Rule2023-15297
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 20, 2023
Effective
August 24, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. This 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 AD requires 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 issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 138 (Thursday, July 20, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 138 (Thursday, July 20, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46679-46681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15297]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0432; Project Identifier AD-2022-01384-T;
Amendment 39-22457; AD 2023-11-11]
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 all
The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. This 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 AD requires 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 issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 24, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 24,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
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 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 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> under Docket No. FAA-2023-0432.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stefanie Roesli, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone:
206-231-3964; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1063647576717e79753e7e3e627f75637c79507671713e777f66"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7c0f08191a1d1215195212520e13190f10153c1a1d1d521b130a">[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 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on April 6, 2023 (88 FR 20431). The NPRM was prompted
by reports of cracks in the stringers, common to the end fittings,
forward and aft of the pressure bulkhead at STA 2360. 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. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to
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. This condition, if not addressed, could result in an
undetected crack in the stringers, resulting in the inability of a
structural element to sustain limit load which could adversely affect
the structural integrity of the airplane.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from Boeing and an individual who
supported the NPRM 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 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 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 section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 44 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Inspection of stringers............... Up to 110 work-hours x $0 Up to $9,350 per inspection cycle. Up to $411,400 per inspection
$85 per hour = Up to cycle.
$9,350 per inspection
cycle.
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[[Page 46680]]
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary repairs
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. The FAA
has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this
repair:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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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
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:
2023-11-11 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22457; Docket No. FAA-
2023-0432; Project Identifier AD-2022-01384-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 24, 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.
(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, 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)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#251c08646b6808764044515149400864666a0864686a66087740545040565156654344440b424a53"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c1f8ec808f8cec92a4a0b5b5ada4ec80828eec808c8e82ec93a4b0b4a4b2b5b281a7a0a0efa6aeb7">[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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Stefanie Roesli,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3964; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e89b9c8d8e8986818dc686c69a878d9b8481a88e8989c68f879e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2b585f4e4d4a45424e05450559444e5847426b4d4a4a054c445d">[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.
[[Page 46681]]
(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#b2d4c09cdbdcc1c2d7d1c6dbdddcf2dcd3c0d39cd5ddc4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ee8fca0e7e0fdfeebedfae7e1e0cee0effcefa0e9e1f8">[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 7, 2023.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-15297 Filed 7-19-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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