Proposed Rule2021-22203
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
October 13, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-700, -800, and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of incorrectly installed fuselage skin fasteners. This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of a certain body station bulkhead, between certain stringers, for any incorrectly installed fastener common to fuselage skin, 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 195 (Wednesday, October 13, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 13, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56840-56843]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22203]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0788; Project Identifier AD-2021-00489-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 737-700, -800, and -900ER series
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of incorrectly
installed fuselage skin fasteners. This proposed AD would require a
detailed inspection of a certain body station bulkhead, between certain
stringers, for any incorrectly installed fastener common to fuselage
skin, 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 November
29, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
[[Page 56841]]
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 at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0788.
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-2021-0788; 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: Lu Lu, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3525; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d0bca5febca590b6b1b1feb7bfa6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e8849dc6849da88e8989c68f879e">[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-2021-0788; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00489-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 Lu
Lu, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3525;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#204c550e4c55604641410e474f56"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="92fee7bcfee7d2f4f3f3bcf5fde4">[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 a report indicating incorrectly installed
fasteners were found at the station (STA) 727 bulkhead between
stringers S-22 and S-27. The fasteners, installed with a gap under the
fastener head, were found at the STA 727 bulkhead common to fuselage
skin, including the S-23 skin lap splice. Incorrectly installed
fasteners are suspected to exist on airplanes delivered within a
certain time period. The FAA has confirmed that the fastener
installation procedures were corrected on airplanes subsequently
delivered. This condition was the result of incorrect procedures used
to install affected fasteners during airplane production, which could
result in incorrectly installed fasteners going undetected. Continuous
operation of the airplane with incorrectly installed fasteners may
generate fatigue cracking that could adversely affect the structural
integrity of the airplane. Gaps under fastener heads will result in
bending loads on the bulkhead chord that could cause chord failure and
adjacent skin failure, resulting in reduced control 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 737-53A1384 RB,
dated September 10, 2020. This service information specifies procedures
for a detailed inspection for incorrectly installed fasteners at the
STA 727 bulkhead outer chord common to the fuselage skin between
stringers S-22 and S-27 on the left and right sides, and applicable on-
condition actions. In addition to repair and replacement, on-condition
actions include repetitive inspections for cracking of the fuselage
skin between stringers S-22 and S-27; an open hole high frequency eddy
current (HFEC) inspection for cracking at all incorrectly installed
fastener locations; and external and internal general visual
inspections for repairs of the STA 727 bulkhead. On-condition actions
also include repetitive HFEC and low frequency eddy current (LFEC)
inspections in unrepaired areas for cracking of the inner skin from the
wheel well; of the outer, upper, and lower chords from the wheel well;
and of the fail-safe chord from the cargo compartment.
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-2021-0788.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 78 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
[[Page 56842]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspections........................ 13 work-hours x $85 per $0 $1,105 $86,190
hour = $1,105.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary actions
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 on-condition actions.
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Open hole HFEC inspections............ 21 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $1,785 per inspection
$85 per inspection cycle. cycle.
HFEC and LFEC inspections............. 36 work-hours x $85 per hour = 0 3,060 per inspection
$3,060 per inspection cycle. cycle.
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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-2021-0788; Project Identifier AD-
2021-489-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by November 29, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-700, -800, and -
900ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, and identified
in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1384 RB, dated
September 10, 2020.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of incorrectly installed
fuselage skin fasteners. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
incorrectly installed fasteners. This condition, if not addressed,
could result in incorrectly installed fasteners going undetected.
Continuous operation of the airplane with undetected incorrectly
installed fasteners may generate fatigue cracking that 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 737-53A1384 RB, dated September 10,
2020, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 737-53A1384 RB, dated September 10, 2020.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737-53A1384, dated September 10, 2020, which is referred to in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1384 RB, dated September
10, 2020.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the ``Effectivity'' paragraph and the Condition and
Compliance Time columns of the tables in the ``Compliance''
paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1384 RB,
dated September 10, 2020, use the phrase ``the Original Issue date
of Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1384 RB,'' this AD requires using
``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1384 RB,
dated September 10, 2020, specifies contacting Boeing for
[[Page 56843]]
repair instructions or for alternative inspections: This AD requires
doing the repair, or doing the alternative inspections and
applicable on-condition actions, using a method approved in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this
AD.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, 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 paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c8f1e5898685e59bada9bcbca4ade5898b87e58985878be59aadb9bdadbbbcbb88aea9a9e6afa7be"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0f36224e4142225c6a6e7b7b636a224e4c40224e42404c225d6a7e7a6a7c7b7c4f696e6e21686079">[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 Lu Lu, Aerospace
Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3525; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#402c356e2c35002621216e272f36"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="96fae3b8fae3d6f0f7f7b8f1f9e0">[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 September 9, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-22203 Filed 10-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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