Proposed Rule2022-06319
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
March 25, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a crack found in a front spar lower chord undergoing an underwing longeron replacement. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of the left and right side ring chords, repair angles, front spar lower chords, and front spar webs (depending on configuration) common to the underwing longeron located at station (STA) 1035; modification of the front spar lower chord for some airplanes; repetitive post-modification inspections; 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 87 Issue 58 (Friday, March 25, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17032-17034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06319]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0154; Project Identifier AD-2021-01153-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 all The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by a report of a crack found in a front spar lower chord
undergoing an underwing longeron replacement. This proposed AD would
require repetitive inspections for cracking of the left and right side
ring chords, repair angles, front spar lower chords, and front spar
webs (depending on configuration) common to the underwing longeron
located at station (STA) 1035; modification of the front spar lower
chord for some airplanes; repetitive post-modification inspections; 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 May 9,
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 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-2022-
0154.
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-2022-0154; 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
[[Page 17033]]
other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed
above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Luis Cortez-Muniz, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3958; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0f637a667c216e216c607d7b6a7522627a6166754f696e6e21686079"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9bf7eef2e8b5fab5f8f4e9effee1b6f6eef5f2e1dbfdfafab5fcf4ed">[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-2022-0154; Project Identifier
AD-2021-01153-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 Luis
Cortez-Muniz, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-
231-3958; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aec2dbc7dd80cf80cdc1dcdacbd483c3dbc0c7d4eec8cfcf80c9c1d8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3d5148544e135c135e524f4958471050485354477d5b5c5c135a524b">[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 of a crack found in the front spar
lower chord of a Model 777-300ER airplane undergoing an underwing
longeron replacement. The affected airplane had 6,303 flight cycles and
53,727 flight hours. The crack was found near a critical fastener hole
in the front spar lower chord; the underwing longeron was not cracked.
Cracking in the front spar lower chord can lead to cracking in the
front spar web. The front spar web is protected against fuel leaks from
small cracks by a secondary barrier on the forward side of the front
spar bulkhead. If a crack in the front spar web grows to a critical
length, that cracking could result in a fuel leak from the center wing
tank into the environmental control system (ECS) mix bay. This
condition, if not addressed, could result in a fuel leak and fire
hazard, or in the case of more severe cracking, also affect the
structural integrity 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 777-57A0122 RB,
dated October 8, 2021. This service information specifies procedures
for repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC), detailed, and
ultrasonic inspections (depending on configuration) for cracking of the
left and right side ring chords, repair angles, front spar lower
chords, and front spar webs (depending on configuration) common to the
underwing longeron located at STA 1035; modification of the front spar
lower chord for some airplanes; repetitive post-modification
inspections; and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions
include repair. 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-2022-0154.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 261 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Inspection(s).................. 44 work-hours x $85 per $0 $3,750 per $976,140 per
hour = $3,750 per inspection cycle. inspection cycle.
inspection cycle.
Modification *................. 137 work-hours x $85 $47,964 $59,609........... Up to $15,557,949.
per hour = $11,645.
Post-modification inspection(s) 46 work-hours x $85 per $0 $3,910 per Up to $1,020,510
*. hour = $3,910 per inspection cycle. per inspection
inspection cycle. cycle.
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* Number of affected airplanes that will be required to do this action is unknown.
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the repairs 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.
[[Page 17034]]
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-2022-0154; Project Identifier AD-
2021-01153-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by May 9, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR,
-300, -300ER, and 777F airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found in a front
spar lower chord undergoing an underwing longeron replacement. The
FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct such cracking, which in
combination with cracking in the front spar web, could result in a
fuel leak and fire hazard, or in the case of more severe cracking,
could also 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 777-57A0122 RB, dated October 8, 2021,
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
777-57A0122 RB, dated October 8, 2021. Actions identified as
terminating action in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-57A0122
RB, dated October 8, 2021, terminate the applicable required actions
of this AD, provided the terminating action is done in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 777-57A0122 RB, dated October 8, 2021.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
777-5A0122, dated October 8, 2021, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-57A0122 RB, dated October 8, 2021.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-
57A0122 RB, dated October 8, 2021, use the phrase ``the original
issue date of Requirements Bulletin 777-57A0122 RB,'' this AD
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-57A0122 RB,
dated October 8, 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#487165090605651b2d293c3c242d65090b07650905070b651a2d393d2d3b3c3b082e2929662f273e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="122b3f535c5f3f41777366667e773f53515d3f535f5d513f4077636777616661527473733c757d64">[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 Luis Cortez-
Muniz, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax:
206-231-3958; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#335f465a401d521d505c414756491e5e465d5a49735552521d545c45"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1a766f7369347b347975686e7f6037776f7473605a7c7b7b347d756c">[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 March 7, 2022.
Derek Morgan,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-06319 Filed 3-24-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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