Proposed Rule2024-06130
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 25, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the nitrogen enriched air distribution system (NEADS) cover plate assembly attached to a certain vent stringer in the center wing tank was installed without a designed electrical bond. This proposed AD would require installing electrical bonding and grounding, installing the cover plate assembly with new fasteners, and revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new airworthiness limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 58 (Monday, March 25, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 58 (Monday, March 25, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20555-20558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06130]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-0761; Project Identifier AD-2023-01256-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD
was prompted by a determination that the nitrogen enriched air
distribution system (NEADS) cover plate assembly attached to a certain
vent stringer in the center wing tank was installed without a designed
electrical bond. This proposed AD would require installing electrical
bonding and grounding, installing the cover plate assembly with new
fasteners, and revising the existing maintenance or inspection program,
as applicable, to incorporate new airworthiness limitations. 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 May 9,
2024.
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-2024-0761; or in person at
[[Page 20556]]
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, 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 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-2024-0761.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Decaro, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone: 562-627-5374; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f3b29d879b9c9d8addb7ddb7969092819cb3959292dd949c85"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="83c2edf7ebecedfaadc7adc7e6e0e2f1ecc3e5e2e2ade4ecf5">[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-2024-0761; Project Identifier
AD-2023-01256-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
Anthony Decaro, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street,
Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone: 562-627-5374; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7a3b140e12151403543e543e1f191b08153a1c1b1b541d150c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbfad5cfd3d4d5c295ff95ffded8dac9d4fbdddada95dcd4cd">[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 a production audit by the
design approval holder found that the design of the NEADS cover plate
assembly did not comply with the requirements for nitrogen generation
system certification (14 CFR 25.981). It was discovered that the cover
plate assembly was installed without a designed electrical bond for
electrostatic dissipation. As a result, Boeing has changed the cover
plate assembly installation procedure to include a new electrical bond
between the cover plate assembly and vent stringer No. 15. In addition,
new stainless steel alloy fasteners are used to attach the cover plate
assembly to vent stringer No. 15. The accumulation of electrostatic
charge in the cover plate assembly and the float valve assembly, which
is attached to the cover plate assembly, could lead to electrostatic
discharge to the surrounding structure. This condition, if not
addressed, could result in an ignition source inside the fuel tank and
subsequent fire or explosion.
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 777-47A0007 RB,
dated November 21, 2023. This service information specifies procedures
for removing the cover plate assembly and its attached float valve
assembly, installing electrical bonding and grounding, measuring the
bonding resistance between the bolt heads/cover plate assembly/float
valve assembly mounting flange and the vent stringer No. 15 and between
the nuts and the cover plate assembly, and installing the cover plate
assembly with new fasteners. The service information also requires
revising the operator's maintenance or inspection program, as
applicable, by incorporating new airworthiness limitations (AWLs). 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-
2024-0761.
This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections) and
Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs). Compliance
with these actions and CDCCLs is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in
the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able
to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request
approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph
(j) of this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 292 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
[[Page 20557]]
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electrical bond installation.......... 27 work-hours x $85 per $93 $2,388 $697,296
hour = $2,295.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator,
although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator
to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection
program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined
that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane
estimate. Therefore, the agency estimates the average total cost per
operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).
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-2024-0761; Project Identifier AD-
2023-01256-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by May 9, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -
300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes, certificated in any
category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-
47A0007 RB, dated November 21, 2023.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that the nitrogen
enriched air distribution system (NEADS) cover plate assembly
attached to vent stringer No. 15 in the center wing tank was
installed without a designed electrical bond. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the accumulation of electrostatic charge in the
cover plate assembly and float valve assembly, which could lead to
electrostatic discharge to the surrounding structure. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in result in an ignition
source inside the fuel tank and subsequent fire or explosion.
(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 777-47A0007 RB, dated November 21, 2023,
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
777-47A0007 RB, dated November 21, 2023.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
777-47A0007, dated November 21, 2023, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-47A0007 RB, dated November 21, 2023.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the ``Effectivity'' paragraph and Compliance Time
columns of the tables in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-47A0007 RB, dated November 21, 2023,
uses the phrase ``the Original Issue date of Requirements Bulletin
777-47A0007 RB,'' this AD requires using the effective date of this
AD.
(2) Where the Compliance Time for ACTION 3: Incorporate
Maintenance Planning Document (MPD), in the ``Compliance'' paragraph
of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-47A0007 RB, dated November
21, 2023, is ``Before further flight after accomplishing ACTION 1
and ACTION 2,'' this AD requires incorporating the MPD within 60
days after the effective date of this AD.
(i) No Alternative Actions, Intervals, or Critical Design Configuration
Control Limitations (CDCCLs)
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless
the actions, intervals, and CDCCLs are approved as an alternative
method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures
specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
(j) 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,
[[Page 20558]]
send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)
of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fac3d7bbb4b7d7a99f9b8e8e969fd7bbb9b5d7bbb7b5b9d7a89f8b8f9f898e89ba9c9b9bd49d958c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ecd5c1ada2a1c1bf898d98988089c1adafa3c1ada1a3afc1be899d99899f989fac8a8d8dc28b839a">[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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Anthony Decaro,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
WA 98198; telephone: 562-627-5374; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#db9ab5afb3b4b5a2f59ff59fbeb8baa9b49bbdbabaf5bcb4ad"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="074669736f68697e2943294362646675684761666629606871">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the address specified in
paragraph (l)(3) of this AD.
(l) 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 777-47A0007 RB, dated
November 21, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information, 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 material 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 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#284e5a0641465b584d4b5c4147466846495a49064f475e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1076623e797e6360757364797f7e507e7162713e777f66">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on March 19, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-06130 Filed 3-22-24; 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 25, 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.