Rule2022-09662
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
May 6, 2022
Effective
June 10, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-8F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fuselage crown stringer cracking between station (STA) 740 and STA 1000, stringer (S)-7 to S-12. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of fuselage crown stringers and applicable on-condition actions. 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 88 (Friday, May 6, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 88 (Friday, May 6, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26972-26974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-09662]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-1173; Project Identifier AD-2021-00917-T;
Amendment 39-22017; AD 2022-08-14]
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 all
The Boeing Company Model 747-8F series airplanes. This AD was prompted
by reports of fuselage crown stringer cracking between station (STA)
740 and STA 1000, stringer (S)-7 to S-12. This AD requires repetitive
detailed inspections for cracking of fuselage crown stringers and
applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 10, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 10,
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; telephone 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-2021-1173.
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-2021-1173; 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: Stefanie Roesli, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3964; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b7c4c3d2d1d6d9ded299d999c5d8d2c4dbdef7d1d6d699d0d8c1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fa898e9f9c9b94939fd494d488959f899693ba9c9b9bd49d958c">[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 all The Boeing Company
Model 747-8F series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on January 31, 2022 (87 FR 4826). The NPRM was prompted by
reports of fuselage crown stringer cracking between STA 740 and STA
1000, S-7 to S-12. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitive
detailed inspections for cracking of fuselage crown stringers and
applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
cracking in fuselage crown stringers. This condition, if not addressed,
could result in the inability of a structural element to sustain limit
load, and could adversely affect the structural integrity of the
airplane.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from Boeing, who supported the NPRM
without change.
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, this AD is adopted as
proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic
burden on any operator.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2906 RB,
dated July 16, 2021. This service information specifies procedures for
repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of fuselage crown
stringers, repair of cracks, and a high frequency eddy current (HFEC)
inspection for cracking of repaired areas. 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 33 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 26973]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Repetitive detailed inspections.. 84 work-hours x $85 $0 $7,140 per $235,620 per
per hour = $7,140 inspection cycle. inspection cycle.
per inspection
cycle.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary repairs
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. The
agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need
these repairs:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HFEC inspection......................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour $0 $85.
= $85.
Repair.................................. Up to 550 work-hours x $85 2,400 Up to $49,150.
per hour = $46,750 (per
repaired area).
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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 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
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:
2022-08-14 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22017; Docket No. FAA-
2021-1173; Project Identifier AD-2021-00917-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 10, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-8F series
airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of fuselage crown stringer
cracking between station (STA) 740 and STA 1000, stringer (S)-7 to
S-12. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in fuselage
crown stringers. This condition, if not addressed, could result in
the inability of a structural element to sustain limit load, and
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 747-53A2906 RB, dated July 16, 2021, do
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
747-53A2906 RB, dated July 16, 2021.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-53A2906, dated July 16, 2021, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2906 RB, dated July 16, 2021.
(h) Exception to Service Information Specifications
Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
53A2906 RB, dated July 16, 2021, use the phrase ``the original issue
date of Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2906 RB,'' this AD requires
using ``the effective date 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) of this AD. Information may be emailed
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e9d0c4a8a7a4c4ba8c889d9d858cc4a8aaa6c4a8a4a6aac4bb8c989c8c9a9d9aa98f8888c78e869f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="71485c303f3c5c22141005051d145c30323e5c303c3e325c2314000414020502311710105f161e07">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector,
[[Page 26974]]
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
For more information about this AD, contact Stefanie Roesli,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3964;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4536312023242b2c206b2b6b372a2036292c052324246b222a33"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1063647576717e79753e7e3e627f75637c79507671713e777f66">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) 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 Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2906 RB, dated
July 16, 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; telephone 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#761004581f1805061315021f1918361817041758111900"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7513075b1c1b06051016011c1a1b351b1407145b121a03">[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 April 7, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-09662 Filed 5-5-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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