Rule2023-16366
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
August 2, 2023
Effective
September 6, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-8F and 747-8 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks in stringers, common to the end fittings, on the aft side of the bulkhead at station (STA) 2598. This AD requires detailed inspections of the stringers, common to the end fittings, forward and aft of the bulkhead at a certain station for cracking 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 147 (Wednesday, August 2, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 147 (Wednesday, August 2, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50762-50764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16366]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0934; Project Identifier AD-2022-01443-T;
Amendment 39-22503; AD 2023-14-03]
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 747-8F and 747-8 series airplanes. This AD was
prompted by a report of cracks in stringers, common to the end
fittings, on the aft side of the bulkhead at station (STA) 2598. This
AD requires detailed inspections of the stringers, common to the end
fittings, forward and aft of the bulkhead at a certain station for
cracking and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 6, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 6,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-0934; 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,
[[Page 50763]]
call 206-231-3195. It is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket
No. FAA-2023-0934.
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#6e1d1a0b080f00070b4000401c010b1d02072e080f0f40090118"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e79493828186898e82c989c9958882948b8ea7818686c9808891">[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
(Boeing) Model 747-8F and 747-8 series airplanes. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on May 8, 2023 (88 FR 29555). The NPRM was
prompted by a report indicating the presence of cracks in stringers,
common to the end fittings, at stringer location S-42L/R and S-46L/R on
the aft side of the bulkhead at station 2598. The airplane had
accumulated 5,517 total flight cycles and 32,468 total flight hours at
time the cracks were found. In addition, during foreign object debris
(FOD) inspections Boeing found five cracks in stringers, common to the
end fittings, at stringer locations S-2L, S-6L, S-8L, and S-2R on the
forward side and S-5L on the aft side of the bulkhead at STA 2598 on
two airplanes. The FAA has also received reports of similar cracks
found on additional airplanes. In all cases, the cracks were found in
the side walls of the stringers and had grown in longitudinal and
transverse directions, but there was no other damage or deformation in
the surrounding area. An investigation by Boeing found that during
airplane assembly, un-shimmed or incorrectly shimmed gaps that 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 detailed
inspections of the stringers, common to the end fittings, forward and
aft of the bulkhead at a certain station for cracking and applicable
on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address stress
corrosion cracking in the stringers. This condition, if not addressed,
could lead to a failure of the skin adjacent to the bulkhead at STA
2598, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the
airplane.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from Boeing, who supported the NPRM
without change.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment
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 747-53A2911 RB,
dated November 3, 2022. This service information specifies procedures
for repetitive detailed inspections of the stringers, common to the end
fittings, forward and aft of the bulkhead at STA 2598, for any crack,
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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 42 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Detailed inspection............. 91 work-hours x $85 $0 $7,735 per $324,870 per
per hour = $7,735 inspection cycle. inspection cycle.
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 inspection. The
agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need
these repairs:
On-condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Repair................................. 13 work-hours x $85 per $600 $1,705 (per stringer).
hour = $1,105.
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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
[[Page 50764]]
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:
2023-14-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22503; Docket No. FAA-
2023-0934; Project Identifier AD-2022-01443-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 6,
2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-8F and 747-8
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 a report of cracks in stringers, common
to the end fittings, on the aft side of the bulkhead at station
(STA) 2598. The FAA is issuing this AD to address stress corrosion
cracking in the stringers. This condition, if not addressed, could
lead to a failure of the skin adjacent to the bulkhead at STA 2598,
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 747-53A2911 RB, dated November 3, 2022,
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
747-53A2911 RB, dated November 3, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-53A2911, dated November 3, 2022, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2911 RB, dated November 3, 2022.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time column of the table in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
53A2911 RB, dated November 3, 2022, uses the phrase ``the original
issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2911 RB,'' this AD
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2911 RB,
dated November 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.
(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#023b2f434c4f2f51676376766e672f43414d2f434f4d412f5067737767717671426463632c656d74"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bb8296faf5f696e8dedacfcfd7de96faf8f496faf6f4f896e9decacedec8cfc8fbdddada95dcd4cd">[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
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#a2d1d6c7c4c3cccbc78ccc8cd0cdc7d1cecbe2c4c3c38cc5cdd4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6211160704030c0b074c0c4c100d07110e0b220403034c050d14">[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 747-53A2911 RB, dated
November 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#bddbcf93d4d3cecdd8dec9d4d2d3fdd3dccfdc93dad2cb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="375145195e5944475254435e5859775956455619505841">[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 July 8, 2023.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-16366 Filed 8-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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