Proposed Rule2025-05840
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
April 7, 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 of corrosion on one or more of the eight lower fitting assemblies and adjacent lavatory components on certain lavatories. This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of the lower fitting assemblies and the centerline partition threshold of the lavatories for corrosion, recording on the modification record placard, and applicable on-condition actions. This proposed AD would also require revising the existing maintenance program to incorporate a detailed inspection of the lavatory vertical side forward fittings for corrosion or damage. 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 65 (Monday, April 7, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 65 (Monday, April 7, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14927-14929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-05840]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0347; Project Identifier AD-2024-00441-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 of corrosion on one
or more of the eight lower fitting assemblies and adjacent lavatory
components on certain lavatories. This proposed AD would require a
detailed inspection of the lower fitting assemblies and the centerline
partition threshold of the lavatories for corrosion, recording on the
modification record placard, and applicable on-condition actions. This
proposed AD would also require revising the existing maintenance
program to incorporate a detailed inspection of the lavatory vertical
side forward fittings for corrosion or damage. 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 May 22,
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-2025-0347; 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 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-2025-0347.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicole S. Tsang, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
206-231-3959; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#26684f45494a4308750872554748416640474708414950"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8cc2e5efe3e0e9a2dfa2d8ffede2ebcceaededa2ebe3fa">[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-2025-0347;
Project Identifier AD-2024-00441-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
Nicole S. Tsang, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3959; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d59bbcb6bab9b0fb86fb81a6b4bbb295b3b4b4fbb2baa3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aee0c7cdc1c2cb80fd80faddcfc0c9eec8cfcf80c9c1d8">[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 corrosion on one or more of
the eight lower fitting assemblies and adjacent lavatory components on
the Jamco family 95/96 lavatories caused by the galvanic interaction of
aluminum and carbon fiber as a result of the wet environment at the
lavatory. This condition, if not addressed, could cause the lavatories
to break free from the lower mounts during an event with high g-forces,
resulting in potential serious injury to passengers and crew or a
displaced lavatory blockage that
[[Page 14928]]
prevents egress through the aisle and exits.
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 Special Attention Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB250302-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 21, 2024. This
material specifies procedures for a detailed inspection of the eight
lower fitting assemblies and the centerline partition threshold of the
Jamco family 95/96 lavatories for corrosion, recording on the
modification record placard, and applicable on-condition actions. On-
condition actions include repairing any corrosion found. This material
also specifies revising the existing maintenance program to incorporate
maintenance review board report (MRBR) item number 25-185-00 (detailed
inspection of the lavatory vertical side forward fittings for corrosion
or damage).
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 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-2025-0347.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 159 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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Inspection and placard recording 15 work-hours x $3,700 per $4,975 per Up to $4,746,150
$85 per hour = lavatory. lavatory. (up to 6
$1,275 per lavatories per
lavatory. airplane).
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The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance
program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although the
agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator to operator.
Since operators incorporate maintenance program changes for their
affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-operator estimate
is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. Therefore, the FAA
estimates the average total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-
hours x $85 per work-hour).
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this proposed AD.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the parts manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs
of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the
cost impact on affected operators.
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-2025-0347; Project Identifier AD-
2024-00441-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by May 22, 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 Special Attention Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250302-
00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 21, 2024.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.
[[Page 14929]]
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on one or more of
the eight lower fitting assemblies and adjacent lavatory components
on the Jamco family 95/96 lavatories. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address corrosion that could cause the lavatories to break free from
the lower mounts during an event with high g-forces. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in potential serious
injury to passengers and crew or a displaced lavatory blockage that
prevents egress through the aisle and exits.
(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
Special Attention Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250302-00 RB,
Issue 001, dated August 21, 2024, do all applicable actions
identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB250302-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 21, 2024.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin B787-81205-SB250302-00, Issue 001, dated August 21, 2024,
which is referred to in Boeing Special Attention Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB250302-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 21,
2024.
(h) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications
(1) Where the ``Effectivity'' paragraph and the Boeing
Recommended Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Special Attention Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB250302-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 21,
2024, refer to the Issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB250302-00 RB, this AD requires using the effective date of
this AD.
(2) Where Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB250302-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 21, 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 (j) of this AD.
(i) No Alternative Actions and Intervals
After the existing maintenance program has been revised as
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g.,
inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or
intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC)
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this
AD.
(j) 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
(k)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c98884868a89afa8a8e7aea6bf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f0b1bdbfb3b0969191de979f86">[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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Nicole S. Tsang,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; telephone 206-231-3959; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#67290e04080b0249344933140609002701060649000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d29cbbb1bdbeb7fc81fc86a1b3bcb592b4b3b3fcb5bda4">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by
reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (l)(3)
this AD.
(l) 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 Special Attention Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB250302-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 21, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For the 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#f49286da9d9a87849197809d9b9ab49a958695da939b82"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="afc9dd81c6c1dcdfcaccdbc6c0c1efc1ceddce81c8c0d9">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on March 12, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-05840 Filed 4-4-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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