[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1984-1987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00129]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1051; Project Identifier AD-2022-00089-T; 
Amendment 39-22257; AD 2022-25-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
The Boeing Company Model 707 and Model 727 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by a report indicating cracking in fastener holes at the 
center wing box and at certain positions of the rear spar and lower 
skin on a Model 737-300 airplane. A cross model review determined that 
similar cracking of the fastener holes in the center wing box lower 
skin could occur on Model 707 and Model 727 airplanes. For Model 707 
airplanes this AD requires repetitive detailed inspections of the 
center wing box lower skin for cracking and repetitive high frequency 
eddy current (HFEC) and ultrasonic (UT) inspections of the rear spar 
lower chord at a certain position for cracking, repetitive sealant 
application, and repair if necessary. For Model 727 airplanes this AD 
requires repetitive detailed inspections of the center wing box, lower 
skin, and rear spar lower chord at a certain location for cracking, 
repetitive sealant application, and repair if necessary. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 16, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of February 16, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1051; 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 final rule, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:

[[Page 1985]]

     For service information identified in this final rule, 
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 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 under Docket No. FAA-2022-1051.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sean Newell, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5266; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all The Boeing Company 
Model 707 and Model 727 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on September 15, 2022 (87 FR 56596). The NPRM was prompted by 
a report indicating cracking in fastener holes at the center wing box 
and at certain positions of the rear spar and lower skin on a Model 
737-300 airplane. A cross model review determined that similar cracking 
of the fastener holes in the center wing box lower skin could occur on 
Model 707 and Model 727 airplanes. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 
require, for Model 707 airplanes, repetitive detailed inspections of 
the center wing box lower skin for cracking and repetitive HFEC and UT 
inspections of the rear spar lower chord at a certain position for 
cracking, repetitive sealant application, and repair if necessary. For 
Model 727 airplanes, the NPRM proposed to require repetitive detailed 
inspections of the center wing box, lower skin, and rear spar lower 
chord at a certain location for cracking, repetitive sealant 
application, and repair if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address cracking in the center wing box lower skin or rear spar lower 
chord, which could result in the inability of the structure to sustain 
limit load and adversely affect the structural integrity of the 
airplane.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from Boeing and an individual who 
supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this 
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will 
increase the economic burden on any operator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing 707 Alert Requirements Bulletin A3544 RB, 
dated November 1, 2021. This service information specifies procedures 
for repetitive internal detailed inspections of the center wing box 
lower skin for cracking and repetitive internal surface HFEC and UT 
inspections of the rear spar lower chord between left body buttock line 
(LBBL) 40 and right body buttock line (RBBL) 40 for cracking, 
repetitive sealant application, and repair.
    The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 727-57A0190 RB, 
dated September 13, 2021. This service information specifies procedures 
for repetitive internal detailed inspections for cracking of the center 
wing box, lower skin, and rear spar lower chord between LBBL 34.7 and 
RBBL 34.7, repetitive sealant application, 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 48 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections and sealant            34 work-hours x $85              $0  $2,890 per           $66,470 per
 application Model 707 airplanes.   per hour = $2,890                    inspection cycle.    inspection cycle
                                    per inspection                                            (23 airplanes).
                                    cycle.
Inspections and sealant            22 work-hours x $85               0  $1,870 per           $46,750 per
 application Model 727 airplanes.   per hour = $1,870                    inspection cycle.    inspection cycle
                                    per inspection                                            (25 airplanes).
                                    cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,

[[Page 1986]]

    (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 Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  9 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:

2022-25-01 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22257; Docket No. FAA-
2022-1051; Project Identifier AD-2022-00089-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 16, 
2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes specified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model 707-100 Long Body, -200, -100B Long Body, and -100B 
Short Body series airplanes.
    (2) Model 707-300, -300B, -300C, and -400 series airplanes.
    (3) Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F 
series airplanes.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating cracking in fastener 
holes at the center wing box and at certain positions of the rear 
spar and lower skin on a Model 737-300 airplane. A cross model 
review determined that similar cracking of the fastener holes in the 
center wing box lower skin could occur on Model 707 and Model 727 
airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the 
center wing box lower skin or rear spar lower chord, which could 
result in the inability of the structure to sustain limit load and 
adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions for Group 1 Model 727 Airplanes

    For airplanes identified as Group 1 in Boeing Alert Requirements 
Bulletin 727-57A0190 RB, dated September 13, 2021: Within 120 days 
after the effective date of this AD, inspect the airplane and do all 
applicable on-condition actions using a method approved in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this 
AD.

(h) Required Actions for Groups 2 and 3 Model 727 Airplanes and All 
Model 707 Airplanes

    Except as specified by paragraph (i) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
707 Alert Requirements Bulletin A3544 RB, dated November 1, 2021; or 
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 727-57A0190 RB, dated September 
13, 2021; as applicable, do all applicable actions identified in, 
and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
707 Alert Requirements Bulletin A3544 RB, dated November 1, 2021; or 
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 727-57A0190 RB, dated September 
13, 2021, as applicable.

    Note 1 to paragraph (h): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing 707 Alert Service 
Bulletin A3544, dated November 1, 2021, which is referred to in 
Boeing 707 Alert Requirements Bulletin A3544 RB, dated November 1, 
2021; and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-57A0190, dated September 
13, 2021, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
727-57A0190 RB, dated September 13, 2021.

(i) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 707 Alert Requirements Bulletin 
A3544 RB, dated November 1, 2021, uses the phrase ``the original 
issue date of Requirements Bulletin 707A3544 RB'' this AD requires 
using ``the effective date of this AD.''
    (2) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 727-
57A0190 RB, dated September 13, 2021, uses the phrase ``the original 
issue date of Requirements Bulletin 727-57A0190 RB'' this AD 
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
    (3) Where Boeing 707 Alert Requirements Bulletin A3544 RB, dated 
November 1, 2021, specifies contacting Boeing for repair 
instructions: This AD requires doing the repair using a method 
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph 
(j) of this AD.
    (4) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 727-57A0190 RB, 
dated September 13, 2021, specifies contacting Boeing for repair 
instructions: This AD requires doing the repair using a method 
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph 
(j) of this AD.

(j) 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 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 (k)(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 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, 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.

(k) Additional Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Sean Newell, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-
5266; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (l)(3) and (4) of this AD.

(l) 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 707 Alert Requirements Bulletin A3544 RB, dated 
November 1, 2021.
    (ii) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 727-57A0190 RB, dated 
September 13, 2021.
    (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,

[[Page 1987]]

[email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on November 22, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-00129 Filed 1-11-23; 8:45 am]
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