[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13530-13533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04841]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0977; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-190-AD; 
Amendment 39-17795; AD 2014-05-22]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The 
Boeing Company Model 717-200 airplanes. This AD was prompted by 
multiple reports of cracking in the overwing frames. This AD requires 
repetitive inspections for cracking in the overwing frames, and 
corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct such cracking, which could result in a severed frame and might 
increase the loading of adjacent frames, resulting in damage to the 
adjacent structure and consequent loss of structural integrity of the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective April 15, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 15, 
2014.

[[Page 13531]]


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

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
0977; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket Management Facility, 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: Eric Schrieber, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5348; fax: 562-627-
5210; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all The Boeing Company 
Model 717-200 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
December 4, 2013 (78 FR 72836). The NPRM was prompted by multiple 
reports of cracking in the overwing frames. The NPRM proposed to 
require repetitive inspections for cracking in the overwing frames, and 
corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct such cracking, which could result in a severed frame and might 
increase the loading of adjacent frames, resulting in damage to the 
adjacent structure and consequent loss of structural integrity of the 
airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comment received. Boeing stated that it 
supports the NPRM (78 FR 72836, December 4, 2013).

Change to This Final Rule

    We revised paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this final rule to clarify that 
an operator that has already accomplished the inspections specified in 
Boeing Multi Operator Message (MOM) MOM-MOM-13-0375-01B, dated May 9, 
2013, has a compliance time of within 9,300 flight cycles after those 
inspections were accomplished to do the actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this final rule.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the change described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (78 FR 72836, December 4, 2013) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 72836, December 4, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

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

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections......................  22 work-hours x $85              $0  $1,870 per           $241,230 per
                                    per hour = $1,870                    inspection cycle.    inspection cycle
                                    per inspection
                                    cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of any inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this 
replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of a frame station................  126 work-hours x $85 per hour =          $83,060         $93,770
                                                 $10,710.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD, we 
have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost 
estimates.

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.
    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

    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

[[Page 13532]]

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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.

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):

2014-05-22 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17795; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0977; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-190-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 15, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by multiple reports of cracking in the 
overwing frames. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such 
cracking, which could result in a severed frame and might increase 
the loading of adjacent frames, resulting 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) Inspections and Corrective Actions

    At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) 
of this AD, do a general visual inspection and a high frequency eddy 
current (HFEC) inspection for cracking of the left-side and right-
side overwing frames at station 737, and do all applicable 
corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-53A0036, dated 
August 12, 2013, except as required by paragraph (h)(3) of this AD. 
Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight. Except 
as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, repeat the inspections 
thereafter at the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-53A0036, dated 
August 12, 2013.
    (1) For Group 1, Configuration 1 airplanes identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 717-53A0036, dated August 12, 2013: At the 
time specified in table 1 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-53A0036, dated August 12, 2013, 
except as provided by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD.
    (2) For Group 1, Configuration 2 airplanes identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 717-53A0036, dated August 12, 2013: At the 
applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (g)(2)(ii) of 
this AD.
    (i) For airplanes on which the overwing frame has not been 
replaced: Within 9,300 flight cycles after the inspections specified 
in Boeing Multi Operator Message (MOM) MOM-MOM-13-0375-01B, dated 
May 9, 2013, were accomplished.
    (ii) For airplanes on which the overwing frame has been 
replaced: Within 12,000 flight cycles after replacing the frame.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-53A0036, dated 
August 12, 2013, specifies a compliance time ``after the original 
issue date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance 
within the specified compliance time after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-53A0036, dated 
August 12, 2013, specifies to contact Boeing for the compliance time 
of an inspection repetitive interval, this AD requires a compliance 
time approved by the FAA in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (j) of this AD.
    (3) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-53A0036, dated 
August 12, 2013, specifies to contact Boeing for repair 
instructions, this AD requires repair before further flight using a 
method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in 
paragraph (j) of this AD.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for only the initial general 
visual inspection, HFEC inspection, and frame replacement required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using Boeing Multi Operator Message 
MOM-MOM-13-0375-01B, dated May 9, 2013, which is not incorporated by 
reference in this AD.

(j) 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 paragraph (k) 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 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.
    (4) If the service information contains steps that are labeled 
as RC (Required for Compliance), those steps must be done to comply 
with this AD; any steps that are not labeled as RC are recommended. 
Those steps that are not labeled as RC may be deviated from, done as 
part of other actions, or done using accepted methods different from 
those identified in the specified service information without 
obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the steps labeled as RC can 
be done and the airplane can be put back in a serviceable condition. 
Any substitutions or changes to steps labeled as RC require approval 
of an AMOC.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact: Eric Schrieber, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, 
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-
5348; fax: 562-627-5210; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference may be obtained at the addresses specified 
in paragraphs (l)(3) and (l)(4) of this AD.

(l) 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.

[[Page 13533]]

    (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-53A0036, dated August 12, 
2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, CA 90846-0001; 
telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; Internet 
https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.


    Issued in Renton, Washington on February 26, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04841 Filed 3-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P