Rule2024-28782
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
December 9, 2024
Effective
January 13, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -200PF series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a crack growth analysis, which indicated that current inspections are not adequate to detect cracks in certain sections of the upper frame at the frame splice between certain stringers before a single frame fails. This AD requires an inspection or records review for existing repairs, repetitive inspections for cracks of the upper frame at the frame splices between certain stringers in certain sections, and applicable on-condition actions. 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 236 (Monday, December 9, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 236 (Monday, December 9, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 97494-97497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28782]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1053; Project Identifier AD-2023-00164-T;
Amendment 39-22891; AD 2024-24-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -200PF series
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a crack growth analysis, which
indicated that current inspections are not adequate to detect cracks in
certain sections of the upper frame at the frame splice between certain
stringers before a single frame fails. This AD requires an inspection
or records review for existing repairs, repetitive inspections for
cracks of the upper frame at the frame splices between certain
stringers in certain sections, and applicable on-condition actions. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 13, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 13,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1053, 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 address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For Boeing 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>.
<bullet> You may view this material 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> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1053.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Ha, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 562-627-
5238; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#780f1901161d561019381e1919561f170e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2255435b4c470c4a43624443430c454d54">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing
Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -200PF series airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2023 (88 FR 47402). The
NPRM was prompted by a crack growth analysis, which indicated that
current inspections are not adequate to detect cracks in certain
sections of the upper frame at the frame splice between certain
stringers before a single frame fails. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to
require an inspection or records review for existing repairs,
repetitive inspections for cracks of the upper frame at the frame
splices between certain stringers in certain sections, and applicable
on-condition actions.
The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The
Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -200PF series airplanes. The
SNPRM published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024 (89 FR
29274). The SNPRM was prompted by a determination that the repetitive
inspection intervals for airplanes that were modified by Aviation
Partners Boeing (APB) supplemental type certificate (STC) ST01518SE
needed to be revised. The SNPRM proposed to require the actions
specified in the NPRM, with certain revised compliance times.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking at the upper frames
common to the splice at stringers S-13 to S-14, which could interact
with fuselage skin cracking at the stringer S-14 lap splice. This
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the inability of a
principal structural element to sustain
[[Page 97495]]
limit loads, and could adversely affect the structural integrity of the
airplane.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from Boeing who supported the SNPRM
without change.
The FAA received additional comments from FedEx Express, United
Airlines (United), and European Air Transport Leipzig GmbH (EATL). The
following presents the comments received on the SNPRM and the FAA's
response to each comment.
Request To Use Different Figures
FedEx Express noted that its 757 fleet has been modified by VT MAE
STC ST03562AT, passenger-to-freighter modification for Model 757-200
series airplanes, which adds a main deck cargo door to the airplane.
After consultation with the STC holder, FedEx Express requested
modifications for Groups 1, 2, and 3 of Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 757-53A0115, dated January 25, 2022, for airplanes modified by
VT MAE STC ST03562AT. FedEx Express requested using the different
figures from the requirements bulletin for the factory freighter
airplanes along with shorter repeat intervals associated with those
figures. FedEx Express stated that all other figures along with the
method of inspections called out in the requirements bulletin will be
complied with according to their respective effectivity.
The FAA finds no justification for airplanes modified by VT MAE STC
ST03562AT to utilize the inspections, methods, and intervals in Groups
1, 2, and 3 of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0115, dated
January 25, 2022. FedEx did not provide sufficient justification and
data for airplanes modified by VT MAE STC ST03562AT to support a
revision to this AD. Operators must request approval of an alternative
method of compliance (AMOC) for airplanes modified by VT MAE STC
ST03562AT to address the unsafe condition of this AD and comply with
its requirements. For those airplanes, the FAA has added paragraph
(h)(4) of this AD to provide an exception to the actions specified in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0115, dated January 25, 2022.
Comment Regarding Compliance Time
United stated that the proposed requirement to divide the
applicable compliance times and repeat intervals specified in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0115, dated January 25, 2022, by a
factor of two is excessive and could create an undue burden on the
operators. United added that the FAA did not provide details regarding
how it determined requiring a reduction in compliance by a factor of
two. United understood that a reduction is necessary because APB does
not yet have an approved service bulletin to provide its compliance
requirements. However, United believed the reduction required by APB
will likely show a factor of two is not an accurate determination.
EATL stated the proposed exception in paragraph (h)(3) of the
proposed AD includes strong penalties for airplanes equipped with
winglets, as modified by APB STC ST01518SE. EATL noted Boeing and APB
usually work closely together to align impacts generated by
installation of winglets, which is then included in the compliance
tables of the requirements bulletin. EATL added that Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0115, dated January 25, 2022, does not
include such penalties or any indication that installation of winglets
affects the compliance times.
