Proposed Rule2024-16474
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
July 29, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300 and -400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that flight control rigging tolerances could result in spoiler deflection not reaching the minimal level required to engage the cruise thrust split monitor (MONFD) used by the autothrottle (A/T) system. This proposed AD would require changing certain wire bundles, installing a new housing assembly, removing the mechanical aileron force limiter (MAFL), doing an inspection or records check to determine if certain flight control computers (FCCs) are installed, 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 89 Issue 145 (Monday, July 29, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 145 (Monday, July 29, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60836-60838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16474]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 145 / Monday, July 29, 2024 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 60836]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1897; Project Identifier AD-2023-00774-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 737-300 and -400 series airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by a report that flight control rigging
tolerances could result in spoiler deflection not reaching the minimal
level required to engage the cruise thrust split monitor (MONFD) used
by the autothrottle (A/T) system. This proposed AD would require
changing certain wire bundles, installing a new housing assembly,
removing the mechanical aileron force limiter (MAFL), doing an
inspection or records check to determine if certain flight control
computers (FCCs) are installed, 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 September
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> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1897; 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 material 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 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> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2024-1897.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Igama, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 562-627-
5388; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2a58454e4f5843494104434d4b474b6a4c4b4b044d455c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="95e7faf1f0e7fcf6febbfcf2f4f8f4d5f3f4f4bbf2fae3">[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-2024-1897; Project Identifier
AD-2023-00774-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 Eric
Igama, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des
Moines, WA 98198; telephone 562-627-5388; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#95e7faf1f0e7fcf6febbfcf2f4f8f4d5f3f4f4bbf2fae3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7604191213041f151d581f11171b173610171758111900">[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 that flight control
rigging tolerances could result in spoiler deflection not reaching the
minimal level required to engage the MONFD used by the A/T system. The
manufacturer reported that the rigging procedure for Boeing Model 737-
300 and -400 series airplanes equipped with a MAFL allows for rigging
of the autopilot roll authority limit to a minimum of 15 degrees
control wheel. However, this control wheel position could result in the
spoiler deflection not reaching the 2.5 degree A/T MONFD activation
point, which could prevent the A/T MONFD from engaging. This condition,
if not addressed, could lead to significant throttle split, leading to
asymmetric thrust and the subsequent lack of autothrottle
disengagement, which could result in an uncommanded roll and consequent
loss of control of the airplane, and reduced ability of the flightcrew
to maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane.
[[Page 60837]]
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.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1399 RB,
dated April 13, 2023. This material specifies procedures for changing
certain wire bundles, installing a new housing assembly, removing the
MAFL, doing an inspection or records check to determine if certain FCCs
are installed (FCCs that have an electronic aileron limiter (EAL)
revision), and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions
include installing new FCCs or re-installing kept FCCs (the
installation includes doing specified tests and applicable corrective
actions until the tests are passed).
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 ADDRESSES.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the material 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
material at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2024-1897.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 110 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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Wire bundle change, MAFL Up to 10 work-hours $0 Up to $850......... Up to $93,500.
removal, housing assembly x $85 per hour =
installation, and inspection/ up to $850.
records review.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection/records review. The agency has no way of
determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition
actions:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Installation of FCCs......................... 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $7,250 $7,420
$170.
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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-2024-1897; Project Identifier AD-
2023-00774-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by September 12, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-300 and -400
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in
[[Page 60838]]
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1399 RB, dated April 13,
2023.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
controls.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that flight control rigging
tolerances could result in spoiler deflection not reaching the
minimal level required to engage the cruise thrust split monitor
(MONFD) used by the autothrottle (A/T) system. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address failure of the spoiler deflection to engage the
MONFD. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to
significant throttle split, leading to asymmetric thrust and the
subsequent lack of autothrottle disengagement, which could result in
an uncommanded roll and consequent loss of control of the airplane,
and reduced ability of the flightcrew to maintain the safe flight
and landing of the airplane.
(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 737-22A1399 RB, dated April 13, 2023, do
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
737-22A1399 RB, dated April 13, 2023.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737-22A1399, dated April 13, 2023, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1399 RB, dated April 13, 2023.
(h) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications
Where the Compliance Time columns of the table in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-
22A1399 RB, dated April 13, 2023, use the phrase ``the original
issue date of Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1399 RB,'' this AD
requires using the effective date of this AD.
(i) 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
(j)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#591814161a193f3838773e362f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="31707c7e72715750501f565e47">[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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Eric Igama,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
WA 98198; phone: 562-627-5388; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5e2c313a3b2c373d357037393f333f1e383f3f70393128"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="91e3fef5f4e3f8f2fabff8f6f0fcf0d1f7f0f0bff6fee7">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by
reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (k)(3)
of this AD.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material 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) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1399 RB, dated
April 13, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For the material 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 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#6107134f080f1211040215080e0f210f0013004f060e17"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3157431f585f4241545245585e5f715f5043501f565e47">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on July 23, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-16474 Filed 7-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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