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Proposed Rule2023-23520

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

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Published

October 31, 2023

Issuing agencies

Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration

Abstract

The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-26-08. AD 2020-26-08 applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. This action revises the NPRM by proposing replacement of an additional upper splitter fairing assembly. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, the FAA is requesting comments on this SNPRM.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 209 (Tuesday, October 31, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 209 (Tuesday, October 31, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74372-74376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-23520]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1037; Project Identifier AD-2023-00511-T]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to
supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-26-08. AD 2020-26-08
applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes
powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. This action revises the NPRM
by proposing replacement of an additional upper splitter fairing
assembly. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional
burden over those in the NPRM, the FAA is requesting comments on this
SNPRM.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this SNPRM by December 15,
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-2023-1037; 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 SNPRM, 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 SNPRM, 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>.
<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-2023-1037.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tak Kobayashi, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3553; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d7a3b6bcb6bfbea4b6f9bcb8b5b6aeb6a4bfbe97b1b6b6f9b0b8a1">[email&#160;protected]</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-2023-1037; Project Identifier
AD-2023-00511-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 again
revise 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 proposed AD.

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 SNPRM 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 SNPRM, 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 SNPRM. Submissions containing CBI should
be sent to Tak Kobayashi, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3553; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2e5a4f454f46475d4f0045414c4f574f5d46476e484f4f00494158">[email&#160;protected]</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 issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD to
supersede AD 2020-26-08, Amendment 39-21363 (85 FR 83755, December 23,
2020) (AD 2020-26-08). AD 2020-26-08 applies to The Boeing Company
Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes powered by Rolls-Royce Trent
1000 engines. AD 2020-26-08 requires repetitive inspections of the
inner fixed structure (IFS) forward upper fire seal and thermal
insulation blankets in the forward upper area of the thrust reverser
(TR) for damage and applicable on-condition actions.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 25, 2023 (88 FR
33851). The NPRM was prompted by a determination that a new upper
splitter fairing assembly is needed to prevent damage to the fire seal
and thermal insulation blanket. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to
continue to require the actions specified in AD 2020-26-08 and proposed
to require determining if an affected part number of the upper splitter
fairing assembly is installed on the engine, replacing an affected
upper splitter fairing assembly part number with a new upper splitter
fairing assembly part number, inspecting the IFS forward upper fire
seal and thermal insulation blanket for any damage, and

[[Page 74373]]

applicable on-condition actions. This NPRM also proposed to prohibit
the installation of affected parts.

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued

Since the FAA issued the NPRM, the FAA identified an additional
affected upper splitter fairing assembly part number (P/N) that must be
replaced to address the unsafe condition. The NPRM proposed to require,
among other actions, replacing upper splitter fairing assembly P/N
KH60375. However, as explained in the ``Request to Add Part Number''
discussion below, P/N KH11560 is also subject to the unsafe condition.

Comments

The following discussion presents the comments received on the NPRM
and the FAA's response.

Support

The Air Line Pilots Association, International supported the NPRM
without change.

Request To Add a Part Number

Boeing requested that the FAA revise all references of P/N KH60375
to both P/N KH60375 and KH11560. Boeing stated that P/N KH11560 is the
original approved configuration of the upper splitter fairing and is
still in use in service; P/N KH60375 is the configuration introduced
after P/N KH11560.
The FAA agrees. Upper splitter fairing assembly P/N KH11560 is
similar in design to P/N KH60375 and does not have a design feature to
address the unsafe condition. Although Rolls Royce Alert Service
Bulletin Trent 1000 72-AK759, dated July 28, 2022 (which is the service
information referenced in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022), only
specifies removing and replacing upper splitter fairing assembly P/N
KH60375, the FAA contacted Boeing and confirmed that those same
procedures can also be used to remove and replace P/N KH11560. The FAA
has revised paragraphs (i)(1) and (2) of this proposed AD to refer to
both P/N KH60375 and P/N KH11560. In addition, the FAA added paragraph
(j)(2) to this proposed AD to clarify that although the service
information referenced in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022, does not
specify both part numbers, this AD requires removing existing upper
splitter fairing assembly P/N KH60375 or P/N KH11560. Lastly, the FAA
revised the parts installation prohibition in paragraph (k) of this
proposed AD to refer to both P/N KH60375 and P/N KH11560.

