Proposed Rule2025-12479
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
July 3, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-08-04, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. AD 2023-08-04 requires a detailed visual inspection of all door 1 and door 3 lavatory and galley potable water systems for any missing or incorrectly installed clamshell couplings, and applicable on-condition actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-08- 04, Boeing has discovered that some couplings did not have the required safety strap and has developed a design solution that replaces the couplings with couplings that have safety straps. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2023-08-04 and require, for certain airplanes, a detailed inspection of all clamshell couplings for the presence and correct installation of safety straps at door 1 and door 3 lavatories and galleys with a potable water system, and applicable on- condition actions, which would terminate the existing requirements. The AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts at inspection locations. 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 126 (Thursday, July 3, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 126 (Thursday, July 3, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29512-29515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-12479]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1114; Project Identifier AD-2025-00314-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)
2023-08-04, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8,
787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. AD 2023-08-04 requires a detailed visual
inspection of all door 1 and door 3 lavatory and galley potable water
systems for any missing or incorrectly installed clamshell couplings,
and applicable on-condition actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-08-
04, Boeing has discovered that some couplings did not have the required
safety strap and has developed a design solution that replaces the
couplings with couplings that have safety straps. This proposed AD
would retain the requirements of AD 2023-08-04 and require, for certain
airplanes, a detailed inspection of all clamshell couplings for the
presence and correct installation of safety straps at door 1 and door 3
lavatories and galleys with a potable water system, and applicable on-
condition actions, which would terminate the existing requirements. The
AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts at inspection
locations. 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 August 18,
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-2025-1114; 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
[[Page 29513]]
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-2025-1114.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney Tuck, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3986; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#14777b6166607a716d3a7f3a6061777f547275753a737b62"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="385b574d4a4c565d411653164c4d5b53785e5959165f574e">[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 using a method listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-1114;
Project Identifier AD-2025-00314-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
Courtney Tuck, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3986; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#88ebe7fdfafce6edf1a6e3a6fcfdebe3c8eee9e9a6efe7fe"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8deee2f8fff9e3e8f4a3e6a3f9f8eee6cdebececa3eae2fb">[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 2023-08-04, Amendment 39-22419 (88 FR 33823, May
25, 2023) (AD 2023-08-04), for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8,
787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. AD 2023-08-04 was prompted by reports of a
loss of water pressure during flight and water leaks that affected
multiple pieces of electronic equipment. AD 2023-08-04 requires a
detailed visual inspection of all door 1 and door 3 lavatory and galley
potable water systems for any missing or incorrectly installed
clamshell couplings, and applicable on-condition actions. The agency
issued AD 2023-08-04 to address incorrectly installed or missing
lavatory and galley clamshell couplings that could lead to water leaks
and water migration to critical flight equipment, which may affect the
continued safe flight and landing of the airplane. The FAA previously
issued an NPRM on July 15, 2024 (89 FR 57374) for certain The Boeing
Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes to address the unsafe
condition. The FAA subsequently withdrew that NPRM on February 4, 2025
(90 FR 8914) due to a determination that the identified service
information may not have adequately addressed the unsafe condition on
one of the galleys, and the Model 787-10 airplanes should have been
included in the applicability. This NPRM includes the Model 787-10
airplane and will address the unsafe condition.
Actions Since AD 2023-08-04 Was Issued
The preamble to AD 2023-08-04 explains that the FAA considers the
requirements ``interim action'' and was considering further rulemaking.
Since the FAA issued AD 2023-08-04, Boeing has determined that some
clamshell couplings do not have the required safety straps and has
since developed procedures to ensure that affected clamshell couplings
have correctly installed safety straps. The FAA has now determined that
further rulemaking is necessary, and this proposed AD follows from that
determination.
The FAA is proposing this AD to prevent a loss of water pressure
during flight and water leaks that can affect multiple pieces of
electronic equipment. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
lead to water migration to critical flight equipment, which may affect
the continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.
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-
SB250299-00 RB, Issue 002, dated February 28, 2025. This material
specifies procedures for a detailed inspection for the presence and
correct installation of safety straps at the clamshell couplings at
door 1 and door 3 lavatories and galleys with a potable water system.
The material also specifies applicable on-condition actions including
correcting the installation of the safety strap, replacing any
clamshell coupling that does not have a strap with a new clamshell
coupling that has a safety strap, and performing a water leak test.
This proposed AD would also require Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022,
which the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation
by reference as of June 29, 2023 (88 FR 33823, May 25, 2023).
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 2023-
08-04. 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.
This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts
at inspection locations. For information on the procedures and
compliance times, see this material at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No.
FAA-2025-1114.
