Proposed Rule2022-01408
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
January 26, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-800 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the determination that insufficient sealing may allow water to enter the lower lobe electronic equipment (EE) bay through the main deck floor structure at the rigid cargo barrier (RCB), which could cause damage to EE bay line replacement units (LRUs) in the E5 rack. This proposed AD would require detailed inspections for the presence and condition of sealant at certain locations and applicable on-condition actions. This proposed AD would also require replacing the moisture barrier tape at a certain location, replacing the weather seal at a certain location, and installing seat track fillers. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 17 (Wednesday, January 26, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 26, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3946-3949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01408]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-1169; Project Identifier AD-2021-01011-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 737-800 series airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by the determination that insufficient sealing
may allow water to enter the lower lobe electronic equipment (EE) bay
through the main deck floor structure at the rigid cargo barrier (RCB),
which could cause damage to EE bay line replacement units (LRUs) in the
E5 rack. This proposed AD would require detailed inspections for the
presence and condition of sealant at certain locations and applicable
on-condition actions. This proposed AD would also require replacing the
moisture barrier tape at a certain location, replacing the weather seal
at a certain location, and installing seat track fillers. 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 March 14,
2022.
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
[[Page 3947]]
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-
1169.
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-2021-1169; 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: Courtney Tuck, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-
231-3986; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#88ebe7fdfafce6edf1a6e3a6fcfdebe3c8eee9e9a6efe7fe"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0a69657f787e646f732461247e7f69614a6c6b6b246d657c">[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-2021-1169; Project Identifier
AD-2021-01011-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
Courtney Tuck, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental
Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3986; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c8aba7bdbabca6adb1e6a3e6bcbdaba388aea9a9e6afa7be"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8be8e4fef9ffe5eef2a5e0a5fffee8e0cbedeaeaa5ece4fd">[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 that an aircraft failed to depart
when it was not possible to align the inertial reference units (IRUs)
during a pre-flight check. Findings from a subsequent investigation by
Boeing indicate there is insufficient sealing at the main deck floor
structure and the bottom of the RCB, which allows water ingress into
the lower lobe EE bay. Boeing indicated there may also be insufficient
sealing in the following areas: Floor panel to floor panel, floor panel
to seat track joints, and drain trough installation. The lower lobe EE
bay houses the LRUs in the E5 rack, which house the air data inertial
reference units (ADIRUs) and flight management computers (FMCs). The E5
rack has a moisture shroud and a drip shield, but these provide
inadequate protection to the LRUs for this amount of water ingression.
Boeing reported that the source of water was found to be water or snow
accumulated on cargo and pallets prior to loading, or through an open
cargo door during inclement weather. A later report also indicated that
the weather seal of the main deck cargo door may have an incorrect
orientation, which may allow water to enter the main deck cargo
compartment. These conditions, if not addressed, could result in water
damage to the ADIRUs and FMCs during flight, leading to a complete loss
of data to primary flight displays and electronic navigation functions,
which could prevent continued safe flight and landing.
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 737-53A1401 RB,
dated April 27, 2021. This service information specifies procedures for
detailed inspections of the forward main deck cargo compartment floor
to RCB, floor panel joints, drain troughs, seat track splices, and, for
some airplanes, the lower lobe E5 rack drain pan shroud for sealant
condition and application, and applicable on-condition actions. This
service information also specifies procedures for replacing the main
deck cargo door weather seal, replacing the moisture barrier tape on
the forward main deck cargo compartment floor, and installing seat
track fillers in the EE bay. On-condition actions include repair,
removing existing sealant, and applying new sealant. 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 and 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-2021-1169.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 7 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
[[Page 3948]]
Estimated Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Inspect sealant.................... Up to 12 work-hours x $85 $0.................... Up to $1,020.................. Up to $7,140.
per hour = Up to $1,020.
Remove/reinstall drain trough...... Up to 15 hours x $85 per Negligible............ Up to $1,275.................. Up to $8,925.
hour = Up to $1,275.
Replace weather seal............... Up to 7 work-hours x $85 $9,680................ Up to $10,275................. Up to $71,925.
per hour = Up to $595.
Replace barrier tape............... Up to 20 work-hours x $85 Negligible............ Up to $1,700.................. Up to $11,900.
per hour = Up to $1,700.
Install seat track filler.......... Up to 2 work-hours x $85 Negligible............ Up to $170.................... Up to $1,190.
per hour = Up to $170.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
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 these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install or replace sealant............ 26 work-hours x $85 per hour = Negligible.............. $2,210
$2,210.
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition actions 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-2021-1169; Project Identifier AD-
2021-01011-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 14, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-800 series
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1401 RB, dated April 27, 2021.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the determination that insufficient
sealing may allow water to enter the lower lobe electronic equipment
(EE) bay through the main deck floor structure at the rigid cargo
barrier, which could cause damage to EE bay line replacement units
in the E5 rack. The FAA is issuing this AD to address water ingress
in the lower lobe EE bay, which could result in water damage to the
air data inertial reference units and flight management computers
during flight, leading to a complete loss of data to primary flight
displays and electronic navigation functions, which could prevent
continued safe flight and landing.
(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 737-53A1401 RB, dated April 27, 2021, do
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
737-53A1401 RB, dated April 27, 2021.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service
[[Page 3949]]
Bulletin 737-53A1401, dated April 27, 2021, which is referred to in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1401 RB, dated April 27,
2021.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time column of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-
53A1401 RB, dated April 27, 2021, uses the phrase ``the original
issue date of Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1401 RB,'' this AD
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1401 RB,
dated April 27, 2021, 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 paragraph (j)(1)of this AD. Information may be emailed
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fcc5d1bdb2b1d1af999d88889099d1bdbfb3d1bdb1b3bfd1ae998d89998f888fbc9a9d9dd29b938a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1c25315d5251314f797d68687079315d5f53315d51535f314e796d69796f686f5c7a7d7d327b736a">[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 Courtney Tuck,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section,
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone and fax: 206-231-3986; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#13707c6661677d766a3d783d67667078537572723d747c65"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbd8d4cec9cfd5dec295d095cfced8d0fbdddada95dcd4cd">[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 December 22, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-01408 Filed 1-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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