Rule2024-13936
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
June 26, 2024
Effective
July 11, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for The Boeing Company Model 757-200 airplanes modified by particular supplemental type certificates. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the structure in and around the lavatory service panel. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the lavatory service panel, access pan, and attaching structure for cracks; reinforcing the attaching structure; and if necessary, replacing the access pan or repairing cracked parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 123 (Wednesday, June 26, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 26, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53349-53352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13936]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1687; Project Identifier AD-2024-00253-T;
Amendment 39-22771; AD 2024-12-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for The
Boeing Company Model 757-200 airplanes modified by particular
supplemental type certificates. This AD was prompted by reports of
cracking in the structure in and around the lavatory service panel.
This AD requires repetitively inspecting the lavatory service panel,
access pan, and attaching structure for cracks; reinforcing the
attaching structure; and if necessary, replacing the access pan or
repairing cracked parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 11, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 11,
2024.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by August 12, 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> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2024-1687; 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 final rule, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
[[Page 53350]]
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For Precision Conversions LLC material, contact Precision
Conversions LLC, 9800 SW Nimbus Ave., Beaverton, OR 97008; ATTN: Brent
VanFossen; phone 503-601-3001; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aeccdccbc0da80d8cfc0c8c1ddddcbc0eededccbcdc7ddc7c1c0cfc7dccddccfc8da80cdc1c3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="523020373c267c24333c343d2121373c12222037313b213b3d3c333b2031203334267c313d3f">[email protected]</span></a>.
<bullet> 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. It is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>
under Docket No. FAA-2024-1687.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Zuklic, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone
206-231-3858; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5d37322e382d35732f7327283631343e1d3b3c3c733a322b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a4cecbd7c1d4cc8ad68aded1cfc8cdc7e4c2c5c58ac3cbd2">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include Docket No. FAA-2024-1687 and Project
Identifier AD-2024-00253-T at the beginning of your comments. The most
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule,
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 final rule 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 final rule.
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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Joseph
Zuklic, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone 206-231-3858; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#92f8fde1f7e2fabce0bce8e7f9fefbf1d2f4f3f3bcf5fde4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c8a2a7bbadb8a0e6bae6b2bda3a4a1ab88aea9a9e6afa7be">[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 several reports of cracking in the structure
in and around the lavatory service panel. The stress concentrations in
the lavatory service panel access pan, the fuselage skin, and the
stringer 22 (S-22R) attachment to the service panel are too high
causing fatigue cracking. This condition, if not addressed, could
result in an in-flight depressurization of the airplane, and reduced
structural integrity of the aircraft. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this AD because the agency has determined the
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in
other products of the same type design.
Related Material Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Precision Conversions LLC Service Bulletin PC-757-
53A0005, Revision 2, dated May 7, 2024. This material specifies
procedures for a detailed visual and eddy current inspection of the
lavatory service panel, access pan, and attaching structure for cracks.
In addition, this material specifies procedures for reinforcing the
attaching structure including the following repetitive inspections for
cracks: repetitive detailed visual inspections of access pan corners;
internal low-frequency eddy current (LFEC) inspections of the external
skin around all fastener holes common to the access pan; and internal
high-frequency eddy current (HFEC) or external LFEC inspections of the
doubler-to-skin fastener holes, skin trim area, and lavatory service
panel cover plate fastener holes. Corrective actions specified in this
material include replacing the access pan and obtaining and following
repair instructions, if necessary. This material is reasonably
available because the interested parties have access to it through
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the
ADDRESSES section.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the
material already described, except as discussed under ``Differences
Between this AD and the Referenced Material,'' and except for any
differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD.
Difference Between This AD and the Referenced Material
Precision Conversions Service Bulletin PC-757-53A0005, Revision 2,
dated May 7, 2024, allows repetitive inspections as an option if no
crack is found during the detailed visual inspection of the lavatory
service panel, access pan fastener holes, S-22R stringer, and external
skin (Condition 2, Option 1). However, the FAA received numerous
reports of cracking in the structure in and around the lavatory service
panel, necessitating reinforcement of the area within 2,000 flight
cycles. Long-term inspections may not provide the degree of safety
necessary for the affected fleet; thus, this AD does not allow for this
inspection to be repeated and instead requires installing the
reinforcement within 2,000 flight cycles after the initial inspection.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to
the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because fatigue cracking in the lavatory service panel, the fuselage
skin, and/or stringer 22 could result in an in-flight depressurization
of the airplane and reduced structural integrity of the aircraft.
