Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 27 (Friday, February 10, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10262-10264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01778]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9050; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-086-AD; 
Amendment 39-18788; AD 2017-02-09]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes. 
This AD was prompted by widespread corrosion damage that was found on 
the skin inner surface along the upper bulkhead at certain stations 
between certain stringers. This AD requires repetitive inspections of 
the fuselage crown skin inner surface, and related investigative and 
corrective actions if necessary. This AD also allows for terminating 
actions for the repetitive inspections. We are issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 17, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 17, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: 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; telephone 562-797-1717; 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 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-2016-9050.

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-2016-
9050; 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 
(ACO), 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 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company 
Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on August 30, 2016 (81 FR 59532) (``the NPRM''). 
The NPRM was prompted by widespread corrosion damage that was found on 
the skin inner surface along the upper bulkhead at certain stations 
between certain stringers. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive 
inspections of the fuselage crown skin inner surface, and related 
investigative and corrective actions if necessary. The NPRM would also 
allow for terminating actions for the repetitive inspections. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks and corrosion on the crown 
skin inner surface. If the cracks or corrosion are not repaired, the 
cracks can rapidly join together and can cause a sudden decompression 
and loss of 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 and 
the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM

    United Airlines supported the content of the NPRM.

Request To Clarify the Language in the Terminating Action Paragraph

    Boeing asked that we add accomplishment of Part 4 to the 
terminating action language specified in paragraph (i) of the proposed 
AD for clarification purposes. Boeing stated that Tables 1 and 2 of 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2878, dated May 19, 2016, specify that Action 1 is to complete Part 
3: Skin Panel Modification or Repair; and Action 2 is to complete Part 
4: Surface Finish Restoration. Boeing noted that both actions must be 
completed before further flight.
    We agree with the commenter's request to add accomplishment of Part 
4 of the referenced service information, for the reason provided. We 
have clarified the language in paragraph (i) of this AD to specify that 
both Part 3 and Part 4 of the referenced service information must be 
accomplished to terminate the repetitive inspections required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD. However, we do not agree that both actions 
must be done before further flight because the terminating action is 
optional; therefore, no specific compliance time is required.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the change described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:

[[Page 10263]]

    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2878, dated May 
19, 2016. The service information describes procedures for inspecting 
the fuselage crown skin inner surface body at affected stations, and 
doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. 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 53 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Action                     Labor cost             Cost per product         Cost on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections and access.........  Up to 815 work-hours x   Up to $69,275.............  Up to $3,671,575.
                                  $85 per hour = $69,275.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs that 
will be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no way 
of determining the number of aircraft that might need these repairs and 
on-condition inspections:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Action                     Labor cost                Parts cost               Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repairs and on[dash]condition    Up to 1,820 work-hours   N/A.......................  Up to $154,700.
 inspections.                     x $85 per hour =
                                  $154,700.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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

    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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2017-02-09 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18788; Docket No. FAA-
2016-9050; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-086-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 17, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400, -400D, and 
-400F series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified 
in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2878, dated May 19, 2016.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by widespread corrosion damage that was 
found on the skin inner surface along the upper bulkhead at certain 
stations between certain stringers. We are issuing this AD to detect 
and correct

[[Page 10264]]

cracks and corrosion on the crown skin inner surface. If the cracks 
or corrosion are not repaired, the cracks can rapidly join together 
and can cause a sudden decompression and loss of structural 
integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection of the Skin Inner Surface

    At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2878, dated 
May 19, 2016, except as required by paragraph (k)(1) of this AD: Do 
a detailed inspection of the skin inner surface for any missing or 
degraded finish, sign of corrosion, or crack, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2878, dated May 19, 2016. Repeat the inspection thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed the applicable time specified in paragraph 
1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2878, 
dated May 19, 2016, until the actions specified in paragraph (i) of 
this AD have been done.

(h) Repair of the Skin Inner Surface

    If any damage is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, do all applicable 
related investigative and correction actions, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2878, dated May 19, 2016, except as required by paragraph (k)(2) 
of this AD.

(i) Optional Terminating Action

    Modification or repair of the inner skin surfaces, and 
restoration of the surface finish, in accordance with part 3 and 
part 4, respectively, of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2878, dated May 19, 2016, terminates 
the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) Post Repair Inspection and Repairs

    For airplanes on which a repair or modification has been done in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-53A2878, dated May 19, 2016: Except as required 
by paragraph (k)(1) of this AD, at the applicable time specified in 
Table 3 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2878, dated May 19, 2016, do detailed inspections to 
detect damage of the repaired or modified areas, and do all 
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with part 5 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2878, dated May 19, 2016, except as required by paragraph (k)(2) 
of this AD. Do all applicable corrective actions before further 
flight. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2878, dated May 19, 2016.

(k) Exceptions

    (1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2878, dated May 
19, 2016, specifies a compliance time ``after the original issue 
date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance within 
the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) If any cracking or corrosion is found during any inspection 
required by this AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2878, 
dated May 19, 2016, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate 
action: Before further flight, repair the cracking or corrosion 
using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (l) of this AD.

(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) 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) Except as required by paragraph (k)(2) of this AD: For 
service information that contains steps that are labeled as Required 
for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (l)(4)(i) and 
(l)(4)(ii) of this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, 
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(m) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Nathan Weigand, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6428; 
fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].

(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 747-53A2878, dated May 19, 
2016.
    (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; 
telephone 562-797-1717; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com
    (4) You may view this service information at the 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 January 18, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-01778 Filed 2-9-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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