[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 18, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8773-8776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03084]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0094; Product Identifier 2019-NM-188-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) 
2018-06-07, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -
200CB, and -300 series airplanes. AD 2018-06-07 requires inspecting the 
fuselage frame at a certain station for existing repairs, repetitive 
inspections, and applicable repairs. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-06-
07, the agency has received reports of new crack findings outside of 
the AD 2018-06-07 inspection area, which the current inspections will 
not detect. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in 
AD 2018-06-07, with an expanded inspection area, additional 
inspections, a modified inspection type, and applicable repairs. 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 April 3, 
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 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 S 102nd Street, Suite 200, 
Seattle, WA 98168; phone: 206-830-7699; internet: https://www.aviationpartnersboeing.com 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. 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, Revision 1, dated July 17, 
2019, is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0094.

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-2020-
0094; 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: 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: 

[[Page 8774]]

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-2020-0094; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-188-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 issued AD 2018-06-07, Amendment 39-19227 (83 FR 13398, 
March 29, 2018) (``AD 2018-06-07''), for all The Boeing Company Model 
757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes. AD 2018-06-07 requires 
inspecting the fuselage frame at station (STA) 1640 for existing 
repairs, repetitive inspections, and applicable repairs. AD 2018-06-07 
resulted from a report of fatigue cracking found in a certain fuselage 
frame, which severed the inner chord and web. The FAA issued AD 2018-
06-07 to address cracking of the fuselage frame at STA 1640, which 
could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2018-06-07 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2018-06-07, the FAA has received reports of 
new crack findings outside of the AD 2018-06-07 inspection area. During 
the inspections required by AD 2018-06-07, an operator found the STA 
1640 frame with a crack starting from the third fastener below the 
stringer S-14 intercostal on the right side. The crack was 
approximately 3 inches long and had grown into an insulation stud hole 
in the web near the outer chord. The crack was not in the area 
inspected as required by AD 2018-06-07. There have also been reports of 
cracks found growing out of the fastener holes in the inner chord in 
the aft direction, towards the web away from the original inspection 
areas. The FAA has therefore determined that the inspection area must 
be expanded and new inspections must be added.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA has reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, 
Revision 1, dated July 17, 2019. This service information describes 
procedures for an inspection of the fuselage frame for existing frame 
repairs or replacements, a detailed inspection for any crack, nick, or 
gouge in the STA 1640 fuselage frame, repetitive high frequency eddy 
current and low frequency eddy current inspections for cracking in the 
STA 1640 fuselage frame between stringers S-11 and S-16, and repair.
    The FAA has also reviewed Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) Alert 
Service Bulletin AP757-53-001, Revision 2, dated October 22, 2019. This 
service information provides compliance times for accomplishing the 
procedures identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, 
Revision 1, dated July 17, 2019, for airplanes on which APB blended or 
scimitar blended winglets are installed.
    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 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

    Although this proposed AD does not explicitly restate the 
requirements of AD 2018-06-07, this proposed AD would retain certain 
requirements of AD 2018-06-07. Those requirements are referenced in the 
service information identified previously, which, in turn, is 
referenced in paragraph (g) of this proposed AD. This proposed AD would 
expand the inspection area, add inspections, and modify a certain 
inspection type.
    This proposed AD would also require accomplishment of the actions 
identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, Revision 1, 
dated July 17, 2019; and Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) Alert Service 
Bulletin AP757-53-001, Revision 2, dated October 22, 2019, described 
previously, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the 
regulatory text of this proposed AD.
    The initial compliance times for the airplanes identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, Revision 1, dated July 17, 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, depending on the configuration. The repetitive 
intervals range from 1,800 flight cycles to 10,400 flight cycles, 
depending on the configuration.
    The initial compliance times for the airplanes identified in 
Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) Alert Service Bulletin AP757-53-001, 
Revision 2, dated October 22, 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, depending on the 
configuration. The repetitive intervals range from 1,900 flight cycles 
to 8,600 flight cycles, depending on the configuration.
    For information on the procedures and compliance times, see Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, Revision 1, dated July 17, 2019, at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0094.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 606 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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Inspection for existing frame      1 work-hour x $85                $0  $85................  $51,510.
 repairs or replacements.           per hour = $85.
Detailed inspection..............  1 work-hour x $85                 0  $85................  $51,510.
                                    per hour.

