Proposed Rule2024-05913
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
March 22, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would have applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787- 10 airplanes. The NPRM was prompted by a report indicating that during regular pre-flight checks, multiple door assist handles failed by pulling loose from their lower attachment point in the doorway support bracket. The NPRM would have required, depending on airplane configuration, inspecting the forward and aft door assist handles for correct installation, installing a new retainer above the lower keyway of the support bracket assembly at certain locations, installing a placard on certain support bracket assemblies, re-identifying the support bracket assembly, and replacing the upper spring clip. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that the intended corrective actions do not address the unsafe condition. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 57 (Friday, March 22, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 57 (Friday, March 22, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20363-20364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05913]
[[Page 20363]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0876; Project Identifier AD-2021-00999-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would
have applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-
10 airplanes. The NPRM was prompted by a report indicating that during
regular pre-flight checks, multiple door assist handles failed by
pulling loose from their lower attachment point in the doorway support
bracket. The NPRM would have required, depending on airplane
configuration, inspecting the forward and aft door assist handles for
correct installation, installing a new retainer above the lower keyway
of the support bracket assembly at certain locations, installing a
placard on certain support bracket assemblies, re-identifying the
support bracket assembly, and replacing the upper spring clip. Since
issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that the intended
corrective actions do not address the unsafe condition. Accordingly,
the NPRM is withdrawn.
DATES: As of March 22, 2024, the proposed rule, which was published in
the Federal Register on September 22, 2022 (87 FR 57850), is withdrawn.
ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>
under Docket No. +FAA-2022-0876; 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 AD action, any comments received,
and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandon Lucero, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3569; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a3e1d1c2cdc7cccd8defd6c0c6d1cce3c5c2c28dc4ccd5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c98bbba8a7ada6a7e785bcaaacbba689afa8a8e7aea6bf">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued an NPRM that proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by
adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-
8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on September 22, 2022 (87 FR 57850). The NPRM was prompted by
a report that during regular pre-flight checks, multiple door assist
handles failed by pulling loose from their lower attachment point in
the doorway support bracket. The NPRM proposed to require, depending on
airplane configuration, inspecting the forward and aft door assist
handles for correct installation, installing a new retainer above the
lower keyway of the support bracket assembly at certain locations,
installing a placard on certain support bracket assemblies,
reidentifying the support bracket assembly, and replacing the upper
spring clip.
The proposed actions were intended to address loose or detached
door assist handles, which could result in injury to passengers, crew,
or maintenance personnel due to falling out of the airplane when
opening the door, and could limit exit from the airplane during a time-
limited emergency evacuation.
Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued
Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that the
proposed corrective actions do not mitigate the unsafe condition. The
FAA continues to work with Boeing to develop an acceptable corrective
action and corresponding service information, and is considering
further rulemaking to address the identified unsafe condition.
Withdrawal of the NPRM constitutes only such action and does not
preclude the FAA from further rulemaking on this issue, nor does it
commit the FAA to any course of action in the future.
Comments
The FAA received a comment from the Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received additional comments from Avianca Airlines and
United Airlines. The following presents the comments received on the
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Request To Change the Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code
Avianca Airlines requested that paragraph (d), Subject, of the
proposed AD be changed to ``Code 25, Equipment and furnishings.''
Avianca Airlines suggested the proposed AD should be consistent with
the ATA chapter as classified by the service information. Boeing
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250253-00 RB, Issue 001, dated June
18, 2021; and Boeing Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250254-00 RB,
Issue 001, dated February 22, 2021; are under the scope of ATA 25.
The FAA agrees with the change requested by the commenter, but
because the FAA is withdrawing the NPRM, the request is no longer
necessary.
Request To Include the Later Revisions for a Safran Service Bulletin
United Airlines Engineering concurred with the work scope and
compliance time of the NPRM, but requested that the proposed AD include
later revisions of Safran SB C355101-25-02 since it has been revised to
Revision 3, dated July 16, 2021. Paragraph (h)(3) of the proposed AD
covers only SAFRAN Service Bulletin C355101-25-02, Revision 2, dated
February 24, 2021. The commenter requested that paragraph (h)(3) of the
proposed AD be changed to ``SAFRAN Service Bulletin C355101-25-02,
Revision 2, dated February 24, 2021 or later.''
The FAA acknowledges the comment. However, because the NPRM is
being withdrawn, the commenter's request is no longer necessary.
FAA's Conclusions
Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that the NPRM
does not adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.
Regulatory Findings
Since this action only withdraws an NPRM, it is neither a proposed
nor a final rule. This action therefore is not covered under Executive
Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Withdrawal
Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking (Docket No. FAA-
2022-0876), which was published in the Federal Register on September
22, 2022 (87 FR 57850), is withdrawn.
[[Page 20364]]
Issued on March 15, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-05913 Filed 3-21-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on March 22, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.