Proposed Rule2022-19273
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
September 8, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-07-09, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747- 100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. AD 2021-07-09 requires repetitively inspecting all trim air diffuser ducts or sidewall riser duct assemblies (collectively referred to as TADDs) for damage, including repetitive structural inspections of the center fuel tanks for damage, and applicable on-condition actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-07-09, the agency has determined that the existing requirements do not adequately address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require repetitive inspections of the TADDs for damage with revised compliance times, and repair if applicable. This proposed AD would also require repetitive replacement of the TADDs and would remove the structural inspections of the center fuel tanks. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts. 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 54919-54922]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19273]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1058; Project Identifier AD-2022-00256-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2021-07-09, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-
100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400,
747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. AD 2021-07-09
requires repetitively inspecting all trim air diffuser ducts or
sidewall riser duct assemblies (collectively referred to as TADDs) for
damage, including repetitive structural inspections of the center fuel
tanks for damage, and applicable on-condition actions. Since the FAA
issued AD 2021-07-09, the agency has determined that the existing
requirements do not adequately address the unsafe condition. This
proposed AD would continue to require repetitive inspections of the
TADDs for damage with revised compliance times, and repair if
applicable. This proposed AD would also require repetitive replacement
of the TADDs and would remove the structural inspections of the center
fuel tanks. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of
affected parts. 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.
[[Page 54920]]
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
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="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1058.
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-2022-1058; 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: Nicole S. Tsang, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-
231-3959; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e886818b87848dc69bc69c9b89868fa88e8989c68f879e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c8a6a1aba7a4ade6bbe6bcbba9a6af88aea9a9e6afa7be">[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-2022-1058; Project Identifier
AD-2022-00256-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
the 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 proposed AD.
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
Nicole S. Tsang, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental
Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3959; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0b65626864676e2578257f786a656c4b6d6a6a256c647d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4927202a26252c673a673d3a28272e092f2828672e263f">[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 issued AD 2021-07-09, Amendment 39-21486 (86 FR 17899,
April 7, 2021) (AD 2021-07-09), for all The Boeing Company Model 747-
100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300,
747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. AD
2021-07-09 was prompted by reports of sealant deteriorating on the
outside of the center wing fuel tank and analysis showing that sealant
may deteriorate inside the tank due to excess heat from TADDs. AD 2021-
07-09 was also prompted by reports indicating that the high temperature
composite material TADD failed. AD 2021-07-09 requires replacing
original fiberglass fabric material with high temperature composite
material TADDs, repetitively inspecting the TADDs for damage, and as
applicable inspecting the center wing fuel tank secondary fuel barrier
coating and primary sealant for damage, and repairing damage. The
agency issued AD 2021-07-09 to address potential hot air leakage from
original fiberglass fabric material or high temperature composite
material TADD that can cause damage to the center wing fuel tank
secondary fuel barrier coating and primary sealant, which can cause
fuel leakage into an ignition zone, possibly resulting in a fire or
explosion.
Actions Since AD 2021-07-09 Was Issued
The FAA issued AD 2021-07-09 as an interim action and indicated
that the FAA might consider additional rulemaking. Since AD 2021-07-09
was issued, Boeing received further data from operators complying with
AD 2021-07-09 and continued to investigate the unsafe condition. Based
on the information Boeing received, the FAA has determined that the
existing requirements do not adequately address the unsafe condition.
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 747-21A2577 RB,
Revision 1, dated March 9, 2022. This service information specifies
procedures for repetitive detailed inspections for damage of TADDs made
of original fiberglass fabric material and high temperature composite
material, repetitive replacement of TADDs, and repair of damaged TADDs.
The FAA also reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2577,
Revision 1, dated March 9, 2022. This service information specifies,
among other things, the list of original fiberglass fabric material
TADD assembly part numbers in Appendix A of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-21A2577, Revision 1, dated March 9, 2022, and a list of
high temperature composite material TADD assembly part numbers in
Appendix B of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2577, Revision 1,
dated March 9, 2022. Appendix A and Appendix B of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-21A2577, Revision 1, dated March 9, 2022, were not
included in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-21A2577 RB, Revision
1, dated March 9, 2022. The parts listed in Appendix A are affected
parts that are prohibited from installation.
