Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33823-33826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11091]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1417; Project Identifier AD-2022-00731-T; 
Amendment 39-22419; AD 2023-08-04]
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 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. 
This AD was prompted by reports of a loss of water pressure during 
flight and water leaks that affected multiple pieces of electronic 
equipment. This AD requires a detailed visual inspection of all door 1 
and door 3 lavatory and galley potable water systems for any missing or 
incorrectly installed clamshell couplings, and applicable on-condition 
actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 29, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 29, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1417; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> 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; website myboeingfleet.com. It is 
also available at regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2022-1417.
    <bullet> 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 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1417.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney Tuck, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO 
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-
231-3986; 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 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on December 13, 2022 (87 FR 76158). The NPRM was 
prompted by

[[Page 33824]]

reports of a loss of water pressure during flight and water leaks that 
affected multiple pieces of electronic equipment. In the NPRM, the FAA 
proposed to require a detailed visual inspection of all door 1 and door 
3 lavatory and galley potable water systems for any missing or 
incorrectly installed clamshell couplings, and applicable on-condition 
actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address incorrectly installed or 
missing lavatory and galley clamshell couplings that could lead to 
water leaks and water migration to critical flight equipment, which may 
affect the continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.
    The FAA received additional comments from four commenters, 
including American Airlines (AAL), Boeing, Turkish Technic, and All 
Nippon Airways. The following presents the comments received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Modify the Applicability of the Proposed AD

    AAL, Boeing, and All Nippon Airways requested that the 
applicability of the proposed AD be changed to include only airplanes 
listed in the effectivity of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022, which does not 
include undelivered airplanes. The commenters stated that Boeing has 
taken several steps to prevent missing or misinstalled lavatory and 
galley clamshell couplings on airplanes not listed in the effectivity 
of the Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, 
Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022. A request for discrepancy check (RDC) 
was issued to inspect all stored airplanes as outlined in Boeing Alert 
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated 
August 12, 2022, at the same door 1 and 3 locations. For future 
production airplanes, Quality Assurance (QA) verification of clamshell 
coupling installations has been added for lavatories (11/18/2019) and 
galleys (7/22/2022). As an alternative, if the proposed AD includes 
undelivered airplanes, All Nippon Airways requested that the compliance 
time be changed to 180 days after the date of issuance of the original 
standard certificate of airworthiness or the original export 
certificate of airworthiness.
    The FAA agrees with the request to change the applicability to 
include only airplanes listed in the effectivity of Boeing Alert 
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated 
August 12, 2022, for the reasons provided by the commenters. Paragraph 
(c) of this AD has been changed.

Comment Regarding Insufficient Addressing of the Unsafe Condition

    AAL commented that the actions of the proposed AD do not 
sufficiently address the unsafe condition nor do they prevent 
reoccurrence when future maintenance is accomplished on the clamshell. 
AAL noted that the leaks are the result of improper installation by 
individual operators and not a design failure, according to the 
manufacturer, who has not recommended replacement of the couplings on 
the majority of the fleet. AAL asserted that the maintenance manual 
currently provides extensive details on proper installation of the 
coupling, and that an incorrectly installed coupling is not a latent 
failure, and is detectable prior to operation of the aircraft. AAL 
observed that the same couplings are installed on their Model 737 and 
777 fleet with a high level of reliability and no recorded installation 
errors in the previous 12 months.
    The FAA partially agrees with the assertions of the commenter. As 
specified in the NPRM, this AD does not provide a long-term solution to 
fully address the unsafe condition, but is intended to be interim 
action that will adequately address leak events until an appropriate 
design change is developed and additional AD action is proposed. Part 
of the interim solution is updating the lavatory and galley Fleet Team 
Digest for missing or incorrectly installed couplings. In addition, 
maintenance procedures have been updated to correct errors and add 
tasks directing maintenance in areas where couplings are installed to 
return the area to its normal condition, which will include inspecting 
couplings for proper installation prior to leaving the area. Although 
the commenter asserts that incorrectly installed couplings are 
detectable, there have been several cases of a loss of water pressure 
during flight, as well as water leaks, discovered after landing, that 
caused water to migrate into the forward electronic equipment (EE) bay 
and affect multiple pieces of EE. The inspections or improved strapped 
coupling installations have not been completed on all affected 
airplanes yet, so the unsafe condition still exists within the fleet. 
This AD will ensure that all couplings are inspected per the updated 
maintenance procedures and will ensure the safety of the entire fleet. 
The FAA has therefore determined that this AD is necessary to address 
the unsafe condition. The FAA has not changed this AD with regard to 
this comment.

Request To Allow Alternative Service Information

    Boeing has issued Multi-Operator Message MOM-MOM-21-0554-01B, dated 
December 14, 2021 (for lavatory inspections), and MOM-MOM-22-0229-01B, 
dated April 29, 2022 (for galley inspections). Turkish Technic asserted 
that the MOMs will address the unsafe condition identified in the 
proposed AD. The commenter reported that it had performed the actions 
specified in the MOMs, and subsequently Boeing issued Alert 
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated 
August 12, 2022, which indicates that no further action is necessary 
after accomplishment of the actions in the MOMs. The commenter 
considered the actions in the MOMs to satisfactorily complete the 
proposed requirements, and requested that the proposed AD be revised to 
add the MOMs as an alternative to Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022, or 
alternatively, to provide credit for inspections previously complied as 
per the MOMs.
    The FAA agrees that inspections completed as specified in the MOMs 
address the unsafe condition. A paragraph has been added to this AD to 
provide credit for accomplishing the MOMs prior to the effective date 
of this AD.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. 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 B787-81205-
SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022. This service 
information specifies procedures for a

[[Page 33825]]

detailed visual inspection of all door 1 and door 3 lavatory and galley 
potable water systems for any missing or incorrectly installed 
clamshell couplings, and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition 
actions include installing clamshell couplings, doing a leak test, and 
performing corrective actions until the leak test is passed.
    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.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD an interim action. If a final action is 
later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 134 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detailed visual inspection (DVI) (per   1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85         $11,390
 lavatory or galley).                    hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the on-condition actions 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:

2023-08-04 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22419; Docket No. FAA-
2022-1417; Project Identifier AD-2022-00731-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 29, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 
787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category, as specified in 
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 
001, dated August 12, 2022.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 38, Water/waste.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of a loss of water pressure 
during flight and water leaks that affected multiple pieces of 
electronic equipment. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
incorrectly installed or missing lavatory and galley clamshell 
couplings that could lead to water leaks and water migration to 
critical flight equipment, which may affect the continued safe 
flight and landing 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 B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, 
dated August 12, 2022, do all applicable actions identified in, and 
in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated 
August 12, 2022.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
B787-81205-SB380021-00, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022, which is 
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    Where the Compliance Time columns of the table in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB380021-00 RB, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022, uses the 
phrase ``the Issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB380021-00 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of 
this AD.''

(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 Multi-Operator Message MOM-MOM-21-
0554-01B, dated December 14, 2021 (for lavatory inspections); and 
MOM-MOM-22-0229-01B, dated April 29, 2022 (for galley inspections).

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs

[[Page 33826]]

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 paragraph (k) 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 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

    For more information about this AD, contact Courtney Tuck, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, 
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
phone and fax: 206-231-3986; email: [email protected].

(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 B787-81205-SB380021-00 
RB, Issue 001, dated August 12, 2022.
    (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; website 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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on April 18, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-11091 Filed 5-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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