[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 30, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24688-24690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11426]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0489; Product Identifier 2018-NM-001-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by a report that flightcrew oxygen masks did 
not deploy correctly during flight testing. This proposed AD would 
require an inspection to determine if certain oxygen masks/regulators 
and stowage boxes are installed and replacement if necessary. We are 
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 16, 2018.

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: 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 referenced 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 http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0489.

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-2018-
0489; 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 NPRM, 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: Susan L. Monroe, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO 
Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 
206-231-3570; 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-2018-0489; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-001-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 have received a report indicating that during flight tests, 
flightcrew oxygen masks/regulators did not deploy correctly. Users 
could not put the flightcrew oxygen masks/regulators on quickly because 
the harness tubing became caught in the mask or goggles. This 
condition, if not addressed, could result in a delay for the flightcrew 
to put

[[Page 24689]]

on the masks, which may lead to hypoxia and the loss of useful 
consciousness, potentially resulting in loss of control of the 
airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-35-2133, 
Revision 1, dated November 1, 2017. This service information describes 
procedures for replacing certain oxygen masks/regulators and stowage 
boxes. 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 require an inspection to determine if 
certain oxygen masks/regulators and stowage boxes are installed and, if 
certain oxygen masks/regulators and stowage boxes are installed, 
accomplishment of the actions identified as ``RC'' (required for 
compliance) in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 747-35-2133, Revision 1, dated November 1, 
2017, described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences 
Between this Proposed AD and the Service Information,'' and except for 
any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this 
proposed AD.
    For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this 
service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0489.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-35-2133, 
Revision 1, dated November 1, 2017, refers to or specifies installing a 
new (or changed) part, for this proposed AD, we have determined a new 
or serviceable (or changed) part is acceptable.
    In addition, the effectivity of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-35-2133, Revision 1, dated November 1, 2017, is limited. 
However, this proposed AD applies to all Model 747-8 and 747-8F series 
airplanes. Because the affected parts are rotable parts, we have 
determined that these parts could later be installed on airplanes that 
were initially delivered with acceptable parts, thereby subjecting 
those airplanes to the unsafe condition. This difference has been 
coordinated with Boeing.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 18 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                          Estimated Costs for Required Actions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost              Cost per product                 Cost on  U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection...........................  1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0  $85................................  $1,530.
                                        hour = $85.
Replacement..........................  Up to 6 work-hours x $85          68,256  Up to $68,766......................  Up to $1,237,788.
                                        per hour = $510.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated 
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as 
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, 
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the 
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable 
to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight 
Division.

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-2018-0489; Product Identifier 
2018-NM-001-AD.

[[Page 24690]]

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 16, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

 (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F 
series airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that flightcrew oxygen masks 
did not function as designed during flight testing. We are issuing 
this AD to address flightcrew oxygen masks/regulators that do not 
deploy correctly, which could result in a delay for the flightcrew 
to put on the masks, which may lead to hypoxia and loss of useful 
consciousness, potentially resulting in loss of control of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    For airplanes with an original certificate of airworthiness, or 
an original export certificate of airworthiness, issued on or before 
the effective date of this AD: Within 72 months after the effective 
date of this AD, inspect for oxygen mask/regulator part number (P/N) 
MLD20-626-1 and stowage box P/N MXP806-1. If any oxygen mask/
regulator P/N MLD20-626-1 or stowage box P/N MXP806-1 is found, 
within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, do all 
applicable actions identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance) 
in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-35-2133, Revision 1, 
dated November 1, 2017, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this 
AD. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu 
of the part number inspection if the part numbers of the oxygen 
mask/regulator and stowage box can be conclusively determined from 
that review.

 (h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-35-2133, 
Revision 1, dated November 1, 2017, refers to or specifies 
installing a new (or changed) part, for this AD, a new or 
serviceable (or changed) part is acceptable.

 (i) Parts Installation Limitation

    (1) For airplanes with an original certificate of airworthiness, 
or an original export certificate of airworthiness, issued on or 
before the effective date of this AD: As of the effective date of 
this AD, no person may install an oxygen mask/regulator P/N MLD20-
626-1 on any airplane, except that prior to 72 months after the 
effective date of this AD, installation of P/N MLD20-626-1 is 
acceptable for unscheduled maintenance as a replacement only for 
another P/N MLD20-626-1 and only into a stowage box P/N MXP806-1. If 
an oxygen mask/regulator having a part number other than P/N MLD20-
626-1 is installed, it may not be replaced with P/N MLD20-626-1. For 
the purposes of this AD, unscheduled maintenance is defined as 
maintenance that was not planned for or scheduled in advance, such 
as changing a defective or unserviceable oxygen mask at dispatch.
    (2) For airplanes with an original certificate of airworthiness 
or an original export certificate of airworthiness issued after the 
effective date of this AD: As of the effective date of this AD, no 
person may install oxygen mask/regulator P/N MLD20-626-1, on any 
airplane.
    (3) For all airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, no 
person may install oxygen mask/regulator P/N MLD20-726-1, in 
combination with any stowage box part number that is not P/N MXP806-
7, on any airplane.

 (j) 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 (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, 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, Seattle ACO Branch, 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) Except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD: For service 
information that contains steps that are labeled as RC, the 
provisions of paragraphs (j)(4)(i) and (j)(4)(ii) of this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the 
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is 
required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and 
identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled 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 RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Susan L. Monroe, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, 
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3570; email: [email protected].
    (2) 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. You may view this referenced 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.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on May 21, 2018.
James Cashdollar,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-11426 Filed 5-29-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P