Proposed Rule2022-19903
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
September 15, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 707 and Model 727 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating cracking in fastener holes at the center wing box and at certain positions of the rear spar and lower skin on a Model 737-300 airplane. A cross model review determined that similar cracking of the fastener holes in the center wing box lower skin could occur on Model 707 and Model 727 airplanes. For Model 707 airplanes this proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections of the center wing box lower skin for cracking and repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) and ultrasonic (UT) inspections of the rear spar lower chord at a certain position for cracking, repetitive sealant application, and repair if necessary. For Model 727 airplanes this proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections of the center wing box, lower skin, and rear spar lower chord at a certain location for cracking, repetitive sealant application, and repair if necessary. 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 178 (Thursday, September 15, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 178 (Thursday, September 15, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56596-56598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19903]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1051; Project Identifier AD-2022-00089-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 707 and Model 727 airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating cracking in fastener
holes at the center wing box and at certain positions of the rear spar
and lower skin on a Model 737-300 airplane. A cross model review
determined that similar cracking of the fastener holes in the center
wing box lower skin could occur on Model 707 and Model 727 airplanes.
For Model 707 airplanes this proposed AD would require repetitive
detailed inspections of the center wing box lower skin for cracking and
repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) and ultrasonic (UT)
inspections of the rear spar lower chord at a certain position for
cracking, repetitive sealant application, and repair if necessary. For
Model 727 airplanes this proposed AD would require repetitive detailed
inspections of the center wing box, lower skin, and rear spar lower
chord at a certain location for cracking, repetitive sealant
application, and repair if necessary. 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 31,
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="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.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="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.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. 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-
1051.
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-2022-1051; 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: Sean Newell, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5266; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e2b187838cccafccac8795878e8ea2848383cc858d94"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9bc8fefaf5b5d6b5d5feecfef7f7dbfdfafab5fcf4ed">[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-2022-1051; Project Identifier
AD-2022-00089-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="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.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 Sean
Newell, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO
Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-
627-5266; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c093a5a1aeee8dee8ea5b7a5acac80a6a1a1eea7afb6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4615232728680b68082331232a2a0620272768212930">[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 received a report from an operator of a Model 737-300
airplane indicating cracking in fastener holes at the center wing box,
station 663.75 rear spar, lower skin located at left body buttock line
(LBBL) 6.50. The lower skin cracks were hidden between the center wing
box lower chord on the upper surface and the keel beam upper chord on
the lower surface. The Model 737-300 airplane had a total of 72,702
flight
[[Page 56597]]
hours and 44,369 flight cycles at the time of the finding. A cross
model review determined that similar cracking of the fastener holes in
the center wing box lower skin could occur on Model 707 and Model 727
airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the center
wing box lower skin or rear spar lower chord, which could result in the
inability of the structure to sustain limit load and adversely affect
the structural integrity 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.
Explanation of Applicability
Model 727-100 airplanes having line numbers 1 through 47 have a
limit of validity (LOV) of 50,000 total flight cycles, and the actions
proposed in this NPRM, as specified in Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 727-57A0190 RB, dated September 13, 2021, 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.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing 707 Alert Requirements Bulletin A3544 RB,
dated November 1, 2021. This service information specifies procedures
for repetitive internal detailed inspections of the center wing box
lower skin for cracking and repetitive internal surface HFEC and UT
inspections of the rear spar lower chord between LBBL 40 and right body
buttock line (RBBL) 40 for cracking, repetitive sealant application,
and repair.
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 727-57A0190 RB,
dated September 13, 2021. This service information specifies procedures
for repetitive internal detailed inspections for cracking of the center
wing box, lower skin, and rear spar lower chord between LBBL 34.7 and
RBBL 34.7, repetitive sealant application, 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.
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="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1051.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 48 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
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Inspections and sealant 34 work-hours x $85 $0 $2,890 per $66,470 per
application Model 707 airplanes. per hour = $2,890 inspection cycle. inspection cycle
per inspection (23 airplanes).
cycle.
Inspections and sealant 22 work-hours x $85 0 $1,870 per $46,750 per
application Model 727 airplanes. per hour = $1,870 inspection cycle. inspection cycle
per inspection (25 airplanes).
cycle.
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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-2022-1051; Project Identifier AD-
2022-00089-T.
[[Page 56598]]
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by October 31, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes specified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD, certificated in any
category.
(1) Model 707-100 Long Body, -200, -100B Long Body, and -100B
Short Body series airplanes.
(2) Model 707-300, -300B, -300C, and -400 series airplanes.
(3) Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F
series airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report indicating cracking in fastener
holes at the center wing box and at certain positions of the rear
spar and lower skin on a Model 737-300 airplane. A cross model
review determined that similar cracking of the fastener holes in the
center wing box lower skin could occur on Model 707 and Model 727
airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the
center wing box lower skin or rear spar lower chord, which could
result in the inability of the structure to sustain limit load and
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 for Group 1 Model 727 Airplanes
For airplanes identified as Group 1 in Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 727-57A0190 RB, dated September 13, 2021: 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 Groups 2 and 3 Model 727 Airplanes and All
Model 707 Airplanes
Except as specified by paragraph (i) of this AD: At the
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing
707 Alert Requirements Bulletin A3544 RB, dated November 1, 2021; or
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 727-57A0190 RB, dated September
13, 2021; as applicable, do all applicable actions identified in,
and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
707 Alert Requirements Bulletin A3544 RB, dated November 1, 2021; or
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 727-57A0190 RB, dated September
13, 2021, as applicable.
Note 1 to paragraph (h): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing 707 Alert Service
Bulletin A3544, dated November 1, 2021, which is referred to in
Boeing 707 Alert Requirements Bulletin A3544 RB, dated November 1,
2021; and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-57A0190, dated September
13, 2021, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
727-57A0190 RB, dated September 13, 2021.
(i) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 707 Alert Requirements Bulletin
A3544 RB, dated November 1, 2021, uses the phrase ``the original
issue date of Requirements Bulletin 707A3544 RB'' this AD requires
using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 727-
57A0190 RB, dated September 13, 2021, uses the phrase ``the original
issue date of Requirements Bulletin 727-57A0190 RB'' this AD
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(3) Where Boeing 707 Alert Requirements Bulletin A3544 RB, dated
November 1, 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
(j) of this AD.
(4) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 727-57A0190 RB,
dated September 13, 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
(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 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#7f46523e313252333e3e3c30523e32303c522d1a0e0a1a0c0b0c3f191e1e51181009"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="efd6c2aea1a2c2a3aeaeaca0c2aea2a0acc2bd8a9e9a8a9c9b9caf898e8ec1888099">[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 Sean Newell,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch,
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-
5266; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a5f6c0c4cb8be88bebc0d2c0c9c9e5c3c4c48bc2cad3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7c2f191d1252315232190b1910103c1a1d1d521b130a">[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="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.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 5, 2022.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-19903 Filed 9-14-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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