EATL stated the proposed exception in paragraph (h)(3) of the
proposed AD would prevent airplanes equipped with winglets, as modified
by APB STC ST01518SE, from scheduling the inspections required by this
AD during base maintenance events. EATL requested that the FAA re-
evaluate halving the applicable compliance times and repeat intervals
specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0115, dated
January 25, 2022.
The FAA stated the reduction in compliance by a factor of two is to
allow for APB to complete its evaluation of airplanes with APB STC
ST01518SE installed. The FAA determined this is a conservative and
appropriate compliance time for this AD. No changes have been made to
this AD in this regard.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, and
any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed
in the SNPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on
any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0115 RB,
dated January 25, 2022. This material specifies procedures for a
general visual inspection (GVI) or records review between stringers S-
13 and S-14 in Sections 43 and 46 for existing repairs. This material
also describes procedures, depending on the configuration, for
repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) and low frequency eddy
current (LFEC) inspections for cracking of the upper frames and splice
doublers at the frame splices between stringers S-13 and S-14, left-
and right-hand sides, in Sections 43 and 46; and applicable on-
condition actions. On-condition actions include repair.
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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 456 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost cost Cost per product operators
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GVI................................ 2 work-hours x $85 $0 $170 per inspection $77,520 per
per hour = $170 per cycle. inspection cycle.
inspection cycle.
Repetitive Inspections............. Up to 267 work-hours 0 Up to $22,695 per Up to $10,348,920 per
x $85 per hour = Up inspection cycle. inspection cycle.
to $22,695 per
inspection cycle.
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[[Page 97496]]
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,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will 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 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:
2024-24-01 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22891; Docket No. FAA-
2023-1053; Project Identifier AD-2023-00164-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 13, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and
-200PF series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified
in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0115 RB, dated January
25, 2022.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a crack growth analysis, which indicated
that current inspections are not adequate to detect cracks in the
Sections 43 and 46 upper frame at the frame splice between stringers
S-13 and S-14 before a single frame fails. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address cracking at the upper frames common to the splice at
stringers S-13 to S-14, which could interact with fuselage skin
cracking at the stringer S-14 lap splice. The unsafe condition, if
not addressed, could result in the inability of a principal
structural element to sustain limit loads, and could adversely
affect the structural integrity 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 757-53A0115 RB, dated January 25, 2022,
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
757-53A0115 RB, dated January 25, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
757-53A0115, dated January 25, 2022, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0115 RB, dated January 25, 2022.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-
53A0115 RB, dated January 25, 2022, use the phrase ``the original
issue date of Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0115 RB,'' this AD
requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0115 RB,
dated January 25, 2022, specifies contacting Boeing for repair
instructions or for alternative inspections: This AD requires doing
the repair and doing the alternative inspections and applicable on-
condition actions using a method approved in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
(3) For airplanes on which winglet structural provisions
(original equipment manufacturer (OEM) wingtips) or Aviation
Partners Boeing (APB) winglets have been installed in accordance
with APB Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01518SE: This AD
requires dividing the applicable compliance times and repeat
intervals specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing
Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0115 RB, dated January 25, 2022, by a
factor of two.
(4) For airplanes modified by VT MAE STC ST03562AT: Where
paragraph (g) of this AD requires doing ``all applicable actions
identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0115 RB,
dated January 25, 2022,'' this AD requires obtaining inspection
instructions and applicable repair instructions in accordance with
the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD at the later of
the compliance times specified in paragraphs (h)(4)(i) and (ii) of
this AD. Comply with all applicable instructions at the time
specified in the instructions.
(i) Before 50,000 total flight cycles.
(ii) Within 2,500 flight cycles after 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#bffef2f0fcffd9dede91d8d0c9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1a5b5755595a7c7b7b347d756c">[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, 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 Wayne Ha,
Aviation Safety Engineer,
[[Page 97497]]
Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street,
Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 562-627-5238; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aaddcbd3c4cf84c2cbeacccbcb84cdc5dc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="83f4e2faede6adebe2c3e5e2e2ade4ecf5">[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 (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 757-53A0115 RB, dated
January 25, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Boeing 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 St.,
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#8fe9fda1e6e1fcffeaecfbe6e0e1cfe1eefdeea1e8e0f9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="afc9dd81c6c1dcdfcaccdbc6c0c1efc1ceddce81c8c0d9">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on November 19, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-28782 Filed 12-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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