[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 150 (Monday, August 9, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43443-43446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16680]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0571; Project Identifier AD-2021-00101-T]
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, 787-9, and 787-10 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of damage to the 
thrust reverser (TR) translating sleeve secondary sliders due to 
contact between the slider and the slider track liner. This damage was 
only found on TR sleeves installed on certain engines. This proposed AD 
would require determining the serial number of the TR and performing 
applicable on-condition actions; or replacing the TR with a serviceable 
TR. 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 September 
23, 2021.

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-2021-
0571.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0571; 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

[[Page 43444]]

NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street address 
for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tak Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3553; 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 ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0571; Project Identifier 
AD-2021-00101-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those 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, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.

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 Tak 
Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO 
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-
231-3553; email: [email protected]. Any commentary that the 
FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed 
in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA has received reports of damage to the TR translating sleeve 
secondary sliders. Gouging damage to the slider end and grooving damage 
along the length of the slider occurred due to contact between the 
slider and the slider track liner. This damage was found only on TR 
sleeves installed on Rolls-Royce engines with mission improvement 
configuration thrust reversers. This damage, if not addressed, could 
result in failure of the TR translating sleeve secondary slider and 
possible detachment of the outer cowl, which could strike the fuselage 
causing damage to the airplane, and could result in reduced control or 
performance of the airplane.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021. This service 
information specifies procedures for determining the serial number of 
the TR, and applicable on-condition actions; or replacing the TR with a 
serviceable TR. On-condition actions include reworking affected TR 
slider track liners; determining the serial number of the TR 
translating sleeves; checking to determine if certain TR translating 
sleeves have been installed on certain TRs; performing a detailed 
inspection of the secondary sliders of affected TR translating sleeves 
for cracking, grooving, gouging damage, and any existing repair; 
performing a dye penetrant inspection on any cracking, grooving or 
gouging damage, and any existing repair for cracking; and repairing any 
discrepancy found.
    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 ADDRESSES.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information already described, 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-2021-0571.

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).

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The effectivity of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021, includes all Model 
787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce engines. 
This proposed AD would only require accomplishing the actions specified 
in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780043-00 RB, Issue 
001, dated January 15, 2021, on airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before the effective date of this AD. 
Airplanes certificated after the effective date of this AD will not be 
delivered with affected TRs or TR translating sleeves. However, because 
the affected TRs and TR translating sleeves are rotable parts, the FAA 
has determined that these parts could later be installed on airplanes 
delivered with acceptable parts, thereby subjecting those airplanes to 
the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would therefore include a parts 
installation prohibition applicable to all Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-
10 airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce engines. Furthermore, the FAA 
has determined that a parts installation prohibition needs to be 
specified for airplanes on

[[Page 43445]]

which the corrective actions required by this proposed AD have been 
accomplished. In general, such a prohibition is not necessary since an 
airplane that is credited for compliance with an AD requirement must be 
maintained at the AD-compliant configuration. However, the corrective 
actions required by this AD are accomplished on the TRs and TR 
translating sleeves, and those parts can be moved from one airplane to 
another as part of regular maintenance activities. To prevent 
inadvertent maintenance where an AD-compliant airplane is re-configured 
to a non-compliant configuration by installing a TR or TR translating 
sleeve on which the corrective actions have not been accomplished, this 
proposed AD would explicitly specify a parts installation prohibition 
for those airplanes that have complied with an AD requirement.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 14 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 per
              Action                    Labor cost         Parts cost        product      Cost on U.S. operators
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Serial number inspection.........  6 work-hours x $85                $0            $510  Up to $7,140.
                                    per hour = $510.
Replacement (per.................  12 work-hours x $85                0           1,020  Up to $14,280.
T/R half)........................   per hour $1,020.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition repairs, dye-penetrant inspections, TR sleeve serial number 
checks, or checks to determine if certain TR sleeves have been 
installed on certain TRs, 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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                 Action                          Labor cost           Parts cost          Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair.................................  Up to 100 work-hours x                 $0  Up to $8,500.
                                          $85 per hour = Up to
                                          $8,500.
Dye-penetrant inspection...............  Up to 4 work-hours x $85                0  Up to $340.
                                          per hour = Up to $340.
TR sleeve serial number check..........  1 work-hour x $85 per                   0  $85.
                                          hour = $85.
Check to determine if TR translating     1 work-hour x $85 per                   0  $85.
 sleeve has been installed on certain     hour = $85.
 TRs.
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    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the on-condition rework and detailed inspections 
specified in this proposed AD.
    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the 
cost impact on affected operators.

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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2021-0571; Project Identifier AD-
2021-00101-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by September 23, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 43446]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 
787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category, powered by Rolls-
Royce Trent 1000 engines.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 78, Thrust 
Reverser.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of damage to the thrust reverser 
(TR) translating sleeve secondary sliders due to contact between the 
slider and the slider track liner. This damage was only found on TR 
sleeves installed on certain engines. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address this damage, which could result in failure of the TR 
translating sleeve secondary slider and possible detachment of the 
outer cowl, which could strike the fuselage, causing damage to the 
airplane, and could result in reduced control or performance of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before the 
effective date of this AD: Except as specified by paragraph (h) of 
this AD; at the applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' 
paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780043-
00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021, do all applicable actions 
for Group 1, Configuration 1 airplanes as identified in, and in 
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated 
January 15, 2021.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
B787-81205-SB780043-00, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021, which is 
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021, uses the phrase 
``the issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB780043-00 
RB,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021, specifies 
contacting Boeing for repair instructions or for instructions to 
address certain conditions: This AD requires doing the repair or 
doing the instructions using a method approved in accordance with 
the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.

(i) Parts Installation Limitations

    (1) As of the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph 
(i)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD, no person may install on any airplane 
a TR with serial number between 00110001 and 00312001 inclusive, on 
which all applicable inspections and corrective actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD have not been accomplished.
    (i) For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before the 
effective date of this AD: After accomplishing the actions required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (ii) For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued after the 
effective date of this AD: As of the effective date of this AD.
    (2) As of the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph 
(i)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD, no person may install on any airplane 
a TR translating sleeve with serial number 00125001 and subsequent, 
on which all applicable inspections and corrective actions required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD have not been accomplished.
    (i) For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before the 
effective date of this AD: After accomplishing the actions required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (ii) For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued after the 
effective date of this AD: As of the effective date of this AD.
    (3) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
TR translating sleeve that was originally installed on any airplane 
with an original airworthiness certificate or original export 
certificate of airworthiness issued after the effective date of this 
AD; or a TR translating sleeve with serial number 00125001 and 
subsequent, on which all applicable inspections and corrective 
actions specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15, 2021, have been 
accomplished; on any airplane with a TR with a serial number between 
00110001 and 00312001 inclusive, unless all applicable inspections 
and corrective actions specified in Boeing Alert Requirements 
Bulletin B787-81205-SB780043-00 RB, Issue 001, dated January 15, 
2021, have been accomplished on that TR, except as specified in 
paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.

(j) 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, 
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of 
the certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in Related Information. 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 responsible Flight Standards 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Tak Kobayashi, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-
3553; 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 July 13, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-16680 Filed 8-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P