[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 9, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27142-27144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11022]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0425; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-273-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: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
The Boeing Company Model 717-200 airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by multiple reports of cracks of overwing frames. This 
proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of the 
overwing frames, and related investigative and corrective actions if 
necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such cracking 
that could sever a frame, which may increase the loading of adjacent 
frames, and result in damage to the adjacent structure and consequent 
loss of structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 25, 2012.

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 http://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 proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-
0001; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; email 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may 
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 425-227-1221.

[[Page 27143]]

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Garrido, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: (562) 
627-5357; fax: 562-627-5210; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite 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-2012-0425; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-273-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We received multiple reports of cracks of overwing frames on Model 
MD-80 airplanes, and one report each on Model MD-90-30 and Model 717 
airplanes. The Model 717 airplane had accumulated 18,235 total flight 
hours and 14,542 total flight cycles. Due to similarity in frame 
design, the manufacturer determined the overwing frames at stations 
674, 696, and 715 on Model 717 airplanes are susceptible to cracks. The 
cracks, caused by fatigue, originate in the upper radius of the frame 
inboard tab just below the floor. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in a severed frame, which may increase the loading of 
adjacent frames and result in damage to the adjacent structure and 
consequent loss of structural integrity of the airplane.

Related Rulemaking

    The overwing frames on Model 717 airplanes have the same design as 
those installed on Model MD-80 and Model MD-90-30 airplanes. AD 2008-
13-29, Amendment 39-15592 (73 FR 38883, July 8, 2008), addresses 
cracked overwing frames on Model MD-80 airplanes. AD 2010-05-04, 
Amendment 39-16213 (75 FR 8465, February 25, 2010), addresses cracked 
overwing frames on Model MD-90-30 airplanes.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-53A0034, dated 
October 5, 2011. That service bulletin describes procedures for 
repetitive general visual and high frequency eddy current inspections 
to detect cracking of the overwing frames at stations 674, 696, and 
715, left and right sides, and related investigative and corrective 
actions if necessary.
    Related investigative actions include measuring crack length. 
Corrective actions include a blend-out repair, or replacing the cracked 
overwing frame with a new frame, depending on the results of the 
inspection.
    For the repetitive inspections for cracking of the overwing frames, 
the service information specifies an interval not to exceed 9,300 
flight cycles; except after accomplishing a replacement, the next 
inspection is within 20,000 flight cycles after the replacement.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 129 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections.......................  46 work-hours x $85 per                $0           $3,910         $504,390
                                     hour = $3,910 per
                                     inspection cycle.
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    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements/
repairs that would be required based on the results of the proposed 
inspections. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that 
might need these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
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               Action                         Labor cost                Parts cost           Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blendout repair....................  12 work-hours x $85 per      $0....................  $1,020.
                                      hour = $1,020.
Replacement of a frame station.....  130 work-hours x $85 per     Up to $86,977.........  Up to $98,027.
                                      hour = $11,050.
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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.

[[Page 27144]]

    We are 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

    We 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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-0425; Directorate Identifier 
2011-NM-273-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 25, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 717-200 airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 53: Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by multiple reports of cracks of overwing 
frames. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such cracking 
that could sever a frame, which may increase the loading of adjacent 
frames, and result in damage to the adjacent structure and 
consequent loss of structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Actions

    Before the accumulation of 20,000 total flight cycles, or within 
8,275 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later: Do a general visual and high frequency eddy current 
inspection for cracking of the left and right side overwing frames 
at stations 674, 696, and 715; and do all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions; in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-
53A0034, dated October 5, 2011. Do all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions before further flight. Repeat 
the inspections thereafter at the applicable time specified in 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
717-53A0034, dated October 5, 2011.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 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 ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in the Related Information 
section of this AD.
    (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 required by this AD if it is approved by the 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization 
(ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO to 
make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair 
must meet the certification basis of the airplane and 14 CFR 25.571, 
Amendment 45, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact George Garrido, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5357; fax: 562-627-5210; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-
0001; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; email 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You 
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 29, 2012.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-11022 Filed 5-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P