[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 113 (Monday, June 13, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38113-38115]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13734]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 113 / Monday, June 13, 2016 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 38113]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2016-6898; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-010-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 MD-90-30 airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by reports of stick shaker activation at airspeeds that were
above the stall protection system's stick shaker schedule. This
proposed AD would require installing angle-of-attack (AOA) sensor
external case heaters and AOA sensors, changing wires, and doing a
functional test and applicable corrective actions. We are proposing
this AD to correct water intrusion and subsequent ice formation between
the AOA sensor vane and face plate, which could cause the vane to
become immobilized. If the vane becomes immobilized, the stall
protection system could become unreliable or non-functional, which
could result in loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 28, 2016.
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 NPRM, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 3855
Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, CA 90846-0001; telephone
206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; 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 by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-6898.
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-2016-
6898; 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: Eric Igama, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA
90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5388; 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-2016-6898;
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-010-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 reports of stick shaker activation at airspeeds that
were above the stall protection system's stick shaker schedule. Stall
protection system anomalies have been reported on Model 717-200
airplanes related to the AOA sensor becoming immobilized and reporting
incorrect AOA alpha values. Boeing investigated and found potential
water intrusion and subsequent ice formation between the AOA sensor
vane and face plate could cause the vane to become immobilized until
the airplane is operated at temperatures above freezing. Model MD-90
airplanes use the same AOA sensors as the Model 717 airplanes and the
same potential for AOA vane immobilization exists. This condition, if
not corrected, could cause the vane to become immobilized. If the vane
becomes immobilized, the stall protection system could become
unreliable or non-functional, which could result in loss of control of
the airplane.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD90-30A029, dated
November 25, 2015. The service information describes procedures for
installing AOA sensor external case heaters and AOA sensors, changing
wires, and doing a functional test and applicable corrective actions.
This service information 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.
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.
[[Page 38114]]
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously. For information on the
procedures, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-6898.
The phrase ``corrective actions'' is 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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 95 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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Installation of AOA sensor Up to 44 work- Up to $1,220 Up to $4,960 Up to $471,200
external case heaters and AOA hours (depending (depending on the (depending on the (depending on the
sensors, changing wires, and on the group group number). group number). group number).
doing a functional test. number) x $85 per
hour = $3,740.
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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.
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-2016-6898; Directorate Identifier
2016-NM-010-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by July 28, 2016.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model MD-90-30
airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 34, Navigation.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of stick shaker activation at
airspeeds that were above the stall protection system's stick shaker
schedule. We are issuing this AD to correct water intrusion and
subsequent ice formation between the angle-of-attack (AOA) sensor
vane and face plate, which could cause the vane to become
immobilized. If the vane becomes immobilized, the stall protection
system could become unreliable or non-functional, which could result
in loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Installation of AOA Sensor External Case Heater
Within 6 years after the effective date of this AD, install AOA
sensor external case heaters and AOA sensors, change wires, and do a
functional test and applicable corrective actions, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin MD90-30A029, dated November 25, 2015. All applicable
corrective actions must be done before further flight.
(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 paragraph (i)(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, 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 the approval
must specifically refer to this AD.
(4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of
[[Page 38115]]
paragraphs (h)(4)(i) and (h)(4)(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. 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
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Eric Igama,
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los
Angeles ACO, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137;
phone: 562-627-5388; 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, CA 90846-0001;
telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; 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 June 3, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-13734 Filed 6-10-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P