[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19248-19251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08072]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2015-0683; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-196-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by a finding that certain barrel nuts
installed at the vertical fin may be subject to stress corrosion and
cracking. This proposed AD would require either repetitive inspections
of vertical fin barrel nuts for corrosion or a magnetic check to
identify certain barrel nuts, and corrective actions if necessary. We
are proposing this AD to detect and correct corroded and loose barrel
nuts that attach the vertical fin to body section 48, which could
result in reduced structural integrity of the vertical fin attachment
joint, loss of the vertical fin, and consequent loss of controllability
of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 26, 2015.
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.
[[Page 19249]]
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 view this referenced service information
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA 2015-
0683.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0683; 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
(ACO), 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-2015-0683;
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-196-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
On May 16, 2003, we issued AD 2003-10-11, Amendment 39-13156 (68 FR
28703, May 27, 2003), to require replacement of H-11 steel barrel nuts
with new Inconel barrel nuts, because of possible corrosion and
cracking. AD 2003-10-11 applied to Model 767-200 and -300 airplanes,
line numbers 1 through 574 inclusive.
We have received a report of H-11 steel barrel nuts installed on an
airplane not included in the applicability of AD 2003-10-11, Amendment
39-13156 (68 FR 28703, May 27, 2003). Further investigation has
revealed that airplanes with line numbers 575 through 681 had either H-
11 steel or Inconel barrel nuts installed at the 16 vertical fin
attachment points. Galvanic corrosion can occur on H-11 steel barrel
nuts if moisture is present. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in failure of the H-11 steel barrel nuts that attach the
vertical fin to body section 48, which could result in reduced
structural integrity of the vertical fin attachment joint, loss of the
vertical fin, and consequent loss of controllability of the airplane.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-53A0261, dated August
12, 2014. The service information describes procedures for repetitive
inspections of vertical fin barrel nuts for corrosion or a magnetic
check to identify certain barrel nuts, and corrective actions if
necessary. Refer to this service information for information on the
procedures and compliance times. This service information is reasonably
available; see ADDRESSES for ways to access this service information.
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 identified previously.
Explanation of ``RC (Required for Compliance)'' Steps in Service
Information
The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the
Airworthiness Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee
(AD ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement was a new process
for annotating which steps in the service information are required for
compliance with an AD. Differentiating these steps from other tasks in
the service information is expected to improve an owner's/operator's
understanding of crucial AD requirements and help provide consistent
judgment in AD compliance. The actions specified in the service
information identified previously include steps that are identified as
RC because these steps have a direct effect on detecting, preventing,
resolving, or eliminating an identified unsafe condition.
Steps that are identified as RC in any service information must be
done to comply with the proposed AD. However, steps that are not
identified as RC are recommended. Those steps that are not identified
as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with
the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining
approval of an alternative method of compliance (AMOC), provided the
steps identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in
a serviceable condition. Any substitutions or changes to steps
identified as RC will require approval of an AMOC.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 38 airplanes of U.S.
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option 1: Detailed inspections and 4 work-hours x $85 per hour \1\ Up to $482,661 per inspection Up to $18,341,118.
torque check. = $340 per inspection cycle. cycle.
[[Page 19250]]
Option 2: Magnetic check............ 4 work-hours x $85 per hour $0 $340............................. Up to $12,920.
= $340.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For the torque check, operators may choose to rent a special tool, with rental costs up to $482,321.
We estimate that replacing any barrel nut would take 1 work-hour,
at an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour. We have received no
definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the
cost of replacement parts. We have no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these replacements.
According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
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-2015-0683; Directorate Identifier
2014-NM-196-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by May 26, 2015.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300,
and -300F series airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a finding that certain barrel nuts
installed at the vertical fin may be subject to stress corrosion and
cracking. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracked,
corroded, or broken barrel nuts that attach the vertical fin to body
section 48, which could result in reduced structural integrity of
the vertical fin attachment joint, loss of the vertical fin, and
consequent loss of controllability of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection
For airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
53A0261, dated August 12, 2014: Do the actions specified in
paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-
53A0261, dated August 12, 2014. Signs of corrosion include, but are
not limited to, sealant cracks, sealant bulging, powder residue, and
cracked barrel nuts.
(1) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-53A0261, dated
August 12, 2014, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD: Do
internal and external detailed inspections of the barrel nuts and
sealant for signs of corrosion, and do a torque check of the
vertical stabilizer attachment bolts for loose barrel nuts.
(i) If corrosion or any loose barrel nut is found at any
attachment point location, before further flight, replace the barrel
nut with a new Inconel barrel nut.
(ii) If no corrosion or loose barrel nut is found at any
attachment point location, do the actions specified in paragraphs
(g)(1)(ii)(A) and (g)(1)(ii)(B) of this AD.
(A) Repeat the inspections and torque check thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 18 months until the replacement specified in
paragraph (g)(1)(ii)(B) of this AD is done at that attachment point
location.
(B) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace all barrel nuts with new Inconel barrel nuts.
(2) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-53A0261, dated
August 12, 2014, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD: Do
a magnetic check to identify H-11 steel barrel nuts.
(i) If any H-11 steel barrel nut is found at any attachment
point location, before further flight, do an internal and external
detailed inspection of the barrel nut holes and sealant for signs of
corrosion, and do a torque check of the vertical stabilizer
attachment bolts for loose barrel nuts.
(A) If corrosion or any loose barrel nut is found, before
further flight, replace the barrel nut with a new Inconel barrel
nut.
(B) If no corrosion or loose barrel nut is found, do the actions
specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i)(B)(1) and (g)(2)(i)(B)(2) of this
AD.
(1) Repeat the inspections and torque check thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 18 months until the replacement specified in
paragraph (g)(2)(i)(B)(2) of this AD is done at that attachment
point location.
[[Page 19251]]
(2) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace all H-11 steel barrel nuts with new Inconel barrel nuts.
(ii) If no H-11 steel barrel nut is found at all attachment
point locations, no further work is required by this paragraph.
(h) Exception to Service Information Specifications
Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-53A0261, dated August
12, 2014, specifies a compliance time ``after the Original Issue
date of this Service Bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance within
the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
(i) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an H-
11 steel barrel nut on the vertical stabilizer of any airplane.
(j) 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 paragraph (k)(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 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.
(4) If any service information contains steps that are
identified as RC, those steps must be done to comply with this AD;
any steps that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those steps
that are not identified 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 steps
identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in a
serviceable condition. Any substitutions or changes to steps
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Berhane Alazar,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 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 view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 24, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-08072 Filed 4-9-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P