[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11291-11293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03964]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0871; Product Identifier 2019-NM-139-AD; Amendment
39-19846; AD 2020-03-22]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This AD was prompted
by a report of fatigue cracking at certain frame tie rod locations of
the wing. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the
left- and right-side frame tie rod assemblies and stub beam upper
chords, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
[[Page 11292]]
DATES: This AD is effective April 2, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publications listed in this AD as of April 2,
2020.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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 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-2019-
0871.
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-2019-
0871; 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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Rutar, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3529; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing
Company Model 787-8 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on November 19, 2019 (84 FR 63825). The NPRM was prompted by a
report of fatigue cracking at certain frame tie rod locations of the
wing. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections for cracking
of the left- and right-side frame tie rod assemblies and stub beam
upper chords, and applicable on-condition actions.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the frame tie rod
assemblies and consequent failure of a principal structural element to
sustain limit load, which could adversely affect the structural
integrity of the airplane and result in possible decompression of the
airplane.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comment
received. Boeing indicated its support for the NPRM.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor
editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB570041-00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 7, 2019. The service information
describes procedures for repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC)
inspections for cracking of the left- and right-side frame tie rod
assemblies, repetitive ultrasonic (UT) inspections for cracking of the
left- and right-side stub beam upper chords, and applicable on-
condition actions. On-condition actions include 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 55 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections........... 19 work-hours x $85 per $0 $1,615 per inspection $88,825 per
hour = $1,615 per cycle. inspection cycle.
inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has received no definitive data that enables the agency to
provide cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this
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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
(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.
[[Page 11293]]
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):
2020-03-22 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-19846 ; Docket No. FAA-
2019-0871; Product Identifier 2019-NM-139-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective April 2, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes,
certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB570041-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
March 7, 2019.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of fatigue cracking at certain
frame tie rod locations of the wing. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address cracking in the frame tie rod assemblies and consequent
failure of a principal structural element to sustain limit load,
which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the
airplane and result in possible decompression of the airplane.
(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-SB570041-00 RB, Issue 001,
dated March 7, 2019, do all applicable actions identified in, and in
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB570041-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
March 7, 2019.
Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Guidance for accomplishing
the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin B787-81205-SB570041-00, Issue 001, dated March 7, 2019,
which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB570041-00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 7, 2019.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements
of this AD: Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB570041-00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 7, 2019, uses the phrase
``the issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB570041-00
RB,'' this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB570041-00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 7, 2019, specifies contacting
Boeing for repair instructions: This AD requires doing the repair
and applicable on-condition actions before further flight using a
method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in
paragraph (i) 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) 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
For more information about this AD, contact Greg Rutar,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3529;
email: [email protected].
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB570041-00
RB, Issue 001, dated March 7, 2019.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) 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..
(4) You may view this 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.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on February 14, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-03964 Filed 2-26-20; 8:45 am]
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