Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 31, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48483-48485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18705]



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                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 48483]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0376; Project Identifier AD-2021-00062-T; 
Amendment 39-21689; AD 2021-17-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
The Boeing Company Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -
200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F, 747SR, and 747SP airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by reports of cracks found in the front spar shear tie and at 
the intercostal lug fitting at certain locations. This AD requires 
repetitive detailed and surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC) 
inspections of the front spar shear tie and intercostal lug fitting at 
certain locations for any cracking, and applicable on-condition 
actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 5, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 5, 
2021.

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 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 at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0376.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0376; 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: Stefanie Roesli, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3964; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all The Boeing Company 
Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -
400D, -400F, 747SR, and 747SP airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on June 7, 2021 (86 FR 30216). The NPRM was prompted 
by reports of cracks found in the front spar shear tie and at the 
intercostal lug fitting at certain locations. In the NPRM, the FAA 
proposed to require repetitive detailed and surface HFEC inspections of 
the front spar shear tie and intercostal lug fitting at certain 
locations for any cracking, and applicable on-condition actions. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address any cracking in these areas that 
could result in the loss of limit load capability in a principal 
structural element, the potential inability to restrain the cargo for 
certain cargo configurations, and the potential for a center fuel tank 
rupture for certain cargo configurations under limit load conditions, 
which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from Boeing who supported the NPRM 
without change.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as 
proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic 
burden on any operator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB, 
dated December 16, 2020. This service information specifies procedures 
for repetitive detailed and surface HFEC inspections of the station 
1000 front spar shear tie at the left and right side buttock line (BL) 
11.33, BL 33.99, BL 57.50, and BL 75.92, and of the intercostal lug 
fitting at the left and right side BL 11.33, for any cracking, and 
applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions include repair, 
installing a new front spar shear tie, and installing a new intercostal 
lug fitting. 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 ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 117 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 48484]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Cost on U.S.
           Action                  Labor cost         Parts cost       Cost per product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections................  Up to 314 work-hours               $0  Up to $26,690........  Up to $3,122,730.
                              x $85 per hour = Up
                              to $26,690.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
installations and repairs that would be required based on the results 
of the inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these installations and repairs:

                           On-Condition Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
        Action            Labor cost       Parts cost        product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installations........  Up to 368 work-  Up to $38,446    Up to $69,726.
                        hour x $85 per   (for shear
                        hour = Up to     ties and
                        $31,280.         intercostal
                                         lug fittings).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the repairs 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.
    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

    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.

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:

2021-17-06 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-21689; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0376; Project Identifier AD-2021-00062-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 5, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, -100B, 
-100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F, 747SR, and 
747SP airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the station (STA) 
1000 front spar shear tie at the left and right side buttock line 
(BL) 11.33, BL 33.99, BL 57.50, and BL 75.92, and in the intercostal 
lug fitting at the left and right side BL 11.33. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address any cracking in these areas that could result in 
the loss of limit load capability in a principal structural element, 
the potential inability to restrain the cargo for certain cargo 
configurations, and the potential for a center fuel tank rupture for 
certain cargo configurations under limit load conditions, which 
could 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 the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB, dated December 16, 2020, 
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
747-53A2904 RB, dated December 16, 2020.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-53A2904, dated December 16, 2020, which is referred to in Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB, dated December 16, 2020.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB, 
dated December 16, 2020, uses the phrase ``the original issue date 
of Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB,'' this AD requires using 
``the effective date of this AD.''
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB, 
dated December 16, 2020, specifies contacting Boeing for repair 
instructions: This AD requires doing the repair using a method 
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph 
(i) of this AD.

[[Page 48485]]

(i) 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, 
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of 
the certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in Related Information. 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 responsible Flight Standards 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Stefanie Roesli, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3964; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (k)(3) and (4) of this AD.

(k) 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 Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB, dated 
December 16, 2020.
    (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, 
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 protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on August 7, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-18705 Filed 8-30-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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