–
2A–20, BN–2A–21, BN–2A–26, BN–2A–27,
BN–2B–20, BN–2B–21, BN–2B–26, BN–2B–
27, BN–2T, BN2T–4R, and BN2T–4S
airplanes.
(2) Model BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III–2,
and BN2A MK. III–3 airplanes.
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(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)
Code 3200, Landing Gear System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the
determination that in order to ensure the
continued structural integrity of certain
landing gear and associated components, it is
necessary to require removal of these
components from service prior to exceeding
established fatigue lives. Exceeding the
established fatigue life, if not addressed,
could result in failure of the structural
integrity of the landing gear, which could
result in damage to the airplane and injury
to occupants.
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(g) Definitions
(h) Required Actions
■
§ 39.13
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date
of this AD, determine the number of landings
accumulated on the affected parts.
(2) Before accumulating the number of
landings (fatigue life) associated with the
applicable affected part as identified in Table
1, 2, or 3 of Section 6 in Britten-Norman SB
298, Issue 3, or within the next 30 days after
the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later, replace any affected part with a
part eligible for installation.
(3) Thereafter, replace any affected part
with a part eligible for installation before
accumulating the fatigue life, as identified in
Table 1, 2, or 3 of Section 6 in BrittenNorman SB 298, Issue 3.
(4) As of the effective date of this AD, do
not install a MLG, NLG, or associated
component unless it is a part eligible for
installation.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference 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) Britten-Norman Service Bulletin SB 298,
Issue 3, dated July 7, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information, contact BrittenNorman Aerospace Ltd., Bembridge Airport,
Bembridge, Isle of Wight, UK, PO35 5PR;
phone: +44 20 3371 4000; email:
customer.support@britten-norman.com;
website: britten-norman.com/approvalstechnical-publications.
(4) You may view this service information
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA,
call (817) 222–5110.
(5) You may view this material at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA,
visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/
ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov.
Issued on May 7, 2024.
James D. Foltz,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–10295 Filed 5–16–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
Federal Aviation Administration
The Manager, International Validation
Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In
accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your
request to your principal inspector or local
Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly
to the manager of the International Validation
Branch, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD or
email to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. If
mailing information, also submit information
by email. Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local Flight Standards District Office/
certificate holding district office.
14 CFR Part 39
(j) Additional Information
(1) Refer to United Kingdom (UK) Civil
Aviation Authority (CAA) AD G–2023–0001,
dated February 8, 2023, for related
information. This UK CAA AD may be found
in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA–2024–1299.
(2) For more information about this AD,
contact Penelope Trease, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (303) 342–
1094; email: penelope.trease@faa.gov.
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Frm 00009
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[Docket No. FAA–2024–1301; Project
Identifier AD–2024–00035–T]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model
787–9 and 787–10 airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports
that some floor beam side-of-body
fittings have been manufactured with an
incorrect material type. This proposed
AD would require replacing the
incorrectly manufactured floor beam
side-of-body fittings, inspecting the
fuselage frame and fastener holes for
damage, and repairing any damage. The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 97 / Friday, May 17, 2024 / Proposed Rules
The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by July 1, 2024.
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–2024–1301; 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, 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.
• 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. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–
2024–1301.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joseph Hodgin, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206–
231–3962; email: Joseph.J.Hodgin@
faa.gov.
DATES:
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–2024–1301; Project Identifier AD–
2024–00035–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
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16:04 May 16, 2024
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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 Joseph Hodgin,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone: 206–231–3962; email:
Joseph.J.Hodgin@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 has received reports that
some floor beam side-of-body fittings
have been manufactured with an
incorrect material type between station
1233 and station 1593. The incorrect
material type is a grade 1 or 2
commercially pure unalloyed titanium,
which has significantly reduced
strength, fatigue, and damage-tolerance
properties compared to the type design
grade 5 Ti-6AI–4V material. The
discrepant floor beam side-of-body
fitting part numbers are installed on
Model 787–9 and –10 airplanes.
This condition, if not addressed,
could result in failure of the fittings.
The failure of multiple adjacent fittings
may lead to inability of the surrounding
principal structure elements to sustain
limit loads and damage to critical
systems under the floor; these
conditions could cause loss of control of
the airplane. Additionally, in the event
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43345
of an emergency landing or full certified
rapid decompression, failure of multiple
adjacent fittings could result in the
inability of the passenger floor grid to
maintain the loads and could result in
serious injury or impeded egress for
passengers.
FAA’s Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after
determining that the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB530084–00 RB, Issue 001, dated
December 8, 2023. This service
information specifies performing an Xray fluorescence spectrometer
inspection of the floor beam side-ofbody fittings between station 1233 and
station 1593 to determine whether the
fitting was manufactured with type
design grade 5 Ti-6AI–4V material.
Alternatively, operators may replace all
floor beam side-of-body fittings between
station 1233 and station 1593 with
fittings made of the correct material
without performing an X-ray
fluorescence spectrometer inspection.
For any floor beam side-of-body fitting
that needs replacement, this service
information specifies inspecting the
fuselage frame and fastener holes for
damage, repairing any damage, and
installing a floor beam side-of-body
fitting made of the correct material.
