Rule2022-08493
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
April 21, 2022
Effective
May 26, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating the passenger service units (PSUs) and life vest panels became separated from their attachments during several survivable accident sequences. This AD requires installing lanyard assemblies on the PSUs, and, for certain airplanes, on the life vest panels and video panels as applicable. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 77 (Thursday, April 21, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 77 (Thursday, April 21, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23753-23755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08493]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-1022; Project Identifier AD-2020-01101-T;
Amendment 39-21995; AD 2022-07-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating the passenger
service units (PSUs) and life vest panels became separated from their
attachments during several survivable accident sequences. This AD
requires installing lanyard assemblies on the PSUs, and, for certain
airplanes, on the life vest panels and video panels as applicable. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 26, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 26,
2022.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA
90740-5600; phone: 562-797-1717; internet: <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>. You may view this 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-2020-1022.
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-2020-1022; 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 final rule, any
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket
Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tony Koung, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin
Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3985;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a2d6cdccdb8cc9cdd7ccc5e2c4c3c38cc5cdd4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1f6b7071663174706a71785f797e7e31787069">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing
Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on December 30, 2020 (85 FR 86515).
The NPRM was prompted by a report indicating that the PSUs and life
vest panels became separated from their attachments during several
survivable accident sequences. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require
installing lanyard assemblies on the PSUs, and, for certain airplanes,
on the life vest panels and video panels as applicable. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the PSUs, life vest panels, and video panels
becoming detached and falling into the cabin, which could lead to
passenger injuries and impede egress during an evacuation.
The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The
Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes. The
SNPRM published in the Federal Register on November 17, 2021 (86 FR
64089). The SNPRM was prompted by a report indicating that the PSUs and
life vest panels became separated from their attachments during several
survivable accident sequences and a determination that additional
airplanes are also subject to the identified unsafe condition. The
SNPRM proposed to require installing lanyard assemblies on the PSUs,
and, for certain airplanes, on the life vest panels and video panels as
applicable and to expand the applicability to include those additional
airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the PSUs, life vest
panels, and video panels becoming detached and falling into the cabin,
which could lead to passenger injuries and impede egress during an
evacuation.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA), and United Airlines who supported the SNPRM
without change.
The FAA received additional comments from Aviation Partners Boeing
and Boeing. The following presents the comments received on the SNPRM
and the FAA's response to each comment.
Effect of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions
Aviation Partners Boeing stated that the installation of winglets
per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01518SE does not affect the
accomplishment of the manufacturer's service instructions.
The FAA agrees with the commenter that STC ST01518SE does not
affect the accomplishment of the manufacturer's service instructions.
Therefore, the installation of STC ST01518SE does not affect the
ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. The FAA has not
changed this AD in this regard.
Request To Change Certain Language
Boeing asked that the FAA replace the word ``would'' with ``could
potentially'' in the FAA clarification ``a PSU panel that detached and
fell below BWL 265.7 would cause injury to passengers'' as specified in
the Clarification for PSU Installation section of the SNPRM. Boeing
stated that the passenger seat located below an attached PSU panel
could be unoccupied or could be occupied by a person short in stature,
and in those cases the PSU panel would not strike and cause injury to a
passenger.
The FAA acknowledges and agrees with the commenter's request,
because the proposed language provides clarity. However, the comment
section in the SNPRM is not carried over into this
[[Page 23754]]
final rule. Therefore, the FAA has not changed this AD in this regard.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Except for minor editorial changes, and any other changes
described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed in the SNPRM. None
of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin
757-25-0315 RB, Revision 2, dated March 17, 2021. This service
information specifies procedures for installing lanyard assemblies on
the PSUs, life vest panels, and video panels, as applicable. 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 367 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Install Lanyard Assemblies...... Up to 75 Up to $45,750..... Up to $52,125..... Up to $19,129,875.
work[dash]hours x
$85 per hour = Up
to $6,375.
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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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will 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 Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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:
2022-07-07 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-21995; Docket No. FAA-
2020-1022; Project Identifier AD-2020-01101-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 26, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and
-300 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified
in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 757-25-0315 RB,
Revision 2, dated March 17, 2021.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report indicating the passenger
service units (PSUs) and life vest panels became separated from
their attachments during several survivable accident sequences. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the PSUs, life vest panels, and
video panels becoming detached and falling into the cabin, which
could lead to passenger injuries and impede egress during an
evacuation.
(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
Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 757-25-0315 RB, Revision 2,
dated March 17, 2021, do all applicable actions identified in, and
in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 757-25-0315 RB, Revision 2,
dated March 17, 2021.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 757-25-0315, Revision 2, dated March 17, 2021, which is
referred to in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 757-
25-0315 RB, Revision 2, dated March 17, 2021.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 757-25-
0315 RB, Revision 2, dated March 17, 2021, uses the phrase ``the
Revision 2 date of Requirements Bulletin 757-25-0315 RB,'' this AD
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) The lanyard installation specified in paragraph (g) of this
AD is not required on Model 757-200 airplanes modified per VT Mobile
Aerospace Engineering (VT MAE) supplemental type certificates (STCs)
ST03952AT and ST04242AT.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
For airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention
Requirements Bulletin 757-25-0315 RB, Revision 1, dated May 20,
2020: This paragraph provides credit for the actions
[[Page 23755]]
specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were
performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Special
Attention Requirements Bulletin 757-25-0315 RB, Revision 1, dated
May 20, 2020.
(j) Parts Installation Limitation
As of the applicable time specified in paragraph (j)(1) or (2)
of this AD, no person may install on any airplane any PSU, life vest
panel, or video panel without an updated lanyard assembly installed.
(1) For airplanes that have PSUs, life vest panels, or video
panels without the updated lanyard assemblies installed as of the
effective date of this AD: After modification of the airplane as
required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) For airplanes that do not have PSUs, life vest panels, or
video panels without the updated lanyard assemblies installed as of
the effective date of this AD: As of the effective date of this AD.
(k) 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 local Flight Standards District
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 (l) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#053c28444b4828566064717169602844464a2844484a46285760747060767176456364642b626a73"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6a53472b242747390f0b1e1e060f472b2925472b27252947380f1b1f0f191e192a0c0b0b440d051c">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district 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.
(l) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Tony Koung,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section,
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone and fax: 206-231-3985; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#265249485f084d495348416640474708414950"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="86f2e9e8ffa8ede9f3e8e1c6e0e7e7a8e1e9f0">[email protected]</span></a>.
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 757-25-0315
RB, Revision 2, dated March 17, 2021.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) 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; phone: 562-797-1717; internet: <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>.
(4) You may view this 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.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#096f7b2760677a796c6a7d6066674967687b68276e667f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bfd9cd91d6d1cccfdadccbd6d0d1ffd1decdde91d8d0c9">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on March 17, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-08493 Filed 4-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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