[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 159 (Thursday, August 16, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40710-40713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17621]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0711; Product Identifier 2018-NM-062-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 an airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
The Boeing Company Model 757-200 series airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by reports of uncommanded movement of the captain's and first 
officer's seats. This proposed AD would require, for the captain's and 
first officer's seats, repetitive horizontal actuator identifications, 
repetitive checks of the horizontal movement system (HMS), a detailed 
inspection of the HMS, as applicable, and applicable on-condition 
actions. This proposed AD would also require a general visual 
inspection to determine seat part numbers of the captain's and first 
officer's seats, a cable adjustment check on seats with certain seat 
part numbers, and applicable on-condition actions. We are proposing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 1, 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-2018-0711.

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-
0711; 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: Myra Kuck, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5316; 
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-2018-0711; 
Product Identifier 2018-

[[Page 40711]]

NM-062-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 received reports indicating uncommanded movement of the 
captain's and first officer's seats. In one instance, a Boeing Model 
777 airplane operator reported that the captain's seat could not be 
locked in position after the horizontal position of the seat was 
adjusted in flight. The seat became unlocked from the track and moved 
freely forward and aft, and the first officer assumed the controls for 
approach and landing. An inspection found the horizontal actuator 
output shaft on the seat had broken, resulting in an inability to 
prevent forward and aft seat movement or lock the seat in position. A 
broken horizontal actuator output shaft may be the result of high loads 
beyond the design limits, a stalled motor due to high mechanical 
resistance during operation of the seat, or foreign object debris in 
the seat tracks.
    Because Boeing Model 757 airplanes use the same seats in the flight 
deck, we are proposing this AD to prevent uncommanded movement of the 
captain's and first officer's seats, which could lead to reduced 
controllability of the airplane. We plan similar actions for other 
Boeing airplanes using the same seats in the flight deck.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-0308, 
Revision 1, dated June 7, 2018. This service information describes 
procedures for repetitive horizontal actuator identifications, 
repetitive checks of the HMS, a detailed inspection of the HMS, as 
applicable, and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions 
include an overhaul of the HMS and checks of the HMS.
    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-0309, 
Revision 1, dated July 2, 2018. This service information describes 
procedures for a general visual inspection to determine the seat part 
numbers on the captain's and first officer's seats, and, for seats with 
certain part numbers, a manual override cable adjustment check of the 
captain's and first officer's seats, and applicable on-condition 
actions. On-condition actions include moving the adjustment nut, 
tightening the lock nut, and readjusting the control lever.
    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 accomplishment of the actions 
identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-0308, 
Revision 1, dated June 7, 2018, and Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 757-25-0309, Revision 1, dated July 2, 2018, described 
previously, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the 
regulatory text of this proposed AD, and except as explained under 
``Differences Between Proposed AD and Service Information'' in this 
NPRM.
    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-2018-0711.

Differences Between Proposed AD and Service Information

    Although Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-0309, 
Revision 1, dated July 2, 2018, recommends accomplishing the actions 
``within 72 months,'' we have determined that this compliance time will 
not ensure that the identified unsafe condition is addressed in a 
timely manner. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this 
AD, we considered the manufacturer's recommendation, as well as the 
degree of urgency associated with addressing the subject unsafe 
condition, the average utilization of the affected fleet, and the time 
necessary to perform the modifications. In light of all of these 
factors, we find a compliance time of 36 months for completing the 
required actions is warranted, in that it represents an appropriate 
interval of time for affected airplanes to continue to operate without 
compromising safety. This difference has been coordinated with Boeing.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 17 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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identification/Check................  Up to 11 work-hours x    Up to $4,820...........  Up to $5,755 per        Up to $97,835 per identification/check
                                       $85 per hour = $935                               identification/check    cycle.
                                       per identification/                               cycle.
                                       check cycle.
Inspection..........................  Up to 1 work-hour x $85  $0.....................  Up to $85.............  Up to $1,445.
                                       per hour = $85.
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    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
AD.
    Certain configurations of captain's and first officer's seats may 
require special tooling to align the seats. Special tooling for one set 
of captain's and first officer's seats will cost $22,000, and a certain 
other set will cost $23,000. If an operator owns both combinations of 
seats, the special tooling will cost up to $45,000 per operator.

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

[[Page 40712]]

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-2018-0711; Product Identifier 
2018-NM-062-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 1, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 757-200 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded movement of the 
captain's and first officer's seats. We are issuing this AD to 
address the uncommanded movement of the captain's or first officer's 
seat, which could lead to reduced controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Identification, Check, Inspection, On-Condition Actions (Includes 
Overhaul of Horizontal Movement System) and Repetitive Actions

    For airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 757-25-0308, Revision 1, dated June 7, 2018: Except as 
required by paragraph (h) of this AD, at the applicable times 
specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-0308, Revision 1, dated June 7, 
2018, do all applicable actions identified as ``RC'' (required for 
compliance) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-
0308, Revision 1, dated June 7, 2018.

(h) Exceptions To Service Information Specifications

    For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of 
this AD: Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25-
0308, Revision 1, dated June 7, 2018, uses the phrase ``the original 
issue date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires using ``the 
effective date of this AD.''

(i) Seat Inspection, Adjustment Check for Certain Seats, and On-
Condition Actions

    For airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 757-25-0309, Revision 1, dated July 2, 2018: Within 36 
months after the effective date of this AD, do all applicable 
actions identified as RC in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 757-25-0309, Revision 1, dated July 2, 2018. A review of 
the airplane maintenance records may be used for the seat inspection 
if the part number can be conclusively determined from that review.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles 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, Los Angeles 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) 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 Myra Kuck, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, 
FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 
90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5316; fax: 562-627-5210; email: 
[email protected].

[[Page 40713]]

    (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 August 7, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-17621 Filed 8-15-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P