[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 76 (Monday, April 20, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21791-21793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08406]
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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. 85, No. 76 / Monday, April 20, 2020 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 21791]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0333; Product Identifier 2020-NM-015-AD]
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 all The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by a report that, after the removal of a
spring door opening system (SDOS) actuator with a certain part number,
the actuator came apart, injuring one of the maintenance personnel. A
design that obscures the SDOS actuator safety marker when the fan cowls
are opened contributed to this incident. This proposed AD would require
replacing each affected SDOS actuator with a new SDOS actuator and
verifying that new safety markers are installed in the proper
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 June 4,
2020.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
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.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, 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; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport
Standards 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 on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0333.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0333; 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, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Baker, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3552; email:
[email protected].
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-2020-0333;
Product Identifier 2020-NM-015-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
NPRM 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
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive
verbal contact received about this proposed AD.
Confidential Business Information
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 Christopher Baker, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion
Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198, phone and fax: 206-231-3552, email: [email protected].
Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically
designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this
rulemaking.
Discussion
The SDOS actuator is a telescopic, spring-loaded actuator that
assists the mechanic in raising the engine fan cowl. Even when the
actuator is extended (uncompressed), it retains energy in the spring
(preload).
The FAA received a report indicating that, after the removal of an
SDOS actuator with part number BOE-2001-901F, a part separation
occurred at the joint between the actuator's inner tube and its related
``back end'' bracket, and the actuator came apart with spring-propelled
force, injuring one of the maintenance personnel. The SDOS actuator
uses two roll pins and epoxy at
[[Page 21792]]
this joint. The FAA has determined that this design, together with
spring preload, caused these parts to break. In addition, the current
design of the actuator obscures the safety marker when the fan cowls
are opened. The design of the SDOS actuator, along with obscured safety
markers, if not addressed, could, during maintenance, result in injury
to maintenance personnel or damage to the airplane.
The manufacturer of the SDOS actuator, General Aerospace, changed
the design to have a stronger inner tube to ``back end'' bracket joint
that uses blind rivets rather than pins, together with an improved
shape of the ``catching'' bracket. With this design change, the SDOS
actuator became part number BOE-2001-901H. General Aerospace has since
modified part number BOE-2001-901H to include more detailed safety
markers in new locations that display the warnings more clearly to
maintenance personnel. As part of this modification, the SDOS actuator
part number was changed from BOE-2001-901H to BOE-2001-901J.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin
737-71-1911 RB, dated November 26, 2019. This service information
describes procedures for replacing each affected SDOS actuator with a
new SDOS actuator and verifying that safety markers are installed. This
service information 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.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is proposing this AD because the agency evaluated all the
relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same
type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions
identified in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-71-
1911 RB, dated November 26, 2019, described previously, except as
discussed under ``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service
Information,'' 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
service information at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0333.
Explanation of Requirements Bulletin
The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the
Airworthiness Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee
(AD ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement is a process for
annotating which steps in the service information are ``required for
compliance'' (RC) with an AD. Boeing has implemented this RC concept
into Boeing service bulletins.
In an effort to further improve the quality of ADs and AD-related
Boeing service information, a joint process improvement initiative was
worked between the FAA and Boeing. The initiative resulted in the
development of a new process in which the service information more
clearly identifies the actions needed to address the unsafe condition
in the ``Accomplishment Instructions.'' The new process results in a
Boeing Requirements Bulletin, which contains only the actions needed to
address the unsafe condition (i.e., only the RC actions).
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
The effectivity of Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin
737-71-1911 RB, dated November 26, 2019, is limited to certain Boeing
Model 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes. However, the applicability of this
proposed AD includes all Boeing Model 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes.
Because the affected parts are rotable parts, the FAA has determined
that these parts could later be installed on airplanes that were
initially delivered with acceptable parts, thereby subjecting those
airplanes to the unsafe condition.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that This proposed AD affects 160 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replace SDOS actuator.............. 5 work-hours x $85 per hour $ * $13,600 * $2,176,000 *
= $13,600.
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* The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the agency to provide parts cost estimates for the
actions specified in this proposed AD.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of
this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the
cost impact on affected persons.
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 has 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
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(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 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 (AD):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2020-0333; Product Identifier
2020-NM-015-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by June 4, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9
airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71, Powerplant.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that, after the removal of a
spring door opening system (SDOS) actuator with a certain part
number, a part separation occurred at a certain location, which
caused an injury to one of the maintenance personnel. A design that
obscures the SDOS actuator safety marker when the fan cowls are
opened contributed to this incident. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address possible separation of the SDOS actuator at the joint
between the inner tube and the ``back end'' bracket, and visual
obstruction of the SDOS actuator safety marker, which, during
maintenance, can cause injury to maintenance personnel or damage to
the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
For airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention
Requirements Bulletin 737-71-1911 RB, dated November 26, 2019,
except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable
times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Special
Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-71-1911 RB, dated November 26,
2019, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention
Requirements Bulletin 737-71-1911 RB, dated November 26, 2019.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737-71-1911, dated November 26, 2019, which is referred to
in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-71-1911 RB,
dated November 26, 2019.
(h) Exception to Service Information Specifications
Where Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-71-1911
RB, dated November 26, 2019, uses the phrase ``the original issue
date of Requirements Bulletin 737-71-1911 RB,'' this AD requires
using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(i) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an
SDOS actuator, having part numbers BOE-2001-901F or BOE-2001-901H,
on any airplane.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO 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 local Flight Standards District
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: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district 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, Seattle
ACO 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 Christopher
Baker, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax:
206-231-3552; email: [email protected].
(2) For service information 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; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
Issued on April 10, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-08406 Filed 4-16-20; 2:00 pm]
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