Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 20, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60300-60302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27169]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0251; Product Identifier 2016-NM-101-AD; Amendment 
39-19133; AD 2017-26-02]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 757-200 series airplanes. This AD was prompted 
by a report indicating that the main cargo door (MCD) forward-most cam 
latch on the forward center cam latch pair broke during flight. This AD 
requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of cam latches, latch 
pins, and latch pin cross bolts of the MCD; replacement of all alloy 
steel latch pin cross bolts with corrosion-resistant steel (CRES) latch 
pin cross bolts of the MCD; and related investigative and corrective 
actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 24, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 24, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering Inc., 2100 9th Street, Brookley 
Aeroplex, Mobile, AL 36615; telephone: 251-379-0112; email: 
[email protected]; internet: http://www.vtmae.com. You may view this 
service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 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-2017-0251.

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-2017-
0251; 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 final rule, 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: Samuel Belete, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 Columbia 
Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; telephone: 404-474-5580; fax: 404-474-
5605; 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 757-200 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on June 8, 2017 (82 FR 26617). The NPRM was prompted by a 
report indicating that the MCD forward-most cam latch on the forward 
center cam

[[Page 60301]]

latch pair broke during flight. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive 
inspections for discrepancies of cam latches, latch pins, and latch pin 
cross bolts of the MCD; replacement of all alloy steel latch pin cross 
bolts with CRES latch pin cross bolts of the MCD; and related 
investigative and corrective actions if necessary.
    We are issuing this AD to detect and correct discrepancies of the 
MCD cam latches, latch pins, and latch pin cross bolts, which, if left 
undetected, could reduce the structural integrity of the MCD and result 
in potential loss of the cargo door and rapid decompression of the 
airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We have considered the comments received. Air Line 
Pilots Association, International, FedEx Express, and VT Mobile 
Aerospace Engineering Inc. supported the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule as proposed, except for 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
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering Inc. Service Bulletin 
MAE757SF-SB-52-12/02, Revision 3, dated July 22, 2016. This service 
information describes procedures for doing inspections for 
discrepancies of cam latches, latch pins, and latch pin cross bolts of 
the MCD; replacement of all alloy steel latch pin cross bolts with CRES 
latch pin cross bolts of the MCD; and related investigative and 
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 119 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections                        20 work-hours x $85              $0  $1,700 per           $202,300 per
                                    per hour = $1,700                    inspection cycle     inspection cycle.
                                    per inspection
                                    cycle
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacement of 
latch pin cross bolts and related investigative and corrective actions 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these 
actions:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                         Labor cost                Parts cost           Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement and Related              Up to 144 work-hours x $85   Up to $3,000            Up to $15,240.
 investigative and corrective         per hour = $12,240
 actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to 
the Director of the System Oversight Division.

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:


[[Page 60302]]


    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):

2017-26-02 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-19133; Docket No. FAA-
2017-0251; Product Identifier 2016-NM-101-AD.

 (a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 24, 2018.

 (b) Affected ADs

    None.

 (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 757-200 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, that have been converted 
from passenger to freighter configuration as specified in any of the 
VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering Inc. supplemental type certificates 
(STCs) identified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this 
AD.
    (1) STC ST03562AT (14 pallet) (http://rgl.faa.gov/
Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/
7239683609eb1b4086257ff1004d0f2b/$FILE/ST03562AT.pdf).
    (2) STC ST04242AT (15 pallet) (http://rgl.faa.gov/
Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/
edd46d607cedd3a286257ff1004d8d82/$FILE/ST03952AT.pdf.)
    (3) STC ST03952AT (combi--airplanes that can carry passenger, 
freight, or both in the cabin) (http://rgl.faa.gov/
Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/
edd46d607cedd3a286257ff1004d8d82/$FILE/ST03952AT.pdf).

 (d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

 (e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the main cargo 
door (MCD) forward-most cam latch on the forward center cam latch 
pair broke during flight. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct discrepancies of the MCD cam latches, latch pins, and latch 
pin cross bolts, which, if left undetected, could reduce the 
structural integrity of the MCD and result in potential loss of the 
MCD and rapid decompression of the airplane.

 (f) Compliance

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

 (g) Repetitive Inspections, Replacement, and Related Investigative and 
Corrective Actions

    At the applicable time specified in paragraph I.D., 
``Compliance,'' of VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering Inc. Service 
Bulletin MAE757SF-SB-52-12/02, Revision 3, dated July 22, 2016 (``SB 
MAE757SF-SB-52-12/02, R3''), except as required by paragraph (h)(1) 
of this AD; or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later: Do the actions specified in paragraphs 
(g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD, and do all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of SB MAE757SF-SB-52-12/02, R3, except 
as specified in paragraph (h)(2) of this AD. Do all applicable 
related investigative and corrective actions before further flight. 
Repeat the inspections specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and 
(g)(4) of this AD thereafter at the applicable intervals specified 
in paragraph I.D., ``Compliance,'' of SB MAE757SF-SB-52-12/02, R3.
    (1) Do a general visual inspection for any broken or missing cam 
latches, latch pins, and latch pin cross bolts of the MCD.
    (2) Do a detailed inspection for any cracks or gouges in 
critical areas of the cam latches and latch pins of the MCD and for 
any cam latches with lip deformation.
    (3) Replace all previously unreplaced alloy steel latch pin 
cross bolts with corrosion resistant steel (CRES) latch pin cross 
bolts of the MCD.
    (4) Do a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) or magnetic particle 
inspection for any cracks in the critical areas of cam latch 1 and 
cam latch 2 of the MCD.

 (h) Exceptions to Service Information

    (1) Where the ``Condition'' column of table 1 of paragraph I.D., 
``Compliance,'' of SB MAE757SF-SB-52-12/02, R3, refers to airplanes 
meeting certain conditions identified in ``Condition 1,'' for this 
AD, ``Condition 1'' applies to all airplanes.
    (2) Where the Accomplishment Instructions of SB MAE757SF-SB-52-
12/02, R3, specify doing actions only for airplanes that have 
completed a certain rig and check of the MCD, this AD requires doing 
those actions on all airplanes.

 (i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering Inc. 
Service Bulletin MAE757SF-SB-52-12/02, Revision 2, dated February 
18, 2016.

 (j) Special Flight Permit

    A special flight permit 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, for a single 
unpressurized flight, to a location where the requirements of this 
AD can be accomplished.

 (k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO 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 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 (l) of this AD.
    (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.

 (l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Samuel Belete, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, Atlanta ACO 
Branch, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; telephone 404-
474-5580; fax 404-474-5605; email: [email protected].

 (m) 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) VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering Inc. Service Bulletin 
MAE757SF-SB-52-12/02, Revision 3, dated July 22, 2016. The date 
appears only on pages 1 and 3 of this document.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact VT 
Mobile Aerospace Engineering Inc., 2100 9th Street, Brookley 
Aeroplex, Mobile, AL 36615; telephone: 251-379-0112; email: 
[email protected]; internet: http://www.vtmae.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 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 December 8, 2017.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-27169 Filed 12-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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