Proposed Rule2021-11844
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 7, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, - 200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F, 747SR, and 747SP airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks found in the front spar shear tie and at the intercostal lug fitting at certain locations. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed and surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the front spar shear tie and intercostal lug fitting at certain locations for any cracking, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 107 (Monday, June 7, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 107 (Monday, June 7, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30216-30218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11844]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 107 / Monday, June 7, 2021 / Proposed
Rules
[[Page 30216]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0376; Project Identifier AD-2021-00062-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -
200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F, 747SR, and 747SP airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks found in the front spar
shear tie and at the intercostal lug fitting at certain locations. This
proposed AD would require repetitive detailed and surface high
frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the front spar shear tie
and intercostal lug fitting at certain locations for any cracking, and
applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 22,
2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS),
2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600;
telephone 562-797-1717; internet <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>. You may
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available on the internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0376.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0376; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stefanie Roesli, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3964; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#da89aebfbcbbb4b3bff494f488b5bfa9b6b39abcbbbbf4bdb5ac"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="affcdbcac9cec1c6ca81e181fdc0cadcc3c6efc9cece81c8c0d9">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0376; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00062-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
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, 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
Stefanie Roesli, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206
231 3964; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#faa98e9f9c9b94939fd4b4d4a8959f899693ba9c9b9bd49d958c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5102253437303f38347f1f7f033e34223d38113730307f363e27">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA
receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in
the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA has received reports indicating cracks were found in the
station (STA) 1000 front spar shear tie at the left and right side
buttock line (BL) 11.33, BL 33.99, BL 57.50, and BL 75.92, and in the
intercostal lug fitting at the left and right side BL 11.33. The cause
of the cracks in the front spar shear tie was fatigue at the holes of
the system standoff brackets and front spar shear tie radius details.
In addition, the cracks on the longitudinal lug fitting were caused by
fatigue at the radius between the lug and the fitting base.
This condition, if not addressed, could result in the loss of limit
load capability in a principal structural element, the potential
inability to restrain the cargo for certain cargo configurations, and
the potential for a center fuel tank rupture for certain cargo
configurations under limit load conditions, which could adversely
affect the structural integrity of the airplane.
[[Page 30217]]
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 747-53A2904 RB,
dated December 16, 2020. This service information specifies procedures
for repetitive detailed and surface HFEC inspections of the STA 1000
front spar shear tie at the left and right side BL 11.33, BL 33.99, BL
57.50, and BL 75.92, and of the intercostal lug fitting at the left and
right side BL 11.33, for any cracking, and applicable on-condition
actions. On-condition actions include repair, installing a new front
spar shear tie, and installing a new intercostal lug fitting. 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 <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0376.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 117 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections.............. Up to 314 work- $0 Up to $26,690........... Up to $3,122,730.
hours x $85 per
hour = Up to
$26,690.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
installations and repairs 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 installations and repairs:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installations.................. Up to 368 work-hour x Up to $38,446 (for Up to $69,726.
$85 per hour = Up to shear ties and
$31,280. intercostal lug
fittings).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the repairs specified in this proposed AD.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2021-0376; Project Identifier AD-
2021-00062-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by July 22, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, -100B,
-100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F, 747SR, and
747SP airplanes, certificated in any category.
[[Page 30218]]
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the station (STA)
1000 front spar shear tie at the left and right side buttock line
(BL) 11.33, BL 33.99, BL 57.50, and BL 75.92, and in the intercostal
lug fitting at the left and right side BL 11.33. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address any cracking in these areas that could result in
the loss of limit load capability in a principal structural element,
the potential inability to restrain the cargo for certain cargo
configurations, and the potential for a center fuel tank rupture for
certain cargo configurations under limit load conditions, which
could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB, dated December 16, 2020,
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
747-53A2904 RB, dated December 16, 2020.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-53A2904, dated December 16, 2020, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB, dated December 16, 2020.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB,
dated December 16, 2020, uses the phrase ``the original issue date
of Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB,'' this AD requires using
``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB,
dated December 16, 2020, specifies contacting Boeing for repair
instructions: This AD requires doing the repair using a method
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph
(i) of this AD.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request
to your principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office,
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of
the certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in Related Information. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#182135595655354b7d796c6c747d35595b57355955575b354a7d696d7d6b6c6b587e7979367f776e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1b22365a555636487e7a6f6f777e365a5854365a56545836497e6a6e7e686f685b7d7a7a357c746d">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD
if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle
ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair
method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet
the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Stefanie Roesli,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3964;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#98cbecfdfef9f6f1fdb6d6b6caf7fdebf4f1d8fef9f9b6fff7ee"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d586a1b0b3b4bbbcb0fb9bfb87bab0a6b9bc95b3b4b4fbb2baa3">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
Issued on May 18, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-11844 Filed 6-4-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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