Request To Clarify the Parts Installation Prohibition

An individual requested that the FAA change the part installation
prohibition in paragraph (k) of the proposed AD from the airframe level
to the engine level. The commenter stated that operators of airplanes
powered by Trent 1000 engines continue to comply with European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0099 \1\ and that engines removed
as part of the de-pair requirement of the EASA AD do not always have a
long lead time for accomplishing the upper splitter fairing
modification and do not always undergo a shop visit. The commenter
further requested that the FAA allow the compliance time for the
retained inspections in paragraph (g) of this proposed AD to
``restart'' if an engine with upper splitter fairing assembly P/N
KH99185 is replaced by another engine with upper splitter fairing
assembly P/N KH60375.
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\1\ EASA subsequently revised its AD and issued EASA AD 2019-
0099R2, dated September 6, 2019. As a result, the FAA issued AD
2020-05-01, Amendment 39-21102 (85 FR 13727, March 10, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The FAA disagrees with the changes to the proposed AD requested by
the commenter. Paragraph (k) of this proposed AD is intended to address
a rotability issue: an operator might take an affected part from
another airplane or from an operator's spare parts and unknowingly
install it on an airplane or engine without the affected part, which
would introduce the unsafe condition onto that airplane or engine. The
final configuration intended by this proposed AD is an airplane with
both engines that have an airworthy upper splitter fairing assembly
installed.
Paragraph (k)(1) of this proposed AD would impose the parts
installation prohibition on airplanes with original airworthiness
certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued
after the effective date of this AD, except for airplanes listed in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue
001, dated December 12, 2022. This proposed prohibition at the airplane
level would prevent introducing the unsafe condition onto airplanes
that have the final configuration intended by the AD at the time of
airplane delivery. Therefore, the FAA has not revised paragraph (k)(1)
of this proposed AD.
However, the FAA has revised paragraph (k)(2) of this proposed AD
to simplify the installation prohibition for airplanes on which it is
determined no affected parts are installed during the actions required
by paragraph (i)(1) of this proposed AD.

Request To Clarify Terminology

Boeing requested the FAA correct the text in paragraph (j) of the
proposed AD from ``the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB'' to ``the issue 001 date of Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB.'' Boeing stated that table in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022, does not use
the phrase quoted in the proposed AD.
The FAA agrees and has revised paragraph (j) of this proposed AD
accordingly.

Request To Fix Typographical Error

Boeing requested the FAA correct the phrase under ``Differences
between This proposed AD and the Service Information'' in the NPRM from
``all Boeing Model 787-7, -8, and -9 airplanes'' to ``all Boeing Model
787-8, -9, and -10 airplanes.'' Boeing stated this is a typographical
error because the applicable Boeing airplanes are Model 787-8, -9, and
-10.
The FAA agrees and has revised the preamble text accordingly.

FAA's Determination

The FAA is proposing this AD after determining the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of
the same type design. Certain changes described above expand the scope
of the NPRM. As a result, it is necessary to reopen the comment period
to provide additional opportunity for the public to comment on this
SNPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022. This service
information specifies replacing the upper splitter fairing assembly
with a new upper splitter fairing assembly with ramp fairing
incorporated and doing a general visual inspection of the IFS forward
upper fire seal and thermal insulation blanket of the left and right TR
halves for any damage. This service information also specifies
applicable on-condition actions, including replacing the IFS forward
upper fire seal and thermal insulation blanket of each TR half if
damage is found. The procedures

[[Page 74374]]

in the service information apply to each affected engine.
The FAA also reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB780041-00, Issue 002, dated December 21, 2021. This service
information contains procedures for repetitive inspections of the IFS
forward upper fire seal and thermal insulation blanket of the left and
right TR halves for any damage. This service information also specifies
applicable on-condition actions, including replacing the IFS forward
upper fire seal and thermal insulation blanket of each TR half if
damage is found. The procedures in the service information apply to
each affected engine.
This proposed AD would also require Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 31, 2020,
which the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation
by reference as of January 27, 2021 (85 FR 83755, December 23, 2020).
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 SNPRM

