AD 2021-17-06

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, - 200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F, 747SR, and 747SP airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks found in the front spar shear tie and at the intercostal lug fitting at certain locations. This AD requires repetitive detailed and surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the front spar shear tie and intercostal lug fitting at certain locations for any cracking, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

The Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: \n\n2021-17-06 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-21689; Docket No. FAA- 2021-0376; Project Identifier AD-2021-00062-T. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 5, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F, 747SR, and 747SP airplanes, certificated in any category. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tAir Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. \n\n(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the station (STA) 1000 front spar shear tie at the left and right side buttock line (BL) 11.33, BL 33.99, BL 57.50, and BL 75.92, and in the intercostal lug fitting at the left and right side BL 11.33. The FAA is issuing this AD to address any cracking in these areas that could result in the loss of limit load capability in a principal structural element, the potential inability to restrain the cargo for certain cargo configurations, and the potential for a center fuel tank rupture for certain cargo configurations under limit load conditions, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Required Actions \n\n\n\tExcept as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in the ''Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB, dated December 16, 2020, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB, dated December 16, 2020. \n\tNote 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2904, dated December 16, 2020, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB, dated December 16, 2020. \n\n(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications \n\n\n\t(1) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB, dated December 16, 2020, uses the phrase ''the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB,'' this AD requires using ''the effective date of this AD.'' \n\t(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB, dated December 16, 2020, specifies contacting Boeing for repair instructions: This AD requires doing the repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.((Page 48485)) \n\n(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO 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 Related Information. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. \n\t(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. \n\t(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, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, 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. \n\n(j) Related Information \n\n\n\t(1) For more information about this AD, contact Stefanie Roesli, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3964; email: Stefanie.N.Roesli@faa.gov. \n\t(2) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (k)(3) and (4) of this AD. \n\n(k) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB, dated December 16, 2020. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For service information 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; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. \n\t(4) You may view this service information 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. \n\t(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on August 7, 2021. GaetanoA. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-18705 Filed 8-30-21; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Background \n\n\n\tThe FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, - 400D, -400F, 747SR, and 747SP airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 7, 2021 (86 FR 30216). The NPRM was prompted by reports of cracks found in the front spar shear tie and at the intercostal lug fitting at certain locations. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitive detailed and surface HFEC inspections of the front spar shear tie and intercostal lug fitting at certain locations for any cracking, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address any cracking in these areas that could result in the loss of limit load capability in a principal structural element, the potential inability to restrain the cargo for certain cargo configurations, and the potential for a center fuel tank rupture for certain cargo configurations under limit load conditions, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane. \n\nDiscussion of Final Airworthiness Directive \n\nComments \n\n\n\tThe FAA received a comment from Boeing who supported the NPRM without change. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator. \n\nRelated Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2904 RB, dated December 16, 2020. This service information specifies procedures for repetitive detailed and surface HFEC inspections of the station 1000 front spar shear tie at the left and right side buttock line (BL) 11.33, BL 33.99, BL 57.50, and BL 75.92, and of the intercostal lug fitting at the left and right side BL 11.33, for any cracking, and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions include repair, installing a new front spar shear tie, and installing a new intercostal lug fitting. 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 ADDRESSES. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD will affect 117 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\n((Page 48484)) \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\tEstimated Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost on U.S. \n\tAction Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inspections................ Up to314 work-hours $0 Up to $26,690........ Up to $3,122,730. \n\tx $85 per hour = Up \n\tto $26,690. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary installations and repairs that would be required based on the results of the inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these installations and repairs: \n\n\n\tOn-Condition Costs ------------------------------------------------------------------------ \n\tCost per \n\tAction Labor cost Parts cost product ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Installations........ Up to 368 work- Up to $38,446 Up to $69,726. \n\thour x $85 per (for shear \n\thour = Up to ties and \n\t$31,280. intercostal \n\tlug fittings). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ \n\n\n\tThe FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the repairs specified in this AD. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 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. \n\tThe 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. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tThis 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. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\t(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, \n\t(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and \n\t(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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.