[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 190 (Tuesday, October 3, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67935-67937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21718]



[[Page 67935]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1222; Project Identifier AD-2023-00574-T; 
Amendment 39-22547; AD 2023-18-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-02-
15, which applied to 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. AD 2021-02-15 required 
repetitive replacement of certain parts; an inspection to determine 
production configuration for certain parts; repetitive lubrication of 
certain parts and a repetitive inspection of certain parts for any 
exuding grease; repetitive inspections of certain parts for loose or 
missing attachment bolts, cracks or bushing migration, cracks or 
gouges, or broken, binding, or missing rollers; repetitive inspections 
of certain parts for cracks or corrosion; repetitive lubrication; and 
on-condition actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by the FAA's 
determination that certain compliance times must be reduced in order to 
address the unsafe condition. This AD continues to require the actions 
specified in AD 2021-02-15 with certain reduced compliance times. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 7, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 7, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1222; 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:
     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-2023-1222.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stefanie Roesli, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3964; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2021-02-15, Amendment 39-21398 (86 FR 
10750, February 23, 2021) (AD 2021-02-15). AD 2021-02-15 applied to 
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. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
July 10, 2023 (88 FR 43479). The NPRM was prompted by the FAA's 
determination that certain compliance times must be reduced in order to 
address the unsafe condition. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue 
to require the actions specified in AD 2021-02-15 with certain reduced 
compliance times. 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.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA) and Boeing, 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 Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, 
Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023. This service information specifies 
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 ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 134 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 67936]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repetitive replacement (retained   Up to 10 work-hours         $35,719  Up to $36,569 per    Up to $4,900,246
 actions from AD 2021-02-15).       x $85 per hour =                     replacement cycle.   per replacement
                                    Up to $850 per                                            cycle.
                                    replacement cycle.
General visual inspection for      1 work-hour x $85                 0  $85................  $11,390.
 parts production configuration     per hour = $85.
 (retained actions from AD 2021-
 02-15).
Repetitive detailed inspections    4 work-hours x $85                0  $340 per inspection  $45,560 per
 (retained actions from AD 2021-    per hour = $340                      cycle.               inspection cycle.
 02-15).                            per inspection
                                    cycle.
Repetitive inspection for          1 work-hour x $85                 0  $85 per lubrication  $11,390 per
 lubrication and repetitive         per hour = $85 per                                        lubrication.
 lubrication (retained actions      lubrication.
 from AD 2021-02-15).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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    Up to $17,720..  Up to $18,400.
 hour = $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 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,
    (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:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-02-15, Amendment 39-21398 
(86 FR 10750, February 23, 2021); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2023-18-06 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22547; Docket No. FAA-
2023-1222; Project Identifier AD-2023-00574-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 7, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2021-02-15, Amendment 39-21398 (86 FR 10750, 
February 23, 2021) (AD 2021-02-15).

(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, Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of partial and full 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) Retained Actions, With Revised Compliance Times and Service 
Information

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2021-02-15, with revised compliance times and service information. 
Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable 
times specified in the ``Compliance''

[[Page 67937]]

paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, 
Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023, do all applicable actions 
identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, 
Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-57A2367, Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023, which is referred to 
in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, Revision 1, 
dated March 20, 2023.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
57A2367 RB, Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023, use the phrase ``the 
original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB,'' this 
AD requires using March 30, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-02-
15).
    (2) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
57A2367 RB, Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023, use the phrase ``the 
Revision 1 date of Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB,'' this AD 
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
747-57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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 AIR-520 Continued Operational 
Safety Branch, 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, AIR-520 
Continued Operational Safety 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.
    (4) AMOCs approved for AD 2021-02-15 are approved as AMOCs for 
the corresponding provisions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
747-57A2367 RB, Revision 1, dated March 20, 2023, that are required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Stefanie Roesli, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 206-231-3964; 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 Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-57A2367 RB, Revision 
1, dated March 20, 2023.
    (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 [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on September 7, 2023.
Caitlin Locke,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-21718 Filed 10-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P