[[Page 29514]]
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 165 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Parts Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost cost Cost per product operators
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Clamshell coupling inspection, per 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85.................. $14,025.
lavatory/galley (retained actions hour = $85.
from AD 2023[dash]08[dash]04).
Safety strap inspection, per 27 work-hours x $85 0 $2,295, per lavatory/ $238,680 (104
lavatory/galley (new proposed per hour = $2,295, galley. airplanes).
action) (For 787-8 and -9 per lavatory/galley.
airplanes).
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any on-condition
actions that would be required based on the results of the proposed
inspections. The agency has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these actions:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Correct installation for clamshell 1 work-hour x $85 per $0..................... $85 per lavatory/
coupling with safety strap that was hour = $85 per galley.
installed incorrectly. lavatory/galley.
Install clamshell coupling with strap 4 work-hours x $85 per Up to $267 per lavatory/ $607 per lavatory/
and perform leak test. hour = $340 per galley. galley.
lavatory/galley.
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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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-08-04, Amendment 39-22419
(88 FR 33823, May 25, 2023), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2025-1114; Project Identifier AD-
2025-00314-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by August 18, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2023-08-04, Amendment 39-22419 (88 FR 33823,
May 25, 2023) (AD 2023-08-04).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and
787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category, as specified in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue
001, dated August 12, 2022.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 38, Water/waste.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of a loss of water pressure
during flight and water leaks that affected multiple pieces of
electronic equipment, and by the determination that some clamshell
couplings for certain lavatory and galley doors did not have a
required safety strap. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the
unsafe condition, which, if not addressed, could lead to water leaks
and water migration to critical flight equipment, which may affect
the continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Retained Clamshell Coupling Inspection, With No Changes
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD
2023-08-04, with no changes. 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-SB380021-
00 RB, Issue 001, dated August
[[Page 29515]]
12, 2022, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 12,
2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by paragraph (g) of this AD can be found in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00, Issue 001, dated August 12,
2022, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022.
(h) Retained Exception to Service Information Specifications, With No
Changes
This paragraph restates the exception of paragraph (h) of AD
2023-08-04, with no changes. Where the Compliance Time columns of
the table in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
August 12, 2022, refer to the Issue 001 date of Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, this AD requires using June 29,
2023 (the effective date of AD 2023-08-04).
(i) Retained Credit for Previous Actions, With No Changes
This paragraph restates the provisions of paragraph (i) of AD
2023-08-04, with no changes. This paragraph provides credit for the
actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were
performed before June 29, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2023-08-
04), using Multi Operator Message MOM-MOM-21-0554-01B, dated
December 14, 2021 (for lavatory inspections); and MOM-MOM-22-0229-
01B, dated April 29, 2022 (for galley inspections).
(j) New Required Actions
For airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB250299-00 RB, Issue 002, dated February 28, 2025:
Except as specified by paragraph (k) of this AD, at the applicable
times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250299-00 RB, Issue 002, dated
February 28, 2025, do all applicable actions identified in, and in
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250299-00 RB, Issue 002, dated
February 28, 2025.
Note 2 to paragraph (j): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by paragraph (j) of this AD can be found in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB250299-00, Issue 002, dated February
28, 2025, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
B787-81205-SB250299-00 RB, Issue 002, dated February 28, 2025.
(k) New Exception to Service Information Specifications
Where the Compliance Time column of the table in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB250299-00 RB, Issue 002, dated February 28, 2025, uses the
phrase ``the Issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB250299-00 RB,'' this AD requires using the effective date of this
AD.
(l) Terminating Action for Clamshell Coupling Inspection
For the airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB250299-00 RB, Issue 002, dated February 28,
2025: Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (j) of
this AD terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
(m) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
clamshell coupling, part number (P/N) 14C02-08C or P/N AS1655A08, at
inspection locations where P/N 14C02-08C or P/N AS1655A08 was
replaced with P/N 14C34-08C or P/N 14C33-08 on any airplane.
(n) 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
(o)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0b4a4644484b6d6a6a256c647d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6425292b27240205054a030b12">[email protected]</span></a>.
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the
responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) 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.
(o) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Courtney Tuck,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3986; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#37545842454359524e195c194342545c7751565619505841"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6f0c001a1d1b010a164104411b1a0c042f090e0e41080019">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by
reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (p)(5)
of this AD.
(p) 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 B787-81205-SB250299-00
RB, Issue 002, dated February 28, 2025.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) The following material was approved for IBR on June 29, 2023
(88 FR 33823, May 25, 2023).
(i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00
RB, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(5) 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>.
(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#f99f8bd790978a899c9a8d909697b997988b98d79e968f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0264702c6b6c71726761766b6d6c426c6370632c656d74">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on June 18, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-12479 Filed 7-2-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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