Proposed Rule2022-19960
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
September 19, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-18-05, 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 2017-18-05 requires repetitive replacement or inspection of certain fuse pins, and applicable on-condition actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2017-18-05, it has been determined that adding repetitive ultrasonic testing (UT) inspections of the fuse pin of the wing landing gear beam end fitting for any cracking and the option for repetitive replacement of certain corrosion-resistant (stainless) steel (CRES) fuse pins and steel alloy fuse pins is necessary to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2017-18-05 and would also require repetitive replacement of certain fuse pins at the wing landing gear beam end fitting, and repetitive inspections of the fuse pin for any cracking and applicable on-condition actions. This proposed AD would also revise the applicability by adding airplanes. 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 180 (Monday, September 19, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 180 (Monday, September 19, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57155-57158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19960]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1054; Project Identifier AD-2022-00278-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)
2017-18-05, 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 2017-18-05
requires repetitive replacement or inspection of certain fuse pins, and
applicable on-condition actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2017-18-05, it
has been determined that adding repetitive ultrasonic testing (UT)
inspections of the fuse pin of the wing landing gear beam end fitting
for any cracking and the option for repetitive replacement of certain
corrosion-resistant (stainless) steel (CRES) fuse pins and steel alloy
fuse pins is necessary to address the
[[Page 57156]]
unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the
actions in AD 2017-18-05 and would also require repetitive replacement
of certain fuse pins at the wing landing gear beam end fitting, and
repetitive inspections of the fuse pin for any cracking and applicable
on-condition actions. This proposed AD would also revise the
applicability by adding airplanes. 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 November 3,
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://www.regulations.gov">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="http://www.myboeingfleet.com">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="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1054.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1054; 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: Stefanie Roesli, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3964; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b3e0c7d6d5d2dddad69dfd9de1dcd6c0dfdaf3d5d2d29dd4dcc5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5201263734333c3b377c1c7c003d37213e3b123433337c353d24">[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-2022-1054; Project Identifier
AD-2022-00278-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://www.regulations.gov">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 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
Stefanie Roesli, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-
231-3964; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d586a1b0b3b4bbbcb0fb9bfb87bab0a6b9bc95b3b4b4fbb2baa3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3467405152555a5d511a7a1a665b5147585d745255551a535b42">[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 2017-18-05; Amendment 39-19014 (82 FR 41331,
August 31, 2017) (AD 2017-18-05), 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 airplanes. AD 2017-18-05
was prompted by a report of damage found at the lower trailing edge
panels of the left wing and a broken fuse pin of the landing gear beam
end fitting. AD 2017-18-05 requires repetitive replacement or
inspection of certain fuse pins, and applicable on-condition actions.
The agency issued AD 2017-18-05 to detect and correct cracking in the
fuse pin of the wing landing gear beam end fitting. A broken fuse pin
will not support the wing landing gear beam, causing damage to the
surrounding structure, including flight control cables and hydraulic
systems, which could result in loss of controllability of the airplane.
Actions Since AD 2017-18-05 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2017-18-05, it has been determined that
adding repetitive UT inspections of the fuse pin of the wing landing
gear beam end fitting for any cracking and the option for repetitive
replacement of certain CRES fuse pins and steel alloy fuse pins is
necessary to address the unsafe condition.
In addition, Model 747-8F and 747-8 series airplanes have been
added to the applicability. Analysis showed that Model 747-8F and 747-8
series airplanes have a similar fuse pin in the same location as on
Model 747-400 series airplanes, and these fuse pins are susceptible to
fatigue cracks on the inner and outer surfaces.
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 Service Bulletin 747-57A2360,
Revision 1, dated February 9, 2022. This service information specifies
procedures for optional repetitive replacement of certain steel alloy
fuse pins or CRES fuse pins with new or serviceable fuse pins, at the
wing landing gear beam end fitting; and repetitive magnetic particle
inspections, or repetitive surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC)
and UT testing inspections, of the fuse pin of the wing landing gear
beam end fitting for any cracking and corrosion and applicable on-
condition actions. On-condition actions includes replacing with steel
alloy or CRES fuse pins, and doing magnetic particle, surface HFEC,
[[Page 57157]]
and UT testing inspections, and replacing cracked fuse pins.
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 2017-18-05, this proposed AD would retain all of the
requirements of AD 2017-18-05. Those requirements are referenced in the
service information identified previously, which, in turn, is
referenced in paragraph (g) of this proposed AD. This proposed AD would
add airplanes to the applicability. This proposed AD would also require
accomplishment of the actions identified as ``RC'' (required for
compliance) in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-57A2360, Revision 1, dated February 9, 2022, described
previously.
