Rule2023-11091
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
May 25, 2023
Effective
June 29, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of a loss of water pressure during flight and water leaks that affected multiple pieces of electronic equipment. This AD requires a detailed visual inspection of all door 1 and door 3 lavatory and galley potable water systems for any missing or incorrectly installed clamshell couplings, 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 88 Issue 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33823-33826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11091]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1417; Project Identifier AD-2022-00731-T;
Amendment 39-22419; AD 2023-08-04]
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 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes.
This AD was prompted by reports of a loss of water pressure during
flight and water leaks that affected multiple pieces of electronic
equipment. This AD requires a detailed visual inspection of all door 1
and door 3 lavatory and galley potable water systems for any missing or
incorrectly installed clamshell couplings, and applicable on-condition
actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 29, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 29,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1417; 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>. It is
also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket
No. FAA-2022-1417.
<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-2022-1417.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney Tuck, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-
231-3986; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0d4e62787f7963687423462359786e664d6b6c6c236a627b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="42012d3730362c273b6c096c16372129022423236c252d34">[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 all The Boeing Company
Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on December 13, 2022 (87 FR 76158). The NPRM was
prompted by
[[Page 33824]]
reports of a loss of water pressure during flight and water leaks that
affected multiple pieces of electronic equipment. In the NPRM, the FAA
proposed to require a detailed visual inspection of all door 1 and door
3 lavatory and galley potable water systems for any missing or
incorrectly installed clamshell couplings, and applicable on-condition
actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address incorrectly installed or
missing lavatory and galley clamshell couplings that could lead to
water leaks and water migration to critical flight equipment, which may
affect the continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received additional comments from four commenters,
including American Airlines (AAL), Boeing, Turkish Technic, and All
Nippon Airways. The following presents the comments received on the
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Request To Modify the Applicability of the Proposed AD
AAL, Boeing, and All Nippon Airways requested that the
applicability of the proposed AD be changed to include only airplanes
listed in the effectivity of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022, which does not
include undelivered airplanes. The commenters stated that Boeing has
taken several steps to prevent missing or misinstalled lavatory and
galley clamshell couplings on airplanes not listed in the effectivity
of the Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB,
Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022. A request for discrepancy check (RDC)
was issued to inspect all stored airplanes as outlined in Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
August 12, 2022, at the same door 1 and 3 locations. For future
production airplanes, Quality Assurance (QA) verification of clamshell
coupling installations has been added for lavatories (11/18/2019) and
galleys (7/22/2022). As an alternative, if the proposed AD includes
undelivered airplanes, All Nippon Airways requested that the compliance
time be changed to 180 days after the date of issuance of the original
standard certificate of airworthiness or the original export
certificate of airworthiness.
The FAA agrees with the request to change the applicability to
include only airplanes listed in the effectivity of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
August 12, 2022, for the reasons provided by the commenters. Paragraph
(c) of this AD has been changed.
Comment Regarding Insufficient Addressing of the Unsafe Condition
AAL commented that the actions of the proposed AD do not
sufficiently address the unsafe condition nor do they prevent
reoccurrence when future maintenance is accomplished on the clamshell.
AAL noted that the leaks are the result of improper installation by
individual operators and not a design failure, according to the
manufacturer, who has not recommended replacement of the couplings on
the majority of the fleet. AAL asserted that the maintenance manual
currently provides extensive details on proper installation of the
coupling, and that an incorrectly installed coupling is not a latent
failure, and is detectable prior to operation of the aircraft. AAL
observed that the same couplings are installed on their Model 737 and
777 fleet with a high level of reliability and no recorded installation
errors in the previous 12 months.
