Rule2022-13750
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
June 29, 2022
Effective
August 3, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-700, -800, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of incorrectly installed fuselage skin fasteners. This AD requires 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 issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 124 (Wednesday, June 29, 2022)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 29, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38651-38653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13750]
[[Page 38651]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0788; Project Identifier AD-2021-00489-T;
Amendment 39-22063; AD 2022-11-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-700, -800, and -900ER series
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of incorrectly installed
fuselage skin fasteners. This AD requires 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 issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 3, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 3,
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-2021-0788.
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 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: Bill Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3520; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f092999c9cde918398969f828498b0969191de979f86"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="15777c79793b74667d737a67617d557374743b727a63">[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 737-700, -800, and -900ER series airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2021 (86 FR 56840).
The NPRM was prompted by reports of incorrectly installed fuselage skin
fasteners found at the station (STA) 727 bulkhead. This condition was
the result of incorrect procedures used to install affected fasteners
during airplane production that occurred within a certain time period.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a detailed inspection of STA
727 body station bulkhead, between stringers S-22 and S-27, for any
incorrectly installed fastener common to fuselage skin, and applicable
on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent continuous
operation of the airplane with undetected incorrectly installed
fasteners, which may generate fatigue cracking that could adversely
affect the structural integrity of the airplane.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from Boeing, United Airlines, Air Line
Pilots Association, International, and an individual commenter, who
supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received additional comments from two commenters, including
Aviation Partners Boeing and Delta Air Lines (DAL). The following
presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response.
Effects of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions
Aviation Partners Boeing and DAL commented regarding the
installation of blended or split scimitar winglets per Supplemental
Type Certificate (STC) ST00830SE and the effect of that installation on
compliance with the proposed actions. DAL further requested a change to
paragraph (c) of the proposed AD to clarify that the installation of
STC ST00830SE does not affect the accomplishment of the manufacturer's
service instructions.
The FAA agrees to clarify that the installation of winglets per STC
ST00830SE does not affect the accomplishment of the manufacturer's
service instructions. Therefore, the installation of STC ST00830SE does
not affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD.
Operators of airplanes with these winglets do not need to request a
``change in product'' alternative method of compliance (AMOC) approval
as specified in 14 CFR 39.17. The FAA has redesignated paragraph (c) of
the proposed AD as paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, and added paragraph
(c)(2) to this AD accordingly.
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 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 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.
[[Page 38652]]
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 78 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections............................ 13 work-hours x $85 per $0 $1,105 $86,190
hour = $1,105.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary actions
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 on-condition actions.
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Open hole HFEC inspections.............. 21 work-hours x $85 per $0 $1,785 per inspection
hour = $85 per inspection cycle.
cycle.
HFEC and LFEC inspections............... 36 work-hours x $85 per 0 3,060 per inspection
hour = $3,060 per cycle.
inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the work-
hour estimates for the repair and replacement specified in this AD. The
cost of any required fasteners, which are operator supplied, would be
minimal.
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:
2022-11-13 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22063; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0788; Project Identifier AD-2021-00489-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 3, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
(1) 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.
(2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
ST00830SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions
required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST00830SE
is installed, a ``change in product'' alternative method of
compliance (AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with
the requirements of 14 CFR 39.17.
(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.
[[Page 38653]]
(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 Compliance Time column and the notes 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 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) of this AD. Information may be emailed
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6d54402c2320403e080c19190108402c2e22402c20222e403f081c18081e191e2d0b0c0c430a021b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="182135595655354b7d796c6c747d35595b57355955575b354a7d696d7d6b6c6b587e7979367f776e">[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
For more information about this AD, contact Bill Ashforth,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3520;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c3a1aaafafeda2b0aba5acb1b7ab83a5a2a2eda4acb5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7b19121717551a08131d14090f133b1d1a1a551c140d">[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 737-53A1384 RB, dated
September 10, 2020.
(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#fb9d89d59295888b9e988f929495bb959a899ad59c948d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="462034682f2835362325322f2928062827342768212930">[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 May 25, 2022.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-13750 Filed 6-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on June 29, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.