Proposed Rule2023-17775
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 25, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that all six Integrated Display Units (IDUs) became blank when new flight plan data was entered in the Flight Management System (FMS), and by a determination that indication of decaying airspeed in certain scenarios is required. This proposed AD would require installing updated software. 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 164 (Friday, August 25, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 164 (Friday, August 25, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58120-58123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17775]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1649; Project Identifier AD-2022-00905-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 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by a report that all six Integrated
Display Units (IDUs) became blank when new flight plan data was entered
in the Flight Management System (FMS), and by a determination that
indication of decaying airspeed in certain scenarios is required. This
proposed AD would require installing updated software. 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 October 10,
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-2023-1649; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and
[[Page 58121]]
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 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> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2023-1649.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Tsuji, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone: 206-231-3548; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#690d061c0e05081a471d1a1c0300290f0808470e061f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="61050e14060d00124f1512140b08210700004f060e17">[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-2023-1649; Project Identifier
AD-2022-00905-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
Douglas Tsuji, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street,
Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone: 206-231-3548; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f7939882909b9684d98384829d9eb7919696d9909881"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="690d061c0e05081a471d1a1c0300290f0808470e061f">[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 all six IDUs became blank
when new flight plan data was entered in the FMS. It was determined
that the Jeppesen airport map database (AMDB) had an error in the data
structure tied to the Sydney airport (YSSY). The Electronic Flight
Instrumentation System (EFIS)/Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting
System (EICAS) Interface Units (EIUs) were unable to process the data
structure, resulting in the displays blanking. Jeppesen subsequently
fixed the AMDB to address the issue with YSSY and additional airport
codes with an incorrect data structure. The current EIU software is
unable to process incorrect data structures, which results in an EIU
fault that cannot be cleared by the automated reset function of an EIU.
After five resets the EIU defaults to shut down, resulting in all six
IDUs, which are controlled by the EIUs, becoming blank. The EIU shut
down can also result in an autothrottle disconnect and a degraded
autopilot mode. The problem can occur on the ground when an airport
code with an incorrect data structure in the AMDB is entered as an
origin or destination and the flight plan is then put into operation by
the FMS. In flight, the problem can occur when an airport code with an
incorrect data structure in the AMDB is entered as the selected
diversion airport.
Additionally, the existing software does not provide an earlier
indication of decaying airspeed during the landing phase for flap
settings 25 and 30. The revised software specified in this proposed AD
provides an earlier threshold for triggering the low airspeed alerting
EICAS Caution message.
This condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of all
flight deck displays (Primary Flight Display (PFD)/EICAS/Navigation
Display (ND), not including standby displays) combined with potential
impact to the autopilot and auto-throttle functionality and lack of
crew visibility of any subsequent system failures, which can prevent
continued safe flight and landing; it could also result in inadequate
alerting of decaying airspeed, unacceptably low airspeed, and loss of
control of the airplane.
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 747-31A2544 RB,
dated March 31, 2020. This service information specifies procedures for
installing Integrated Display System (IDS) 804 software in each of the
six LCD IDUs and in each of the three EIUs, if not already installed;
followed by installing IDS 805 software, which includes EIU software
part number COL3F-0034-E805 and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) software
part number 3177-COL-DL8-05.
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.
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-2023-1649.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 19 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
[[Page 58122]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Software Installation........... Up to 6 work-hours Up to $650........ Up to $1,160...... Up to $22,040.
x $85 per hour =
Up to $510.
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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-2023-1649; Project Identifier AD-
2022-00905-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by October 10, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-31A2544 RB, dated March 31,
2020.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code: 31,
Instruments.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that all six Integrated Display
Units (IDUs) became blank when new flight plan data was entered in
the Flight Management System (FMS), and by a determination that
indication of decaying airspeed in certain scenarios is required.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address problems with the Electronic
Flight Instrumentation System (EFIS)/Engine Indicating and Crew
Alerting System (EICAS) Interface Units (EIUs), which control the
IDUs. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss
of all flight deck displays (Primary Flight Display (PFD)/EICAS/
Navigation Display (ND), not including standby displays) combined
with potential impact to the autopilot and auto-throttle
functionality and lack of crew visibility of any subsequent system
failures, which can prevent continued safe flight and landing; it
could also result in inadequate alerting of decaying airspeed,
unacceptably low airspeed, and loss of control 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 747-31A2544 RB, dated March 31, 2020, do
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
747-31A2544 RB, dated March 31, 2020.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-31A2544, dated March 31, 2020, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-31A2544 RB, dated March 31, 2020.
(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-
31A2544 RB, dated March 31, 2020, uses the phrase ``the original
issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747-31A2544 RB,'' this AD
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) For Group 2 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin 747-31A2544 RB, dated March 31, 2020: The
concurrent requirements specified in Action 1 of Table 1 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
747-31A2544 RB, dated March 31, 2020, do not apply.
(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#132a3e525d5e3e40767267677f763e52505c3e525e5c503e4176626676606760537572723d747c65"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0a33274b444727596f6b7e7e666f274b4945274b47454927586f7b7f6f797e794a6c6b6b246d657c">[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.
[[Page 58123]]
(j) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Douglas Tsuji,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
WA 98198; telephone: 206-231-3548; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#13777c66747f72603d676066797a537572723d747c65"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="26424953414a4755085255534c4f6640474708414950">[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 747-31A2544 RB, dated
March 31, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Boulevard, 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#761004581f1805061315021f1918361817041758111900"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b0d6c29ed9dec3c0d5d3c4d9dfdef0ded1c2d19ed7dfc6">[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 26, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-17775 Filed 8-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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