[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 26, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 93154-93157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27596]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2008; Project Identifier AD-2024-00122-T;
Amendment 39-22876; AD 2024-22-05]
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 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This AD
was prompted by a report that during manufacture of drag brace lower
lock link assemblies for the main landing gear (MLG), a certain
required
[[Page 93155]]
inspection was not performed. This AD requires doing a check of
maintenance records or an inspection to determine if certain drag brace
lower lock link assemblies are installed, and applicable on-condition
actions. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective December 31, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 31,
2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2008; 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 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.
You may view this material 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-2024-2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Hodgin, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3962; 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 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on August 1, 2024 (89 FR 62685). The NPRM was prompted
by a report that during manufacture of drag brace lower lock link
assemblies for the MLG, a certain required inspection was not
performed. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require doing a check of
maintenance records or an inspection to determine if certain drag brace
lower lock link assemblies are installed, and applicable on-condition
actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address unsafe condition on
these products.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from an individual who supported the NPRM
without change.
The FAA received additional comments from three commenters,
including Boeing, United Airlines, and American Airlines. The following
presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to
each comment.
Request To Correct Part Number
American Airlines, United Airlines, and Boeing requested that the
affected landing gear drag brace lower lock link assembly part number
be corrected from part number 531Z2010-501, to part number 513Z2010-
501. American Airlines, United Airlines, and Boeing stated that
paragraph (i) of the proposed AD contains a typo for the affected
landing gear drag brace lower lock link assembly part number. The
commenters stated that the part number listed in the proposed AD is
531Z2010-501, the correct part number is 513Z2010-501. American
Airlines stated it reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB320048-00 RB, Issue 001, dated November 20, 2023, and confirmed
that the correct part number is 513Z2010-501. Boeing noted that the
part number in the proposed AD does not match Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB320048-00 RB, Issue 001, dated November 20, 2023.
The FAA agrees that the correct affected landing gear drag brace
lower lock link assembly part number is 513Z2010-501. The FAA has
revised paragraph (i) of this AD to reflect the correct part number.
Request To Withdraw the NPRM
American Airlines stated that it appears that an airworthiness
directive is not necessary as the safety issue is being addressed
between Boeing and the affected operator(s) via the alert service
bulletin. American Airlines also stated that compliance will require
the unnecessary burden at all worldwide operators and MROs (i.e.,
certified repair stations) to create safeguards to look for these four
serial numbers any time maintenance is performed on the life limited
part component of the lock link assembly, the lower lock link assembly
itself, the next higher assembly lock link assembly, the next higher
assembly drag brace assembly, the next higher level landing gear, and
the airplane throughout the remaining life of the entire 787 worldwide
fleet. The FAA infers that American Airlines is requesting that the
NPRM be withdrawn.
The FAA disagrees with the request to withdraw the NPRM. Operators
are not required to accomplish Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB320048-00 RB, Issue 001, dated November 20, 2023, until an AD
mandates accomplishment. This AD addresses the identified unsafe
condition by mandating the actions in that material, which ensures that
the affected (unsafe) parts are removed from the airplanes identified
in paragraph (g) of this AD. In addition, due to rotability of the
affected parts, the parts installation prohibition specified in
paragraph (i) of this AD is the only way to ensure the affected parts
are not installed on all airplanes identified in paragraph (c) of this
AD. The FAA has not changed this AD in this regard.
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.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB320048-00 RB, Issue 001, dated November 20, 2023. This material
specifies procedures for doing a check of maintenance records or an
inspection of the drag brace lower lock link assembly on the right and
left MLG for affected serial numbers and applicable on-condition
actions. On-condition actions include replacing any affected drag brace
lower lock link assembly on the MLG with a serviceable drag brace lower
lock link assembly.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 156 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
[[Page 93156]]
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection or records check........... 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $13,260
hour = $85.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacement that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft
that might need this replacement:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of one drag brace lower lock link 18 work-hours x $85 per hour = $39,119 $40,649
assembly. $1,530.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of
this 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
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:
2024-22-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22876; Docket No. FAA-
2024-2008; Project Identifier AD-2024-00122-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 31,
2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9,
and 787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing
gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that during manufacture of drag
brace lower lock link assemblies for the main landing gear (MLG), a
certain inspection was not performed. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address undetected cracks that could lead to fracture of the drag
brace lower lock link assembly. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in MLG collapse, which could result in loss
of directional control while the airplane is on the ground, with the
potential for off-runway excursion or penetration of the wing box
fuel tank.
(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-SB320048-
00 RB, Issue 001, dated November 20, 2023, do all applicable actions
identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB320048-00 RB, Issue 001, dated November 20, 2023. The actions
specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB320048-
00 RB, Issue 001, dated November 20, 2023, apply to airplanes not
listed in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB320048-00
RB, Issue 001, dated November 20, 2023.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
B787-81205-SB320048-00, Issue 001, dated November 20, 2023, which is
[[Page 93157]]
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB320048-00 RB, Issue 001, dated November 20, 2023.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
Where the Compliance Time column of the table in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB320048-00 RB, Issue 001, dated November 20, 2023, refers to
the Issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB320048-00
RB, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(i) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
drag brace lower lock link assembly, part number 513Z2010-501 and
serial number 19ZHQ00772, 19ZHQ00773, 19ZHQ00890, or 19ZHQ00891, on
any airplane.
(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 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 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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Joseph Hodgin,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3962; email: [email protected].
(2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by
reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (l)(3)
of this AD.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB320048-00
RB, Issue 001, dated November 20, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For the material 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 material 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 October 24, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-27596 Filed 11-25-24; 8:45 am]
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