Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 32 (Thursday, February 18, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8140-8143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03219]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-2460; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-163-AD; 
Amendment 39-18396; AD 2016-04-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-26-10, 
which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-200C, -200F, -
400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes. AD 2010-26-10 required 
repetitive inspections for cracking of the lap joints, modification of 
certain lap joints, and certain post-repair inspections of the lap 
joints. This new AD adds new repetitive post-modification inspections 
for cracking in the lap joints, and repair if necessary. This AD was 
prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) which 
indicated that certain lap joints are subject to widespread fatigue 
damage (WFD). We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue 
cracking in certain lap joints, which could result in rapid 
depressurization and consequent reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective March 24, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 24, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 
Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service information 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the

[[Page 8141]]

FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
2460.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
2460; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathan Weigand, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6428; fax: 
425-917-6590; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2010-26-10, Amendment 39-16549 (75 FR 81427, 
December 28, 2010). AD 2010-26-10 applied to certain The Boeing Company 
Model 747-200C, -200F, -400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 9, 2015 (80 FR 39394). 
The NPRM was prompted by an evaluation by the DAH that indicated that 
certain lap joints are subject to WFD. The NPRM proposed to continue to 
require repetitive inspections for cracking of the lap joints, 
modification of certain lap joints, and certain post-repair inspections 
of the lap joints. The NPRM also proposed to require new repetitive 
post-modification inspections for cracking in the lap joints, and 
repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
fatigue cracking in certain lap joints, which could result in rapid 
depressurization and consequent reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM (80 
FR 39394, July 9, 2015) and the FAA's response to each comment. United 
Airlines concurred with the NPRM.

Request To Correct Typographical Error

    Boeing asked that we correct the reference in the ``Related Service 
Information under 1 CFR part 51'' from ``. . . sections 41, 42, and 
43'' to ``. . . sections 41, 42, and 46.'' Boeing stated that section 
43 should be section 46, and noted that this is a typographical error.
    We agree with the commenter's request for the reason provided. We 
have corrected this typographical error in ``Related Service 
Information under 1 CFR part 51'' accordingly.

Request To Clarify Certain Requirements

    Boeing asked that we clarify paragraph (i)(1) of the proposed AD 
(80 FR 39394, July 9, 2015) by including ``per Table 7'' in that 
paragraph. Boeing also asked that we clarify paragraph (i)(3) of the 
proposed AD by including ``per Table 10'' in that paragraph.
    We agree that clarification is necessary but we do not agree to 
change paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(3) of this AD. Paragraph (i) of this 
AD specifies doing the applicable inspections in paragraphs (i)(1), 
(i)(2), or (i)(3) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the referenced service information; and repeating the 
applicable inspections at the applicable times specified in Tables 7, 
8, 9, and 10 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2499, Revision 3, dated July 15, 2014. In each of these 
tables the applicable groups are identified and match the groups 
identified in paragraphs (i)(1), (i)(2), and (i)(3) of this AD. We 
refer to the tables in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of service 
information for the applicable compliance times and not for how to 
accomplish the required actions. Therefore, we have not changed this AD 
in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed, with minor editorial changes. We have determined 
that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (80 FR 39394, July 9, 2015) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 39394, July 9, 2015).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2499, Revision 3, 
dated July 15, 2014. The service information describes procedures for 
body skin lap joint inspections and modifications in sections 41, 42, 
and 46. 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 the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 120 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                     Labor cost          Parts cost     Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-modification inspections     Up to 675 work-hours x               $0  Up to $57,375 per   Up to $6,885,000
 [retained action from AD 2010-   $85 per hour = up to                     inspection cycle.   per inspection
 26-10, Amendment 39-16549 (75    $57,375.                                                     cycle.
 FR 81427, December 28, 2010)].
Modification [retained action    Up to 5,819 work-hours                0  Up to $494,615....  Up to $59,353,800.
 from AD 2010-26-10, Amendment    x $85 per hour = up to
 39-16549 (75 FR 81427,           $494,615.
 December 28, 2010)].
New proposed post-modification   Up to 105 work-hours x                0  Up to $8,925 per    Up to $1,071,000
 inspections.                     $85 per hour = up to                     inspection cycle.   per inspection
                                  $8,925.                                                      cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 8142]]

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
a cost estimate for the on-condition actions 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.
    We are 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

    We have determined that 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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

Adoption of 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2010-26-10, Amendment 39-16549 (75 FR 81427, December 28, 2010), and 
adding the following new AD:

