[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 9, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27142-27144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11022]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0425; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-273-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
The Boeing Company Model 717-200 airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by multiple reports of cracks of overwing frames. This
proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of the
overwing frames, and related investigative and corrective actions if
necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such cracking
that could sever a frame, which may increase the loading of adjacent
frames, and result in damage to the adjacent structure and consequent
loss of structural integrity of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 25, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-
0001; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; email
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 425-227-1221.
[[Page 27143]]
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Garrido, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: (562)
627-5357; fax: 562-627-5210; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0425;
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-273-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We received multiple reports of cracks of overwing frames on Model
MD-80 airplanes, and one report each on Model MD-90-30 and Model 717
airplanes. The Model 717 airplane had accumulated 18,235 total flight
hours and 14,542 total flight cycles. Due to similarity in frame
design, the manufacturer determined the overwing frames at stations
674, 696, and 715 on Model 717 airplanes are susceptible to cracks. The
cracks, caused by fatigue, originate in the upper radius of the frame
inboard tab just below the floor. This condition, if not corrected,
could result in a severed frame, which may increase the loading of
adjacent frames and result in damage to the adjacent structure and
consequent loss of structural integrity of the airplane.
Related Rulemaking
The overwing frames on Model 717 airplanes have the same design as
those installed on Model MD-80 and Model MD-90-30 airplanes. AD 2008-
13-29, Amendment 39-15592 (73 FR 38883, July 8, 2008), addresses
cracked overwing frames on Model MD-80 airplanes. AD 2010-05-04,
Amendment 39-16213 (75 FR 8465, February 25, 2010), addresses cracked
overwing frames on Model MD-90-30 airplanes.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-53A0034, dated
October 5, 2011. That service bulletin describes procedures for
repetitive general visual and high frequency eddy current inspections
to detect cracking of the overwing frames at stations 674, 696, and
715, left and right sides, and related investigative and corrective
actions if necessary.
Related investigative actions include measuring crack length.
Corrective actions include a blend-out repair, or replacing the cracked
overwing frame with a new frame, depending on the results of the
inspection.
For the repetitive inspections for cracking of the overwing frames,
the service information specifies an interval not to exceed 9,300
flight cycles; except after accomplishing a replacement, the next
inspection is within 20,000 flight cycles after the replacement.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type
designs.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 129 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspections....................... 46 work-hours x $85 per $0 $3,910 $504,390
hour = $3,910 per
inspection cycle.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements/
repairs that would be required based on the results of the proposed
inspections. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that
might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Blendout repair.................... 12 work-hours x $85 per $0.................... $1,020.
hour = $1,020.
Replacement of a frame station..... 130 work-hours x $85 per Up to $86,977......... Up to $98,027.
hour = $11,050.
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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.
[[Page 27144]]
We are 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
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-0425; Directorate Identifier
2011-NM-273-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by June 25, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 717-200 airplanes,
certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 53: Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by multiple reports of cracks of overwing
frames. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such cracking
that could sever a frame, which may increase the loading of adjacent
frames, and result in damage to the adjacent structure and
consequent loss of structural integrity of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Actions
Before the accumulation of 20,000 total flight cycles, or within
8,275 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later: Do a general visual and high frequency eddy current
inspection for cracking of the left and right side overwing frames
at stations 674, 696, and 715; and do all applicable related
investigative and corrective actions; in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-
53A0034, dated October 5, 2011. Do all applicable related
investigative and corrective actions before further flight. Repeat
the inspections thereafter at the applicable time specified in
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
717-53A0034, dated October 5, 2011.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 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
local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the
attention of the person identified in the Related Information
section of this AD.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by the
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization
(ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO to
make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair
must meet the certification basis of the airplane and 14 CFR 25.571,
Amendment 45, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact George Garrido,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,
CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5357; fax: 562-627-5210; email:
[email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-
0001; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; email
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 29, 2012.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-11022 Filed 5-8-12; 8:45 am]
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