Proposed Rule2023-14330
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
July 10, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-02-15, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 747SR series airplanes. AD 2021-02-15 requires repetitive replacement of certain parts; an inspection to determine production configuration for certain parts; repetitive lubrication of certain parts and a repetitive inspection of certain parts for any exuding grease; repetitive inspections of certain parts for loose or missing attachment bolts, cracks or bushing migration, cracks or gouges, or broken, binding, or missing rollers; repetitive inspections of certain parts for cracks or corrosion; repetitive lubrication; and on-condition actions if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-02-15, the FAA determined that certain compliance times must be reduced in order to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions specified in AD 2021-02-15 with certain reduced compliance times. 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 130 (Monday, July 10, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 130 (Monday, July 10, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43479-43482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14330]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1222; Project Identifier AD-2023-00574-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2021-02-15, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100,
747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400,
747-400D, 747-400F, and 747SR series airplanes. AD 2021-02-15 requires
repetitive replacement of certain parts; an inspection to determine
production configuration for certain parts; repetitive lubrication of
certain parts and a repetitive inspection of certain parts for any
exuding grease; repetitive inspections of certain parts for loose or
missing attachment bolts, cracks or bushing migration, cracks or
gouges, or broken, binding, or missing rollers; repetitive inspections
of certain parts for cracks or corrosion; repetitive lubrication; and
on-condition actions if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-02-15,
the FAA determined that certain compliance times must be reduced in
order to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue
to require the actions specified in AD 2021-02-15 with certain reduced
compliance times. The FAA is
[[Page 43480]]
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 24,
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-2023-1222; 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-2023-1222.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stefanie Roesli, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3964; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2477504142454a4d410a6a0a764b4157484d644245450a434b52"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="83d0f7e6e5e2edeae6adcdadd1ece6f0efeac3e5e2e2ade4ecf5">[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-2023-1222; Project Identifier
AD-2023-00574-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, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3964; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2477504142454a4d410a6a0a764b4157484d644245450a434b52"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3d6e49585b5c5354581373136f52584e51547d5b5c5c135a524b">[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 issued AD 2021-02-15, Amendment 39-21398 (86 FR 10750,
February 23, 2021) (AD 2021-02-15), for certain The Boeing Company
Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F,
747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 747SR series airplanes. AD
2021-02-15 was prompted by reports of partial and full inboard foreflap
departures from the airplane. Inboard flap departures have been
attributed to inadequate lubrication of the outboard fitting assembly,
corrosion of the outboard fitting assembly, and corrosion in the
inboard link assembly. In addition, broken center toggle rollers at the
inboard sequence carriage and binding of inboard foreflap tracks due to
defective or seized foreflap track rollers can lead to higher than
normal loads on the outboard fitting assembly and the inboard link
assembly. AD 2021-02-15 requires repetitive replacement of certain
parts; a general visual inspection to determine production
configuration for certain parts; a repetitive lubrication of certain
parts and a repetitive general visual inspection of certain parts for
any exuding grease; repetitive detailed inspections of certain parts
for loose or missing attachment bolts, cracks or bushing migration,
cracks or gouges, or broken, binding, or missing rollers; repetitive
detailed inspections of certain parts for cracks or corrosion;
repetitive lubrication; and on-condition actions if necessary. The
agency issued AD 2021-02-15 to address departures of the inboard
foreflap assembly from the airplane, which could result in damage to
the airplane and adversely affect the airplane's continued safe flight
and landing.
Actions Since AD 2021-02-15 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2021-02-15, the FAA determined that certain
compliance times must be reduced in order to address the unsafe
condition. Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, dated
November 15, 2019, which is the appropriate source of service
information for accomplishing the actions required by AD 2021-02-15,
includes compliance times in Tables 1 through 4 of the ``Compliance''
paragraph that specify ``whichever occurs later'' instead of
``whichever occurs first.''
Boeing issued Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB,
Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023, to reduce the compliance time by
replacing ``Within 2 years after the original issue date of
Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB or within 1,960 flight cycles
after the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB,
whichever occurs later'' with ``Within 2 years after the Revision 1
date of Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB or within 1,960 flight
cycles after the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747-
57A2367 RB, whichever occurs first.''
