[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 2, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31526-31529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13673]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0442; Product Identifier 2018-NM-171-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2017-15-04, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and
787-9 airplanes. AD 2017-15-04 requires replacement of affected
electromechanical actuators (EMAs). Since AD 2017-15-04 was issued, the
FAA has determined that discrepant EMAs may have been installed on
airplanes outside the original applicability of AD 2017-15-04. This
proposed AD would retain the
[[Page 31527]]
requirements of AD 2017-15-04, expand the applicability to include all
The Boeing Company Model 787 series airplanes, and add a new
requirement to identify, for certain airplanes, the part number of EMAs
and replace affected EMAs. 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 16,
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 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 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-2019-0442.
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-
0442; or in person at Docket Operations 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: Douglas Tsuji, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3548; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites 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-2019-0442;
Product Identifier 2018-NM-171-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 agency
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 issued AD 2017-15-04, Amendment 39-18964 (82 FR 33785, July
21, 2017) (``AD 2017-15-04''), for certain The Boeing Company Model
787-8 and 787-9 airplanes. AD 2017-15-04 requires replacement of
affected EMAs. AD 2017-15-04 resulted from a report of wire harness
chafing on the EMAs for certain spoilers due to insufficient separation
with adjacent structure. The FAA issued AD 2017-15-04 to address
chafing and consequent wire damage that could result in a potential
source of ignition in the flammable leakage zone--an area of the
airplane where flammable fluids have the potential to accumulate--and a
consequent fire or explosion.
Actions Since AD 2017-15-04 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2017-15-04, the agency has determined that,
because the affected EMAs are rotable parts, these affected EMAs could
be installed on airplanes that did not fall within the applicability of
AD 2017-15-04, thereby subjecting those airplanes to the unsafe
condition. In addition, Boeing issued Boeing Service Bulletin B787-
81205-SB270030-00, Issue 002, dated April 7, 2017, which removes two
airplanes from the effectivity, includes minor editorial changes, and
does not require additional work for airplanes on which the actions
required by AD 2017-15-04 were accomplished.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB270030-00,
Issue 002, dated April 7, 2017. The service information describes
procedures for replacing affected EMAs with new EMAs.
This proposed AD would also require Boeing Service Bulletin B787-
81205-SB270030-00, Issue 001, dated October 22, 2015, which the
Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by
reference as of August 25, 2017 (82 FR 33785, July 21, 2017).
These documents are distinct since they apply to different
airplanes. 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 agency has 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 of the requirements of AD 2017-
15-04, and expand the applicability to include all The Boeing Company
Model 787 series airplanes. This proposed AD would also require an
inspection or records check to identify the part number of the EMA, and
for airplanes with affected EMAs, accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously, except as discussed
under ``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service
Information.''
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-2019-0442.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
The effectivity of Boeing Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB270030-00,
Issue 002, dated April 7, 2017, is limited to certain The Boeing
Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes. However, the applicability of
this proposed AD includes all The Boeing Company Model 787 series
airplanes. Because the affected EMAs are rotable parts, the FAA has
determined that these parts could be installed on airplanes that were
initially delivered with acceptable
[[Page 31528]]
EMAs, thereby subjecting those airplanes to the unsafe condition.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 93 airplanes
of U.S. registry. The agency 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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EMA replacement (retained actions 32 work-hours x $85 * $2,720 *........... Up to $252,960 *
from AD 2017[dash]15[dash]04). per hour = $2,720
per EMA
replacement.
Inspection/records check......... 1 work-hour x $85 $0 $85 per inspection $7,905
per hour = $85. cycle.
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* Parts cost is not included in the service information, but Boeing has indicated that existing parts can be
modified to become the new parts.
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 has 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) 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2017-15-04, Amendment 39-18964 (82 FR 33785, July 21, 2017), and adding
the following new AD:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2019-0442; Product Identifier
2018-NM-171-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August 16,
2019.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2017-15-04, Amendment 39-18964 (82 FR 33785,
July 21, 2017) (``AD 2017-15-04'').
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 787 series
airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
Controls.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by wire harness chafing on the electro-
mechanical actuators (EMAs) for certain spoilers due to insufficient
separation with adjacent structure. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address chafing and consequent wire damage that could result in a
potential source of ignition in the flammable leakage zone and a
consequent fire or explosion.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Retained EMA Replacement, With Revised Compliance Language
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD
2017-15-04 with revised compliance language. For airplanes
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB270030-00, Issue
001, dated October 22, 2015: Within 40 months after August 25, 2017
(the effective date of AD 2017-15-04), replace the EMAs with new
EMAs, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB270030-00, Issue 001, dated October
22, 2015; or Boeing Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB270030-00, Issue
002, dated April 7, 2017.
(h) New Definition
For the purpose of this AD, an ``affected part'' is an EMA for
spoiler 4, 5, 10, or 11 having part number C99144-004 or C99144-005.
(i) New EMA Identification and Replacement
For airplanes not identified in paragraph (g) of this AD with an
original airworthiness certificate or an original export certificate
of airworthiness dated before or on the effective date of this AD,
do the actions specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD.
(1) Within 40 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a general visual inspection of the EMAs for spoilers 4, 5,
10, and 11 to determine the part number. A review of airplane
maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the
part number of the EMA can be conclusively determined from that
review.
(2) If the EMA is an affected part: Within 40 months after the
effective date of this AD, replace the EMA in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
[[Page 31529]]
Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB270030-00, Issue 002, dated April 7,
2017.
(j) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on any
airplane an EMA having part number (P/N) C99144-004 or C99144-005.
(k) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the action specified in
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if those actions were performed before
the effective date of this AD using Boeing Service Bulletin B787-
81205-SB270030-00, Issue 001, dated October 22, 2015.
(l) 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 (m)(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, Seattle
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) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2017-15-04 are approved as
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph (g) of this AD.
(5) For service information that contains steps that are labeled
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs
(l)(5)(i) and (l)(5)(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.
(m) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Douglas Tsuji,
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax:
206-231-3548; 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 service information at the
FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines,
WA. 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 14, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-13673 Filed 7-1-19; 8:45 am]
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