Rule2022-15492
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
July 21, 2022
Effective
August 25, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that during a C-check, corrosion was found in the vertical fin tension bolt hole located in the aluminum crown frames at a certain section. This AD requires inspecting certain vertical fin tension bolt holes; reviewing the bolt sealant application installation procedure in the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable; checking maintenance records to determine the replacement status of vertical fin tension bolts; and doing 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 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43395-43398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15492]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 139 / Thursday, July 21, 2022 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 43395]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0010; Project Identifier AD-2021-00850-T;
Amendment 39-22120; AD 2022-15-01]
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 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes.
This AD was prompted by a report that during a C-check, corrosion was
found in the vertical fin tension bolt hole located in the aluminum
crown frames at a certain section. This AD requires inspecting certain
vertical fin tension bolt holes; reviewing the bolt sealant application
installation procedure in the existing maintenance or inspection
program, as applicable; checking maintenance records to determine the
replacement status of vertical fin tension bolts; and doing applicable
on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 25, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 25,
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-2022-0010.
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-2022-0010; 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: Greg Rutar, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3529; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d1b6a3b4b6ffa3a4a5b0a391b7b0b0ffb6bea7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6d0a1f080a431f18190c1f2d0b0c0c430a021b">[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 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on February 15, 2022 (87 FR 8436). The NPRM was
prompted by a report that during a C-check, corrosion was found in the
vertical fin tension bolt hole located in the aluminum crown frames at
Section 48. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting certain
vertical fin tension bolt holes; reviewing the bolt sealant application
installation procedure in the existing maintenance or inspection
program, as applicable; checking maintenance records to determine the
replacement status of vertical fin tension bolts; and doing applicable
on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address undetected
corrosion, which could lead to the structure falling below residual
strength requirements and the loss of the vertical fin, and result in
loss of control of the airplane.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) and Boeing who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received additional comments from one commenter, United
Airlines (UAL). The following presents the comments received on the
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Request To Revise the Exception Requirement for a Repair
UAL requested that the FAA revise the exception requirement for a
repair. UAL stated that paragraph (h)(2) of the proposed AD specifies
that repairs require an operator to contact Boeing for repair
instructions and to do the repair using a method approved in accordance
with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of the proposed AD. UAL
commented that in paragraph E.2. ``Work Instructions'' of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB550010-00 RB, Issue 001, dated May
24, 2021, it requires, for Condition 2, Action 1 and Condition 7.2,
Action 1, to contact Boeing for repair instructions if ``any corrosion
or any finish degradation found.'' UAL commented that per Note 11 of
paragraph E.1. ``General Information'' of Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB550010-00 RB, Issue 001, dated May 24, 2021,
finish degradation is defined as ``deterioration, delamination,
excessive wear, or erosion of surface, substrates, or coating.'' UAL
stated that since primer is considered a protective coating, any
degradation of primer at the bolt hole would require repair
instructions approved by an alternative method of compliance (AMOC);
however, Tasks 2, 4, 6, and 8 of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB550010-00 RB, Issue 001, dated May 24, 2021, already
contain primer instructions if there is degradation, which specifies
to, ``Apply two coats of BMS 10-11, Type 1 primer if bolt hole in the
aluminum frame has protective finish degradation.'' UAL commented that,
therefore, it should not be necessary to contact Boeing and obtain an
AMOC for a repair approval if only primer degradation is found in the
bolt hole. UAL also noted that it expects some primer degradation to
[[Page 43396]]
occur based on the action of removing the bolts for the inspection
(i.e., chafing between bolt shank and adjacent hole).
UAL stated that since the instructions for primer degradation and
application are already specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB550010-00 RB, Issue 001, dated May 24, 2021, it would like
clarification that primer degradation and application does not fall
within the category of ``finish degradation'' and does not require an
AMOC for a repair approval. UAL stated that its request meets an
acceptable level of safety since primer coatings would be restored if
required, preventing the safety concern of bolt hole corrosion.
