[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 7 (Friday, January 10, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1295-1297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-00059]



[[Page 1295]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-1070; Product Identifier 2019-NM-178-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 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by reports that the cabin air compressor (CAC) 
outlet check valve failed due to fatigue of the aluminum flappers, and 
exposed the Y-duct to temperatures above its design limit. This 
proposed AD would require installing new inboard and outboard CAC 
outlet check valves on the left-side and right-side cabin air 
conditioning and temperature control system (CACTCS) packs. 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 February 
24, 2020.

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 https://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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-1070.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
1070; 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: Allie Buss, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3564; 
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-2019-1070; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-178-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 received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports that the CAC outlet check valve failed 
due to fatigue of the aluminum flappers, and exposed the Y-duct to 
temperatures above its design limit. Operators have reported failures 
of the CAC outlet check valve caused by fatigue of the aluminum 
flappers due to increasing open/close cycles, induced by CAC surge. 
This can cause reverse flow through the broken check valve from the 
operational CAC. The reverse flow is recirculated through the 
operational CAC inlet ducting and reheating CAC air, leading to 
exposure of the Y-duct to temperatures above its design limit. This 
condition, if not addressed, could expose the flight deck and passenger 
cabin to smoke and fumes, and lead to reduced crew performance or 
produce passenger discomfort. Off gassed compounds could cause 
respiratory distress and could cause serious injury for an individual 
with a compromised respiratory system. The new check valve has an 
improved design with a stronger Corrosion Resistant Steel (CRES) 
housing and flappers, and an increased stopper contact area for better 
distribution of the flapper load.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB210108-00, 
Issue 002, dated October 15, 2019. The service information describes 
procedures for installing new inboard and outboard CAC outlet check 
valves on the left-side and right-side CACTCS packs. 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 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 Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB210108-00, Issue 
002, dated October 15, 2019, described previously.
    For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this 
service information at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2019-1070.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 90 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD:

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                                      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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Replace CAC outlet check valves  3 work-hours x $85 per               $0  $255 per check      $22,950 per check
                                  hour = $255 per check                    valve.              valve.
                                  valve.
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    According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this 
proposed AD may be covered under warranty by UTC Aerospace Systems, 
thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. The FAA does 
not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, 
the FAA has included all known costs in the cost estimate.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2019-1070; Product Identifier 
2019-NM-178-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by February 24, 
2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB210108-00, Issue 002, dated October 
15, 2019.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 21, Air 
conditioning.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports that the cabin air compressor 
(CAC) outlet check valve failed due to fatigue of the aluminum 
flappers, and exposed the Y-duct to temperatures above its design 
limit. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this condition, which 
could expose the flight deck and passenger cabin to smoke and fumes, 
and lead to reduced crew performance or produce passenger 
discomfort. Off gassed compounds could cause respiratory distress 
and could cause serious injury for an individual with a compromised 
respiratory system.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in paragraph 5., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB210108-00, Issue 002, dated 
October 15, 2019, do all applicable actions identified as ``RC'' 
(required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin B787-81205-
SB210108-00, Issue 002, dated October 15, 2019.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    Where Boeing Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB210108-00, Issue 002, 
dated October 15, 2019, uses the phrase ``the Issue 002 date of this 
service bulletin,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of 
this AD.''

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a CAC 
outlet check valve, with a part number listed in paragraph 1.B, 
``Spares Affected'' of Boeing Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB210108-
00, Issue 002, dated October 15, 2019, on any airplane.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Service Bulletin B787-81205-
SB210108-00, Issue 001, dated May 25, 2018.

(k) 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 (l)(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.

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    (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) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs 
(k)(4)(i) and (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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Allie Buss, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, 
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
phone and fax: 206-231-3564; 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 on December 31, 2019.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-00059 Filed 1-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P