[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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P