Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15116-15119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-06004]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1287; Project Identifier AD-2023-00992-T; 
Amendment 39-22982; AD 2025-05-10]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-07-
06, which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, 
-300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes. AD 2012-07-06 required 
revising the maintenance program to update inspection requirements to 
detect fatigue cracking of principal structural elements (PSEs). This 
AD was prompted by new revisions to the airworthiness limitations of 
the maintenance planning document and damage tolerance rating check 
form document. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 13, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 13, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of May 
15, 2012 (77 FR 21429, April 10, 2012).

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1287; or in person at

[[Page 15117]]

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-2024-1287.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Luis Cortez-Muniz, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3958; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2012-07-06, Amendment 39-17012 (77 FR 
21429, April 10, 2012) (AD 2012-07-06). AD 2012-07-06 applied to 
certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 
777F series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
May 14, 2024 (89 FR 41908). The NPRM was prompted by new revisions to 
the airworthiness limitations of the maintenance planning document and 
damage tolerance rating check form document. In the NPRM, the FAA 
proposed to retain the requirements of AD 2012-07-06 until the new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations are incorporated. The NPRM 
also proposed to require revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program to incorporate new and more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations. The NPRM also proposed to require sending 
inspection results to Boeing.
    The FAA issued a issued a supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company 
Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes. The 
SNPRM published in the Federal Register on October 4, 2024 (89 FR 
80827). The SNPRM was prompted by new revisions to the airworthiness 
limitations of the maintenance planning document and damage tolerance 
rating check form document. Boeing published Section 9, Airworthiness 
Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), 
D622W001-9, Revision April 2023, of the Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/
777F Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document; and Boeing 777-200/
200LR/300/300ER/777F Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) Check Form Document, 
D622W001-DTR, Revision April 2023. Those documents contain new and more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations (inspections and life limits have 
been updated). The FAA is issuing this AD to address fatigue cracking 
of various principal structural elements. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could adversely affect the structural integrity of the 
airplane.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from FedEx Express and three individuals, 
who supported the SNPRM without change.
    The FAA received an additional comment from Boeing. The following 
presents the comment received on the SNPRM and the FAA's response to 
the comment.

Request To Correct a Typographical Error

    Boeing requested that the FAA remove the extra words ``could result 
in'' from the last sentence of paragraph (e) in the proposed AD (in the 
SNPRM): ``The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in could 
adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.'' The extra 
words ``could result in'' add confusion and can be omitted.
    The FAA agrees and has revised paragraph (e) of this AD 
accordingly.

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 SNPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on 
any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision 
April 2023, of the Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance 
Planning Data (MPD) Document. Subsection B, Airworthiness Limitations-
Structural Inspections and Subsection C, Airworthiness Limitations-
Structural Safe-Life Limits, of this material contains airworthiness 
limitations for structural inspections and structural life limits, 
among other limitations.
    The FAA also reviewed Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Damage 
Tolerance Rating (DTR) Check Form Document, D622W001-DTR, Revision 
April 2023. This material provides the DTR check forms and the 
procedure for their use.
    This AD also requires Section 9, ``Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) 
and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),'' D622W001-9, 
Revision July 2011, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) 
Document, which the Director of the Federal Register approved for 
incorporation by reference as of May 15, 2012 (77 FR 21429, April 10, 
2012).
    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 326 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained 
actions from AD 2012-07-06 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-
hour).
    The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, 
although the FAA recognizes that this number may vary from operator to 
operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program 
changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-
operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate.
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new actions 
to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

[[Page 15118]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Action                                Labor cost              Parts cost     Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting...................................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour =                 $0                $85
                                               $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public 
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take 
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate 
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including 
suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-07-06, Amendment 39-17012 
(77 FR 21429, April 10, 2012); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2025-05-10 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22982; Docket No. FAA-
2024-1287; Project Identifier AD-2023-00992-T.

