[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 12, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15658-15660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05598]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0206; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-068-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 727 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted
by reports of spanwise cracks and corrosion in the wing center box
upper skin and rear spar upper chord between left buttock line (LBL)
70.50 and right buttock line (RBL) 70.50 at body station (STA) 870.
This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the wing
center box for cracking around certain fastener rows on the rear spar
upper chord horizontal flange; for certain airplanes, repetitive
inspections for cracking of the rear spar upper chord radius; for
certain other airplanes, repetitive inspections for damage, cracking,
and corrosion of the pressure seal; and repair if necessary. We are
proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking and corrosion of the
upper skin and rear spar upper chord of the wing center box, which
could result in loss of the airplane wing and consequent loss of
control of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 26, 2013.
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, P.
O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-5000,
extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Ave SW., Renton, WA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-
227-1221.
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: Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6577;
fax: (425) 917-6590; 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-2013-0206;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-068-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 have received reports of spanwise cracks and corrosion in the
wing center box upper skin and rear spar upper chord between LBL 70.50
and RBL 70.50 at STA 870. The crack sizes ranged from 0.125 inches to
12 inches. The airplanes had accumulated between 31,679 and 61,359
total flight hours and between 17,754 and 58,796 total flight
[[Page 15659]]
cycles. Analysis has shown that the cracks are a result of stress
corrosion. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result
in loss of the airplane wing and consequent loss of control of the
airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-57-0187,
dated March 8, 2012. For information on the procedures and compliance
times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for Docket No. FAA-2013-0206.
Related Rulemaking
AD 2005-05-19, Amendment 39-14008 (70 FR 12120, March 11, 2005;
corrected March 17, 2005 (70 FR 13074)), requires repetitive detailed
inspections to detect cracking, corrosion, minor surface defects, and
existing stop-drilled repairs of cracks in the upper and lower chords
of the front and rear spars of the wing; and repair if necessary. Those
required actions are for locations between buttock line 70.5 and the
wing tip (i.e., left and right wings). This proposed AD would require
actions between the LBL 70.5 and RBL 70.5 of the rear spar upper chord
and upper skin at STA 870 (i.e., center wing).
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 the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously, except as discussed
under ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service
Information.''
The phrase ``related investigative actions'' might be used in this
proposed AD. ``Related investigative actions'' are follow-on actions
that: (1) Are related to the primary actions, and (2) are actions that
further investigate the nature of any condition found. Related
investigative actions in an AD could include, for example, inspections.
In addition, the phrase ``corrective actions'' might be used in
this proposed AD. ``Corrective actions'' are actions that correct or
address any condition found. Corrective actions in an AD could include,
for example, repairs.
Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-57-0187, dated March
8, 2012, specifies to contact the manufacturer for instructions on how
to repair certain conditions, but this proposed AD would require
repairing those conditions in one of the following ways:
In accordance with a method that we approve; or
Using data that meet the certification basis of the
airplane, and that have been approved by the Boeing Commercial
Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) whom we have
authorized to make those findings.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 98 airplanes of U.S.
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Inspection....................... 67 work-hours x $85 $0 $5,695 per $558,110 per
per hour = $5,695 inspection cycle. inspection cycle
per inspection
cycle.
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We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed
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.
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
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 (AD):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2013-0206; Directorate Identifier
2012-NM-068-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by April 26, 2013.
[[Page 15660]]
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 727, 727C, 727-
100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated
in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of spanwise cracks and corrosion
in the wing center box upper skin and rear spar upper chord between
left buttock line (LBL) 70.50 and right buttock line (RBL) 70.50 at
body station (STA) 870. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
cracking and corrosion of the upper skin and rear spar upper chord
of the wing center box, which could result in loss of the airplane
wing and consequent loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Repetitive Inspections
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD, at the
applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-57-0187, dated March
8, 2012: Inspect the wing center box between LBL 70.50 and RBL
70.50, at STA 870, as specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2),
(g)(3), (g)(4), and (g)(5) of this AD, as applicable, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 727-57-0187, dated March 8, 2012. Repeat the
inspections thereafter at the applicable times specified in
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 727-57-0187, dated March 8, 2012. If any crack, corrosion,
or damage is found during any inspection required by this AD, before
further flight, repair using a method approved in accordance with
the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
(1) Do a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) or detailed
inspection for cracking around the forward fastener row in the rear
spar upper chord horizontal flange.
(2) Do a low frequency eddy current inspection for cracking
around the aft fastener row in the rear spar upper chord horizontal
flange.
(3) Do a detailed or HFEC inspection for cracking in the rear
spar upper chord radius.
(4) Do a detailed or HFEC inspection for cracking in the upper
skin around the forward fastener row common to the rear spar upper
chord horizontal flange.
(5) Do a detailed inspection for damage, cracking, and corrosion
in the pressure seal.
(h) Exception to the Service Information
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-57-0187, dated
March 8, 2012, specifies compliance times ``after the original issue
date of this service bulletin.'' However, this AD requires
compliance within the specified compliance times ``after the
effective date of this AD.''
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle 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. 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 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, Seattle ACO, to make
those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair 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 Berhane Alazar,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356;
phone: (425) 917-6577; fax: (425) 917-6590; email:
[email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P. O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the referenced
service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Ave SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 28, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-05598 Filed 3-11-13; 8:45 am]
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