Rule2022-27302
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
December 16, 2022
Effective
January 20, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-8 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of three opened door 5 right ceiling stowage boxes that fell freely and injured a flight attendant in each event. This AD requires replacing certain snubbers of the door 5 ceiling stowage boxes on certain airplanes, and replacing certain snubbers and changing the location of the snubber attachments on certain other airplanes. This AD also requires an operation check of the stowage boxes or snubber, as applicable, and applicable on- condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 241 (Friday, December 16, 2022)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 241 (Friday, December 16, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76922-76924]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-27302]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0985; Project Identifier AD-2022-00096-T;
Amendment 39-22260; AD 2022-25-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-8 series airplanes.
This AD was prompted by reports of three opened door 5 right ceiling
stowage boxes that fell freely and injured a flight attendant in each
event. This AD requires replacing certain snubbers of the door 5
ceiling stowage boxes on certain airplanes, and replacing certain
snubbers and changing the location of the snubber attachments on
certain other airplanes. This AD also requires an operation check of
the stowage boxes or snubber, as applicable, and applicable on-
condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 20, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 20,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-0985; 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 address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
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 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> under Docket No. FAA-2022-0985.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Linn, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin
Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3684; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2e645b42474b00624740406e484f4f00494158"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="357f40595c501b795c5b5b755354541b525a43">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing
Company Model 747-400 and 747-8 series airplanes. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on September 20, 2022 (87 FR 57422).
The NPRM was prompted by reports of an opened door 5 right ceiling
stowage box that fell freely approximately 12 inches on a Model 747-8
airplane, and two additional door 5 ceiling stowage box free fall
events on Model 747-400 airplanes. In one reported occurrence, an
opened door 5 ceiling stowage box fell freely approximately 10 inches;
in another, the stowage box fell freely approximately 8 inches. In each
occurrence, a flight attendant was injured. Boeing and the supplier
have since investigated and analyzed affected snubbers, part number (P/
N) SP5378, used on the door 5 ceiling stowage boxes on Model 747-400
and 747-8 airplanes. It was determined that over time, air can get into
the cylinder of the affected snubber and delay its damping
functionality, which means the affected snubber will not meet the
requirement of the door 5 ceiling stowage boxes to open at a rate of
not more than 15 degrees per second, when open more than 2.5 inches.
The supplier has designed a replacement snubber, P/N SP26172, which
meets those requirements.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing certain snubbers
of the door 5 ceiling stowage boxes on certain airplanes, and replacing
certain snubbers and changing the location of the snubber attachments
on certain other airplanes. The NPRM also proposed to require an
operation check of the stowage boxes or snubber, as applicable, and
applicable on-condition actions.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address an unlatched door 5 ceiling
stowage box, which can open and fall freely more than 2.5 inches,
possibly resulting in injury to the flightcrew or maintenance
personnel.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from Air Line Pilots Association,
International, who supported the NPRM without change.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will
increase the economic burden on any operator.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin
747-25-3726 RB, dated January 6, 2022. This service information
specifies procedures for replacing certain snubbers of the door 5
ceiling stowage boxes on certain airplanes, and replacing certain
snubbers and changing the location of the snubber attachments on other
airplanes. The service information also specifies procedures for an
operation check of the stowage boxes or snubbers, as applicable, to
ensure that the free-fall distance is no greater than 2.5 inches, and
applicable on-condition actions including a post-snubber-replacement
check until eventual replacement of any affected snubber. 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 45 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The
[[Page 76923]]
FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Snubber replacement and operation 2 work-hours x $85 per $3,712 $3,882 $174,690
check. hour = $170.
Snubber replacement, snubber 7 work-hours x $85 per 4,232 4,827 217,215
attachment relocation, and operation hour = $595.
check.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacement actions that would be required based on the results of the
required inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need this replacements:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Snubber replacement........................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 $928 $1,013
Post-snubber-replacement check................ 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 0 85
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will 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 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:
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:
2022-25-04 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22260; Docket No. FAA-
2022-0985; Project Identifier AD-2022-00096-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 20, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-8
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in
Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3726 RB, dated
January 6, 2022.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of three opened door 5 right
ceiling stowage boxes that fell freely and injured a flight
attendant in each event. The FAA is issuing this AD to address an
unlatched door 5 ceiling stowage box, which can open and fall freely
more than 2.5 inches, possibly resulting in injury to the flightcrew
or maintenance personnel.
(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
Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3726 RB, dated
January 6, 2022, do all applicable actions identified in, and in
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3726 RB, dated January 6,
2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 747-25-3726, dated January 6, 2022, which is referred to in
Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3726 RB, dated
January 6, 2022.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Special Attention Requirements
Bulletin 747-25-3726 RB, dated January 6, 2022, use the phrase ``the
original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3726 RB,''
[[Page 76924]]
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) of this AD. Information may be emailed
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0e37234f40435d6b6f7a7a626b234f4d41234f43414d235c6b7f7b6b7d7a7d4e686f6f20696178"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b58c98f4fbf8e6d0d4c1c1d9d098f4f6fa98f4f8faf698e7d0c4c0d0c6c1c6f5d3d4d49bd2dac3">[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 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.
(j) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Julie Linn,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section,
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone: 206-231-3684; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2d675841444803614443436d4b4c4c034a425b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="652f10090c004b290c0b0b250304044b020a13">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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 Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3726
RB, dated January 6, 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, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1472663a7d7a67647177607d7b7a547a7566753a737b62"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="92f4e0bcfbfce1e2f7f1e6fbfdfcd2fcf3e0f3bcf5fde4">[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 November 28, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-27302 Filed 12-15-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 16, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.