This proposed AD would retain all requirements of AD 2020-26-08.
Accomplishing the new actions proposed in this AD would terminate the
requirements of AD 2020-26-08.
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information already described, except as discussed under
``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service Information''
and except for any differences identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this proposed AD. This proposed AD would also
prohibit the installation of affected parts. With this SNPRM, the FAA
is proposing replacement of an additional upper splitter fairing
assembly. 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-
1037.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

The effectivity of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022, is limited to Model
787-8, -9 and -10 airplanes having certain line numbers. However, the
applicability of this proposed AD includes all Boeing Model 787-8, -9,
and -10 airplanes with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines installed.
Because the affected upper splitter fairing assembly are rotable parts,
the FAA has determined that these parts could later be installed on
airplanes that were initially delivered with acceptable upper splitter
fairing assembly, thereby subjecting those airplanes to the unsafe
condition. The FAA has determined that the Accomplishment Instructions
in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue
001, dated December 12, 2022, can be applied to airplanes outside the
effectivity of the service information if an affected part is installed
on those airplanes. This proposed AD includes an inspection or records
review to determine if an affected part is installed.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 13 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:

Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection (retained actions from 2 work-hours x $85 $0 $170 per inspection $2,210 per
AD 2020-26-08). per hour = $170 cycle. inspection cycle.
per inspection
cycle.
Inspection or records review (new 1 work-hour x $85 0 $85................ $1,105.
proposed action). per hour = $85.
Replacement of each upper 71 work-hours x $85 230,000 $236,035........... $3,068,455.
splitter fairing assembly (new per hour = $6,035.
proposed action).
Inspection (new proposed action). 2 work-hours x $85 0 $170............... $2,210.
per hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these replacements:

On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire seal replacement................ 2 work-hours x $85 per $1,383 per TR half..... $1,553 per TR half (4
hour = $170 per TR TR halves per
half. airplane).
Thermal insulation blanket 1 work-hour x $85 per $18,214 per TR half.... $18,299 per TR half.
replacement. hour = $85 per TR half.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed
AD may be covered under warranty by Goodrich, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected operators. The FAA does not control warranty
coverage for affected operators. As a result, the FAA has included all
known costs in the cost estimate.

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

[[Page 74375]]

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-26-08, Amendment 39-21363
(85 FR 83755, December 23, 2020); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2023-1037; Project Identifier AD-
2023-00511-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by December 15, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

This AD replaces AD 2020-26-08, Amendment 39-21363 (85 FR 83755,
December 23, 2020) (AD 2020-26-08).

This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and
787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category, with Rolls-Royce
Trent 1000 engines installed.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 72, Turbine/
turboprop engine.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports of Rolls-Royce Trent 1000
powered airplanes having damage to the thrust reverser inner fixed
structure (IFS) forward upper fire seal and damage to thermal
insulation blankets in the forward upper area of the thrust reverser
(TR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the damage to the IFS
forward upper fire seal and the thermal insulation blankets of the
TR due to airflow through structural gapping that could occur at the
interface between the leading edge of the IFS and the engine
splitter structure during flight. Failure of the IFS forward upper
fire seal could cause the loss of seal pressurization and degrade
the ability to detect and extinguish an engine fire, resulting in an
uncontrolled fire. Damage to the TR insulation blanket could result
in thermal damage to the TR inner wall, the subsequent release of
engine exhaust components, and consequent damage to critical areas
of the airplane. Furthermore, damage to the TR inner wall and IFS
forward upper fire seal could compromise the integrity of the
firewall and its ability to contain an engine fire, resulting in an
uncontrolled fire.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.

(g) Retained Actions, With Additional Service Information, Revised
Affected Airplanes, and New Terminating Action

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD
2020-26-08, with additional service information, revised affected
airplanes, and new terminating action. For airplanes with an
original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of
airworthiness issued on or before the effective date of this AD and
for airplanes listed in the ``Effectivity'' section of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
December 12, 2022: Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD,
at the applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00 RB, Issue
001, dated March 31, 2020, or Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB780041-00, Issue 002, dated December 21, 2021, do all
applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB780041-00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 31, 2020, or
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00, Issue
002, dated December 21, 2021. Accomplishing the actions required by
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD terminates the actions required by this
paragraph.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by paragraph (g) of this AD can be found in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00, Issue 001, dated March 31,
2020, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB780041-00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 31, 2020; or in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00, Issue 002,
dated December 21, 2021, which is referred to in Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00, Issue 002, dated
December 21, 2021.

