Proposed Rule2025-03081
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
February 26, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that very high frequency (VHF) radio frequencies transfer between the active and standby windows of the tuning control panel (TCP) without flightcrew input. The uncommanded frequency changes could result in missed communications between the flightcrew and Air Traffic Control. This proposed AD would require updating the TCP operational software (OPS) and performing a software configuration check. 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 37 (Wednesday, February 26, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 26, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10703-10705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03081]
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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. 37 / Wednesday, February 26, 2025 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 10703]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0204; Project Identifier AD-2024-00327-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 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that very high
frequency (VHF) radio frequencies transfer between the active and
standby windows of the tuning control panel (TCP) without flightcrew
input. The uncommanded frequency changes could result in missed
communications between the flightcrew and Air Traffic Control. This
proposed AD would require updating the TCP operational software (OPS)
and performing a software configuration check. 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 April 14,
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-2025-0204; 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 Boeing 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-2025-0204.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Carreras, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3539; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#630511020d084d0002111106110210230502024d040c15"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="224450434c490c4143505047504351624443430c454d54">[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-2025-0204;
Project Identifier AD-2024-00327-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 Frank
Carreras, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3539; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8ceafeede2e7a2efedfefee9feedffcceaededa2ebe3fa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5f392d3e3134713c3e2d2d3a2d3e2c1f393e3e71383029">[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 reports indicating that VHF radio frequencies
transfer between the active and standby windows of the TCP without
flightcrew input. The flightcrew may not be aware of uncommanded
frequency changes and could fail to receive air traffic control
communications. This condition, if not addressed, could result in
missed communications such as amended clearances and critical
instructions for changes to flight path and consequent loss of safe
separation between aircraft, collision, or runway incursion.
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 B787-81205-
SB230051-00 RB, Issue 001, dated May
[[Page 10704]]
20, 2024. This material specifies procedures for updating the OPS on
TCP center, TCP left, and TCP right, and for a performing a software
configuration check to make sure that software part number (P/N) COL43-
0025-0004 or later approved software part number is installed. 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 require accomplishing the actions specified
in the material already described, except as described under
``Difference Between this Proposed AD and the Referenced Material,''
and 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-2025-0204.
Difference Between This Proposed AD and the Referenced Material
The applicability of this proposed AD differs from the effectivity
of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB230051-00 RB, Issue
001, dated May 20, 2024. Three airplanes identified in the requirements
bulletin have been excluded from the applicability of this proposed AD
because the actions specified in the requirements bulletin have been
incorporated during production on those airplanes.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 157 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Update software and perform check........ 1.5 work-hours x $85 per * $0 $127.50 $20,017.50
hour = $127.50.
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* Boeing has confirmed that there is no charge for the software.
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(f), 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-2025-0204; Project Identifier AD-
2024-00327-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by April 14, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and
787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB230051-00 RB, Issue
001, dated May 20, 2024, excluding airplane line numbers 1164, 1165,
and 1170.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 23,
Communications.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports that very high frequency (VHF)
radio frequencies transfer between the active and standby windows of
the tuning control panel without flightcrew input. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address uncommanded frequency changes. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in missed air traffic
control communications such as amended clearances and critical
instructions for changes to flight path and consequent loss of safe
separation between aircraft, collision, or runway incursion.
(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 B787-81205-SB230051-00 RB, Issue 001,
dated May 20, 2024, do all applicable actions identified in, and in
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB230051-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
May 20, 2024.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this
[[Page 10705]]
AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-
SB230051-00, Issue 001, dated May 20, 2024, which is referred to in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB230051-00 RB, Issue
001, dated May 20, 2024.
(h) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications
Where the Compliance Time column of the table in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB230051-00 RB, Issue 001, dated May 20, 2024, refers to ``the
original issue date of this service bulletin,'' 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#77363a38343711161659101801"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ce8f83818d8ea8afafe0a9a1b8">[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 Frank Carreras,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3539; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3b5d495a555015585a49495e495a487b5d5a5a155c544d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0f697d6e6164216c6e7d7d6a7d6e7c4f696e6e21686079">[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)
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 B787-81205-SB230051-00
RB, Issue 001, dated May 20, 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="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#c0a6b2eea9aeb3b0a5a3b4a9afae80aea1b2a1eea7afb6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aec8dc80c7c0dddecbcddac7c1c0eec0cfdccf80c9c1d8">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on February 12, 2025.
Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-03081 Filed 2-25-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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