Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 154 (Thursday, August 11, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49515-49519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-16612]



[[Page 49515]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0462; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00647-T; 
Amendment 39-22104; AD 2022-13-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-700, 737-800, 747-400, 747-8, 767-
400ER, and 777-200 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that 
there is the potential for electrical current to pass through low 
pressure (LP) oxygen flex-hoses in the gaseous passenger oxygen system. 
This AD requires replacing each conductive oxygen flex-hose installed 
on LP gaseous passenger oxygen systems with a serviceable non-
conductive oxygen flex-hose. This AD also prohibits installation of a 
conductive oxygen flex-hose on LP gaseous passenger oxygen systems. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 15, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 15, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Lufthansa Technik AG, Weg beim J[auml]ger 193 22335 Hamburg, 
Germany; telephone 49-40-5070-67428; internet www.lufthansa-technik.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 www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2022-0462.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at 
www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-
0462; 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: Chirayu Gupta, Aerospace Engineer, 
Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services Section, FAA, New York 
ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued 
EASA AD 2021-0135, dated June 2, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0135) (also 
referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain The Boeing 
Company Model 737-700, 737-800, 747-400, 747-8, 767-400ER, and 777-200 
airplanes with certain Lufthansa Technik AG supplemental type 
certificates (STCs), which resulted in the installation of conductive 
oxygen flex-hoses. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the 
internet at www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2022-0462.
    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 737-700, 737-800, 747-400, 747-8, 767-400ER, and 777-200 
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2022 
(87 FR 24073). The NPRM was prompted by a report that there is the 
potential for electrical current to pass through LP oxygen flex-hoses 
in the gaseous passenger oxygen system. Exposure to electrical faults, 
such as unintended short circuits, can result in localized electrical 
heating of the LP oxygen flex-hoses. The NPRM proposed to require 
replacing each conductive oxygen flex-hose installed on LP gaseous 
passenger oxygen systems with a serviceable non-conductive oxygen flex-
hose. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the possibility of 
electrical current passing through the LP oxygen flex-hoses in the 
gaseous passenger oxygen system, which could cause the flex-hoses to 
melt or burn and result in an oxygen-fed fire in the passenger cabin. 
See the MCAI for additional background information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from Boeing who supported the NPRM 
without change. The FAA also received a comment from United Airlines 
who stated that the NPRM does not apply to any of its airplanes.

Effect of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions

    Aviation Partners Boeing stated that the installation of winglets 
per STC ST00830SE does not affect the accomplishment of the 
manufacturer's service instructions. The commenter noted that this STC 
is for the applicable Model 737-700 and 737-800 airplanes identified in 
the proposed AD and that it does not have any STCs for the other models 
in the proposed AD.
    The FAA agrees with the commenter that STC ST00830SE does not 
affect the accomplishment of the manufacturer's service instructions. 
Therefore, the installation of STC ST00830SE does not affect the 
ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. The FAA has not 
changed this AD in this regard.

Clarification of AD Applicability Revision

    Paragraph (c) of the proposed AD referred only to FAA STC ST04127NY 
that the FAA has since determined only applies to a modification of a 
Boeing Model 747-8 airplane that included the installation of 
conductive oxygen flex-hoses. The FAA intended the AD applicability to 
not be limited to just manufacturer serial number (MSN) 37500 that was 
modified by STC ST04127NY, but to all MSNs identified in the proposed 
AD that were modified by a Lufthansa Technik AG STC, which resulted in 
the installation of conductive oxygen flex-hoses. Therefore, the FAA 
has determined that including reference to the STCs that installed the 
conductive oxygen flex-hoses is redundant and unnecessary. Paragraph 
(c) of this AD has been revised in order to clarify this AD is 
applicable to the MSNs identified in paragraph (c) of this AD that have 
conductive oxygen flex-hoses specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
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.

