Proposed Rule2023-07012
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
April 6, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks in stringers, common to the end fittings, forward and aft of the pressure bulkhead at station (STA) 2360 at multiple stringer locations. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of stringer sidewalls and certain stringer assemblies, common to the end fittings, forward and aft of the pressure bulkhead at STA 2360 for any crack, and applicable on- condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 66 (Thursday, April 6, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 66 (Thursday, April 6, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20431-20433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07012]
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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. 66 / Thursday, April 6, 2023 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 20431]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0432; Project Identifier AD-2022-01384-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 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks in stringers, common
to the end fittings, forward and aft of the pressure bulkhead at
station (STA) 2360 at multiple stringer locations. This proposed AD
would require repetitive inspections of stringer sidewalls and certain
stringer assemblies, common to the end fittings, forward and aft of the
pressure bulkhead at STA 2360 for any crack, 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 May 22,
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-2023-0432; 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 Street, 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-2023-0432.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stefanie Roesli, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3964; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1467607172757a7d713a7a3a667b7167787d547275753a737b62"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99eaedfcfff8f7f0fcb7f7b7ebf6fceaf5f0d9fff8f8b7fef6ef">[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-2023-0432; Project Identifier
AD-2022-01384-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
Stefanie Roesli, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax:
206-231-3964; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ccbfb8a9aaada2a5a9e2a2e2bea3a9bfa0a58caaadade2aba3ba"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e69592838087888f83c888c8948983958a8fa6808787c8818990">[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 reports of cracks in the stringers, common to
the end fittings, forward and aft of the pressure bulkhead at STA 2360.
The cracks were found at stringer locations S-14L, S-15L, S-17L, S-18L,
S-36L, S-38L, S-38R, S-44L, S-44R, S-46L, S-46R, S-48R, S-49R and S-50R
on the forward side and at S-4R, S-5L, S-5R, S-6L, S-6R, S-7L, S-7R, S-
8L, S-8R, S-20L, S-20R, S-21L, S-21R, S-22R, S-24L, S-24R, S-25L and S-
38L on the aft side of the pressure bulkhead. In addition, Boeing found
cracks in stringer S-44L on the forward side of the pressure bulkhead
during routine inspection in production. An investigation found that
during airplane assembly, un-shimmed or incorrectly shimmed gaps, which
were larger than engineering requirements, caused excessive and
sustained internal tensile stresses and resulted in stress corrosion
cracking in the stringers. This condition, if not addressed, could
result in an undetected crack in the stringers,
[[Page 20432]]
resulting in the inability of a structural element to sustain limit
load which could 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 designs.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2910 RB,
dated September 21, 2022. This service information specifies procedures
for repetitive low frequency eddy current (LFEC) and high frequency
eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the stringer sidewalls; repetitive
detailed inspections of certain stringer assemblies; and applicable on-
condition actions. On-condition actions include 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> under Docket No. FAA-
2023-0432.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 44 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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Inspection of stringers......... Up to 110 work- $0 Up to $9,350 per Up to $411,400 per
hours x $85 per inspection cycle. inspection cycle.
hour = $9,350 per
inspection cycle.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary repairs
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection.
The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might
need this repair:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair of a cracked stringer................. 13 work-hours x $85 per hour = $600 $1,705
$1,105.
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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 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-2023-0432; Project Identifier AD-
2022-01384-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by May 22, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F
series airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code: 53, Fuselage.
[[Page 20433]]
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the stringers,
common to the end fittings, forward and aft of the pressure bulkhead
at station (STA) 2360 at multiple stringer locations. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address an undetected crack in the stringers. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the inability of
a structural element to sustain limit load which 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 747-53A2910 RB, dated September 21,
2022, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 747-53A2910 RB, dated September 21, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-53A2910, dated September 21, 2022, which is referred to in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2910 RB, dated September
21, 2022.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
53A2910 RB, dated September 21, 2022, use the phrase ``the original
issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2910 RB,'' this AD
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2910 RB,
dated September 21, 2022, specifies contacting Boeing for repair
instructions: This AD requires doing the repair 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, 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#ba8397fbf4f797e9dfdbceced6df97fbf9f597fbf7f5f997e8dfcbcfdfc9cec9fadcdbdb94ddd5cc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cdf4e08c8380e09ea8acb9b9a1a8e08c8e82e08c80828ee09fa8bcb8a8beb9be8dabacace3aaa2bb">[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.
(j) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Stefanie Roesli,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-
3964; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6417100102050a0d014a0a4a160b0117080d240205054a030b12"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fa898e9f9c9b94939fd494d488959f899693ba9c9b9bd49d958c">[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 747-53A2910 RB, dated
September 21, 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 Street, 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#89effba7e0e7faf9eceafde0e6e7c9e7e8fbe8a7eee6ff"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="187e6a3671766b687d7b6c7177765876796a79367f776e">[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 March 9, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-07012 Filed 4-5-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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