Proposed Rule2025-02316
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
February 12, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-12-13, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. AD 2019-12-13 requires repetitive checks of the aileron trim actuator bearing for free rotation, repetitive detailed inspections of the aileron trim actuator attachment lug for damage and cracking, and applicable on-condition actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-12-13, the FAA has determined that a modification must be done to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2019-12-13. This proposed AD would also require for certain airplanes changing the lateral control box support assembly and installing an aileron trim actuator bracket, and for certain other airplanes replacing the existing actuator lateral control fitting with an aileron trim actuator bracket, which terminates the repetitive checks and inspections. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 28 (Wednesday, February 12, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 12, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9403-9406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02316]
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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. 90, No. 28 / Wednesday, February 12, 2025 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 9403]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0196; Project Identifier AD-2024-00250-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2019-12-13, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 757
airplanes. AD 2019-12-13 requires repetitive checks of the aileron trim
actuator bearing for free rotation, repetitive detailed inspections of
the aileron trim actuator attachment lug for damage and cracking, and
applicable on-condition actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-12-13,
the FAA has determined that a modification must be done to address the
unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the
actions in AD 2019-12-13. This proposed AD would also require for
certain airplanes changing the lateral control box support assembly and
installing an aileron trim actuator bracket, and for certain other
airplanes replacing the existing actuator lateral control fitting with
an aileron trim actuator bracket, which terminates the repetitive
checks and inspections. 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 March 31,
2025.
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-2025-0196; 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 the material identified in this proposed 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-2025-0196.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katherine Venegas, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 562-
627-5353; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f49f95809c91869d9a91da82919a91939587b4929595da939b82"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bad1dbced2dfc8d3d4df94ccdfd4dfdddbc9fadcdbdb94ddd5cc">[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 the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-0196;
Project Identifier AD-2024-00250-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
Katherine Venegas, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 562-627-5353; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#650e04110d00170c0b004b13000b00020416250304044b020a13"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d7bcb6a3bfb2a5beb9b2f9a1b2b9b2b0b6a497b1b6b6f9b0b8a1">[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 issued AD 2019-12-13, Amendment 39-19668 (84 FR 30577, June
27, 2019) (AD 2019-12-13), for all Boeing 757 airplanes. AD 2019-12-13
was prompted by a report of the failure of the aileron trim actuator
attachment lug. AD 2019-12-13 requires repetitive checks of the aileron
trim actuator bearing for free rotation, repetitive detailed
inspections of the aileron trim actuator attachment lug for damage and
cracking, and applicable on-condition actions. The agency issued AD
2019-12-13 to address failure of the aileron trim actuator attachment
lug and subsequent loss of feel force, wheel centering, and lateral
trim, which, if not corrected, could cause over-control of
[[Page 9404]]
the airplane and subsequent lateral pilot-induced oscillations that
could adversely affect continued safe flight and landing.
Actions Since AD 2019-12-13 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2019-12-13, the FAA has determined that a
modification must be done to address the unsafe condition. The preamble
to AD 2019-12-13 specifies that the FAA considers that AD ``interim
action'' and that the FAA might consider further rulemaking if a
modification is developed, approved, and available. The manufacturer
has since developed such a modification, which would terminate the
repetitive inspections required by AD 2019-12-13.
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 757-27A0159 RB,
Revision 1, dated April 29, 2020. This material describes procedures
for repetitive checks of the aileron trim actuator bearing for free
rotation, repetitive detailed inspections of the aileron trim actuator
attachment lug for damage or cracking, and applicable on-condition
actions. On-condition actions include high frequency eddy current
(HFEC) inspections of the aileron trim actuator attachment lug for
cracking, repair, and replacement. This revision only adds references
to AD 2019-12-13 and does not add any new actions.
The FAA also reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-
27A0160 RB, dated April 1, 2024. This material specifies procedures for
modifying the affected airplanes, which includes for certain airplanes
changing the lateral control box support assembly (which includes doing
a portable method C penetrant inspection of the machined surface of the
lug for any crack, and repair as applicable) and installing an aileron
trim actuator bracket, and for certain other airplanes replacing the
existing actuator lateral control fitting with an aileron trim actuator
bracket. Accomplishment of the modification terminates the repetitive
checks and inspections specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
757-27A0159 RB.
This proposed AD would also require Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB, dated March 29, 2019, which the Director of
the Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of July
12, 2019 (84 FR 30577, June 27, 2019).
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.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would retain all of the requirements of AD 2019-
12-13 and would refer to Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159
RB, Revision 1, dated April 29, 2020, as the appropriate source of
service information for accomplishing the retained actions.
