Proposed Rule2022-19271
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
September 8, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating that a crack was found in one of the holes of the wing rear spar lower chord at the main landing gear (MLG) aft fitting at a certain wing buttock line (WBL). This proposed AD would require repetitive open hole high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections or surface HFEC and ultrasonic (UT) inspections for cracking of the wing rear spar lower chord at the MLG aft fitting at a certain WBL, 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 173 (Thursday, September 8, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 173 (Thursday, September 8, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54922-54925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19271]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1061; Project Identifier AD-2022-00441-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 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and
-500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report
indicating that a crack was found in one of the holes of the wing rear
spar lower chord at the main landing gear (MLG) aft fitting at a
certain wing buttock line (WBL). This proposed AD would require
repetitive open hole high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections or
surface HFEC and ultrasonic (UT) inspections for cracking of the wing
rear spar lower chord at the MLG aft fitting at a certain WBL, 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 October 24,
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="http://regulations.gov">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="http://myboeingfleet.com">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
[[Page 54923]]
this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1061.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1061; 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 other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Ha, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5238; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#512630283f347f3930113730307f363e27"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="82f5e3fbece7aceae3c2e4e3e3ace5edf4">[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-2022-1061; Project Identifier
AD-2022-00441-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="http://regulations.gov">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 Wayne
Ha, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch,
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5238;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#413620382f246f2920012720206f262e37"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3b4c5a42555e15535a7b5d5a5a155c544d">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA receives that is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA has received a report indicating that cracking was found in
one of the holes of the wing rear spar lower chord at the MLG aft
fitting at WBL 157 on a Model 737-400 airplane. The airplane had
accumulated 52,936 total flight hours and 43,944 total flight cycles at
the time of the crack finding. Cracking in the rear spar lower chord at
a fastener common to the MLG aft support fitting at WBL 157, if not
addressed, could result in the inability of the rear spar lower chord
to sustain limit loads, resulting in reduced structural integrity of
the airplane and possible loss of control 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 737-57A1353 RB,
dated February 10, 2022. This service information specifies procedures
for repetitive open hole HFEC inspections or surface HFEC and UT
inspections for cracking, and applicable on-condition actions. On-
condition actions include installing fasteners 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.
Explanation of Applicability
Model 737 airplanes having line numbers 1 through 291 have a limit
of validity (LOV) of 34,000 total flight cycles, and the actions
proposed in this NPRM, as specified in Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 737-57A1353 RB, dated February 10, 2022, would be required at
a compliance time occurring after that LOV. Although operation of an
airplane beyond its LOV is prohibited by 14 CFR 121.1115 and 129.115,
this NPRM would include those airplanes in the applicability so that
these airplanes are tracked in the event the LOV is extended in the
future.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information already described, 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="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1061.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 69 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Parts Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost cost Cost per product operators
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Open hole HFEC inspection......... 30 work-hours x $85 $0 $2,550 per inspection Up to $175,950 per
per hour = $2,550 cycle. inspection cycle.
per inspection cycle.
Surface HFEC/UT inspections....... 4 work-hours x $85 0 $340 per inspection Up to $23,460 per
per hour = $340 per cycle. inspection cycle.
inspection cycle.
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[[Page 54924]]
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary fastener
installations that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these installations:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Install fasteners............................. 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 * $0 $85
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* The FAA anticipates no parts cost because operators will have spare fasteners in stock.
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this proposed AD.
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-2022-1061; Project Identifier AD-
2022-00441-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by October 24, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -
200C, -300, -400, and -500 series 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 indicating that a crack was
found in one of the holes of the wing rear spar lower chord at the
main landing gear (MLG) aft fitting at wing buttock line (WBL) 157.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the rear spar
lower chord at a fastener common to the MLG aft support fitting.
This condition, if not addressed, could result in the inability of
the rear spar lower chord to sustain limit loads, resulting in
reduced structural integrity of the airplane and possible loss of
control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions for Group 1 Airplanes
For airplanes identified as Group 1 in Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 737-57A1353 RB, dated February 10, 2022: Within 120 days
after the effective date of this AD, inspect the airplane and do all
applicable on-condition actions using a method approved in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this
AD.
(h) Required Actions for Group 2 and Group 3 Airplanes
For airplanes identified as Group 2 and Group 3 in Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin 737-57A1353 RB, dated February 10, 2022:
Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD, at the applicable
times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin 737-57A1353 RB, dated February 10, 2022, do
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
737-57A1353 RB, dated February 10, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (h): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737-57A1353, dated February 10, 2022, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-57A1353 RB, dated February 10, 2022.
(i) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-
57A1353 RB, dated February 10, 2022, use the phrase ``the original
issue date of Requirements Bulletin 737-57A1353 RB,'' this AD
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-57A1353 RB,
dated February 10, 2022, specifies contacting Boeing for repair
instructions: This AD requires doing the repair using a method
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph
(j) of this AD.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Los Angeles 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
[[Page 54925]]
certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2d14006c636000616c6c6e62006c60626e007f485c58485e595e6d4b4c4c034a425b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="142d39555a5939585555575b3955595b57394671656171676067547275753a737b62">[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, Los
Angeles 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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Wayne Ha,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch,
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-
5238; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8bfceaf2e5eea5e3eacbedeaeaa5ece4fd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ddaabca4b3b8f3b5bc9dbbbcbcf3bab2ab">[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="http://myboeingfleet.com">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 August 19, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-19271 Filed 9-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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