Proposed Rule2023-01463
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
January 26, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the potential for cracks to start in hidden areas underneath the scuff plates in the fuselage skin and bear strap of certain doors. This proposed AD would require an inspection or a maintenance records check for repairs in the areas around the fuselage skin door cutout lower corners of certain doors, and applicable on- condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 17 (Thursday, January 26, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 17 (Thursday, January 26, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4920-4922]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-01463]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 17 / Thursday, January 26, 2023 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 4920]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0017; Project Identifier AD-2022-01418-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by the potential for cracks to start in hidden areas
underneath the scuff plates in the fuselage skin and bear strap of
certain doors. This proposed AD would require an inspection or a
maintenance records check for repairs in the areas around the fuselage
skin door cutout lower corners of certain doors, and applicable on-
condition actions. 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 March 13,
2023.
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> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-0017; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> 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; 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> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2023-0017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Jarzomb, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712 4137; phone: 562-627-5234; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6d3d0819081f43270c1f1702000f2d0b0c0c430a021b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3464514051461a7e55464e5b5956745255551a535b42">[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-2023-0017; Project Identifier
AD-2022-01418-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="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 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 Peter
Jarzomb, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO
Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712 4137; phone: 562-
627-5234; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f2a297869780dcb89380889d9f90b2949393dc959d84"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eaba8f9e8f98c4a08b9890858788aa8c8b8bc48d859c">[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 has received a report indicating operators of Model 767
airplanes have reported cracks in the fuselage skin and bear strap
under the No. 1 and No. 2 passenger entry door scuff plates at the aft
lower corners of the fuselage skin door cutout. Although no cracks have
been reported at these locations on Model 757 airplanes in service,
both Model 757 and 767 airplanes have the potential for cracks to start
in hidden areas underneath the scuff plates caused by higher fatigue
stresses at the fuselage skin door cutout lower corners. In addition,
similar lower door corner skin and bear strap cracks were found on the
Model 757 fatigue test article at the No. 2 and No. 4 passenger entry
doors, and the forward cargo door. Certain maintenance inspections do
not include a step to remove the scuff plates, which also contributes
to the inability to find cracks before they become critical. Cracks
underneath the scuff plates in the fuselage skin and bear strap, if not
addressed, could adversely affect the structural integrity of the
airplane.
[[Page 4921]]
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 757-53A0119 RB,
dated October 12, 2022. This service information specifies procedures
for either a general visual inspection or a maintenance records check
for repairs in the areas around the fuselage skin door cutout lower
corners of the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 passenger entry doors; crew
entry door; No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 cargo doors; and main deck cargo
door; and applicable on-condition actions, including repetitive low
frequency and high frequency eddy current inspections for cracks in the
skin or bear strap in the unrepaired areas, and crack 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="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2023-0017.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 482 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General visual inspection for repairs. 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $40,970
hour = $85.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:
On-Condition Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 27 work-hours x $85 per hour (*) Up to $2,295.
= $2,295.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for parts required for any on-condition actions 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-2023-0017; Project Identifier AD-
2022-01418-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 13, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200PF,
-200CB, and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
[[Page 4922]]
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the potential for cracks to start in
hidden areas underneath the scuff plates in the fuselage skin and
bear strap of certain doors. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
cracks caused by higher fatigue stresses at the fuselage skin door
cutout lower corners. This unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
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
Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0119 RB, dated October 12, 2022,
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
757-53A0119 RB, dated October 12, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
757-53A0119, dated October 12, 2022, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0119 RB, dated October 12, 2022.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time column and notes of the tables in
the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
757-53A0119 RB, dated October 12, 2022, use the phrase ``the
original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0119 RB,'' this
AD requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0119RB,
dated October 12, 2022, specifies ``General Visual Inspection (GVI)
or a maintenance records check for any existing repair'', if only a
Maintenance Records Check is accomplished with no GVI, then any
directly follow-on condition actions that specify a compliance time
``Before further flight'' are required prior to the accumulation of
30,000 total flight cycles, or within 3,000 flight cycles after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(3) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0119 RB,
dated October 12, 2022, specifies contacting Boeing for repair
instructions or for alternative inspections: This AD requires doing
the repair, or doing the alternative inspections and applicable on-
condition actions, before further flight using a method approved in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this
AD.
(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) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fac3d7bbb4b7d7b6bbbbb9b5d7bbb7b5b9d7a89f8b8f9f898e89ba9c9b9bd49d958c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f7cedab6b9badabbb6b6b4b8dab6bab8b4daa592868292848384b7919696d9909881">[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
For more information about this AD, contact Peter Jarzomb,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch,
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712 4137; phone: 562-627-
5234; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b1e1d4c5d4c39ffbd0c3cbdedcd3f1d7d0d09fd6dec7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c292a7b6a7b0ec88a3b0b8adafa082a4a3a3eca5adb4">[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 Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0119 RB, dated
October 12, 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#7b1d09551215080b1e180f1214153b151a091a551c140d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ddbbaff3b4b3aeadb8bea9b4b2b39db3bcafbcf3bab2ab">[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 January 11, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-01463 Filed 1-25-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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