This proposed AD would also require doing the actions described in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0160 RB, dated April 1, 2024,
above, 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-2025-0196.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 460 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repetitive inspections (retained 3 work-hours x $85 $0 $255 per inspection $117,300 per
actions from AD per hour = $255 per cycle. inspection cycle.
2019[dash]12[dash]13). inspection cycle.
Install aileron trim actuator 6 work-hours x $85 3,820 $4,330.............. $1,991,800.
bracket (new proposed action). per hour = $510.
Change the lateral control box 2 work-hours x $85 0 $170................ $69,020.*
assembly for Groups 1, 4, and 5 per hour = $170.
(new proposed action).
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* The number of airplanes in Groups 1, 4, and 5, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0160
RB, dated April 1, 2024, is estimated to be 406.
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. The agency has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement (retained actions from AD 4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $17,693 $18,033
2019[dash]12[dash]13). $340.
HFEC inspection (retained actions from AD 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 0 85
2019[dash]12[dash]13).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repair specified in this proposed AD.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue
[[Page 9405]]
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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-12-13, Amendment 39-19668
(84 FR 30577, June 27, 2019), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2025-0196; Project Identifier AD-
2024-00250-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 31, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2019-12-13, Amendment 39-19668 (84 FR 30577,
June 27, 2019) (AD 2019-12-13).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB,
-200PF, and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
controls.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of the failure of the aileron
trim actuator attachment lug. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
failure of the aileron trim actuator attachment lug and subsequent
loss of feel force, wheel centering, and lateral trim. The unsafe
condition, if not corrected, could cause over-control of the
airplane and subsequent lateral pilot-induced oscillations, which
could adversely affect continued safe flight and landing.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Retained Required Actions, With Revised Service Information
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD
2019-12-13, with revised service information. Except as specified by
paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-
27A0159 RB, Revision 1, dated April 29, 2020, do all applicable
actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB,
dated March 29, 2019, or Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-
27A0159 RB, Revision 1, dated April 29, 2020. As of the effective
date of this AD, only use Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-
27A0159 RB, Revision 1, dated April 29, 2020, for the actions
required by this paragraph.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
757-27A0159, dated March 29, 2019, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB, dated March 29, 2019.
Note 2 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can also be found in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 757-27A0159, Revision 1, dated April 29, 2020, which is
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB,
Revision 1, dated April 29, 2020.
(h) Retained Exception, With Revised Service Information
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h)(2) of
AD 2019-12-13, with revised service information. Where Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB, dated March 29, 2019, and
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB, Revision 1, dated
April 29, 2020, specify contacting Boeing for repair instructions:
This AD requires doing the repair using a method approved in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this
AD.
(i) New Required Actions
Except as specified by paragraph (j) of this AD: At the
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0160 RB, dated April 1, 2024, do
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
757-27A0160 RB, dated April 1, 2024. Doing the modification required
in this paragraph terminates the inspections required by paragraph
(g) of this AD.
Note 3 to paragraph (i): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
757-27A0160, dated April 1, 2024, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0160 RB, dated April 1, 2024.
(j) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-
27A0160 RB, dated April 1, 2024, refer to the original issue date of
Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0160 RB, this AD requires using the
effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0160 RB,
dated April 1, 2024, specifies contacting Boeing for repair
instructions: This AD requires doing the repair using a method
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph
(k) of this AD.
(k) 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
(l)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a0e1edefe3e0c6c1c18ec7cfd6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9adbd7d5d9dafcfbfbb4fdf5ec">[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
[[Page 9406]]
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) AMOCs approved for AD 2019-12-13 are approved as AMOCs for
the corresponding provisions of paragraph (g) of this AD.
(l) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Katherine
Venegas, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 562-627-5353; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c2a9a3b6aaa7b0abaca7ecb4a7aca7a5a3b182a4a3a3eca5adb4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3b505a4f535e4952555e154d5e555e5c5a487b5d5a5a155c544d">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by
reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (m)(5)
of this AD.
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
(3) The following material was approved for IBR on [DATE 35 DAYS
AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].
(i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB, Revision
1, dated April 29, 2020.
(ii) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0160 RB, dated
March 29, 2024.
(4) The following material was approved for IBR on July 12, 2019
(84 FR 30577, June 27, 2019).
(i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB, dated
March 29, 2019.
(ii) [Reserved]
(5) 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>.
(6) 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.
(7) 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#a3c5d18dcacdd0d3c6c0d7cacccde3cdc2d1c28dc4ccd5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dabca8f4b3b4a9aabfb9aeb3b5b49ab4bba8bbf4bdb5ac">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on February 3, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-02316 Filed 2-11-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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