Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 85 (Thursday, May 4, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20823-20825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-08828]



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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 85 / Thursday, May 4, 2017 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 20823]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9570; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-185-AD; 
Amendment 39-18866; AD 2017-09-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 707 airplanes and Model 720 and 720B series 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that undetected web 
fatigue cracking caused by oil canning may exist in the aft pressure 
bulkhead web. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections for any 
oil canning or cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead web, and 
corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 8, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 8, 
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 
90740-5600; 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-
9570.

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-
9570; 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: George Garrido, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 
562-627-5232; fax: 562-627-5210; 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 707 airplanes and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on January 6, 2017 (82 FR 1627). The 
NPRM was prompted by a determination that undetected web fatigue 
cracking caused by oil canning may exist in the station 1440 aft 
pressure bulkhead web. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive detailed 
inspections for any oil canning or cracking of the station 1440 aft 
pressure bulkhead web, and corrective actions if necessary. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the aft 
pressure bulkhead web, which could grow in length and ultimately reduce 
the structural integrity of the web and lead to rapid decompression 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.

Request To Change Service Information Citation

    Boeing requested that we spell out the full title of Boeing 707 
Alert Service Bulletin A3543 instead of using the shortened ``ASB 
A3543.'' Boeing pointed out that using the acronym ``ASB'' instead of 
spelling out ``Alert Service Bulletin'' is a change from past 
practices. Boeing stated that the ``A'' in front of the service 
bulletin number is short for ``Alert'' and doesn't require a new 
acronym. Boeing added that the shortened citation omitted the airplane 
model number, which should always be included when referring to service 
information.
    We agree with the request. We have abbreviated the titles of 
service bulletins to simplify ADs in response to other AD comments. 
However, we did not intend to remove the airplane model number. 
Therefore, we have changed the citation throughout this final rule as 
requested.

Request To Clarify ``Required for Compliance (RC) Exempt'' Steps

    Boeing requested that we change paragraph (j)(4)(ii) of the 
proposed AD to read ``Steps not labeled as RC, or labeled as `RC 
Exempt,' may be deviated from . . . .'' Boeing stated that it intended 
to include the same treatment for steps labeled ``RC Exempt'' as for 
steps not labeled as RC. Boeing asserted that this needed to be 
explicitly stated in paragraph (j)(4)(ii) of the proposed AD, just as 
it is in paragraph (j)(4)(i) of the proposed AD.
    We disagree because we find that this additional language is not 
necessary. As paragraph (j)(4)(i) of the proposed AD states, if a step 
is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the RC requirement is removed from that 
step. Therefore, steps labeled as ``RC Exempt'' are treated the same as 
those not labeled RC. 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 with the change described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and

[[Page 20824]]

    <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 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3543, dated 
September 15, 2016. The service information describes procedures for 
repetitive detailed inspections for any oil canning or cracking of the 
station 1440 aft pressure bulkhead web, and related corrective actions. 
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 12 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection for oil canning.......  6 work-hours x $85             $0  $510 per inspection   $6,120 per
                                    per hour = $510 per                cycle.                inspection cycle.
                                    inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any additional inspections 
that would be required based on the results of the initial inspection. 
These cost estimates are for one oil canning location. We have no way 
of determining the number of aircraft that might need these actions:

                           On-Condition Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Cost per
            Action                Labor cost     Parts cost    product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oil canning zone               1 work-hour x             $0          $85
 determination and inspection.  $85 per hour =
                                $85.
Detailed inspection and eddy   13 work-hours x            0        1,105
 current inspection for         $85 per hour =
 cracks.                        $1,105.
High frequency eddy current    2 work-hours x             0          170
 inspection for crack           $85 per hour =
 location, length, and          $170.
 orientation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for certain corrective 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

    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):

2017-09-04 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18866; Docket No. FAA-
2016-9570; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-185-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective June 8, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes, certificated in any category, 
as identified in Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3543, dated 
September 15, 2016, and in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) The Boeing Company Model 707-100 Long Body, -200, -100B Long 
Body, and -100B Short Body series airplanes; and Model 707-300, -
300B, -300C, and -400 series airplanes.
    (2) The Boeing Company Model 720 and 720B series airplanes.

[[Page 20825]]

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that undetected web 
fatigue cracking caused by oil canning may exist in the station 1440 
aft pressure bulkhead web. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct fatigue cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead web, which 
could grow in length and ultimately reduce the structural integrity 
of the web and lead to rapid decompression of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Repetitive Inspections and Related Investigative and Corrective 
Actions

    At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3543, dated 
September 15, 2016, except as required by paragraph (h)(1) of this 
AD: Do all applicable actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1), 
(g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3543, dated 
September 15, 2016, except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this 
AD.
    (1) Do a detailed inspection of the station 1440 aft pressure 
bulkhead web for any oil canning. Repeat the inspection at the 
applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3543, dated September 15, 2016.
    (2) Do all applicable related investigative actions, including 
detailed, eddy current, and high frequency eddy current (HFEC) 
inspections. Repeat the applicable inspections thereafter at the 
applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3543, dated September 15, 2016.
    (3) Do all applicable corrective actions at the applicable time 
specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing 707 Alert 
Service Bulletin A3543, dated September 15, 2016.

(h) Service Information Exceptions

    (1) Where Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3543, dated 
September 15, 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) Where Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3543, dated 
September 15, 2016, specifies to contact Boeing for repair 
instructions, and specifies that action as Required for Compliance 
(RC), this AD requires repair using a method approved in accordance 
with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.

(i) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 
21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the airplane 
can be repaired, but if any crack is found as identified in Boeing 
707 Alert Service Bulletin A3543, dated September 15, 2016, 
concurrence by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, is required before issuance of the special flight 
permit.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles 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 (k) 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, Los Angeles 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 (h) of this AD: For service 
information that contains steps that are labeled as RC, the 
provisions of paragraphs (j)(4)(i) and (j)(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. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the 
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. 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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact George Garrido, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5232; fax: 562-627-5210; 
email: [email protected].

(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 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3543, dated September 15, 
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-
5600; 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 April 24, 2017.
Paul Bernado,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-08828 Filed 5-3-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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