Rule2025-00144
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
January 8, 2025
Effective
February 12, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, and -300F airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a main landing gear (MLG) collapse event following maintenance where a grinder was operating outside of its input parameters, resulting in possible heat damage to the outer cylinder of the MLG. This AD requires replacing affected outer cylinders. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 5 (Wednesday, January 8, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 8, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1368-1371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00144]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1689; Project Identifier AD-2024-00109-T;
Amendment 39-22910; AD 2024-25-08]
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 all
The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, and -300F airplanes. This AD
was prompted by a report of a main landing gear (MLG) collapse event
following maintenance where a grinder was operating outside of its
input parameters, resulting in possible heat damage to the outer
cylinder of the MLG. This AD requires replacing affected outer
cylinders. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 12, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 12,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1689; 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-2024-1689.
[[Page 1369]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stefanie Roesli, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3964; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bae9cedfdcdbd4d3df94f494e8d5dfc9d6d3fadcdbdb94ddd5cc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3f6c4b5a595e51565a1171116d505a4c53567f595e5e11585049">[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 all The Boeing Company
Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on June 20, 2024 (89 FR 51856), corrected July 15,
2024 (89 FR 57377). The NPRM was prompted by a report of a MLG collapse
event following maintenance where a grinder was operating outside of
its input parameters, resulting in possible heat damage to the outer
cylinder of the MLG. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing
any affected outer cylinders. The FAA is issuing this AD to address any
heat damage to the outer cylinder of the landing gear, which could
result in the inability of a principal structural element to sustain
limit load, gear collapse resulting in loss of control of the airplane,
and potential for off-runway excursion.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from Air Line Pilots Association,
International, Aviation Partners Boeing, and an individual commenter,
who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received an additional comment from The Boeing Company. The
following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response.
Effect of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions
Aviation Partners Boeing stated that accomplishing Supplemental
Type Certificate (STC) ST01920SE does not affect the actions specified
in the proposed AD.
The FAA concurs with the commenter. The FAA has redesignated
paragraph (c) of the proposed AD as paragraph (c)(1) of this AD and
added paragraph (c)(2) to this AD to state that installation of STC
ST01920SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions
required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01920SE is
installed, a ``change in product'' alternative method of compliance
(AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with the
requirements of 14 CFR 39.17.
Request for Parts Installation Prohibition Paragraph
Boeing requested the addition of a parts installation prohibition
paragraph as of the effective date of this AD. Boeing stated that the
parts prohibition paragraph should prohibit installation of any
affected outer cylinders with part numbers and serial numbers listed in
Appendix A, B, or C of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-32A0253
RB, dated February 6, 2024, unless the parts have been inspected,
applicable on-condition corrective actions have been done, and the
parts have been part marked, in accordance with Appendix D of Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-32A0253 RB. The MLG outer cylinders are
rotable structural components (RSC) that may be moved from one airplane
to another. Additionally, the commenter asserted that since the
applicability of the proposed AD covers all Model 767-200, -300, and -
300F series airplanes in service, the parts installation prohibition is
needed to prevent the affected outer cylinders from being moved onto
airplanes that have already complied with the required actions of the
AD.
The FAA agrees to clarify. This AD applies to all The Boeing
Company Model 767-200, -300, and -300F airplanes. 14 CFR 39.7 specifies
that once an AD is issued, no person may operate a product to which the
AD applies except in accordance with the requirements of that AD.
Further, 14 CFR 39.9 imposes a continuing obligation to maintain
compliance with an AD by establishing a separate violation for each
time an aircraft is operated that fails to meet AD requirements. Since
this AD captures all possibly affected operators and requires
replacement of the affected parts, and since those operators have an
ongoing obligation to ensure that the AD-mandated configuration is
maintained, a parts installation prohibition is unnecessary. The FAA
has not changed this AD as a result of the request.
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, this
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 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 767-32A0253 RB,
dated February 6, 2024. This material specifies procedures for
performing a check of maintenance records or performing an inspection
of the left and right MLG outer cylinders for any affected part numbers
and serial numbers and replacing affected cylinders.
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 574 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Inspection or maintenance Up to 3 work- $0 Up to $255............. Up to $146,370.
records check for affected hours x $85 per
part numbers. hour = $255.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspection or maintenance records check. The agency has no way of
determining the number of aircraft that might need this replacement:
[[Page 1370]]
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Replacement of MLG outer cylinder (83 189 work-hours * x $85 per * $500,000 $516,065
affected parts). hour = $16,065.
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* Task work-hours and parts cost are based on one MLG outer cylinder replacement.
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:
2024-25-08 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22910; Docket No. FAA-
2024-1689; Project Identifier AD-2024-00109-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 12,
2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
(1) This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -
300, and -300F series airplanes, certificated in any category.
(2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
ST01920SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions
required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01920SE
is installed, a ``change in product'' alternative method of
compliance (AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with
the requirements of 14 CFR 39.17.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing
Gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a main landing gear (MLG)
collapse event following maintenance where a grinder was operating
outside of its input parameters, resulting in possible heat damage
to the outer cylinder of the MLG. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address any heat damage to the outer cylinder of the landing gear.
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the
inability of a principal structural element to sustain limit load,
gear collapse resulting in loss of control of the airplane, and
potential for off-runway excursion.
(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 767-32A0253 RB, dated February 6, 2024,
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
767-32A0253 RB, dated February 6, 2024.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
767-32A0253, dated February 6, 2024, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-32A0253 RB, dated February 6, 2024.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
Where the Boeing Recommended Compliance Time column of the table
in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 767-32A0253 RB, dated February 6, 2024, uses the phrase
``the Original Issue date of Requirements Bulletin 767-32A0253 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#9cddd1d3dfdcfafdfdb2fbf3ea"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ecada1a3afac8a8d8dc28b839a">[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 Stefanie Roesli,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3964; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#683b1c0d0e0906010d4626463a070d1b0401280e0909460f071e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5102253437303f38347f1f7f033e34223d38113730307f363e27">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is
[[Page 1371]]
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 767-32A0253 RB, dated
February 6, 2024.
(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="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#704c1150180215164d" http: www.archives.gov federal-register cfr ibr-locationsoremailfr.inspection@nara.gov">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/<span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f0999282dd9c9f939184999f9e839f82959d91999c9682de999e8380959384999f9eb09e918291de979f86">[email protected]</span></a>"><a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locationsoremailfr.inspection@nara.gov">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/<span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dfb6bdadf2b3b0bcbeabb6b0b1acb0adbab2beb6b3b9adf1b6b1acafbabcabb6b0b19fb1beadbef1b8b0a9">[email protected]</span></a></a>.
Issued on December 9, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-00144 Filed 1-7-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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