[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 96 (Monday, May 18, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29673-29676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-10539]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0211; Product Identifier 2020-NM-006-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 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 
747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 
747SR series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of 
inboard foreflap departures from the airplane. This proposed AD would 
require repetitive replacement of certain parts; a general visual 
inspection to determine production configuration for certain parts; a 
repetitive lubrication of certain parts and a repetitive general visual 
inspection of certain parts for any exuding grease; repetitive detailed 
inspections of certain parts for loose or missing attachment bolts, 
cracks or bushing migration, cracks or gouges, or broken, binding, or 
missing rollers; repetitive detailed inspections of certain parts for 
cracks or corrosion; repetitive lubrication; and on-condition actions 
if necessary. 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 July 2, 
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; phone: 
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. It is also 
available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0211.

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-
0211; 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

[[Page 29674]]

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: Eric Lin, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe 
Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3523; 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-2020-0211; 
Product Identifier 2020-NM-006-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 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 of partial and full inboard foreflap 
departures from the airplane, some of which resulted in significant 
damage to the airplane. Inboard foreflap departures have been 
attributed to inadequate lubrication of the outboard fitting assembly, 
corrosion of the outboard fitting assembly, and corrosion in the 
inboard link assembly. In addition, broken center toggle rollers at the 
inboard sequence carriage and binding of inboard foreflap tracks due to 
defective or seized foreflap track rollers can lead to higher than 
normal loads on the outboard fitting assembly and the inboard link 
assembly, which may lead to cracked or broken attachment fittings, and 
in some cases the damage has resulted in an inboard foreflap departing 
the airplane. This condition, if not addressed, could result in the 
departure of an inboard foreflap assembly from the airplane possibly 
resulting in damage to the airplane, and adversely affecting the 
airplane's continued safe flight and landing.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, 
dated November 15, 2019. This service information describes procedures 
for repetitive replacement of certain parts; a general visual 
inspection to determine production configuration for certain parts; a 
repetitive lubrication of certain parts and a repetitive general visual 
inspection of certain parts for any exuding grease; repetitive detailed 
inspections of certain parts for loose or missing attachment bolts, 
cracks or bushing migration, cracks or gouges, or broken, binding, or 
missing rollers; repetitive detailed inspections of certain parts for 
cracks or corrosion; repetitive lubrication; and on-condition actions 
if necessary. On-condition actions include replacements and repair.
    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 747-57A2367 RB, dated 
November 15, 2019, described previously, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
    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-2020-0211.

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 ``required for 
compliance'' (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 125 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimate the following costs to comply with this 
proposed AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                     Labor cost          Parts cost     Cost per  product       operators
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Repetitive Replacement.........  Up to 10 work-hours x           $35,719  Up to $36,569 per   Up to $4,571,125
                                  $85 per hour = Up to                     replacement cycle.  per replacement
                                  $850 per replacement                                         cycle.
                                  cycle.
General Visual Inspection for    1 work-hour x $85 per                $0  $85...............  $10,625.
 Parts Production Configuration.  hour = $85.
Repetitive Detailed Inspections  4 work-hours x $85 per               $0  $340 per            $42,500 per
                                  hour = $340 per                          inspection cycle.   inspection cycle.
                                  inspection cycle.
Repetitive inspection for        1 work-hour x $85 per                $0  $85 per             $10,625 per
 lubrication and repetitive       hour = $85 per                           lubrication.        lubrication.
 lubrication.                     lubrication.
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[[Page 29675]]

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions 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 Replacements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost                 Parts cost       Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 8 work-hour x $85 per hour  Up to $17,720.....  Up to $18,400.
 = $680.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the FAA 
to provide cost estimates for the on-condition repairs 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 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-2020-0211; Product Identifier 
2020-NM-006-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by July 2, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 
747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-
400D, 747-400F, and 747SR, series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of inboard foreflap departures 
from the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address departures 
of the inboard foreflap assembly from the airplane, which could 
result in damage to the airplane and adversely affect the airplane's 
continued safe flight and landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019, 
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
747-57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g):  Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-57A2367, dated November 15, 2019, which is referred to in Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, dated 
November 15, 2019, uses the phrase ``the original issue date of 
Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the 
effective date of this AD.''

(i) 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 (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, 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Eric Lin, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3523; 
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; phone: 562-797-1717; internet: https://

[[Page 29676]]

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 March 27, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-10539 Filed 5-15-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P