Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 198 (Friday, October 11, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 82486-82488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-23537]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1882; Project Identifier AD-2024-00227-T; 
Amendment 39-22843; AD 2024-19-01]
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 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-
200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SP, 
and 747SR series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating 
cracks at eight fastener hole locations in the fuselage skin lap splice 
between certain stations (STAs) at certain stringers. This AD requires 
repetitive inspections of the upper fastener row of the fuselage skin 
lap splice in a certain area for any crack, and applicable on-condition 
actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 15, 2024.

[[Page 82487]]

    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 15, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1882; 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 Boeing material 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.
    <bullet> You may view this material 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-2024-1882.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stefanie Roesli, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 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 certain The Boeing 
Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-
200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SP, and 747SR series 
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 3, 2024 
(89 FR 55128). The NPRM was prompted a report indicating cracks at 
eight fastener hole locations in the fuselage skin lap splice between 
STAs 1450 and 1470 at stringers S-23L and S-23R.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitive inspections of 
the upper fastener row of the fuselage skin lap splice in a certain 
area for any crack, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the upper fastener 
row of the fuselage skin lap splice between STAs 1350 and 1480 at 
stringers S-23L and S-23R. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in an in-flight rapid decompression and a loss of 
structural integrity of the fuselage.

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. 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2912 RB, 
dated April 5, 2024. This material specifies procedures for repetitive 
external surface high frequency eddy current inspections of the upper 
fastener row of the fuselage skin lap splice between STAs 1350 and 1480 
at stringers S-23L and S-23R for any crack, and applicable on-condition 
actions. On-condition actions include obtaining and following repair 
instructions.
    This material 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 affects 170 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections.....................  8 work-hours x $85               $0   $680 per inspection  $115,600 per
                                   per hour = $680                       cycle.               inspection cycle.
                                   per inspection
                                   cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.

[[Page 82488]]

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.


39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2024-19-01 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22843; Docket No. FAA-
2024-1882; Project Identifier AD-2024-00227-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 15, 
2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 
747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-
400D, 747-400F, 747SP, and 747SR series airplanes, certificated in 
any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
747-53A2912 RB, dated April 5, 2024.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating cracks at eight 
fastener hole locations in the fuselage skin lap splice between 
stations (STAs) 1450 and 1470 at stringers S-23L and S-23R. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the upper 
fastener row of the fuselage skin lap splice between STAs 1350 and 
1480 at stringers S-23L and S-23R. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in an in-flight rapid decompression and a 
loss of structural integrity of the fuselage.

(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 747-53A2912 RB, dated April 5, 2024, do 
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
747-53A2912 RB, dated April 5, 2024.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-53A2912, dated April 5, 2024, which is referred to in Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2912 RB, dated April 5, 2024.

(h) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications

    (1) Where the Condition and Boeing Recommended Compliance Time 
columns of the tables in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2912 RB, dated April 5, 2024, 
refer to ``the Original Issue date of the Requirements Bulletin 747-
53A2912 RB,'' this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2912 RB, 
dated April 5, 2024, 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.

(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)(1) 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, 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

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Stefanie Roesli, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 206-231-3964; email: [email protected].
    (2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by 
reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (k)(3) 
this AD.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2912 RB, dated 
April 5, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Boeing material 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 material 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 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].


    Issued on September 9, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-23537 Filed 10-10-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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