[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 235 (Thursday, December 8, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 75179-75181]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-26591]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 235 / Thursday, December 8, 2022 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 75179]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1312; Project Identifier AD-2022-00551-T]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD 
was prompted by reports of cracks found in the station (STA) 2370 pivot 
bulkhead forward outer chord. Analysis revealed higher bending stresses 
across the chord than originally assessed. This proposed AD would 
require repetitive detailed and high frequency eddy current (HFEC) 
inspections of the STA 2370 pivot bulkhead forward outer chord and 
longeron fitting for cracking 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 January 23, 
2023.

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 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.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1312; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     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; website 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 at 
regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1312.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Luis Cortez-Muniz, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Sections, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3958; 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-2022-1312; Project Identifier 
AD-2022-00551-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 
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 Luis 
Cortez-Muniz, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Sections, FAA, Seattle ACO 
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-
231-3958; email: [email protected]. Any commentary that the 
FAA receives that is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed 
in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA received a report indicating that cracks larger than 0.16 
inch were found in the STA 2370 pivot bulkhead forward outer chord on 
airplanes with flight cycles lower than the inspection threshold of 
16,000 flight cycles that was specified in certain Boeing service 
bulletins, which apply to airplanes having line numbers 1 through 244, 
inclusive. As of February 1, 2020, there were reports of 32 airplanes 
with crack findings before 16,000 flight cycles, and the lowest finding 
was at approximately 12,000 flight cycles. Boeing's finite-element 
model revealed higher bending stresses across the chord than originally 
assessed. The FAA issued AD 2022-06-07, Amendment 39-21973 (87 FR 
24267, April 25, 2022) to address this unsafe condition for airplanes 
having line numbers 1 through 244, inclusive.
    Further, based on those findings, Boeing and the FAA determined 
that airplanes having line number 245 and subsequent are also subject 
to such cracking. Boeing subsequently

[[Page 75180]]

developed new service information to ensure any crack in the STA 2370 
pivot bulkhead forward outer chord and longeron fitting for airplanes 
having line number 245 and on are found and repaired. The FAA is 
proposing this AD to address cracking in the STA 2370 pivot bulkhead 
forward outer chord for airplanes having line numbers 245 and 
subsequent. Such cracking, if not detected and corrected, could result 
in a severed pivot bulkhead outer chord, loss of horizontal stabilizer 
control, and loss of controllability 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 777-53A0098 RB, 
dated April 5, 2022. This service information specifies procedures for 
repetitive detailed and HFEC inspections of the STA 2370 pivot bulkhead 
forward outer chord and longeron fitting for cracking and applicable 
on-condition actions. On-condition actions include replacing the pivot 
bulkhead forward outer chord and splice angle; a detailed inspection of 
the upper aft longeron extension fittings at STA 2370 to STA 2380 and 
open hole HFEC inspection of the STA 2370 pivot bulkhead web, aft outer 
chord, upper and lower outer chord, and skin for any crack; 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 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 223 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Action                          Labor cost           Parts cost             Cost per product                Cost on U.S.  operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detailed and HFEC inspections.........  10 work-hours x $85 per                $0  $850 per inspection cycle.........  $189,550 per inspection cycle.
                                         hour = $850 per
                                         inspection cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements or inspections that would be required based on the results 
of the proposed inspection. The agency has no way of determining the 
number of aircraft that might need these replacements or inspections:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement...................................  7 work-hours x $85 per hour =            $37,720         $38,315
                                                 $595.
Detailed and open hole HFEC inspections.......  5 work-hours x $85 per hour =                  0             425
                                                 $425.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the on-condition repairs 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.

[[Page 75181]]

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-2022-1312; Project Identifier AD-
2022-00551-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by January 23, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -
300, -300ER, and 777F airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-53A0098 RB, 
dated April 5, 2022.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks found in the station 
(STA) 2370 pivot bulkhead forward outer chord. Analysis revealed 
higher bending stresses across the chord than originally assessed. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the STA 2370 pivot 
bulkhead forward outer chord. Such cracking, if not detected and 
corrected, could result in a severed pivot bulkhead outer chord, 
loss of horizontal stabilizer control, and loss of 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 777-53A0098 RB, dated April 5, 2022, do 
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
777-53A0098 RB, dated April 5, 2022.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
777-53A0098, dated April 5, 2022, which is referred to in Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-53A0098 RB, dated April 5, 2022.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-
53A0098 RB, dated April 5, 2022, use the phrase ``the original issue 
date of Requirements Bulletin 777-53A0098 RB,'' this AD requires 
using ``the effective date of this AD.''
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-53A0098 RB, 
dated April 5, 2022, specifies contacting Boeing for repair 
instructions: This AD requires doing the repair 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, 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 paragraph (j) 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 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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Luis Cortez-Muniz, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Sections, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3958; 
email: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-53A0098 RB, dated 
April 5, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) 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; website myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on October 21, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-26591 Filed 12-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P