[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 96 (Monday, May 18, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29673-29676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-10539]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0211; Product Identifier 2020-NM-006-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 certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD,
747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and
747SR series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of
inboard foreflap departures from the airplane. This proposed AD would
require repetitive replacement of certain parts; a general visual
inspection to determine production configuration for certain parts; a
repetitive lubrication of certain parts and a repetitive general visual
inspection of certain parts for any exuding grease; repetitive detailed
inspections of certain parts for loose or missing attachment bolts,
cracks or bushing migration, cracks or gouges, or broken, binding, or
missing rollers; repetitive detailed inspections of certain parts for
cracks or corrosion; repetitive lubrication; and on-condition actions
if necessary. 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 July 2,
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; phone:
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-2020-0211.
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-
0211; 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
[[Page 29674]]
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: Eric Lin, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3523; 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-2020-0211;
Product Identifier 2020-NM-006-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.
The FAA will post all comments, 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.
Discussion
The FAA has received reports of partial and full inboard foreflap
departures from the airplane, some of which resulted in significant
damage to the airplane. Inboard foreflap departures have been
attributed to inadequate lubrication of the outboard fitting assembly,
corrosion of the outboard fitting assembly, and corrosion in the
inboard link assembly. In addition, broken center toggle rollers at the
inboard sequence carriage and binding of inboard foreflap tracks due to
defective or seized foreflap track rollers can lead to higher than
normal loads on the outboard fitting assembly and the inboard link
assembly, which may lead to cracked or broken attachment fittings, and
in some cases the damage has resulted in an inboard foreflap departing
the airplane. This condition, if not addressed, could result in the
departure of an inboard foreflap assembly from the airplane possibly
resulting in damage to the airplane, and adversely affecting the
airplane's continued safe flight and landing.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB,
dated November 15, 2019. This service information describes procedures
for repetitive replacement of certain parts; a general visual
inspection to determine production configuration for certain parts; a
repetitive lubrication of certain parts and a repetitive general visual
inspection of certain parts for any exuding grease; repetitive detailed
inspections of certain parts for loose or missing attachment bolts,
cracks or bushing migration, cracks or gouges, or broken, binding, or
missing rollers; repetitive detailed inspections of certain parts for
cracks or corrosion; repetitive lubrication; and on-condition actions
if necessary. On-condition actions include replacements and repair.
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 FAA 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 Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, dated
November 15, 2019, described previously, 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-2020-0211.
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).
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 125 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The FAA estimate the following costs to comply with this
proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Repetitive Replacement......... Up to 10 work-hours x $35,719 Up to $36,569 per Up to $4,571,125
$85 per hour = Up to replacement cycle. per replacement
$850 per replacement cycle.
cycle.
General Visual Inspection for 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85............... $10,625.
Parts Production Configuration. hour = $85.
Repetitive Detailed Inspections 4 work-hours x $85 per $0 $340 per $42,500 per
hour = $340 per inspection cycle. inspection cycle.
inspection cycle.
Repetitive inspection for 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 per $10,625 per
lubrication and repetitive hour = $85 per lubrication. lubrication.
lubrication. lubrication.
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[[Page 29675]]
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required. The FAA has no way of
determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition
actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Replacements
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Up to 8 work-hour x $85 per hour Up to $17,720..... Up to $18,400.
= $680.
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The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the FAA
to provide cost estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in
this proposed AD.
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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(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-2020-0211; Product Identifier
2020-NM-006-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by July 2, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B,
747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-
400D, 747-400F, and 747SR, series airplanes, certificated in any
category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of inboard foreflap departures
from the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address departures
of the inboard foreflap assembly from the airplane, which could
result in damage to the airplane and adversely affect the airplane's
continued safe flight and landing.
(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 747-57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019,
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
747-57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-57A2367, dated November 15, 2019, which is referred to in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, dated
November 15, 2019, uses the phrase ``the original issue date of
Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the
effective date of this AD.''
(i) 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 (j)(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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Eric Lin,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3523;
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; phone: 562-797-1717; internet: https://
[[Page 29676]]
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 March 27, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-10539 Filed 5-15-20; 8:45 am]
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