[[Page 8775]]

 
Repetitive high and low frequency  54 work-hours x $85               0  $4,590 per           $2,744,820 per
 inspections for Groups 1 through   per hour = $4,590                    inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
 3 airplanes (598 airplanes).       per inspection
                                    cycle.
Repetitive high and low frequency  49 work-hours x $85               0  $4,165 per           $33,320 per
 inspections for Groups 4 and 5     per hour = $4,165                    inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
 airplanes (8 airplanes).           per inspection
                                    cycle.
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    The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable us 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.

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) 
2018-06-07, Amendment 39-19227 (83 FR 13398, March 29, 2018), and 
adding the following new AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2020-0094; Product Identifier 
2019-NM-188-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 3, 
2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2018-06-07, Amendment 39-19227 (83 FR 13398, 
March 29, 2018) (``AD 2018-06-07'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, 
and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of fatigue cracking found in 
the fuselage frame at station (STA) 1640, which severed the inner 
chord and web. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking of the 
fuselage frame 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) Actions Required for Compliance

    (1) For all airplanes except those identified in paragraphs 
(g)(2) through (4) of this AD: Except as specified by paragraph (h) 
of this AD, at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, 
Revision 1, dated July 17, 2019, do all applicable actions 
identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in, and in accordance 
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 757-53A0108, Revision 1, dated July 17, 2019.
    (2) For airplanes on which Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) 
blended or scimitar blended winglets are installed using 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01518SE: Except as specified 
by paragraph (h) of this AD, at the applicable times specified in 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) 
Alert Service Bulletin AP757-53-001, Revision 2, dated October 22, 
2019, do all applicable actions identified as ``RC'' in, and in 
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation 
Partners Boeing (APB) Alert Service Bulletin AP757-53-001, Revision 
2, dated October 22, 2019.
    (3) For Group 1 airplanes that have been converted from 
passenger to freighter configuration using VT Mobile Aerospace 
Engineering (MAE) Inc. STC ST03562AT: Except as specified by 
paragraph (h) of this AD, at the applicable times specified for 
Group 2 airplanes in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, Revision 1, dated July 17, 2019, do 
all applicable Group 2 actions, as identified in, and in accordance 
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 757-53A0108, Revision 1, dated July 17, 2019.
    (4) For Group 4 airplanes that have been converted from a 
passenger to freighter configuration using VT MAE Inc. STC 
ST03562AT: Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD, at the 
applicable times specified for Group 5 airplanes in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-
53A0108, Revision 1, dated July 17, 2019, do all applicable Group 5 
actions as identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, Revision 
1, dated July 17, 2019.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, Revision 1, 
dated July 17, 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.

[[Page 8776]]

    (2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, Revision 1, 
dated July 17, 2019, uses the phrase ``the original issue date of 
this service bulletin,'' this AD requires using ``May 3, 2018 (the 
effective date of AD 2018-06-07),'' except where Alert Service 
Bulletin 757-53A0108, Revision 1, dated July 17, 2019, uses the 
phrase ``the original issue date of this service bulletin'' in a 
note or flag note.
    (3) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, Revision 1, 
dated July 17, 2019, uses the phrase ``the revision 1 date of this 
service bulletin,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of 
this AD.''
    (4) Where Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) Alert Service Bulletin 
AP757-53-001, Revision 2, dated October 22, 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.
    (5) Where Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) Alert Service Bulletin 
AP757-53-001, Revision 2, dated October 22, 2019, uses the phrase 
``the revision 1 issue date of this service bulletin,'' this AD 
requires using ``May 3, 2018 (the effective date of AD 2018-06-
07),'' except where Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) Alert Service 
Bulletin AP757-53-001, Revision 2, dated October 22, 2019, uses the 
phrase ``the revision 1 issue date of this service bulletin'' in a 
note or flag note.
    (6) Where Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) Alert Service Bulletin 
AP757-53-001, Revision 2, dated October 22, 2019, uses the phrase 
``the revision 2 issue date of this service bulletin,'' this AD 
requires using ``the effective date 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) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2018-06-07 are not approved 
as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.
    (5) 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)(5)(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.

(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 Aviation Partners Boeing service information identified 
in this AD, contact Aviation Partners Boeing, 2811 S 102nd Street, 
Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98168; phone: 206-830-7699; internet: https://www.aviationpartnersboeing.com.
    (3) 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; phone: 562-797-1717; internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.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 on February 11, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-03084 Filed 2-14-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P