[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 17, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27374-27376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08105]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1400; Project Identifier AD-2022-01374-T;
Amendment 39-22708; AD 2024-06-03]
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
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes. This AD was
prompted by a determination that the loss of a ground through the P6
panel results in the failure of the standby power control unit (SPCU).
The loss of the SPCU and ground through the P6 panel could result in
the loss of significant flightcrew instrumentation and displays. This
AD requires installing two bonding jumpers from the P6 panel structure
to primary structure. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 22, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 22,
2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1400; 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 material that is incorporated by reference, 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 material that is incorporated by
reference 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-2023-1400.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raja Vengadasalam, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3537; 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 certain The Boeing
Company Model 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on August 7, 2023 (88 FR 52055). The NPRM was prompted
by a determination that the loss of a ground through the P6 panel
results in the failure of the SPCU. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to
require installing two bonding jumpers from the P6 panel structure to
primary structure. The FAA is issuing this AD to address loss of the
SPCU function in combination with other lost P6 functions. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in the loss of significant
flightcrew instruments and displays, and may lead to loss of continued
safe flight and landing.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from United Airlines, who supported the
NPRM without change, Boeing, the Foundation for Aviation Safety, and
three individuals.
Request for Change to Background Paragraph
Boeing requested that the FAA revise the description of the
incident that prompted the NPRM. The Background section of the NPRM
stated the following:
During a bonding analysis, it was determined that separate
redundant ground paths from the two ground blocks on the SPCU tray
to airplane primary structure are required in order to prevent a
single point of failure condition, which could result in a
potentially confusing combination of flight deck effects and a
combination of lost functionality.
Boeing requested that this statement be clarified: (1) The single
point of failure condition would result in the loss of SPCU function,
and (2) the loss of SPCU function, in combination with other lost P6
functions, could result in a potentially confusing combination of
flight deck effects and lost functionality.
[[Page 27375]]
Boeing stated that the additional information would clarify and add
detail to expand to other additional equipment in the P6.
The FAA agrees with the suggested revision. However, the Background
section is not repeated in this final rule in its entirety. Therefore,
the FAA has not changed this final rule.
The Foundation for Aviation Safety noted that the P6 panel provides
circuit breakers for many of the airplane's most critical systems. The
Foundation, and three individuals, requested that the FAA prohibit
further operation of the 737 MAX.
The FAA has determined that the corrective action mandated by this
AD will adequately address this unsafe condition. Therefore, the FAA
has not changed this final rule in response to these comments.
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, and
any other changes described previously, 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 737-24A1248 RB,
dated May 16, 2022. This service information specifies procedures for
installing new bonding jumpers from the P6 panel structure to the
primary structure to provide a redundant ground path for the SPCU.
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 79 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Install two bonding jumpers........... 3 work-hours x $85 per $180 $435 $34,365
hour = $255.
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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
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2024-06-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22708; Docket No. FAA-
2023-1400; Project Identifier AD-2022-01374-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 22, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing
Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-24A1248 RB, dated May 16, 2022.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical
Power.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that separate redundant
ground paths from the two ground blocks on the standby power control
unit (SPCU) tray to airplane primary structure are required in order
to prevent a single point of failure condition. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address loss of the SPCU in combination with other lost
P6 functions. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result
in the loss of significant flightcrew instruments and displays, and
may lead to loss of continued safe flight and landing.
(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 737-24A1248 RB, dated May 16, 2022, do
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
737-24A1248 RB, dated May 16, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737-24A1248, dated May 16, 2022,
[[Page 27376]]
which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-
24A1248 RB, dated May 16, 2022.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
Where the Compliance Time column of the table in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-
24A1248 RB, dated May 16, 2022, refers to the original issue date of
Requirements Bulletin 737-24A1248 RB, this AD requires using the
effective date of this AD.
(i) 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 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, 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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Raja
Vengadasalam, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3537; email:
[email protected].
(2) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the address specified in
paragraph (k)(3) of this AD.
(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 737-24A1248 RB, dated May
16, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For material that is incorporated by reference, 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 material that is incorporated by reference
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 material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].
Issued on March 15, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-08105 Filed 4-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P