[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 120 (Friday, June 21, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29102-29105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13047]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0437; Product Identifier 2019-NM-074-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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the
fuselage frame web at body station (STA) 1640. This proposed AD would
require, depending on configuration, a general visual inspection for
any previous repair, such as any reinforcing repair or local frame
replacement repair, repetitive open hole high frequency eddy current
(HFEC) inspections for any crack of the fuselage frame web fastener
holes, on the left and right side of the airplane, and applicable on-
condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 5,
2019.
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 Boeing 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;
phone: 562-797-1717; internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
For Aviation Partners Boeing service information identified in this
NPRM, contact Aviation Partners Boeing, 2811 South 102nd St., Suite
200, Seattle, WA 98168; phone: 206-830-7699; fax: 206-767-0535; email:
[email protected]; internet: http://www.aviationpartnersboeing.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. Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0112 RB, dated
November 16, 2018, is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0437.
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-2019-
0437; or in person at Docket Operations
[[Page 29103]]
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
Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Jarzomb, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5234; fax: 562-627-
5210; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites 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-2019-0437;
Product Identifier 2019-NM-074-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
NPRM because of those comments.
The FAA will post all comments, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide.
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact the agency receives about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The FAA has received reports of cracks found on several airplanes
while performing inspections in an area adjacent to the inspection
areas specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108. The
cracks reported were not considered in the inspections specified in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108 because the crack initiation
sites, at issue here, were discovered after the release of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 757-53A0108. The airplanes had between 20,536 and
39,850 total flight cycles at the time of reporting. Three of the
cracks were confirmed to have initiated at a fastener common to the STA
1640 fuselage frame web and intercostal tee clip at stringer 14, on the
left side. The fuselage frame web cracking is attributed to fatigue
caused by flight loads and fuselage pressurization with higher than
predicted stresses. This condition, if not addressed, could result in
reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed the following service information.
Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) Alert Service Bulletin
AP757-53-002, Revision 2, dated April 11, 2019.
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0112 RB, dated
November 16, 2018.
The service information describes procedures for, depending on
configuration, a general visual inspection for any previous repair,
such as any reinforcing repair or local frame replacement repair,
repetitive open hole HFEC inspections for any crack of the fuselage
frame web fastener holes, on the left and right side of the airplane,
and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions include
installation of fasteners and repair. These documents are distinct
since they apply to different airplane models in different
configurations.
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
The FAA is proposing this AD because the FAA 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 in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0112 RB, dated
November 16, 2018, described previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
This proposed AD would also require accomplishment of the actions
identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in the Accomplishment
Instructions of APB Alert Service Bulletin AP757-53-002, Revision 2,
dated April 11, 2019, described previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Please note that the initial compliance times for the airplanes
identified in APB Alert Service Bulletin AP757-53-002, Revision 2,
dated April 11, 2019, range from within 500 flight cycles after the
effective date of this AD, to within 16,000 flight cycles after the
installation of the local frame replacement or before 50,000 total
flight cycles, whichever occurs first depending on configuration. The
repetitive intervals range from 5,200 flight cycles to 9,900 flight
cycles, depending on configuration.
For information on the procedures and compliance times, see Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0112 RB, dated November 16, 2018, at
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2019-0437.
Explanation of Requirements Bulletin
The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the
Airworthiness Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee
(AD ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement is a process for
annotating which steps in the service information are RC with an AD.
Boeing has implemented this RC concept into Boeing service bulletins.
In an effort to further improve the quality of ADs and AD-related
Boeing service information, a joint process improvement initiative was
worked between the FAA and Boeing. The initiative resulted in the
development of a new process in which the service information more
clearly identifies the actions needed to address the unsafe condition
in the ``Accomplishment Instructions.'' The new process results in a
Boeing Requirements Bulletin, which contains only the actions needed to
address the unsafe condition (i.e., only the RC actions).
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 475 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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General Visual Inspection........ 35 work-hours x $85 $0 $2,975............. $1,413,125.
per hour = $2,975.
[[Page 29104]]
Open Hole HFEC Inspection........ 35 work-hours x $85 0 $2,975 per $1,413,125 per
per hour = $2,975 inspection cycle. inspection cycle.
per inspection
cycle.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition fastener installations that would be required. The FAA has no
way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-
condition actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Fastener Installations
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Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85...... $* $85 *
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* The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the agency
to provide cost estimates for the parts cost of the on-condition
fastener installation specified in this proposed AD.
The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the
agency to provide cost estimates for the on-condition repair specified
in this proposed AD.
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.
The FAA is 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 and associated appliances to the
Director of the System Oversight Division.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) 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-2019-0437; Product Identifier
2019-NM-074-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by August 5, 2019.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and
-300 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified
in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0112 RB, dated November
16, 2018.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the fuselage frame
web at body station (STA) 1640. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address cracks in the fuselage frame web at STA 1640, which could
result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) For all airplanes except those identified in paragraph
(g)(2) of this AD: Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD,
at the applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0112 RB, dated November
16, 2018, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 757-53A0112 RB, dated November 16, 2018.
Note 1 to paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2): Guidance for
accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0112, dated November 16, 2018, which
is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0112 RB,
dated November 16, 2018.
(2) For airplanes on which Aviation Partners Boeing (APB)
blended or scimitar winglets are installed in accordance with
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01518SE: Except as specified
by paragraph (h) of this AD, at the applicable times
[[Page 29105]]
specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance'' of APB Alert Service
Bulletin AP757-53-002, Revision 2, dated April 11, 2019, do all
applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
757-53A0112 RB, dated November 16, 2018.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements
of this AD: Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0112 RB,
dated November 16, 2018, uses the phrase ``the original issue date
of Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0112 RB,'' this AD requires using
``the effective date of this AD,'' except where Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0112 RB, dated November 16, 2018, uses
the phrase ``the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 757-
53A0112 RB'' in a note or flag note.
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0112 RB,
dated November 16, 2018, specifies contacting Boeing for repair
instructions or for alternative inspections: This AD requires doing
the repair, or doing the alternative inspections and applicable on-
condition actions using a method approved in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
(3) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements
of this AD: Where APB Alert Service Bulletin AP757-53-002, Revision
2, dated April 11, 2019, uses the phrase ``the original issue date
of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires using ``the effective
date of this AD,'' except where APB Alert Service Bulletin AP757-53-
002, Revision 2, dated April 11, 2019, uses the phrase ``the
original issue date of this Service Bulletin'' in a note or flag
note.
(4) Where APB Alert Service Bulletin AP757-53-002, Revision 2,
dated April 11, 2019, specifies contacting Boeing for repair
instructions or for alternative inspections: This AD requires doing
the repair, or doing the alternative inspections and applicable on-
condition actions using a method approved in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
(i) 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 (j)(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 Company Organization Designation
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Los
Angeles ACO Branch, 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) Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: For service
information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for
Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (i)(4)(i) and
(i)(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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Peter Jarzomb,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch,
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-
5234; fax: 562-627-5210; email: [email protected].
(2) For Boeing 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.
(3) For Aviation Partners Boeing service information identified
in this AD, contact Aviation Partners Boeing, 2811 South 102nd St.,
Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98168; phone: 206-830-7699; fax: 206-767-
3355; email: [email protected]; internet: http://www.aviationpartnersboeing.com.
(4) 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 June 10, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-13047 Filed 6-20-19; 8:45 am]
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