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 regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA–2024–1301.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if
adopted as proposed, would affect 60
airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA
estimates the following costs to comply
with this proposed AD:
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 97 / Friday, May 17, 2024 / Proposed Rules
ESTIMATED COSTS—OPTION 1
Action
Labor cost
X-ray fluorescence spectrometer
inspection to determine material
type.
77 work-hours × $85 per hour =
$6,545.
Cost per
airplane
Parts cost
$0
Cost on U.S.
operators
$6,545
Up to $392,700.
ESTIMATED COSTS—OPTION 2
Action
Labor cost
Replace all affected floor beam side-of-body fittings
and inspect for damage.
527 work-hours × $85 per hour = $44,795 ..................
The FAA estimates the following
costs to do any replacements that would
be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection. The agency has no
way of determining the number of
Parts cost
$218,250
Cost per
airplane
$263,045
aircraft that might need this
replacement:
ON-CONDITION COSTS FOR OPTION 1
Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per
fitting
Replace floor beam side-of-body fitting and inspect
for damage (per fitting).
18 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,530 ......................
$8,730
$10,260
The extent of damage found during
the inspection done when the fittings
are replaced could vary significantly
from airplane to airplane. The FAA has
no way of determining how much
damage may be found on each airplane,
the cost to repair damaged parts on each
airplane, or the number of airplanes that
may require repair.
The FAA has included all known
costs in its cost estimate. According to
the manufacturer, however, some of the
costs of this proposed AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby
reducing the cost impact on affected
operators.
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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
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unsafe condition that is likely to exist or
develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
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:
Frm 00011
Fmt 4702
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
■
Regulatory Findings
PO 00000
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
Sfmt 4702
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–
2024–1301; Project Identifier AD–2024–
00035–T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by July 1, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company
Model 787–9 and 787–10 airplanes,
certificated in any category, as identified in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787–
81205–SB530084–00 RB, Issue 001, dated
December 8, 2023.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports that
some floor beam side-of-body fittings have
been manufactured with an incorrect
material type between station 1233 and
station 1593. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the floor beam side-of-body fittings
that do not meet type design and prevent
E:\FR\FM\17MYP1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 97 / Friday, May 17, 2024 / Proposed Rules
failure of the fittings. The unsafe condition,
if not addressed, could result in the inability
of the surrounding principal structure
elements to sustain limit loads and in
damage to critical systems under the floor;
these conditions could cause loss of control
of the airplane. Additionally, in the event of
an emergency landing or full certified rapid
decompression, failure of multiple adjacent
fittings could result in the inability of the
passenger floor grid to maintain the loads
and could result in serious injury or impeded
egress for passengers.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(j) Related Information
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this
AD: At the applicable times specified in the
‘‘Compliance’’ paragraph of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB530084–00 RB, Issue 001, dated December
8, 2023, do all applicable actions identified
in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB530084–00 RB, Issue 001, dated December
8, 2023.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for
accomplishing the actions required by this
AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin B787–81205–SB530084–00, Issue
001, dated December 8, 2023, which is
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787–81205–SB530084–00 RB, Issue
001, dated December 8, 2023.
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(h) Exceptions to Service Information
Specifications
(1) Where the ‘‘Boeing Recommended
Compliance Time’’ column in the tables
under the ‘‘Compliance’’ paragraph of Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB530084–00 RB, Issue 001, dated December
8, 2023, refers to ‘‘the Issue 001 date of
Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–
SB530084–00 RB,’’ this AD requires using the
effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787–81205–SB530084–00 RB, Issue
001, dated December 8, 2023, specifies
contacting Boeing for repair instructions, this
AD requires doing the repair before further
flight using a method approved in
accordance with the procedures 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
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: AMOC@
faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
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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.
(1) For more information about this AD,
contact Joseph Hodgin, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206–231–3962;
email: Joseph.J.Hodgin@faa.gov.
(2) For service information identified in
this AD that is not incorporated by reference,
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.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference 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 Requirements Bulletin
B787–81205–SB530084–00 RB, Issue 001,
dated December 8, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information, 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.
(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 material at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA,
visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/
ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov.
Issued on May 7, 2024.
James D. Foltz,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–10299 Filed 5–16–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
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43347
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA–2024–1361; Airspace
Docket No. 24–ANE–05]
RIN 2120–AA66
Revocation of Class E Airspace;
Manchester, NH
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
This action proposes to
remove Class E surface airspace for
Manchester Boston Regional Airport,
Manchester, NH, as the overlying Class
C airspace deems the Class E surface
airspace unnecessary.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before July 1, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified
by FAA Docket No. FAA–2024–1361
and Airspace Docket No. 24–ANE–05
using any of the following methods:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
www.regulations.gov and follow the
online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
* Mail: Send comments to Docket
Operations, M–30; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Room W12–140, West
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC
20590–0001.
* Hand Delivery or Courier: Take
comments to Docket Operations in
Room W12–140 of the West Building
Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except for Federal holidays.
* Fax: Fax comments to Docket
Operations at (202) 493–2251.