(a) Effective Date

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

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2012-07-06, Amendment 39-17012 (77 FR 21429, 
April 10, 2012) (AD 2012-07-06).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -
300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original 
export certificate of airworthiness issued before September 5, 2024.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls; 28, Fuel; 32, Landing Gear; 52, Doors; 53, Fuselage; 54, 
Nacelles/Pylons; 55, Stabilizers; 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by new revisions to the airworthiness 
limitations of the maintenance planning document and damage 
tolerance rating check form document. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address fatigue cracking of various principal structural elements. 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could adversely affect the 
structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Revision of Maintenance Program With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2012-07-06, with no changes. For airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued before September 1, 2010: Comply with the 
requirements of paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD. 
Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection 
program required by paragraph (i) of this AD terminates the 
requirements of this paragraph.
    (1) Within 12 months after May 15, 2012 (the effective date of 
AD 2012-07-06), revise the maintenance program by incorporating the 
information in Subsection B, Airworthiness Limitations-Structural 
Inspections, of Section 9, ``Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),'' D622W001-9, 
Revision July 2011, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning Data 
(MPD) Document, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD.
    (2) The initial compliance time for the inspections is within 
the applicable times specified in Subsection B, Airworthiness 
Limitations-Structural Inspections, of Section 9, of ``Airworthiness 
Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements 
(CMRs),'' D622W001-9, Revision July 2011, of the Boeing 777 
Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, or within 18 months after 
May 15, 2012 (the effective date of AD 2012-07-06), whichever occurs 
later, or within the applicable time specified in Subsection B, 
Airworthiness Limitations-Structural Inspections, of Section 9, 
``Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMRs),'' D622W001-9, Revision July 2011, of the Boeing 
777 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, from the time of 
installation for new parts.

[[Page 15119]]

    (3) Reports specified in Section 9, ``Airworthiness Limitations 
(AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),'' 
D622W001-9, Revision July 2011, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance 
Planning Data (MPD) Document may be submitted within 10 days after 
the airplane is returned to service, instead of 10 days after each 
individual finding as specified in this document.

(h) Retained Alternative Inspections and Inspection Intervals With an 
Additional Exception

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2012-07-06, with an additional exception. After accomplishing the 
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative 
inspections or inspection intervals may be used unless the 
alternative inspection or interval is required by paragraph (i) of 
this AD or approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this 
AD.

(i) Revision of Maintenance or Inspection Program

    (1) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the existing maintenance or inspection program by incorporating the 
information in Subsection B, Airworthiness Limitations-Structural 
Inspections and Subsection C, Airworthiness Limitations-Structural 
Safe-Life Limits, of Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision 
April 2023, of the Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance 
Planning Data (MPD) Document; and in Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/
777F Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) Check Form Document, D622W001-
DTR, Revision April 2023.
    (2) The initial compliance time for the tasks is within the 
applicable times specified in Subsection B, Airworthiness 
Limitations-Structural Inspections and Subsection C, Airworthiness 
Limitations-Structural Safe-Life Limits, of Section 9, Airworthiness 
Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements 
(CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision April 2023, of the Boeing 777-200/
200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document; and 
in Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) 
Check Form Document, D622W001-DTR, Revision April 2023, or within 12 
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, 
or within the applicable time specified in Subsection B, 
Airworthiness Limitations-Structural Inspections, and Subsection C, 
Airworthiness Limitations-Structural Safe-Life Limits, of Section 9, 
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision April 2023, of the Boeing 
777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) 
Document, from the time of installation for new parts.
    (3) Reports specified in Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F 
Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) Check Form Document, D622W001-DTR, 
Revision April 2023 may be submitted within 10 days after the 
airplane is returned to service, instead of 10 days as specified in 
the document.

(j) Alternative Inspections and Inspection Intervals

    After accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (i) of 
this AD, no alternative inspections or inspection intervals may be 
used unless the alternative inspection or interval is approved as an 
AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of 
this AD.

(k) 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 (l) 
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, 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) AMOCs approved for AD 2012-07-06 are approved as AMOCs for 
the corresponding provisions of paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (5) AMOCs approved for repairs and alterations for AD 2012-07-06 
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph 
(i) of this AD. All other AMOCs approved for AD 2012-07-06 are not 
approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph (i) 
of this AD.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Luis Cortez-Muniz, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 206-231-3958; email: [email protected].

(m) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following material was approved for IBR on May 13, 2025.
    (i) Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision 
April 2023, of the Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance 
Planning Data (MPD) Document.
    (ii) Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Damage Tolerance Rating 
(DTR) Check Form Document, D622W001-DTR, Revision April 2023.
    (4) The following material was approved for IBR on May 15, 2012 
(77 FR 21429, April 10, 2012).
    (i) Section 9, ``Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),'' D622W001-9, 
Revision July 2011, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning Data 
(MPD) Document.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) 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.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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 March 5, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-06004 Filed 4-7-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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