Proposed Rule2021-16680
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
August 9, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of damage to the thrust reverser (TR) translating sleeve secondary sliders due to contact between the slider and the slider track liner. This damage was only found on TR sleeves installed on certain engines. This proposed AD would require determining the serial number of the TR and performing applicable on-condition actions; or replacing the TR with a serviceable TR. 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 150 (Monday, August 9, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 150 (Monday, August 9, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43443-43446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16680]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0571; Project Identifier AD-2021-00101-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 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of damage to the
thrust reverser (TR) translating sleeve secondary sliders due to
contact between the slider and the slider track liner. This damage was
only found on TR sleeves installed on certain engines. This proposed AD
would require determining the serial number of the TR and performing
applicable on-condition actions; or replacing the TR with a serviceable
TR. 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 September
23, 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-
0571.
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-2021-0571; 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
[[Page 43444]]
NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street address
for Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tak Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3553; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ea9e8b818b8283998bc48185888b938b998283aa8c8b8bc48d859c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f480959f959c9d8795da9f9b96958d95879c9db4929595da939b82">[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-2021-0571; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00101-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 Tak
Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-
231-3553; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#95e1f4fef4fdfce6f4bbfefaf7f4ecf4e6fdfcd5f3f4f4bbf2fae3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fd899c969c95948e9cd396929f9c849c8e9594bd9b9c9cd39a928b">[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 of damage to the TR translating sleeve
secondary sliders. Gouging damage to the slider end and grooving damage
along the length of the slider occurred due to contact between the
slider and the slider track liner. This damage was found only on TR
sleeves installed on Rolls-Royce engines with mission improvement
configuration thrust reversers. This damage, if not addressed, could
result in failure of the TR translating sleeve secondary slider and
possible detachment of the outer cowl, which could strike the fuselage
causing damage to the airplane, and could result in reduced control or
performance of the airplane.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021. This service
information specifies procedures for determining the serial number of
the TR, and applicable on-condition actions; or replacing the TR with a
serviceable TR. On-condition actions include reworking affected TR
slider track liners; determining the serial number of the TR
translating sleeves; checking to determine if certain TR translating
sleeves have been installed on certain TRs; performing a detailed
inspection of the secondary sliders of affected TR translating sleeves
for cracking, grooving, gouging damage, and any existing repair;
performing a dye penetrant inspection on any cracking, grooving or
gouging damage, and any existing repair for cracking; and repairing any
discrepancy found.
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-2021-0571.
Explanation of Requirements Bulletin
The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the
Airworthiness Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee
(AD ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement is a process for
annotating which steps in the service information are ``required for
compliance'' (RC) with an AD. Boeing has implemented this RC concept
into Boeing service bulletins.
In an effort to further improve the quality of ADs and AD-related
Boeing service information, a joint process improvement initiative was
worked between the FAA and Boeing. The initiative resulted in the
development of a new process in which the service information more
clearly identifies the actions needed to address the unsafe condition
in the ``Accomplishment Instructions.'' The new process results in a
Boeing Requirements Bulletin, which contains only the actions needed to
address the unsafe condition (i.e., only the RC actions).
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
The effectivity of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021, includes all Model
787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce engines.
This proposed AD would only require accomplishing the actions specified
in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780043-00 RB, Issue
001, dated January 15, 2021, on airplanes with an original
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of
airworthiness issued on or before the effective date of this AD.
Airplanes certificated after the effective date of this AD will not be
delivered with affected TRs or TR translating sleeves. However, because
the affected TRs and TR translating sleeves are rotable parts, the FAA
has determined that these parts could later be installed on airplanes
delivered with acceptable parts, thereby subjecting those airplanes to
the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would therefore include a parts
installation prohibition applicable to all Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-
10 airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce engines. Furthermore, the FAA
has determined that a parts installation prohibition needs to be
specified for airplanes on
[[Page 43445]]
which the corrective actions required by this proposed AD have been
accomplished. In general, such a prohibition is not necessary since an
airplane that is credited for compliance with an AD requirement must be
maintained at the AD-compliant configuration. However, the corrective
actions required by this AD are accomplished on the TRs and TR
translating sleeves, and those parts can be moved from one airplane to
another as part of regular maintenance activities. To prevent
inadvertent maintenance where an AD-compliant airplane is re-configured
to a non-compliant configuration by installing a TR or TR translating
sleeve on which the corrective actions have not been accomplished, this
proposed AD would explicitly specify a parts installation prohibition
for those airplanes that have complied with an AD requirement.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 14 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product Cost on U.S. operators
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Serial number inspection......... 6 work-hours x $85 $0 $510 Up to $7,140.
per hour = $510.