The FAA partially agrees with the assertions of the commenter. As
specified in the NPRM, this AD does not provide a long-term solution to
fully address the unsafe condition, but is intended to be interim
action that will adequately address leak events until an appropriate
design change is developed and additional AD action is proposed. Part
of the interim solution is updating the lavatory and galley Fleet Team
Digest for missing or incorrectly installed couplings. In addition,
maintenance procedures have been updated to correct errors and add
tasks directing maintenance in areas where couplings are installed to
return the area to its normal condition, which will include inspecting
couplings for proper installation prior to leaving the area. Although
the commenter asserts that incorrectly installed couplings are
detectable, there have been several cases of a loss of water pressure
during flight, as well as water leaks, discovered after landing, that
caused water to migrate into the forward electronic equipment (EE) bay
and affect multiple pieces of EE. The inspections or improved strapped
coupling installations have not been completed on all affected
airplanes yet, so the unsafe condition still exists within the fleet.
This AD will ensure that all couplings are inspected per the updated
maintenance procedures and will ensure the safety of the entire fleet.
The FAA has therefore determined that this AD is necessary to address
the unsafe condition. The FAA has not changed this AD with regard to
this comment.
Request To Allow Alternative Service Information
Boeing has issued Multi-Operator Message MOM-MOM-21-0554-01B, dated
December 14, 2021 (for lavatory inspections), and MOM-MOM-22-0229-01B,
dated April 29, 2022 (for galley inspections). Turkish Technic asserted
that the MOMs will address the unsafe condition identified in the
proposed AD. The commenter reported that it had performed the actions
specified in the MOMs, and subsequently Boeing issued Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
August 12, 2022, which indicates that no further action is necessary
after accomplishment of the actions in the MOMs. The commenter
considered the actions in the MOMs to satisfactorily complete the
proposed requirements, and requested that the proposed AD be revised to
add the MOMs as an alternative to Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022, or
alternatively, to provide credit for inspections previously complied as
per the MOMs.
The FAA agrees that inspections completed as specified in the MOMs
address the unsafe condition. A paragraph has been added to this AD to
provide credit for accomplishing the MOMs prior to the effective date
of this AD.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any 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, and
any other changes described previously, 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 Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022. This service
information specifies procedures for a
[[Page 33825]]
detailed visual inspection of all door 1 and door 3 lavatory and galley
potable water systems for any missing or incorrectly installed
clamshell couplings, and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition
actions include installing clamshell couplings, doing a leak test, and
performing corrective actions until the leak test is passed.
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.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this AD an interim action. If a final action is
later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 134 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detailed visual inspection (DVI) (per 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $11,390
lavatory or galley). hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition 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,
(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:
2023-08-04 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22419; Docket No. FAA-
2022-1417; Project Identifier AD-2022-00731-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 29, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and
787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category, as specified in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue
001, dated August 12, 2022.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 38, Water/waste.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of a loss of water pressure
during flight and water leaks that affected multiple pieces of
electronic equipment. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
incorrectly installed or missing lavatory and galley clamshell
couplings that could lead to water leaks and water migration to
critical flight equipment, which may affect the continued 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 B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001,
dated August 12, 2022, do all applicable actions identified in, and
in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
August 12, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
B787-81205-SB380021-00, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022, which is
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
Where the Compliance Time columns of the table in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022, uses the
phrase ``the Issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB380021-00 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of
this AD.''
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Multi-Operator Message MOM-MOM-21-
0554-01B, dated December 14, 2021 (for lavatory inspections); and
MOM-MOM-22-0229-01B, dated April 29, 2022 (for galley inspections).
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs
[[Page 33826]]
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 (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dfe6f29e9192f28cbabeababb3baf29e9c90f29e92909cf28dbaaeaabaacabac9fb9bebef1b8b0a9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="320b1f737c7f1f61575346465e571f73717d1f737f7d711f6057434757414641725453531c555d44">[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.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Courtney Tuck,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section,
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone and fax: 206-231-3986; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c487abb1b6b0aaa1bdea8fea90b1a7af84a2a5a5eaa3abb2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bdfed2c8cfc9d3d8c493f693e9c8ded6fddbdcdc93dad2cb">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) 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 B787-81205-SB380021-00
RB, Issue 001, dated August 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#92f4e0bcfbfce1e2f7f1e6fbfdfcd2fcf3e0f3bcf5fde4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2543570b4c4b56554046514c4a4b654b4457440b424a53">[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 April 18, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-11091 Filed 5-24-23; 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 May 25, 2023.
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.