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Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Lufthansa Technik AG has issued the following service information.
    <bullet> Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary ASN-00-DCS-01, 
Revision 8, dated November 5, 2020.
    <bullet> Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary ATB-25-DCS-01, 
Revision 10, dated January 7, 2021.
    <bullet> Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary ATR-23-DCS-01, 
Revision 2, dated January 7, 2021.
    <bullet> Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCM-35-DCS-01, 
dated January 4, 2021.
    <bullet> Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCP-35-DCS-01, 
Revision 1, dated April 20, 2021.
    <bullet> Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCQ-35-DCS-01, 
Revision 1, dated April 20, 2021.
    <bullet> Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCR-35-DCS-01, 
Revision 1, dated April 20, 2021.
    <bullet> Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCS-35-DCS-01, 
dated January 5, 2021.
    <bullet> Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCU-35-DCS-01, 
dated January 5, 2021.
    <bullet> Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCV-35-DCS-01, 
dated February 4, 2021.
    <bullet> Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCW-35-DCS-01, 
dated January 4, 2021.
    <bullet> Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCX-35-DCS-01, 
Revision 1, dated February 4, 2021.
    This service information describes procedures for replacing each 
conductive oxygen flex-hose installed on LP gaseous passenger oxygen 
systems with a serviceable non-conductive oxygen flex-hose. These 
documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane models 
and manufacturer serial numbers.
    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 will affect 7 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Labor cost                   Parts cost         Cost per product         Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 17 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up          $10,090  Up to $11,535.............  Up to $80,745.
 to $1,445.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2022-13-18 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22104; Docket No. FAA-
2022-0462; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00647-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 15, 
2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-700, 737-800, 
747-400, 747-8, 767-400ER, and 777-200 airplanes, certificated in 
any category, manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 28551, 28961, 29953, 
30791, 30884, 32445, 32575, 32915, 32970, 32971, 33010, 33102, 
33361, 33684, 34205, 37500, and 37544, with conductive oxygen flex-
hose having part number specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that there is the potential for 
electrical current to pass through low pressure (LP) oxygen flex-
hoses in the gaseous passenger oxygen system. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address this condition, which could cause the flex-hoses 
to melt or burn and result in an oxygen-fed fire in the passenger 
cabin.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replacement

    Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace 
each conductive oxygen flex-hose installed on LP gaseous passenger 
oxygen systems with a serviceable non-

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conductive oxygen flex-hose, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable Lufthansa Technik Design Change 
Summary (TS-145 Installation Document Number) corresponding to the 
affected part numbers specified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this 
AD.
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(h) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
prohibited conductive oxygen flex-hose specified in figure 1 to 
paragraph (g) of this AD, on LP gaseous passenger oxygen systems on 
any airplane.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using the service information in paragraphs (i)(1) 
through (6) of this AD.
    (1) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary ASN-00-DCS-01, 
Revision 6, dated June 25, 2020.

[[Page 49519]]

    (2) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary ASN-00-DCS-01, 
Revision 7, dated August 26, 2020.
    (3) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCP-35-DCS-01, dated 
January 5, 2021.
    (4) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCQ-35-DCS-01, dated 
January 7, 2021.
    (5) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCR-35-DCS-01, dated 
January 7, 2021.
    (6) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCX-35-DCS-01, dated 
January 7, 2021.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York 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 ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational 
Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300. Before using any 
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or 
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight 
Standards Office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or the European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Lufthansa Technik AG's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2021-0135, dated June 2, 2021, for related 
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet 
at www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2022-0462.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Chirayu Gupta, 
Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services 
Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; 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)(4) and (5) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary ASN-00-DCS-01, 
Revision 8, dated November 5, 2020.
    (ii) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary ATB-25-DCS-01, 
Revision 10, dated January 7, 2021.
    (iii) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary ATR-23-DCS-01, 
Revision 2, dated January 7, 2021.
    (iv) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCM-35-DCS-01, 
dated January 4, 2021.
    (v) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCP-35-DCS-01, 
Revision 1, dated April 20, 2021.
    (vi) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCQ-35-DCS-01, 
Revision 1, dated April 20, 2021.
    (vii) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCR-35-DCS-01, 
Revision 1, dated April 20, 2021.
    (viii) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCS-35-DCS-01, 
dated January 5, 2021.
    (ix) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCU-35-DCS-01, 
dated January 5, 2021.
    (x) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCV-35-DCS-01, dated 
February 4, 2021.
    (xi) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCW-35-DCS-01, 
dated January 4, 2021.
    (xii) Lufthansa Technik Design Change Summary BCX-35-DCS-01, 
Revision 1, dated February 4, 2021.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Lufthansa Technik AG, Weg beim J[auml]ger 193 22335 Hamburg, 
Germany; telephone 49-40-5070-67428; internet www.lufthansa-technik.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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on June 17, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-16612 Filed 8-10-22; 8:45 am]
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