[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 25, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52287-52289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18487]



[[Page 52287]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0779; Product Identifier 2020-NM-092-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 all The Boeing Company Model DC-10-10 and DC-10-10F airplanes, 
Model DC-10-15 airplanes, Model DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-
10) airplanes, Model DC-10-40 and DC-10-40F airplanes, Model MD-10-10F 
and MD-10-30F airplanes, and Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracked floor beams and floor 
beam supports in the area of the overwing exit doors located at certain 
stations (STA). This proposed AD would require an inspection of the 
overwing floor beams for any repair, repetitive inspections of the 
overwing floor beams and floor beam supports at certain STA on the left 
and right sides for any crack, and applicable on-condition actions. 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 October 9, 
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 referenced service information at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety 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-
0779.

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-
0779; 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, 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: Manuel Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5256; fax: 
562-627-5210; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views about this proposal. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should send only one copy of the comments. Send your comments to an 
address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-
2020-0779; Project Identifier 2020-NM-092-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, as well 
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this 
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments received by the closing 
date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after the 
comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring 
expense or delay. The FAA may change this NPRM because of those 
comments.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to the 
person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Any 
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated 
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports indicating that cracked floor beams 
and floor beam supports have been found in the area of the overwing 
exit doors located at certain STA locations. Operators have reported 
fifteen airplanes with cracked floor beams in the area of the overwing 
exit doors located at STA Y = 1256, 1275, 1293, and 1305. Findings have 
included single or multiple cracked beams, severed beams, and cracked 
or failed supports. The earliest a crack was found in a Model DC-10-30 
airplane was at 13,500 flight cycles, with the average at 18,300 flight 
cycles. The earliest a crack was found in a Model DC-10-10 airplane was 
at 23,500 flight cycles, with the average at 26,750 flight cycles. No 
cracking has been found on Model MD-11 airplanes to date. This 
condition, if not addressed, could result in an overwing floor beam 
crack that could grow in length until the floor beam severs, and, if 
limit load is applied with two adjacent severed floor beams, could 
adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane, which could 
result in the loss of primary control systems and lead to reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB, 
dated February 6, 2020; and Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin MD11-

[[Page 52288]]

53A088 RB, dated March 6, 2020. The service information describes 
procedures for a general visual inspection of the overwing floor beams 
for any repair; repetitive eddy current high frequency (ETHF) 
inspections of the overwing floor beams and floor beam supports for 
cracks, or repetitive ETHF inspections of the overwing floor beams and 
detailed inspections of the overwing floor beam supports at certain 
stations on the left and right sides for any crack, depending on 
configuration; and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition 
actions include repair. These documents are distinct since they apply 
to different airplane models.
    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 in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB, dated 
February 6, 2020; and Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin MD11-53A088 
RB, dated March 6, 2020, 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-2020-0779.

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 224 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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General visual inspection........  1 work-hour x $85                $0  $85................  $19,040
                                    per hour = $85.
ETHF and detailed inspections....  Up to 70 work-hours               0  Up to $5,950 per     Up to $1,332,800
                                    x $85 per hour =                     inspection cycle.    per inspection
                                    $5,950 per                                                cycle
                                    inspection cycle.
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    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 Actions
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            Labor cost                  Parts cost      Cost per product
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Up to 375 work-hours x $85 per        Up to $190,576     Up to $222,451
 hour = $31,875...................
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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:

[[Page 52289]]

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-2020-0779; Product Identifier 
2020-NM-092-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by October 9, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company airplanes specified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (6) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model DC-10-10 and DC-10-10F airplanes.
    (2) Model DC-10-15 airplanes.
    (3) Model DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10) airplanes.
    (4) Model DC-10-40 and DC-10-40F airplanes.
    (5) Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes.
    (6) Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracked floor beams and floor 
beam supports in the area of the overwing exit doors located at 
certain stations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address potential 
undetected overwing floor beam cracks that could grow in length 
until the floor beam severs, and, if limit load is applied with two 
adjacent severed floor beams, could adversely affect the structural 
integrity of the airplane, which could result in the loss of primary 
control systems and lead to reduced controllability of the airplane.

(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 DC10-53A184 RB, dated February 6, 2020; 
or Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin MD11-53A088 RB, dated March 6, 
2020; as applicable, do all applicable actions identified in, and in 
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB, dated February 6, 2020; or 
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin MD11-53A088 RB, dated March 6, 
2020; as applicable.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g):  Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
DC10-53A184, dated February 6, 2020; or Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-53A088, dated March 6, 2020; as applicable, which are 
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB, 
dated February 6, 2020; and Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin MD11-
53A088 RB, dated March 6, 2020; respectively.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB, 
dated February 6, 2020, uses the phrase ``the original issue date of 
Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the 
effective date of this AD,'' except where Boeing Alert Requirements 
Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB, dated February 6, 2020, uses the phrase 
``the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB'' 
in a note or flag note.
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin MD11-53A088 RB, 
dated March 6, 2020, uses the phrase ``the original issue date of 
Requirements Bulletin MD11-53A088 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the 
effective date of this AD,'' except where Boeing Alert Requirements 
Bulletin MD11-53A088 RB, dated March 6, 2020, uses the phrase ``the 
original issue date of Requirements Bulletin MD11-53A088 RB'' in a 
note or flag note.
    (3) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB, 
dated February 6, 2020, 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 before further flight using a method approved in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this 
AD.
    (4) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin MD11-53A088 RB, 
dated March 6, 2020, 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 before further flight using a method approved in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Manuel 
Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, 
Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 
90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5256; fax: 562-627-5210; 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, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 
Safety 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 August 13, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-18487 Filed 8-24-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P