[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19248-19251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08072]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0683; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-196-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 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by a finding that certain barrel nuts 
installed at the vertical fin may be subject to stress corrosion and 
cracking. This proposed AD would require either repetitive inspections 
of vertical fin barrel nuts for corrosion or a magnetic check to 
identify certain barrel nuts, and corrective actions if necessary. We 
are proposing this AD to detect and correct corroded and loose barrel 
nuts that attach the vertical fin to body section 48, which could 
result in reduced structural integrity of the vertical fin attachment 
joint, loss of the vertical fin, and consequent loss of controllability 
of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 26, 2015.

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.

[[Page 19249]]

    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA 2015-
0683.

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-2015-
0683; 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: Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6577; fax: 425-917-6590; 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-2015-0683; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-196-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

    On May 16, 2003, we issued AD 2003-10-11, Amendment 39-13156 (68 FR 
28703, May 27, 2003), to require replacement of H-11 steel barrel nuts 
with new Inconel barrel nuts, because of possible corrosion and 
cracking. AD 2003-10-11 applied to Model 767-200 and -300 airplanes, 
line numbers 1 through 574 inclusive.
    We have received a report of H-11 steel barrel nuts installed on an 
airplane not included in the applicability of AD 2003-10-11, Amendment 
39-13156 (68 FR 28703, May 27, 2003). Further investigation has 
revealed that airplanes with line numbers 575 through 681 had either H-
11 steel or Inconel barrel nuts installed at the 16 vertical fin 
attachment points. Galvanic corrosion can occur on H-11 steel barrel 
nuts if moisture is present. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in failure of the H-11 steel barrel nuts that attach the 
vertical fin to body section 48, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the vertical fin attachment joint, loss of the 
vertical fin, and consequent loss of controllability of the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-53A0261, dated August 
12, 2014. The service information describes procedures for repetitive 
inspections of vertical fin barrel nuts for corrosion or a magnetic 
check to identify certain barrel nuts, and corrective actions if 
necessary. Refer to this service information for information on the 
procedures and compliance times. This service information is reasonably 
available; see ADDRESSES for ways to access this service information.

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 the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

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

Explanation of ``RC (Required for Compliance)'' Steps in Service 
Information

    The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the 
Airworthiness Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee 
(AD ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement was a new process 
for annotating which steps in the service information are required for 
compliance with an AD. Differentiating these steps from other tasks in 
the service information is expected to improve an owner's/operator's 
understanding of crucial AD requirements and help provide consistent 
judgment in AD compliance. The actions specified in the service 
information identified previously include steps that are identified as 
RC because these steps have a direct effect on detecting, preventing, 
resolving, or eliminating an identified unsafe condition.
    Steps that are identified as RC in any service information must be 
done to comply with the proposed AD. However, steps that are not 
identified as RC are recommended. Those steps that are not identified 
as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with 
the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining 
approval of an alternative method of compliance (AMOC), provided the 
steps identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in 
a serviceable condition. Any substitutions or changes to steps 
identified as RC will require approval of an AMOC.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 38 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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               Action                          Labor cost             Parts cost             Cost per product                Cost on U.S. operators
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Option 1: Detailed inspections and    4 work-hours x $85 per hour              \1\  Up to $482,661 per inspection      Up to $18,341,118.
 torque check.                         = $340 per inspection cycle.                  cycle.

[[Page 19250]]

 
Option 2: Magnetic check............  4 work-hours x $85 per hour               $0  $340.............................  Up to $12,920.
                                       = $340.
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\1\ For the torque check, operators may choose to rent a special tool, with rental costs up to $482,321.

    We estimate that replacing any barrel nut would take 1 work-hour, 
at an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour. We have received no 
definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the 
cost of replacement parts. We have no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these replacements.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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

    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

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-2015-0683; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-196-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 26, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, 
and -300F series airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a finding that certain barrel nuts 
installed at the vertical fin may be subject to stress corrosion and 
cracking. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracked, 
corroded, or broken barrel nuts that attach the vertical fin to body 
section 48, which could result in reduced structural integrity of 
the vertical fin attachment joint, loss of the vertical fin, and 
consequent loss of controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    For airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
53A0261, dated August 12, 2014: Do the actions specified in 
paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
53A0261, dated August 12, 2014. Signs of corrosion include, but are 
not limited to, sealant cracks, sealant bulging, powder residue, and 
cracked barrel nuts.
    (1) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-53A0261, dated 
August 12, 2014, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD: Do 
internal and external detailed inspections of the barrel nuts and 
sealant for signs of corrosion, and do a torque check of the 
vertical stabilizer attachment bolts for loose barrel nuts.
    (i) If corrosion or any loose barrel nut is found at any 
attachment point location, before further flight, replace the barrel 
nut with a new Inconel barrel nut.
    (ii) If no corrosion or loose barrel nut is found at any 
attachment point location, do the actions specified in paragraphs 
(g)(1)(ii)(A) and (g)(1)(ii)(B) of this AD.
    (A) Repeat the inspections and torque check thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 18 months until the replacement specified in 
paragraph (g)(1)(ii)(B) of this AD is done at that attachment point 
location.
    (B) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace all barrel nuts with new Inconel barrel nuts.
    (2) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-53A0261, dated 
August 12, 2014, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD: Do 
a magnetic check to identify H-11 steel barrel nuts.
    (i) If any H-11 steel barrel nut is found at any attachment 
point location, before further flight, do an internal and external 
detailed inspection of the barrel nut holes and sealant for signs of 
corrosion, and do a torque check of the vertical stabilizer 
attachment bolts for loose barrel nuts.
    (A) If corrosion or any loose barrel nut is found, before 
further flight, replace the barrel nut with a new Inconel barrel 
nut.
    (B) If no corrosion or loose barrel nut is found, do the actions 
specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i)(B)(1) and (g)(2)(i)(B)(2) of this 
AD.
    (1) Repeat the inspections and torque check thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 18 months until the replacement specified in 
paragraph (g)(2)(i)(B)(2) of this AD is done at that attachment 
point location.

[[Page 19251]]

    (2) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace all H-11 steel barrel nuts with new Inconel barrel nuts.
    (ii) If no H-11 steel barrel nut is found at all attachment 
point locations, no further work is required by this paragraph.

(h) Exception to Service Information Specifications

    Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-53A0261, dated August 
12, 2014, 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.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an H-
11 steel barrel nut on the vertical stabilizer of any airplane.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle 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)(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 required by this AD if it is approved by the 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization 
(ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make 
those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must 
meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) If any service information contains steps that are 
identified as RC, those steps must be done to comply with this AD; 
any steps that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those steps 
that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the steps 
identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in a 
serviceable condition. Any substitutions or changes to steps 
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Berhane Alazar, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6577; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 24, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-08072 Filed 4-9-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P