Proposed Rule2023-22066
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
October 5, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of cracks on the forward entry door and forward service door cutout aft lower corner fuselage skin and bear strap. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking at the affected area, and applicable on-condition actions. 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 192 (Thursday, October 5, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 192 (Thursday, October 5, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69107-69110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22066]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1986; Project Identifier AD-2022-00015-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 767 airplanes. This proposed AD
was prompted by a report of cracks on the forward entry door and
forward service door cutout aft lower corner fuselage skin and bear
strap. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for
cracking at the affected area, and applicable on-condition actions. 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 November
20, 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-2023-1986; 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-2023-1986.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Hodgin, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3962; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f2b89d8197829adcb8dcba9d96959b9cb2949393dc959d84"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a5efcad6c0d5cd8bef8bedcac1c2cccbe5c3c4c48bc2cad3">[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.
[[Page 69108]]
FAA-2023-1986; Project Identifier AD-2022-00015-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
Joseph Hodgin, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3962; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d09abfa3b5a0b8fe9afe98bfb4b7b9be90b6b1b1feb7bfa6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b1fbdec2d4c1d99ffb9ff9ded5d6d8dff1d7d0d09fd6dec7">[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 reports from operators of cracks found on the
forward entry door and forward service door cutout aft lower corner
fuselage skin and bear strap between stringer 19 and the lower main
sill chord, from station (STA) 332 to STA 340. The cracks were reported
between 25,983 and 47,385 total flight cycles, and between 45,771 and
80,680 total flight hours. These cracks have been occurring at earlier
flight cycles and are spreading faster than initially predicted. One
Model 767-300 operator reported a 5.3-inch crack on the forward service
door, common to only the skin in the lower aft corner, and an
associated 0.32-inch crack in the bear strap at the same location. The
airplane had completed 43,459 total flight cycles and 61,086 total
flight hours when the cracks were discovered. Undetected fatigue
cracks, if not addressed, could result in a principal structural
element's loss of limit load capability, adversely affecting the
airplane's structural integrity.
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 767-53A0301 RB,
Revision 2, dated May 24, 2023. This service information specifies
procedures for repetitive inspections (external detailed, internal
detailed, and open hole high frequency eddy current) for cracking at
the forward entry door and forward service door cutout aft lower corner
fuselage skin and bear strap area. This service information also
specifies procedures for on-condition actions, including crack 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.
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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 682 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Inspections..................... Up to 8 work-hours $0 Up to $680 per Up to $463,760 per
x $85 per hour = inspection cycle. inspection cycle.
$680 per
inspection cycle.
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition actions (i.e., possible crack repair)
specified in this proposed AD.
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,
[[Page 69109]]
(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-2023-1986; Project Identifier AD-
2022-00015-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by November 20, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes, certificated in
any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD.
(1) Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes, as
identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-53A0301 RB,
Revision 2, dated May 24, 2023.
(2) Model 767-2C series airplanes, line numbers 1065, 1066,
1067, 1069, 1091, 1092, 1098, 1100, 1102, 1104, 1107, 1109, 1111,
1113, 1114, 1116, 1117, 1119, 1120, 1122, 1124, 1126, 1128, 1129,
1131, 1132, 1134, 1135, 1137, 1139, 1143, 1145, 1147, 1149, 1151,
1154, 1156, 1158, 1160, 1162, 1164, 1166, 1168, 1170, 1172, 1174,
1176, 1178, 1181, 1184, 1188, 1192, 1196, 1200, 1202, 1205, 1207,
1210, 1213, 1216, 1219, 1223, 1226, 1230, 1234, 1236, 1238, 1241,
1243, 1246, 1248, 1250, 1252, 1254, 1257, 1259, 1261, 1264, 1267,
1269, 1271, and 1273.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of cracks found on the forward
entry door and forward service door cutout aft lower corner fuselage
skin and bear strap. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
undetected fatigue cracks. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could result in a principal structural element losing its limit load
capability, adversely affecting the airplane's structural integrity.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions: Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER
For Model 767-200, -300, -300F, -400ER series airplanes: Except
as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD, at the applicable times
specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin 767-53A0301 RB, Revision 2, dated May 24,
2023, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 767-53A0301 RB, Revision 2, dated May 24, 2023.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
767-53A0301, Revision 2, dated May 24, 2023, which is referred to in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-53A0301, Revision 2, dated
May 24, 2023.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-53A0301 RB,
dated May 24, 2023, compliance time columns in Tables 1 and 2,
paragraph E (Compliance), use the phrase ``the Original Issue date
of Requirements Bulletin 767-53A0301 RB,'' this AD requires
replacing those words with ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-53A0301 RB,
Revision 2, dated May 24, 2023, specifies contacting Boeing for
repair instructions: This AD requires doing the repair before
further flight using a method approved in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.