(h) Retained Exceptions to Service Information Specifications for
Paragraph (g) of This AD, With Additional Service Information

This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph
(h) of AD 2020-26-08, with additional service information. Where
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00 RB, Issue
001, dated March 31, 2020, or Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB780041-00, Issue 002, dated December 21, 2021, uses the
phrase ``the Issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB780041-00 RB,'' this AD requires using January 27, 2021, (the
effective date of AD 2020-26-08).

(i) New Required Actions

(1) For airplanes with original airworthiness certificate or
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before the
effective date of this AD and for airplanes listed in the
``Effectivity'' section of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022: Within 7
years after the effective date of this AD, or within 7 years after
the date of issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or
original export certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs
later, inspect the airplane to determine the part number of the
upper splitter fairing assembly installed on each engine. A review
of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this
inspection if the part number of the upper splitter fairing assembly
can be conclusively determined from that review. For engines on
which no upper splitter fairing assembly part number (P/N) KH60375
or P/N KH11560 is installed, the actions required by paragraph (g)
of this AD are no longer required for that engine.
(2) If, during any inspection or records review required by
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, an upper splitter fairing assembly P/N
KH60375 or P/N KH11560 is found on any engine of an airplane: Except
as specified by paragraph (j) of this AD, at the applicable times
specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
December 12, 2022, do all applicable actions identified in, and in
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Requirements

[[Page 74376]]

Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 12,
2022, for each affected engine. Accomplishing the actions required
by this paragraph on all affected engines of an airplane terminates
the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that airplane.
Note 2 to paragraph (i)(2): Guidance for accomplishing the
actions required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD can be found in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00, Issue 001,
dated December 12, 2022, which is referred to in Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
December 12, 2022.

(j) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications for Paragraph
(i)(2) of This AD

(1) Where the ``Compliance Time column of table 5 in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022, uses the
phrase ``the Issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB720007-00 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of
this AD.''
(2) Where the service information referenced in Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
December 12, 2022, specifies to remove the existing upper splitter
fairing assembly P/N KH60375, this AD requires removing the existing
upper splitter fairing assembly P/N KH60375 or P/N KH11560.

(k) Parts Installation Prohibition

(1) For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or
original export certificate of airworthiness issued after the
effective date of this AD, except for airplanes listed in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001,
dated December 12, 2022: As of the effective date of this AD, no
person may install an engine with an upper splitter fairing assembly
P/N KH60375 or P/N KH11560 on any airplane.
(2) For airplanes with original airworthiness certificate or
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before the
effective date of this AD and for airplanes listed in Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
December 12, 2022, on which, during the actions required by
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, no upper splitter fairing assembly P/N
KH60375 or P/N KH11560 was installed on both engines: After
accomplishing the inspection or records review required by paragraph
(i)(1) of this AD, no person may install an engine with an upper
splitter fairing assembly P/N KH60375 or P/N KH11560 for replacement
of an engine on those airplanes.

(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 AIR-520, Continued
Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (m) of this AD. Information may be emailed
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fdc4d0bcb3b0d0ae989c89899198d0bcbeb2d0bcb0b2bed0af988c88988e898ebd9b9c9cd39a928b">[email&#160;protected]</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, 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.

(m) Related Information

For more information about this AD, contact Tak Kobayashi,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3553; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fb8f9a909a9392889ad59094999a829a889392bb9d9a9ad59c948d">[email&#160;protected]</a>.

(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 this AD specifies otherwise.
(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on
[DATE 35 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].
(i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB720007-00
RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2022.
(ii) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00,
Issue 002, dated December 21, 2021.
(4) The following service information was approved for IBR on
January 27, 2021 (85 FR 83755, December 23, 2020).
(i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780041-00
RB, Issue 001, dated March 31, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(5) 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>.
(6) 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.
(7) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#472135692e2934372224332e2829072926352669202831">[email&#160;protected]</a>.

Issued on October 19, 2023.
Caitlin Locke,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-23520 Filed 10-30-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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