Proposed Rule2023-16644
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 7, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the loss of ground through the P6 panel results in the failure of the standby power control unit (SPCU). The loss of the SPCU and P6 would result in the loss of significant flight crew instrumentation and displays. This proposed AD would require installing two bonding jumpers from the P6 panel structure to primary structure. 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 150 (Monday, August 7, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 150 (Monday, August 7, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52055-52057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16644]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88 , No. 150 / Monday, August 7, 2023 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 52055]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1400; Project Identifier AD-2022-01374-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the loss of ground
through the P6 panel results in the failure of the standby power
control unit (SPCU). The loss of the SPCU and P6 would result in the
loss of significant flight crew instrumentation and displays. This
proposed AD would require installing two bonding jumpers from the P6
panel structure to primary structure. The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by September
21, 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-2023-1400; 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-2023-1400.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hien T. Nguyen, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3977; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#82caebe7ecacd6accce5f7fbe7ecc2e4e3e3ace5edf4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6e26070b00403a4020091b170b002e080f0f40090118">[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-2023-1400; Project Identifier
AD-2022-01374-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 Hien
T. Nguyen, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3977; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8ec6e7ebe0a0daa0c0e9fbf7ebe0cee8efefa0e9e1f8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dd95b4b8b3f389f393baa8a4b8b39dbbbcbcf3bab2ab">[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 has received a report indicating that the loss of a ground
through the P6 panel results in the failure in the SPCU. The SPCU
provides AC and DC electrical power in the event there is a loss of
power provided by primary electrical sources. Currently, there is a
single ground strap between the P6 structure and airplane primary
structure. This design was carried over to the 737 MAX airplanes from
the 737 NG airplanes. The SPCU tray on the 737 MAX airplanes has an
inherent bond path through the P6 structure. However, the requirements
for redundant grounds to the SPCU tray did not flow down to include
redundant grounds through the P6 panel to airplane primary structure.
During a bonding analysis, it was determined that separate redundant
ground paths from the two ground blocks on the SPCU tray to airplane
primary structure are required in order to prevent a single point of
failure condition, which could result in a potentially confusing
combination of flight deck effects and a combination of
[[Page 52056]]
lost functionality. This condition, if not addressed, would result in
loss of significant flightcrew instrumentation and displays and may
lead to loss of continued safe flight and landing (CSFL).
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.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-24A1248 RB,
dated May 16, 2022. This service information specifies procedures to
install new bonding jumpers from the P6 panel structure to the primary
structure to provide a redundant ground path for the SPCU.
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
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information already described, 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-
2023-1400.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 79 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Install two bonding jumpers....... 3 work-hour x $85 per $180 $435 $34,365
hour = $255.
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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
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.
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2023-1400; Project Identifier AD-
2022-01374-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by September 21, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-24A1248 RB, dated May 16, 2022.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical
Power.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that the loss of ground
through the P6 panel results in the failure of the standby power
control unit (SPCU). The loss of the SPCU and P6 would result in the
loss of significant flight crew instrumentation and displays. It was
determined that separate redundant ground paths from the two ground
blocks on the SPCU tray to airplane primary structure are required
in order to prevent a single point of failure condition. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address loss of the SPCU and P6 panel. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, would result in the loss of significant
flightcrew instruments and displays, and may lead to loss of
continued safe flight and landing.
(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 737-24A1248 RB, dated May 16, 2022, do
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
737-24A1248 RB, dated May 16, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737-24A1248, dated May 16, 2022, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-24A1248 RB, dated May 16, 2022.
[[Page 52057]]
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
Where the Compliance Time column of the table in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-
24A1248 RB, dated May 16, 2022, uses the phrase ``the original issue
date of Requirements Bulletin 737-24A1248 RB,'' this AD requires
using ``the effective date 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#96afbbd7d8dbbbc5f3f7e2e2faf3bbd7d5d9bbd7dbd9d5bbc4f3e7e3f3e5e2e5d6f0f7f7b8f1f9e0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f5ccd8b4bbb8d8a6909481819990d8b4b6bad8b4b8bab6d8a790848090868186b5939494db929a83">[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 Hien T. Nguyen,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3977; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b8f0d1ddd696ec96f6dfcdc1ddd6f8ded9d996dfd7ce"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="baf2d3dfd494ee94f4ddcfc3dfd4fadcdbdb94ddd5cc">[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 737-24A1248 RB, dated May
16, 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#3b5d49155255484b5e584f5254557b555a495a155c544d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c4a2b6eaadaab7b4a1a7b0adabaa84aaa5b6a5eaa3abb2">[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 31, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-16644 Filed 8-4-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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