Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 236 (Monday, December 9, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 97482-97484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28781]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1698; Project Identifier AD-2024-00005-T; 
Amendment 39-22895; AD 2024-24-05]
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 767-300F series airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by a determination that certain cargo compartment insulation 
blankets do not adequately fit some locations and allow smoke to 
migrate past the cargo compartment sidewall liners and upward into the 
main cabin. This AD requires replacing cargo compartment insulation 
blankets. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 13, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 13, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1698; 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-2024-1698.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Linn, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3684; 
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 767-300F series airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on June 26, 2024 (89 FR 53370). The NPRM was prompted 
by a determination that certain cargo compartment insulation blankets 
do not adequately fit some locations and allow smoke to migrate past 
the cargo compartment sidewall liners and upward into the main cabin. 
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing the cargo 
compartment insulation blankets. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
inadequately fitting cargo compartment insulation blankets. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in a fire in the bilge area 
of the cargo compartment, which if not contained could lead to a smoke 
and fire event in the passenger compartment.

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 also received comments from Boeing, Aviation Partners 
Boeing, and All Nippon Airways. The following presents the comments 
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Add a Boeing Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Notice 
to the Proposed AD

    All Nippon Airways and Boeing requested that the FAA add Boeing 
AMOC Notice 767-25-0550 AMOC 01, dated March 13, 2024, to the proposed 
AD. All Nippon Airways requested that Boeing AMOC Notice 767-25-0550 
AMOC 01, dated March 13, 2024, be added to paragraph (g) of the 
proposed AD to specify that the actions should be done in accordance 
with both Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-0550 
Revision 2, dated December 18, 2023, and Boeing AMOC Notice 767-25-0550 
AMOC 01, dated March 13, 2024. All Nippon Airways stated that Boeing 
AMOC Notice 767-25-0550 AMOC 01, dated March 13, 2024, provides changes 
regarding Boeing

[[Page 97483]]

Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-0550, Revision 2, dated 
December 18, 2023.
    Boeing requested that the FAA revise paragraph (h) of the proposed 
AD, (the ``Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)'' paragraph), to 
include language approving Boeing AMOC Notice 767-25-0550 AMOC 01, 
dated March 13, 2024, as an AMOC to the proposed AD. Boeing stated that 
Boeing AMOC Notice 767-25-0550 AMOC 01, dated March 13, 2024, applies 
to Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-0550, Revision 2, 
dated December 18, 2023, and was approved and published as an 
alternative to accomplishing the requirements specified by paragraph 
(g) of AD 2021-12-11 Amendment 39-21598 (86 FR 33112, June 24, 2021) 
(AD 2021-12-11).
    The FAA notes that the approved FAA AMOC letter 522-24-00097, dated 
March 12, 2024, allows Boeing AMOC Notice 767-25-0550 AMOC 01, dated 
March 13, 2024, as an alternative to certain steps in Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-0550 Revision 2, dated December 18, 
2023. FAA AMOC letter 522-24-00097, dated March 12, 2024, was 
previously approved for use in AD-2021-12-11. The FAA has revised 
paragraph (h)(4) of this AD to include FAA AMOC letter 522-24-00097, 
dated March 12, 2024, as an approved AMOC for the corresponding actions 
specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

Effect of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions

    Aviation Partners Boeing stated that the installation of winglets 
per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01920SE does not affect 
compliance with the proposed actions.
    The FAA agrees with the commenter that STC ST01920SE does not 
affect the accomplishment of the manufacturer's service instructions. 
Therefore, the installation of STC ST01920SE does not affect the 
ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. The FAA has not 
changed this AD in this regard.

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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-
0550, Revision 2, dated December 18, 2023. This material specifies 
procedures for replacing insulation blankets in the cargo compartment 
with insulation blankets with integrated fire stops.
    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 32 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement.....................  270 work-hours x $85 per hour =        $35,900       $58,850       $1,883,200
                                   $22,950.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all the costs of this 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

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:

2024-24-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22895; Docket No. FAA-
2024-1698; Project Identifier AD-2024-00005-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 13, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 97484]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767-300F series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, identified as Group 7, 11 
through 15, and 18 in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-
25-0550, Revision 2, dated December 18, 2023.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that certain cargo 
compartment insulation blankets do not adequately fit some locations 
and allow smoke to migrate past the cargo compartment. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to require replacing these cargo compartment 
insulation blankets. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in a fire in the bilge area of the cargo compartment, which 
if not contained could lead to a smoke and fire event in the 
passenger compartment.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do all 
applicable actions identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance) 
in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-0550, Revision 2, 
dated December 18, 2023.

(h) 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 (i) 
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.
    (4) FAA AMOC letter 522-24-00097, dated March 12, 2024, approved 
for AD 2021-12-11, Amendment 39-21598 (86 FR 33112, June 24, 2021) 
is approved as an AMOC for the corresponding provisions of Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-0550, Revision 2, dated 
December 18, 2023, that are required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (5) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs 
(h)(5)(i) and (ii) of this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the 
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is 
required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and 
identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Julie Linn, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
phone: 206-231-3684; email: [email protected].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-0550, 
Revision 2, dated December 18, 2023.
    (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 November 20, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-28781 Filed 12-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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