Rule2022-23366
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
October 26, 2022
Effective
November 10, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a spoiler sensor failure may go undetected by the autothrottle (A/T) computer. This AD requires repetitive built-in test equipment (BITE) tests of the A/T computer to detect a spoiler sensor failure, and corrective action if necessary. 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 206 (Wednesday, October 26, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 26, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64693-64695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23366]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1252; Project Identifier AD-2022-01163-T;
Amendment 39-22204; AD 2022-21-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a spoiler sensor
failure may go undetected by the autothrottle (A/T) computer. This AD
requires repetitive built-in test equipment (BITE) tests of the A/T
computer to detect a spoiler sensor failure, and corrective action if
necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 10, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 10,
2022.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by December 12, 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.
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-2022-1252; 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 street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> 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; website <a href="http://myboeingfleet.com">myboeingfleet.com</a>.
<bullet> 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="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1252.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Igama, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5388;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fcae9398998e959f97d2959b9d919dbc9a9d9dd29b938a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="14467b7071667d777f3a7d73757975547275753a737b62">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA has received a report that a spoiler sensor failure may go
undetected by the A/T computer. A review of the A/T cruise thrust split
monitor logic terms showed that failure of the spoiler sensor input,
including the wiring into the monitor logic, cannot be detected without
a maintenance action performed on the flight control system. Latent
loss of spoiler sensor position data or erroneous spoiler sensor
position data could result in failure of the A/T cruise thrust split
monitor to activate, which may result in a significant throttle split
leading to asymmetric thrust. The subsequent lack of A/T disengagement
could lead to an uncommanded roll. This condition, if not addressed,
could result in potential loss of control of the airplane or reduced
ability of the flightcrew to maintain the safe flight and landing of
the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
The FAA has confirmed that accomplishment of the applicable BITE
test in the existing airplane maintenance manual (AMM) detects the
spoiler sensor failure. This test is currently not required to be
performed repetitively, leading to a potential latent failure if the
test is not performed regularly, which will be required by this AD.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this AD because the agency has determined the
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in
other products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1411 RB,
dated August 22, 2022. This service information specifies procedures
for performing an A/T computer BITE test, ``Autopilot Aileron Actuator
Test--DFCS BITE,'' and, if the test fails, performing applicable
corrective actions to repair defects and repeating the test until the
test passes. 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.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions identified in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1411 RB, dated August 22, 2022,
already described, except as discussed under ``Differences Between this
AD and the Service Information,'' and except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this 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-2022-1252.
Differences Between This AD and the Service Information
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1411 RB, dated August 22,
2022, specifies a compliance time of 250 flight hours for the initial
BITE test. However, this AD requires the initial BITE test within 250
flight hours or 2 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs first, to ensure that airplanes with low utilization rates are
addressed in a timely manner.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds
that those
[[Page 64694]]
procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public
interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good cause, may
issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking comment prior
to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to
make rules effective in less than thirty days, upon a finding of good
cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because failure of a spoiler sensor could result in failure of the
autothrottle cruise thrust split monitor to activate, which may result
in a significant throttle split leading to asymmetric thrust. The
subsequent lack of autothrottle disengagement could lead to an
uncommanded roll. This condition, if not addressed, could result in
potential loss of control of the airplane or reduced ability of the
flightcrew to maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane.
Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are
impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(3)(B).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and
comment.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under
ADDRESSES. Include Docket No. FAA-2022-1252 and Project Identifier AD-
2022-01163-T at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 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 final rule 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 final rule.
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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Eric
Igama, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Los
Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137;
phone: 562-627-5388; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8bd9e4efeef9e2e8e0a5e2eceae6eacbedeaeaa5ece4fd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="acfec3c8c9dec5cfc782c5cbcdc1cdeccacdcd82cbc3da">[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.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment,
RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 21 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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BITE test...................... 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 per test..... $3,570 per test.
hour = $170 per test.
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition corrective actions specified in this 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
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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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:
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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:
2022-21-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22204; Docket No. FAA-
2022-1252; Project Identifier AD-2022-01163-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 10,
2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -
500 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1411 RB, dated August 22,
2022.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 22, Auto flight.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that a spoiler sensor failure
may go undetected by the autothrottle computer. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address latent loss of spoiler sensor position data or
erroneous spoiler sensor position data. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in asymmetric thrust or an uncommanded roll
and consequent potential loss of control of the airplane or reduced
ability of the flightcrew to maintain the safe flight and landing 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 737-22A1411 RB, dated August 22, 2022,
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
737-22A1411 RB, dated August 22, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737-22A1411 RB, dated August 22, 2022, which is referred to in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1411 RB, dated August 22,
2022.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1411 RB, dated
August 22, 2022, specifies the compliance time for the initial
autopilot aileron actuator test as ``Within 250 flight hours after
the Original Issue date of Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1411 RB,''
for this AD the initial compliance time is within 250 flight hours
or 2 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
first.
(i) 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 (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b38a9ef2fdfe9efff2f2f0fc9ef2fefcf09ee1d6c2c6d6c0c7c0f3d5d2d29dd4dcc5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c2fbef838c8fef8e8383818def838f8d81ef90a7b3b7a7b1b6b182a4a3a3eca5adb4">[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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Eric Igama,
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Los Angeles
ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137;
phone: 562-627-5388; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="85f7eae1e0f7ece6eeabece2e4e8e4c5e3e4e4abe2eaf3">[email protected]</a>.
(2) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (k)(3) and (4) of this AD.
(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 737-22A1411 RB, dated
August 22, 2022.
(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; website <a href="http://myboeingfleet.com">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 the availability of this material at
NARA, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#deb8acf0b7b0adaebbbdaab7b1b09eb0bfacbff0b9b1a8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e88e9ac681869b988d8b9c818786a886899a89c68f879e">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on September 29, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-23366 Filed 10-24-22; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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