Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 68 (Friday, April 8, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20699-20701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07414]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0957; Project Identifier AD-2021-00469-T; 
Amendment 39-21993; AD 2022-07-06]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8F and 747-8 series airplanes. 
This AD was prompted by a report of unusual flight instrument and 
engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS) behavior. This AD 
requires inspecting the left, center, and right electronic flight 
instrument system (EFIS)/EICAS interface unit (EIU) for certain serial 
numbers and replacement if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 13, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 13, 2022

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-2021-0957.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0957; 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: Jeffrey Palmer, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5351; 
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 certain The Boeing 
Company Model 747-8F and 747-8 series airplanes. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on November 15, 2021 (86 FR 62960). The NPRM was 
prompted by a report of unusual flight instrument and EICAS behavior. 
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting the left, center, 
and right EFIS/EIU for certain serial numbers and replacement if 
necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the possible display 
of incorrect information in the integrated display system (IDS). This 
condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced ability of the 
flightcrew to maintain continued safe flight and landing of the 
aircraft.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from three commenters, including Boeing, 
an individual, and Qatar Airways. The following presents the comments 
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response.

Request To Add Missing Serial Number to List of Affected EIUs

    Boeing and Qatar Airways requested a change to the proposed AD to 
add serial number 181MR2 to the list of affected EIUs. The commenters 
noted that the unit was inadvertently excluded from the affected serial 
number list in Figure 1 of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
31A2565 RB, Revision 1, dated September 14, 2021. Qatar Airways noted 
that Boeing stated that the service information will be revised to 
include this EIU serial number. Qatar Airways added that including the 
affected EIU will ensure that affected part does not remain in service 
while eliminating the need to obtain an alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC) for accomplishing the actions required by this AD on 
that EIU.
    The FAA agrees with the request. The FAA has confirmed that this is 
an affected EIU and that the operator with the EIU having serial number 
181MR2 is aware that it is affected and plans to replace the unit as 
required by this AD. The FAA has added paragraph (h)(2) of this AD to 
clarify that serial number 181MR2 is also an affected EIU. The FAA has 
also redesignated paragraph (h) of the proposed AD as paragraph (h)(1) 
of this AD.

Request for Information About Registered Airplanes

    An individual commenter asked how the information about the number 
of affected airplanes was gathered and how many non-U.S. registered 
planes are affected by the proposed AD.
    The FAA gathers this information from public records and from the 
airplane manufacturer. According to those sources, 68 of the airplanes 
affected by this AD are registered outside of the United States.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Except for minor editorial changes, and any other changes 
described previously, 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 747-31A2565 RB, 
Revision 1, dated September 14, 2021. This service information 
specifies procedures for doing an inspection or a review of the 
maintenance and delivery records of the left, center, and right EIUs 
for any affected serial number, and replacing each affected EIU.
    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 affects 8 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The

[[Page 20700]]

FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.........................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour               $0             $85            $680
                                      = $85.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements 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 replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                         Labor cost                Parts cost           Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement........................  Up to 3 work-hours x $85     Up to $9,600..........  Up to $9,855.
                                      per hour = Up to $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2022-07-06 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-21993; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0957; Project Identifier AD-2021-00469-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 13, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-8F and 747-8 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-31A2565 RB, Revision 1, dated 
September 14, 2021.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 31, Instruments.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of unusual flight instrument 
and engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS) behavior. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the possible display of incorrect 
information in the integrated display system (IDS). This condition, 
if not addressed, could result in reduced ability of the flightcrew 
to maintain continued safe flight and landing of the aircraft.

(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 747-31A2565 RB, Revision 1, dated 
September 14, 2021, do all applicable actions identified in, and in 
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Requirements Bulletin 747-31A2565 RB, Revision 1, dated September 
14, 2021.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-31A2565, Revision 1, dated September 14, 2021, which is referred 
to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-31A2565 RB, Revision 1, 
dated September 14, 2021.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-31A2565 RB, 
Revision 1, dated September 14, 2021, uses the phrase ``the Original 
Issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747-31A2565 RB,'' this AD 
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
    (2) Where Table 1 in Figure 1 of Boeing Alert Requirements 
Bulletin 747-31A2565 RB, Revision 1, dated September 14, 2021, lists 
affected EICAS interface unit (EIU) serial numbers, for this AD 
serial number 181MR2 is also an affected serial number.

(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 Boeing Alert

[[Page 20701]]

Requirements Bulletin 747-31A2565 RB, dated April 27, 2021.

(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 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Jeffrey Palmer, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Los Angeles 
ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; 
phone: 562-627-5351; email: [email protected].
    (2) For information about AMOCs, contact Frank Carreras, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Seattle ACO 
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 
206-231-3539; email: [email protected].
    (3) 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 Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-31A2565 RB, Revision 
1, dated September 14, 2021.
    (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 March 17, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-07414 Filed 4-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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