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 the ADDRESSES section.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
Although this proposed AD does not explicitly restate the
requirements of AD 2021-07-09, this proposed AD would retain certain
requirements of AD 2021-07-09. Those requirements are referenced in the
service information identified previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD;
[[Page 54921]]
that service information, in turn, is referenced in paragraph (g) of
this proposed AD. This proposed AD would continue to require repetitive
inspections of the TADDs for damage (loose connection between a TADD
and the adjacent duct, delamination, removed surface material, softened
material, or blackened material on the TADD surface that can be easily
rubbed off by hand) with revised compliance times, and repair if
applicable. For certain airplane configurations, the TADDs' repetitive
inspection intervals were reduced from 3,600 flight hours to 1,200
flight hours if the number of flight hours since the TADD replacement
are not known. For airplanes with certain configurations and certain
conditions, the TADDs' repetitive inspection intervals were increased
from 1,200 flight hours after replacement to 16,000 flight hours after
replacement. This proposed AD would also require repetitive replacement
of the TADDs and would remove the structural inspections of the center
fuel tanks. In addition, this proposed AD would also prohibit the
installation of affected parts.
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-2022-1058.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 104 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained repetitive Up to 44 work- $0...................... Up to $3,740 per Up to $388,960
inspections (AD2021-07-09). hours x $85 per inspection cycle. per inspection
hour = up to cycle.
$3,740 per
inspection cycle.
Repetitive TADD replacement... Up to 49 work- Up to $12,000........... Up to $16,165 per Up to $1,681,160
hours x $85 per inspection cycle. per replacement
hour = $4,165 cycle.
per replacement
cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this proposed 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 proposed 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
The FAA has 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 that the 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-07-09, Amendment 39-21486
(86 FR 17899, April 7, 2021), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2022-1058; Project Identifier AD-
2022-00256-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) action by October 24, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2021-07-09, Amendment 39-21486 (86 FR 17899,
April 7, 2021) (AD 2021-07-09).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-
100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400,
747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, certificated
in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 21, Air
conditioning.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of sealant deteriorating on the
outside of the center wing fuel tank and analysis showing that
sealant could deteriorate inside the fuel tank due to excess heat
from trim air diffuser ducts or sidewall riser duct assemblies
(collectively referred to as TADDs), and by the determination that
existing requirements do not adequately address the unsafe
condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address potential hot air
leakage from original fiberglass fabric material or high temperature
composite material TADDs that can cause damage to the center wing
fuel tank secondary fuel barrier coating and primary sealant, which
can cause fuel leakage into an ignition zone, possibly resulting in
a fire or explosion.
[[Page 54922]]
(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 747-21A2577 RB, Revision 1, dated March
9, 2022, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 747-21A2577 RB, Revision 1, dated March 9, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-21A2577, Revision 1, dated March 9, 2022, which is referred to
in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-21A2577 RB, Revision 1,
dated March 9, 2022.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time column of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
21A2577 RB, Revision 1, dated March 9, 2022, uses the phrase ``the
Revision 1 date of Requirements Bulletin 747-21A2577 RB,'' this AD
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-21A2577 RB,
Revision 1, dated March 9, 2022, specifies contacting Boeing for
repair instructions: This AD requires doing the repair before
further flight using a method approved in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
(3) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-21A2577 RB,
Revision 1, dated March 9, 2022, refers to ``new high temperature
composite material TADD,'' for this AD high temperature composite
material TADD is defined as the list of TADDs, indicated by part
numbers, in Appendix B of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2577,
Revision 1, dated March 9, 2022.
(4) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-21A2577 RB,
Revision 1, dated March 9, 2022, refers to ``original fiberglass
fabric material TADD,'' for this AD, original fiberglass fabric
material TADD is defined as the list of TADDs, indicated by part
numbers, in Appendix A of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2577,
Revision 1, dated March 9, 2022.
(i) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an
original fiberglass fabric material TADD assembly, having a part
number listed in Appendix A of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
21A2577, Revision 1, dated March 9, 2022, on any airplane.
(j) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
747-21A2577 RB, dated February 18, 2020, which was incorporated by
reference in AD 2021-07-09.
(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 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 (l)(1) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#60594d212e2d4d33050114140c054d21232f4d212d2f234d3205111505131413200601014e070f16"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2c15016d6261017f494d58584049016d6f63016d61636f017e495d59495f585f6c4a4d4d024b435a">[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.
(4) AMOCs approved for AD 2021-07-09 are approved as AMOCs for
the corresponding provisions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
747-21A2577 RB, Revision 1, dated March 9, 2022, that are required
by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(l) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Nicole S. Tsang,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section,
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone and fax: 206-231-3959; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5b35323834373e7528752f283a353c1b3d3a3a753c342d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="57393e34383b3279247923243639301731363679303821">[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 17, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-19273 Filed 9-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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