Rule2023-14332
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 7, 2023
Effective
August 11, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and -8F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in stringers and splice fittings located at stringer splices at multiple body stations. This AD requires an inspection of each free flange of the stringers at the stringer splice for the presence of radius fillers at fastener locations, an inspection for cracking of the stringers and stringer splice fittings at certain stringer splice locations, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 129 (Friday, July 7, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 129 (Friday, July 7, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43251-43253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14332]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 129 / Friday, July 7, 2023 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 43251]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0816; Project Identifier AD-2022-00355-T;
Amendment 39-22477; AD 2023-12-18]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and -8F series airplanes. This
AD was prompted by reports of cracking in stringers and splice fittings
located at stringer splices at multiple body stations. This AD requires
an inspection of each free flange of the stringers at the stringer
splice for the presence of radius fillers at fastener locations, an
inspection for cracking of the stringers and stringer splice fittings
at certain stringer splice locations, and applicable on-condition
actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 11, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 11,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-0816; 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-2022-0816.
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#7d0e09181b1c1314185313530f12180e11143d1b1c1c531a120b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e596918083848b8c80cb8bcb978a8096898ca5838484cb828a93">[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 747-8 and -8F series airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on September 8, 2022 (87 FR 54917). The NPRM was
prompted by reports of cracking in stringers and splice fittings
located at stringer splices at multiple body stations. In the NPRM, the
FAA proposed to require an inspection of each free flange of the
stringers at the stringer splice for the presence of radius fillers at
fastener locations, an inspection for cracking of the stringers and
stringer splice fittings at certain stringer splice locations, and
applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
such cracking, which could result in the inability of a structural
element to sustain limit load and could affect structural integrity of
the airplane.
The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The
Boeing Company Model 747-8 and -8F series airplanes. The SNPRM
published in the Federal Register on April 6, 2023 (88 FR 20438). The
SNPRM was prompted by additional reports of cracked stringers, with a
total of 595 cracked stringers reported since the issue was initially
evaluated in 2020. In May 2022, cracked stringers were found in a
location where the previously repaired stringer location had
accumulated zero flight cycles (FC) since the repair. Due to the large
number of crack findings and the unknown long-term reliability of
repairs, combined with airplanes with low utilization rates that may
not reach the initial compliance time in the NPRM (before 12,000 total
flight cycles or within 38 months after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later) for an extended period of time, the FAA
determined that it is necessary to add a calendar-based compliance time
for certain actions. The FAA therefore determined that a more
appropriate compliance time for the initial inspections is before
12,000 total FC, or within 8 years after the date of issuance of the
original certificate of airworthiness or the original export
certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs first; or within 38
months after the effective date of this AD; whichever occurs later. The
FAA also determined that a calendar-based compliance time should be
added to the repeat inspection intervals too. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address such cracking, which could result in the inability of a
structural element to sustain limit load and could affect structural
integrity of the airplane.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from The Boeing Company who supported
the SNPRM without change.
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, this
AD is adopted as proposed in the SNPRM. None of the changes will
increase the economic burden on any operator.
[[Page 43252]]
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB,
dated March 3, 2022. This service information specifies procedures for
an inspection of each free flange of the stringers at the stringer
splice for the presence of radius fillers at fastener locations, an
inspection for cracking of the stringers and stringer splice fittings
at certain stringer splice locations, and applicable on-condition
actions. On-condition actions include follow-on detailed inspections
for cracking or the presence of radius fillers, removal or installation
of radius fillers, 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 40 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Inspection for radius filler... Up to 124 work-hours x None............. Up to $10,540.... Up to $421,600.
$85 per hour =
$10,540.
Inspection for cracking........ Up to 244 work-hours x None............. Up to $20,740.... Up to $829,600.
$85 per hour =
$20,740.
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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
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft
that might need these actions:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection for cracking or for 1 work-hour x $85 per hour None.................. $85 per inspection
radius fillers. = $85. location.
Removing radius fillers and 7 work-hours x $85 per hour None.................. $595 per location.
inspection. = $595.
Replacement of cracked splice 300 work-hours x $85 per $809.................. $26,309 per
channel. hour = $25,500. replacement.
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact
on affected operators.
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:
2023-12-18 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22477; Docket No. FAA-
2022-0816; Project Identifier AD-2022-00355-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 11, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and -8F series
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
[[Page 43253]]
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in stringers and
splice fittings located at stringer splices at multiple body
stations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address such cracking, which
could result in the inability of a structural element to sustain
limit load and could affect 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 747-53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022, do
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
747-53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-53A2907, dated March 3, 2022, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 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-
53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022, use the phrase ``the original issue
date of Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB,'' this AD requires
using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB,
dated March 3, 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.
(3) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022, use the phrase ``Before 12,000
total flights cycles,'' this AD requires using ``Before 12,000 total
flight cycles, or within 8 years after the date of issuance of the
original certificate of airworthiness or the original export
certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs first.''
(4) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022, uses the phrase ``Within 9,600
flight cycles after the last detailed inspection,'' this AD requires
using ``Within 9,600 flight cycles or 8 years after the last
detailed inspection, whichever occurs first.''
(5) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022, uses the phrase ``Within 4,600
flight cycles after the last detailed inspection,'' this AD requires
using ``Within 4,600 flight cycles or 8 years after the last
detailed inspection, whichever occurs first.''
(i) 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 (j)
of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f9c0d4b8b7b4d4aa9c988d8d959cd4b8bab6d4b8b4b6bad4ab9c888c9c8a8d8ab99f9898d79e968f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9ba2b6dad5d6b6c8fefaefeff7feb6dad8d4b6dad6d4d8b6c9feeaeefee8efe8dbfdfafab5fcf4ed">[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, 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
(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#90e3e4f5f6f1fef9f5befebee2fff5e3fcf9d0f6f1f1bef7ffe6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="691a1d0c0f0807000c4707471b060c1a0500290f0808470e061f">[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 (k)(3) and (4) of this AD.
(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 747-53A2907 RB, dated
March 3, 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#680e1a4601061b180d0b1c0107062806091a09460f071e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4127336f282f3231242235282e2f012f2033206f262e37">[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 13, 2023.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-14332 Filed 7-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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