Docket: Background documents or
comments received may be read at
www.regulations.gov at any time.
Follow the online instructions for
accessing the docket or go to the Docket
Operations in Room W12–140 of the
West Building Ground Floor at 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except for Federal
holidays. FAA Order JO 7400.11H
Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points and subsequent amendments can
be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_
traffic/publications/. You may also
contact the Rules and Regulations
Group, Office of Policy, Federal
Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–8783.
SUMMARY:
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 97 (Friday, May 17, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43344-43347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-10299]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1301; Project Identifier AD-2024-00035-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-9 and 787-10 airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports that some floor beam side-of-body
fittings have been manufactured with an incorrect material type. This
proposed AD would require replacing the incorrectly manufactured floor
beam side-of-body fittings, inspecting the fuselage frame and fastener
holes for damage, and repairing any damage. The FAA is proposing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
[[Page 43345]]
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 1,
2024.
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-2024-1301; 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, 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.
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. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1301.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Hodgin, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3962; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-1301; Project Identifier
AD-2024-00035-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
Joseph Hodgin, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3962; 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 reports that some floor beam side-of-body
fittings have been manufactured with an incorrect material type between
station 1233 and station 1593. The incorrect material type is a grade 1
or 2 commercially pure unalloyed titanium, which has significantly
reduced strength, fatigue, and damage-tolerance properties compared to
the type design grade 5 Ti-6AI-4V material. The discrepant floor beam
side-of-body fitting part numbers are installed on Model 787-9 and -10
airplanes.
This condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the
fittings. The failure of multiple adjacent fittings may lead to
inability of the surrounding principal structure elements to sustain
limit loads and damage to critical systems under the floor; these
conditions could cause loss of control of the airplane. Additionally,
in the event of an emergency landing or full certified rapid
decompression, failure of multiple adjacent fittings could result in
the inability of the passenger floor grid to maintain the loads and
could result in serious injury or impeded egress for passengers.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB530084-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 8, 2023. This service
information specifies performing an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer
inspection of the floor beam side-of-body fittings between station 1233
and station 1593 to determine whether the fitting was manufactured with
type design grade 5 Ti-6AI-4V material. Alternatively, operators may
replace all floor beam side-of-body fittings between station 1233 and
station 1593 with fittings made of the correct material without
performing an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer inspection. For any floor
beam side-of-body fitting that needs replacement, this service
information specifies inspecting the fuselage frame and fastener holes
for damage, repairing any damage, and installing a floor beam side-of-
body fitting made of the correct material.
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 regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2024-1301.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 60 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
[[Page 43346]]
Estimated Costs--Option 1
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost airplane operators
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X-ray fluorescence spectrometer 77 work-hours x $85 $0 $6,545 Up to $392,700.
inspection to determine material per hour = $6,545.
type.
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Estimated Costs--Option 2
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost airplane
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Replace all affected floor beam side-of-body 527 work-hours x $85 per hour = $218,250 $263,045
fittings and inspect for damage. $44,795.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any 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
this replacement:
On-Condition Costs for Option 1
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost fitting
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Replace floor beam side-of-body fitting and 18 work-hours x $85 per hour = $8,730 $10,260
inspect for damage (per fitting). $1,530.
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The extent of damage found during the inspection done when the
fittings are replaced could vary significantly from airplane to
airplane. The FAA has no way of determining how much damage may be
found on each airplane, the cost to repair damaged parts on each
airplane, or the number of airplanes that may require repair.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected operators.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the 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-2024-1301; Project Identifier AD-
2024-00035-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by July 1, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-9 and 787-10
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB530084-00 RB, Issue 001,
dated December 8, 2023.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports that some floor beam side-of-
body fittings have been manufactured with an incorrect material type
between station 1233 and station 1593. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the floor beam side-of-body fittings that do not meet type
design and prevent
[[Page 43347]]
failure of the fittings. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could result in the inability of the surrounding principal structure
elements to sustain limit loads and in damage to critical systems
under the floor; these conditions could cause loss of control of the
airplane. Additionally, in the event of an emergency landing or full
certified rapid decompression, failure of multiple adjacent fittings
could result in the inability of the passenger floor grid to
maintain the loads and could result in serious injury or impeded
egress for passengers.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: At the
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB530084-00 RB, Issue 001,
dated December 8, 2023, do all applicable actions identified in, and
in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB530084-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
December 8, 2023.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
B787-81205-SB530084-00, Issue 001, dated December 8, 2023, which is
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB530084-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 8, 2023.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the ``Boeing Recommended Compliance Time'' column in
the tables under the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB530084-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
December 8, 2023, refers to ``the Issue 001 date of Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB530084-00 RB,'' this AD requires using the
effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB530084-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 8, 2023, specifies
contacting Boeing for repair instructions, this AD requires doing
the repair before further flight using a method approved in
accordance with the procedures 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 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, 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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Joseph Hodgin,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3962; email: [email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference, 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.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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 Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB530084-00
RB, Issue 001, dated December 8, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information, 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.
(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 material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on May 7, 2024.
James D. Foltz,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-10299 Filed 5-16-24; 8:45 am]
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