(i) Required Actions: Model 767-2C
At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (2)
of this AD: Perform inspections (external detailed, internal
detailed, and open hole high frequency eddy current, as applicable)
for cracking at the forward entry door and forward service door
cutout aft lower corner fuselage skin and bear strap area, and
repair any cracks found, in accordance with a method approved by the
Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA.
Note 1 to paragraph (i): Guidance on doing the required actions
can be found in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-53A0303 RB,
Revision 1, dated June 29, 2023; and Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 767-53A0308 RB, Revision 1, dated June 21, 2023.
(1) Before 15,000 cumulative flight cycles or 30,000 cumulative
total accumulated cycles, whichever occurs first. These terms are
defined in paragraph (j) of this AD.
(2) Within 2,250 flight cycles, 4,500 total accumulated cycles,
or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
first.
(j) Compliance Time Definitions
The definitions in paragraphs (j)(1) through (5) of this AD
apply to this AD.
(1) A ``flight cycle'' is an operation by an aircraft that is
initially stopped on the ground, departs in flight, attains a
maximum above ground level (AGL) altitude greater than 5,000 feet
relative to the runway, lands on a runway, and stops on the ground.
A flight cycle may include one or more touch-and-go cycles.
(2) A ``touch-and-go cycle'' is an operation by an aircraft that
lands and departs on a runway without stopping or exiting the runway
and is immediately followed by a short flight with a maximum AGL
altitude of 5,000 feet relative to the runway.
(3) ``Total accumulated cycles'' is the sum of the accumulated
number of flight cycles, accumulated missed approaches, and the
accumulated number of touch-and-go cycles.
(4) A ``missed approach'' (or go-around) is an aircraft landing
approach that is discontinued and proceeded by a climb-out for any
reason without landing gear touching the runway and is either
immediately preceded by or immediately followed by a short flight
with a maximum AGL altitude of 5,000 feet relative to the runway.
Any flight operation not meeting this definition is considered a
flight cycle.
(5) ``Cumulative'' cycles are total cycles since new.
(k) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
767-53A0301 RB, dated April 21, 2021, or Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 767-53A0301 RB, Revision 1, dated April 11, 2022.
(l) 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
(m)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#41786c000f0c6c12242035352d246c00020e6c000c0e026c1324303424323532012720206f262e37"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="60594d212e2d4d33050114140c054d21232f4d212d2f234d3205111505131413200601014e070f16">[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
[[Page 69110]]
the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.
(m) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Joseph Hodgin,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3962; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a5efcad6c0d5cd8bef8bedcac1c2cccbe5c3c4c48bc2cad3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="612b0e120411094f2b4f290e0506080f210700004f060e17">[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 (n)(3) and (4) of this AD.
(n) 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 767-53A0301 RB, Revision
2, dated May 24, 2023.
(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, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3b5d49155255484b5e584f5254557b555a495a155c544d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b4d2c69adddac7c4d1d7c0dddbdaf4dad5c6d59ad3dbc2">[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 September 28, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-22066 Filed 10-4-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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