Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 32 (Thursday, February 15, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11715-11718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03082]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1649; Project Identifier AD-2022-00905-T; 
Amendment 39-22667; AD 2024-02-03]
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 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. 
This AD was prompted by a report that all six Integrated Display Units 
(IDUs) became blank when new flight plan data was entered in the Flight 
Management System (FMS), and by a determination that indication of 
decaying airspeed in certain scenarios is required. This AD requires 
installing updated software. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

[[Page 11716]]


DATES: This AD is effective March 21, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 21, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1649; 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, 2600 Westminster Boulevard., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 
90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; website myboeingfleet.com.
    <bullet> You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 
216th Street, 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-2023-1649.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raja Vengadasalam, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
206-231-3537; 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 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on August 25, 2023 (88 FR 58120). The NPRM was 
prompted by a report indicating all six IDUs became blank when new 
flight plan data was entered in the FMS. It was determined that the 
Jeppesen airport map database (AMDB) had an error in the data structure 
tied to the Sydney airport (YSSY). The Electronic Flight 
Instrumentation System/Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System 
(EICAS) Interface Units (EIUs) were unable to process the data 
structure, resulting in the displays blanking. Jeppesen subsequently 
fixed the AMDB to address the issue with YSSY and additional airport 
codes with an incorrect data structure. The current EIU software is 
unable to process incorrect data structures, which results in an EIU 
fault that cannot be cleared by the automated reset function of an EIU. 
After five resets the EIU defaults to shut down, resulting in all six 
IDUs, which are controlled by the EIUs, becoming blank. The EIU shut 
down can also result in an autothrottle disconnect and a degraded 
autopilot mode. The problem can occur on the ground when an airport 
code with an incorrect data structure in the AMDB is entered as an 
origin or destination and the flight plan is then put into operation by 
the FMS. In flight, the problem can occur when an airport code with an 
incorrect data structure in the AMDB is entered as the selected 
diversion airport.
    Additionally, the existing software does not provide an earlier 
indication of decaying airspeed during the landing phase for flap 
settings 25 and 30. The revised software provides an earlier threshold 
for triggering the low airspeed alerting EICAS Caution message.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require installing updated 
software. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss 
of all flight deck displays (Primary Flight Display/EICAS/Navigation 
Display, not including standby displays) combined with potential impact 
to the autopilot and auto-throttle functionality and lack of crew 
visibility of any subsequent system failures, which can prevent 
continued safe flight and landing; it could also result in inadequate 
alerting of decaying airspeed, unacceptably low airspeed, and loss of 
control of the airplane.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from two commenters. Boeing stated it had 
no technical objection to the proposed AD. An anonymous individual 
commented generally on the manufacturer but provided no comments on the 
proposed actions or on the determination of the costs.

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, 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 747-31A2544 RB, 
dated March 31, 2020. This service information specifies procedures for 
installing Integrated Display System (IDS) 804 software in each of the 
six Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) IDUs and in each of the three EIUs, if 
not already installed; followed by installing IDS 805 software, which 
includes EIU software part number COL3F-0034-E805 and LCD software part 
number 3177-COL-DL8-05.
    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 section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 19 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Software Installation...........  Up to 6 work-hours  Up to $650........  Up to $1,160......  Up to $22,040.
                                   x $85 per hour =
                                   $510.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 11717]]

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:

2024-02-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22667; Docket No. FAA-
2023-1649; Project Identifier AD-2022-00905-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 21, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-31A2544 RB, dated March 31, 
2020.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that all six Integrated Display 
Units (IDUs) became blank when new flight plan data was entered in 
the Flight Management System, and by a determination that indication 
of decaying airspeed in certain scenarios is required. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address problems with the Electronic Flight 
Instrumentation System/Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System 
(EICAS) Interface Units (EIUs), which control the IDUs. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of all flight deck 
displays (Primary Flight Display/EICAS/Navigation Display, not 
including standby displays) combined with potential impact to the 
autopilot and auto-throttle functionality and lack of crew 
visibility of any subsequent system failures, which can prevent 
continued safe flight and landing; it could also result in 
inadequate alerting of decaying airspeed, unacceptably low airspeed, 
and loss of control 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 747-31A2544 RB, dated March 31, 2020, do 
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
747-31A2544 RB, dated March 31, 2020.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-31A2544, dated March 31, 2020, which is referred to in Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-31A2544 RB, dated March 31, 2020.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where the Compliance Time column of the table in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
31A2544 RB, dated March 31, 2020, uses the phrase ``the original 
issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747-31A2544 RB,'' this AD 
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
    (2) For Group 2 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert 
Requirements Bulletin 747-31A2544 RB, dated March 31, 2020: The 
concurrent requirements specified in Action 1 of Table 1 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
747-31A2544 RB, dated March 31, 2020, do not apply.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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 paragraph (j) 
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 that has been authorized by the Manager, AIR-520 
Continued Operational Safety 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

    For more information about this AD, contact Raja Vengadasalam, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, 
WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3537; email [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 747-31A2544 RB, dated 
March 31, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services, 
2600 Westminster Boulevard, 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 Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].


[[Page 11718]]


    Issued on January 26, 2024.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-03082 Filed 2-14-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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