Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 147 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45762-45765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16483]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0208; Product Identifier 2019-NM-209-AD; Amendment 
39-21177; AD 2020-15-14]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-13-
06, which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-
400F series airplanes. AD 2015-13-06 required repetitive inspections of 
the longeron extension fittings for cracking;

[[Page 45763]]

repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of any 
modified, repaired, or replaced longeron extension fitting for 
cracking; and applicable on-condition actions. This AD retains the 
requirements of AD 2015-13-06. This AD also requires, for certain 
additional airplanes, repetitive inspections of the longeron extension 
fittings for cracking and repair if necessary. This AD was prompted by 
the FAA's determination that additional airplanes are affected by the 
identified unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 3, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 3, 
2020.

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; phone: 562-797-1717; internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this service information 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 on 
the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0208.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.govby searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0208; 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Lin, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe 
Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3523; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2015-13-06, Amendment 39-18193 (80 FR 
44835, July 28, 2015) (``AD 2015-13-06''). AD 2015-13-06 applied to 
certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 30, 2020 (85 FR 
17510). The NPRM was prompted by a report that an operator found a 
cracked longeron extension fitting on an airplane not included in the 
applicability of AD 2015-13-06. The NPRM proposed to continue to 
require repetitive inspections of the longeron extension fittings for 
cracking; repetitive HFEC inspections of any modified, repaired, or 
replaced longeron extension fitting for cracking; and applicable on-
condition actions. The NPRM also proposed to add Model 747-100, 747-
100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400D, 
747SR, and 747SP series airplanes to the applicability, and for those 
additional airplanes, repetitive inspections of the longeron extension 
fittings for cracking and repair if necessary. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address cracks in the longeron extension fittings, which can 
become large and adversely affect the structural integrity of the 
airplane.

Comments

    The FAA 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

    Boeing stated that it had no comment regarding the NPRM and Hasan 
Ashour expressed support for the NPRM.

Request To Expand the Applicability of the NPRM

    Addison Hull requested that the FAA expand the applicability of the 
NPRM to include all airplanes. The commenter expressed concern that the 
NPRM only identified 67 affected airplanes. The commenter also pointed 
out their belief that all airplanes should have the same minimum 
requirements, and that this method would be more efficient compared 
with publishing specific rules to mandate the inspection and 
maintenance of other types of airplanes that are not affected by the 
NPRM.
    The FAA disagrees with the request. The FAA issues ADs to address 
potential unsafe conditions in airplanes with similar designs. The FAA 
has worked closely with the design approval holder (DAH) to determine 
the group of affected airplanes that may develop this particular unsafe 
condition. The group of affected airplanes for this particular unsafe 
condition is an expansion to the group of airplanes addressed by AD 
2015-13-06. Therefore, the FAA believes that the entire number of 
affected airplanes have been captured by this AD. This AD has not been 
changed in this regard.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this AD as proposed, except for minor editorial 
changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing 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

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, Revision 3, 
dated November 11, 2019. This service information describes procedures 
for repetitive inspections of the longeron extension fittings for 
cracking; repetitive HFEC inspections of any modified, repaired, or 
replaced longeron extension fitting for cracking; and applicable on-
condition actions. On-condition actions include replacement, repair, 
and modification. 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

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 67 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 45764]]



                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                      Labor cost          Parts cost    Cost per product        operators
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HFEC inspection (retained         32 work-hours x $85 per            $0  $2,720 per           $111,520 per
 actions from AD 2015-13-06) (41   hour = $2,720 per                      inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
 airplanes).                       inspection cycle.
HFEC inspection (new action) (26  32 work-hours x $85 per             0  2,720 per            70,720 per
 airplanes).                       hour = $2,720 per                      inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
                                   inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required. The FAA has no way of 
determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition 
actions:


                                      Estimated Costs of On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                        Labor cost               Parts cost            Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement, repair, modification,  Up to 908 work-hours x $85  Up to $99,950.......  Up to $177,130.
 or preventative modification.       per hour = Up to $77,180.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The FAA has 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) 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.

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) 
2015-13-06, Amendment 39-18193 (80 FR 44835, July 28, 2015), and adding 
the following new AD:

2020-15-14 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-21177; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0208; Product Identifier 2019-NM-209-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 3, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2015-13-06, Amendment 39-18193 (80 FR 44835, 
July 28, 2015) (``AD 2015-13-06'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 
747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-
400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, certificated in 
any category, as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, 
Revision 3, dated November 11, 2019.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the outboard 
flange of the longeron extension fittings and the FAA's 
determination that additional airplanes are affected by the 
identified unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
cracks in the longeron extension fittings, which can become large 
and adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, Revision 3, dated November 11, 
2019, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance 
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 
747-53A2860, Revision 3, dated November 11, 2019.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, Revision 3, dated 
November 11, 2019, uses the phrase ``the Revision 3 date of this 
service bulletin,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of 
this AD.''
    (2) Where Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, Revision 3, dated 
November 11, 2019, specifies contacting Boeing for repair 
instructions: This AD requires doing the repair using a method 
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph 
(j) of this AD.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2860, Revision 1,

[[Page 45765]]

dated March 18, 2014, which was incorporated by reference in AD 
2015-13-06; or Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, Revision 2, 
dated July 12, 2016, which is not incorporated by reference in this 
AD.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for the repetitive 
inspections, and inspection of temporary repair and corrective 
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were 
performed before September 1, 2015 (the effective date of AD 2015-
13-06) using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, dated 
December 4, 2012, which was incorporated by reference in AD 2013-14-
05, Amendment 39-17510 (78 FR 43763, July 22, 2013).

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle 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 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 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 Company Organization Designation 
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle 
ACO 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.
    (4) AMOCs approved previously for the actions specified in 
paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (j) of AD 2015-13-06 are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of Boeing Service Bulletin 
747-53A2860, Revision 3, dated November 11, 2019, that are required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Eric Lin, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3523; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (l)(3) and (4) of this AD.

(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 Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, Revision 3, dated 
November 11, 2019.
    (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; phone: 562-797-1717; internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information 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 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, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on July 16, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-16483 Filed 7-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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