For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this
service information at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1054.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 207 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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Fuse pin replacement \1\ Up to 46 work- Up to $15,150......... Up to $19,060 per Up to $3,945,420
(retained actions from AD 2017- hours x $85 per replacement per replacement
18-05). hour = $3,910 cycle. cycle.
per replacement
cycle.
Magnetic particle inspection Up to 48 work- $0.................... Up to $4,080 per Up to $844,560
\1\ (retained actions from AD hours x $85 per inspection cycle. per inspection
2017-18-05). hour = $4,080 cycle.
per inspection
cycle.
Surface inspection \1\ Up to 10 work- $0.................... Up to $850 per Up to $175,950
(retained actions from AD 2017- hours x $85 per inspection cycle. per inspection
18-05). hour = $850 per cycle.
inspection cycle.
CRES fuse pin replacement \1\ Up to 46 work- $9,007................ Up to $12,917 per Up to $2,673,819
(new proposed action). hours x $85 per replacement per replacement
hour = $3,910 cycle. cycle.
per replacement
cycle.
Steel alloy fuse pin Up to 46 work- $9,693................ Up to $13,603 per Up to $2,815,821
replacement\1\ (new proposed hours x $85 per replacement per replacement
action). hour = $3,910 cycle. cycle.
per replacement
cycle.
Surface HFEC and UT Up to 11 work- $0.................... Up to $935 per Up to $193,545
inspections\1\ (new proposed hours x $85 per inspection cycle. per inspection
action). hour = $935 per cycle.
inspection cycle.
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\1\ Operators may choose which action they want to use.
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements and inspections that would be required based on the
results of the proposed inspections. The FAA has no way of determining
the number of aircraft that might need these replacements and
inspections:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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CRES fuse pin replacement..................... 46 work-hours x $85 per hour = $9,007 $12,917
$3,910.
Steel alloy fuse pin replacement.............. 46 work-hours x $85 per hour = 9,693 13,603
$3,910.
Magnetic particle inspection.................. 48 work-hours x $85 per hour = 0 4,080
$4,080.
Surface HFEC and UT inspections............... 11 work-hours x $85 per hour = 0 935
$935.
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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.
[[Page 57158]]
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) 2017-18-05; Amendment 39-19014
(82 FR 41331, August 31, 2017), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2022-1054; Project Identifier AD-
2022-00278-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) action by November 3, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2017-18-05; Amendment 39-19014 (82 FR 41331,
August 31, 2017) (AD 2017-18-05).
(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, 747SP, 747-8F, and 747-8 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 of damage found at the lower
trailing edge panels of the left wing and a broken fuse pin of the
landing gear beam end fitting, and the determination that repetitive
ultrasonic testing inspections of the fuse pin for any cracking and
optional repetitive replacement of certain CRES and steel alloy fuse
pins is necessary to address the unsafe condition. The FAA is
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the fuse pin of
the wing landing gear beam end fitting. A broken fuse pin will not
support the wing landing gear beam, causing damage to the
surrounding structure, including flight control cables and hydraulic
systems, which could result in loss of controllability 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 paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-57A2360, Revision 1, dated
February 9, 2022, do all applicable actions identified as ``RC''
(required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
57A2360, Revision 1, dated February 9, 2022.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
57A2360, Revision 1, dated February 9, 2022, use the phrase ``the
original issue date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires
using the date of October 5, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-18-
05).
(2) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
57A2360, Revision 1, dated February 9, 2022, use the phrase ``the
Revision 1 date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires using
``the effective date 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)(1) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#83baaec2cdceaed0e6e2f7f7efe6aec2c0ccaec2ceccc0aed1e6f2f6e6f0f7f0c3e5e2e2ade4ecf5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3c05117d7271116f595d48485059117d7f73117d71737f116e594d49594f484f7c5a5d5d125b534a">[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) Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: For service
information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for
Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (i)(4)(i) and (ii) of
this AD apply.
(i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply
with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is
required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and
identified figures.
(ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy
condition.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Stefanie Roesli,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3964;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7122051417101f18145f3f5f231e14021d18311710105f161e07"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f6a582939097989f93d8b8d8a49993859a9fb6909797d8919980">[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://www.myboeingfleet.com">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 12, 2022.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-19960 Filed 9-16-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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