Replacement (per................. 12 work-hours x $85 0 1,020 Up to $14,280.
T/R half)........................ per hour $1,020.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition repairs, dye-penetrant inspections, TR sleeve serial number
checks, or checks to determine if certain TR sleeves have been
installed on certain TRs, that would be required. The FAA has no way of
determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition
actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Repair................................. Up to 100 work-hours x $0 Up to $8,500.
$85 per hour = Up to
$8,500.
Dye-penetrant inspection............... Up to 4 work-hours x $85 0 Up to $340.
per hour = Up to $340.
TR sleeve serial number check.......... 1 work-hour x $85 per 0 $85.
hour = $85.
Check to determine if TR translating 1 work-hour x $85 per 0 $85.
sleeve has been installed on certain hour = $85.
TRs.
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition rework and detailed inspections
specified in this proposed AD.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all 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-2021-0571; Project Identifier AD-
2021-00101-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by September 23, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
[[Page 43446]]
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and
787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category, powered by Rolls-
Royce Trent 1000 engines.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 78, Thrust
Reverser.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of damage to the thrust reverser
(TR) translating sleeve secondary sliders due to contact between the
slider and the slider track liner. This damage was only found on TR
sleeves installed on certain engines. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address this damage, which could result in failure of the TR
translating sleeve secondary slider and possible detachment of the
outer cowl, which could strike the fuselage, causing damage to the
airplane, and could result in reduced control or performance of the
airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before the
effective date of this AD: 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-SB780043-
00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021, do all applicable actions
for Group 1, Configuration 1 airplanes as identified in, and in
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
January 15, 2021.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
B787-81205-SB780043-00, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021, which is
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021, uses the phrase
``the issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780043-00
RB,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021, specifies
contacting Boeing for repair instructions or for instructions to
address certain conditions: This AD requires doing the repair or
doing the instructions using a method approved in accordance with
the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
(i) Parts Installation Limitations
(1) As of the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph
(i)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD, no person may install on any airplane
a TR with serial number between 00110001 and 00312001 inclusive, on
which all applicable inspections and corrective actions required by
paragraph (g) of this AD have not been accomplished.
(i) For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before the
effective date of this AD: After accomplishing the actions required
by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(ii) For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or
original export certificate of airworthiness issued after the
effective date of this AD: As of the effective date of this AD.
(2) As of the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph
(i)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD, no person may install on any airplane
a TR translating sleeve with serial number 00125001 and subsequent,
on which all applicable inspections and corrective actions required
by paragraph (g) of this AD have not been accomplished.
(i) For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before the
effective date of this AD: After accomplishing the actions required
by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(ii) For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or
original export certificate of airworthiness issued after the
effective date of this AD: As of the effective date of this AD.
(3) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
TR translating sleeve that was originally installed on any airplane
with an original airworthiness certificate or original export
certificate of airworthiness issued after the effective date of this
AD; or a TR translating sleeve with serial number 00125001 and
subsequent, on which all applicable inspections and corrective
actions specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021, have been
accomplished; on any airplane with a TR with a serial number between
00110001 and 00312001 inclusive, unless all applicable inspections
and corrective actions specified in Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15,
2021, have been accomplished on that TR, except as specified in
paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.
(j) 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#675e4a26292a4a34020613130b024a2624284a262a28244a35021612021413142701060649000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3b02167a757616685e5a4f4f575e167a7874167a76747816695e4a4e5e484f487b5d5a5a155c544d">[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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Tak Kobayashi,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-
3553; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1662777d777e7f6577387d7974776f77657e7f5670777738717960"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3642575d575e5f4557185d5954574f57455e5f7650575718515940">[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 July 13, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-16680 Filed 8-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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