[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 11, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29196-29198]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10740]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6427; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-200-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-11-
13, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 717-200 airplanes. AD 
2007-11-13 currently requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations 
Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to 
incorporate new removal limits for certain components of the flap 
system and to reduce the inspection interval s for fatigue cracking of 
principal structural elements (PSE). Since we issued AD 2007-11-13, a 
new Airworthiness Limitations Instructions (ALI) revision was released 
that incorporates nondestructive inspection (NDI) techniques and 
reduced repetitive inspection intervals for three PSEs. We have 
determined that these reduced intervals are necessary to address the 
unsafe condition. This proposed AD would require revising the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate 
reduced intervals for the inspections for three PSEs and add NDI 
techniques to the inspection process. We are proposing this AD to 
detect and correct fatigue cracking of certain PSEs. Such cracking 
could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 27, 2016.

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 NPRM, 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-2016-
6427; 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: Eric Schrieber, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 
562-627-5348; 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 proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-6427; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-200-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 June 29, 2007, we issued AD 2007-11-13, Amendment 39-15070 (72 
FR 29237, May 25, 2007) (``AD 2007-11-13''), for all The Boeing Company 
Model 717-200 airplanes. AD 2007-11-13 requires revising the ALS of the 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new removal 
limits for certain components of the flap system and to reduce the 
inspection intervals for fatigue cracking of PSEs. AD 2007-11-13 
resulted from a revised damage tolerance analysis. We issued AD 2007-
11-13 to detect and correct fatigue cracking of certain PSEs. Such 
cracking could adversely affect the structural integrity of the 
airplane.

Actions Since AD 2007-11-13 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2007-11-13, a new ALI revision was released that 
incorporates NDI techniques and reduced repetitive inspection intervals 
for three PSEs. We have determined that these reduced intervals are 
necessary to address the unsafe condition.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing 717-200, Report MDC-96K9063, Airworthiness

[[Page 29197]]

Limitations Instructions, Revision 14, dated July 2015. The service 
information describes procedures for inspecting PSEs, and includes a 
change to reduce the interval inspections for three PSEs and adds NDI 
techniques to the inspection process. 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

    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 retain all requirements of AD 2007-11-13. 
This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to incorporate reduced intervals for the 
inspections for three PSEs and add NDI techniques to the inspection 
process.
    This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). 
Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For 
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in 
the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph 
(k) of this proposed AD. The request should include a description of 
changes to the required actions that will ensure the continued 
operational safety of the airplane.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 572 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                  product        operators
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Maintenance or inspection program revision.  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85...             $85         $48,620
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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.
    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 have 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 that the 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2007-11-13, Amendment 39-15070 (72 FR 29237, May 25, 2007), and adding 
the following new AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA- 2016-6427; Directorate 
Identifier 2015-NM-200-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by June 27, 
2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2007-11-13, Amendment 39-15070 (72 FR 29237, 
May 25, 2007) (``AD 2007-11-13'').

(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 51, Standard 
practices/structures.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted due to a reduction in the repetitive 
inspection interval for three principal structural elements (PSE). 
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of 
certain PSEs. Such cracking could adversely affect the structural 
integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Revising of the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) 
With Updated Service Information

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2007-11-13, with updated service information. Within 180 days after 
June 29, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-11-13): Revise the ALS 
of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, Airworthiness 
Limitations Instructions (ALI), in accordance with Boeing 717-200 
ALI, Report MDC-96K9063, Revision 5, dated February 2006.

[[Page 29198]]

(h) Retained Provision Regarding Alternative Actions, Intervals With 
Updated Information

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2007-11-13, with updated information. Except as required by 
paragraph (i) of this AD: After the ALS has been revised as required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections), intervals, may be used unless the actions, intervals, 
are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this 
AD.

(i) New Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the 
information specified in Boeing 717-200 ALI, Report MDC-96K9063, 
Revision 14, dated July 2015. The initial compliance times for doing 
the actions specified in Boeing 717-200 ALI, Report MDC-96K9063, 
Revision 14, dated July 2015, are at the later of the times 
specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD. Compliance 
with this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of 
this AD.
    (1) Within the applicable compliance times specified in Boeing 
717-200 ALI, Report MDC-96K9063, Revision 14, dated July 2015.
    (2) Within 180 days from the effective date of this AD.

(j) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as 
required by paragraph (i) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or 
intervals are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures 
specified in paragraph (k) of this AD.

(k) 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 (l)(1) 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, modification, or alteration 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, 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.
    (4) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2007-11-13 are not approved 
as AMOCs with this AD.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Eric Schrieber, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles ACO, 
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-
5348; 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, CA 90846-0001; 
telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; Internet 
https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this 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 April 28, 2016.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-10740 Filed 5-10-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P