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.
[[Page 43481]]
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB,
Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023. This service information specifies
procedures for repetitive replacement of certain parts; a general
visual inspection to determine production configuration for certain
parts; a repetitive lubrication of certain parts and a repetitive
general visual inspection of certain parts for any exuding grease;
repetitive detailed inspections of certain parts for loose or missing
attachment bolts, cracks or bushing migration, cracks or gouges, or
broken, binding, or missing rollers; repetitive detailed inspections of
certain parts for cracks or corrosion; repetitive lubrication; and on-
condition actions if necessary. On-condition actions include
replacements and 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
Although this proposed AD does not explicitly restate the
requirements of AD 2021-02-15, this proposed AD would retain all the
requirements of AD 2021-02-15, with certain reduced compliance times.
Those requirements are referenced in the service information identified
previously, which, in turn, is referenced in paragraph (g) of this
proposed AD.
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information already described and 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-
2023-1222.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 134 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repetitive replacement (retained Up to 10 work-hours $35,719 Up to $36,569 per Up to $4,900,246
actions from AD 2021-02-15). x $85 per hour = replacement cycle. per replacement
Up to $850 per cycle.
replacement cycle.
General visual inspection for 1 work-hour x $85 0 $85................ $11,390.
parts production configuration per hour = $85.
(retained actions from AD 2021-
02-15).
Repetitive detailed inspections 4 work-hours x $85 0 $340 per inspection $45,560 per
(retained actions from AD 2021- per hour = $340 cycle. inspection cycle.
02-15). per inspection
cycle.
Repetitive inspection for 1 work-hour x $85 0 $85 per lubrication $11,390 per
lubrication and repetitive per hour = $85 per lubrication.
lubrication (retained actions lubrication.
from AD 2021-02-15).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required. The FAA has no way of
determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition
actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Replacements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Up to 8 work-hour x $85 per hour Up to $17,720..... Up to $18,400.
= $680.
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The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the FAA
to provide cost estimates for the on-condition repairs 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.
[[Page 43482]]
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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-02-15, Amendment 39-21398
(86 FR 10750, February 23, 2021), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2023-1222; Project Identifier AD-
2023-00574-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by August 24, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2021-02-15, Amendment 39-21398 (86 FR 10750,
February 23, 2021) (AD 2021-02-15).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B,
747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-
400D, 747-400F, and 747SR series airplanes, certificated in any
category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
57A2367 RB, Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of partial and full inboard
foreflap departures from the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address departures of the inboard foreflap assembly from the
airplane, which could result in damage to the airplane and adversely
affect the airplane's continued safe flight and landing.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Retained Actions, With Revised Compliance Times and Service
Information
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD
2021-02-15, with revised compliance times and service information.
Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable
times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, Revision 1, dated March 20,
2023, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-57A2367, Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023, which is referred to
in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, Revision 1,
dated March 20, 2023.
(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-
57A2367 RB, Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023, use the phrase ``the
original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB,'' this
AD requires using March 30, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-02-
15).
(2) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
57A2367 RB, Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023, use the phrase ``the
Revision 1 date of Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 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 Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
747-57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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
(k)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a99084e8e7e484faccc8ddddc5cc84e8eae684e8e4e6ea84fbccd8dcccdadddae9cfc8c887cec6df"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ecd5c1ada2a1c1bf898d98988089c1adafa3c1ada1a3afc1be899d99899f989fac8a8d8dc28b839a">[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, AIR-520
Continued Operational Safety 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.
(4) AMOCs approved for AD 2021-02-15 are approved as AMOCs for
the corresponding provisions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
747-57A2367 RB, Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023, that are required
by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Stefanie Roesli,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3964; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#396a4d5c5f5857505c1777176b565c4a5550795f5858175e564f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3162455457505f58541f7f1f635e54425d58715750501f565e47">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (l)(3) and (4) of this AD.
(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 747-57A2367 RB, Revision
1, dated March 20, 2023.
(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#0167732f686f7271646275686e6f416f6073602f666e77"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6b0d19450205181b0e081f0204052b050a190a450c041d">[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 June 15, 2023.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-14330 Filed 7-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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