Several affected airplanes have already exceeded the flight cycle
inspection threshold. In addition, the FAA received numerous reports of
cracking in the structure in and around
[[Page 53351]]
the lavatory service panel, supporting an increased likelihood of a
decompression event on aircraft that are not reinforced. Because of the
urgency of the unsafe condition, affected airplanes must be inspected
within the grace period (3 months) allowed after the effective date of
this AD. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment
are impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment,
RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 13 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts
Action Labor cost cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.................... 8 work-hours x $0 $680 per inspection cycle $8,840 per inspection
$85 per hour = cycle.
$680 per
inspection
cycle.
Reinforcement installation.... 38 work-hours x 3,910 7,140.................... 92,820.
$85 per hour =
$3,230.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any replacement that
would be required based on the results of the inspection. The FAA has
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this
replacement:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service pan replacement...................... 10 work-hours x $85 per hour = $250 $1,100
$850.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this 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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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:
2024-12-07 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22771; Docket No. FAA-
2024-1687; Project Identifier AD-2024-00253-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 11, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 757-200 airplanes,
certificated in any category, modified by supplemental type
certificate ST01529SE or ST02278SE.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the structure in
and around the lavatory service panel. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address cracks in and around the lavatory service panel. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in an in-flight
depressurization of the airplane and reduced structural integrity of
the aircraft.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Precision
Conversions Service Bulletin PC-757-53A0005, Revision 2, dated May
7, 2024.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the table in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Precision
Conversions Service Bulletin PC-757-53A0005, Revision 2, dated May
7, 2024, refers to the original issue date of this service bulletin,
this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where the table in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Precision
Conversions Service
[[Page 53352]]
Bulletin PC-757-53A0005, Revision 2, dated May 7, 2024, specifies in
Condition 2 Option 1 to repetitively inspect if no cracks are found,
this AD does not allow repetitive inspections and requires
installing reinforcement within 2,000 flight cycles after the
initial inspection in accordance with Paragraph III, Part 3,
Reinforcement, of Precision Conversions Service Bulletin PC-757-
53A0005, Revision 2, dated May 7, 2024.
(3) Where Precision Conversions Service Bulletin PC-757-53A0005,
Revision 2, dated May 7, 2024, specifies contacting Precision
Engineering for instructions when specific conditions are found,
this AD requires complying with those instructions by using a method
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph
(i) of this AD.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, West Certification 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#d3929e9c9093b5b2b2fdb4bca5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="397874767a795f5858175e564f">[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.
(4) Except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD: For material
that contains steps that are labeled as Required for Compliance
(RC), the provisions of paragraphs (i)(4)(i) and (ii) of this AD
apply.
(i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply
with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is
required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and
identified figures.
(ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy
condition.
(j) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Joseph Zuklic,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
WA 98198; phone 206-231-3858; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a4cecbd7c1d4cc8ad68aded1cfc8cdc7e4c2c5c58ac3cbd2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="88e2e7fbedf8e0a6faa6f2fde3e4e1ebc8eee9e9a6efe7fe">[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 material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Precision Conversions Service Bulletin PC-757-53A0005,
Revision 2, dated May 7, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Precision Conversions LLC material, contact Precision
Conversions LLC, 9800 SW Nimbus Ave, Beaverton, OR 97008; ATTN:
Brent VanFossen; phone 503-601-3001; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e08292858e94ce96818e868f9393858ea0909285838993898f8e8189928392818694ce838f8d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ceefee9e2f8a2faede2eae3ffffe9e2ccfcfee9efe5ffe5e3e2ede5feeffeedeaf8a2efe3e1">[email protected]</span></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#2345510d4a4d50534640574a4c4d634d4251420d444c55"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dcbaaef2b5b2afacb9bfa8b5b3b29cb2bdaebdf2bbb3aa">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on June 11, 2024.
Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-13936 Filed 6-21-24; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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