The FAA agrees with the commenter's request. The FAA agrees that
Task 2, 4, 6, and 8 in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB550010-00 RB, Issue 001, dated May 24, 2021, contain primer
application instructions if there is finish degradation; therefore, a
request for an AMOC repair approval as specified in paragraph (i) of
this AD is not required. Primer is the only bolt hole finish in the
aluminum frame, therefore ``primer degradation'' is the only ``finish
degradation'' that would be found in the inspected area. The FAA has
revised paragraph (h)(2) of this AD to specify that if only finish
degradation (no corrosion) is found, this AD requires applying two
coats of BMS 10-11, Type 1 primer as specified in Tasks 2, 4, 6, and 8
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB550010-00 RB, Issue 001, dated May 24, 2021.
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 B787-81205-
SB550010-00 RB, Issue 001, dated May 24, 2021. This service information
specifies, depending on airplane configuration, procedures for a
detailed inspection of the vertical fin tension bolt holes (16
locations) in the aluminum crown frames, composite deck, and root
fittings for corrosion and finish degradation; a review of the existing
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, related to the
vertical fin tension bolt installation procedure to determine if the
sealant application is correct; a review of the maintenance records to
determine if a vertical fin tension bolt has been replaced and to
determine the sealant application procedure that was used; and
applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions include applying
sealant and installing new vertical fin tension bolts and barrel nuts;
revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable,
to include the minimum requirement for the correct vertical fin tension
bolt sealant application procedure; a detailed inspection for corrosion
and finish degradation of only the affected vertical fin tension bolt
holes in the aluminum crown frame, composite deck, and root fittings;
and 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 116 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection (16 locations), sealant 5.2 work-hours x $85 per $20,580 $21,022 $2,438,552
application, and bolt/nut hour = $442.
installation.
Review the existing maintenance or 1 work-hour x $85 per 0 85 9,860
inspection program, as applicable. hour = $85.
Records review........................ 1 work-hour x $85 per 0 85 9,860
hour = $85.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary detailed
inspection of the affected holes that would be required based on the
results of the actions in this AD. The agency has no way of determining
the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:
On-Condition Costs *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.................................... 5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $425
$425.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Does not include cost of revising the maintenance program.
The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program, if required, takes an average of 90 work-hours per
operator, although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from
operator to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or
inspection program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has
determined that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-
airplane estimate. Therefore, the FAA estimates the average total cost
per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the repair specified in this 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 AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact
on affected operators.
[[Page 43397]]
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:
2022-15-01 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22120; Docket No. FAA-
2022-0010; Project Identifier AD-2021-00850-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 25, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and
787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB550010-00 RB, Issue
001, dated May 24, 2021.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that during a C-check,
corrosion was found in the vertical fin tension bolt hole located in
the aluminum crown frames at Section 48. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address undetected corrosion, which could lead to the structure
falling below residual strength requirements and the loss of the
vertical fin, and result in loss of control 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 B787-81205-SB550010-00 RB, Issue 001,
dated May 24, 2021, do all applicable actions identified in, and in
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB550010-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
May 24, 2021.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
B787-81205-SB550010-00, Issue 001, dated May 24, 2021, which is
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB550010-00 RB, Issue 001, dated May 24, 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 B787-
81205-SB550010-00 RB, Issue 001, dated May 24, 2021, use the phrase
``the Issue 1 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB550010-00
RB,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB550010-00 RB, Issue 001, dated May 24, 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, except if only finish degradation (no
corrosion) is found, this AD requires applying two coats of BMS 10-
11, Type 1 primer, as specified in Tasks 2, 4, 6, and 8 of Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB550010-00 RB, Issue 001,
dated May 24, 2021.
(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#ecd5c1ada2a1c1bf898d98988089c1adafa3c1ada1a3afc1be899d99899f989fac8a8d8dc28b839a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="261f0b67686b0b75434752524a430b6765690b676b69650b74435753435552556640474708414950">[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 Greg Rutar,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3529; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#15726770723b6760617467557374743b727a63"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ff988d9a98d18d8a8b9e8dbf999e9ed1989089">[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 B787-81205-SB550010-00
RB, Issue 001, dated May 24, 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
[[Page 43398]]
the availability of this material at NARA, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#294f5b0740475a594c4a5d4046476947485b48074e465f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="573125793e3924273234233e3839173936253679303821">[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 July 7, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-15492 Filed 7-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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