2016-04-02 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18396; Docket No. FAA-
2015-2460; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-163-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 24, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2010-26-10, Amendment 39-16549 (75 FR 81427, 
December 28, 2010).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-200C, -200F, -
400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes; certificated in any 
category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2499, Revision 3, dated July 15, 2014.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval 
holder indicating that certain lap joints are subject to widespread 
fatigue damage. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue 
cracking in certain lap joints, which could result in rapid 
depressurization and consequent reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Repetitive Lap Joint Inspections

    At the applicable time specified in Table 1 and Table 3 of 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-53A2499, Revision 3, dated July 15, 2014, except as required by 
paragraph (j)(1) of this AD: Do eddy current inspections for cracks 
in the skin of the lap joints, and do all applicable repairs, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-53A2499, Revision 3, dated July 15, 2014, 
except as required by paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Do all applicable 
repairs before further flight. Repeat the applicable inspections 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed those specified in Table 1 and 
Table 3 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2499, Revision 3, dated July 15, 2014.

(h) Lap Joint Modification

    At the applicable time specified in Tables 2, 4, 5, and 6 of 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-53A2499, Revision 3, dated July 15, 2014, except as required by 
paragraph (j)(1) of this AD: Modify the applicable lap joints, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-53A2499, Revision 3, dated July 15, 2014, 
except as required by paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Accomplishment of 
the modification required by this paragraph terminates the 
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD for the 
length of the modified lap joint.

(i) Lap Joint Post-Modification Inspections

    At the applicable time specified in Tables 7, 8, 9, and 10 of 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-53A2499, Revision 3, dated July 15, 2014, except as required by 
paragraph (j)(1) of this AD: Do the applicable inspections specified 
in paragraph (i)(1), (i)(2), or (i)(3) of this AD, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2499, Revision 3, dated July 15, 2014. Repeat the 
applicable inspections thereafter at the applicable times specified 
in Tables 7, 8, 9, and 10 of paragraph 1.E, ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2499, Revision 3, dated July 
15, 2014. If any crack is found during any inspection, repair before 
further flight using a method approved in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes identified as Groups 2 through 5 and 8 through 
10 in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2499, Revision 3, dated 
July 15, 2014: Internal detailed and surface high frequency eddy 
current (HFEC) inspections for any crack in the skin or internal 
doubler.
    (2) For airplanes identified as Groups 6, 11, and 19 in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2499, Revision 3, dated July 15, 2014: 
External detailed and low frequency eddy current inspections of the 
upper and lower skin panels for cracking, external detailed and HFEC 
inspections of the doubler for cracking, and internal detailed and 
HFEC inspections of the upper and lower skin panels for cracking 
(for airplanes with a stringer 6 lap joint modification installed 
between STA 340 and STA 400 as specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 
747-53-2272); or internal detailed and surface HFEC inspections for 
any crack in the skin or internal doubler (for airplanes with lap 
joints modified as specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2499.)
    (3) For airplanes identified as Groups 1, 7, and 12 through 18 
in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2499, Revision 3, dated July 
15, 2014: Internal detailed and surface HFEC inspections for any 
crack in the skin or internal doubler.

(j) Exceptions to Service Bulletin Procedures

    (1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2499, Revision 3, 
dated July 15, 2014, specifies a compliance time ``after the 
Revision 3 date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires 
compliance within the specified

[[Page 8143]]

compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2499, Revision 3, 
dated July 15, 2014, specifies to contact Boeing for repair 
instructions: Before further flight, repair using a method approved 
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this 
AD.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    Actions done before the effective date of this AD using the 
service information identified in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this 
AD are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements 
of paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.
    (1) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2499, Revision 1, dated 
October 30, 2008, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (2) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2499, Revision 2, dated 
August 12, 2010, which was incorporated by reference in AD 2010-26-
10, Amendment 39-16549 (75 FR 81427, December 28, 2010).

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
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 local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (m)(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 local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district 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 Commercial Airplanes Organization 
Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the 
Manager, Seattle ACO, 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 2010-26-10, Amendment 39-16549 (75 FR 
81427, December 28, 2010), are approved as AMOCs for the 
corresponding provisions of paragraphs (g) and (h) this AD.

(m) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Nathan Weigand, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
phone: 425-917-6428; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (n)(3) and (n)(4) of this AD.

(n) 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 Service Bulletin 747-53A2499, Revision 3, dated 
July 15, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 7, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-03219 Filed 2-17-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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