AD 2020-15-14

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-13- 06, which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747- 400F series airplanes. AD 2015-13-06 required repetitive inspections of the longeron extension fittings for cracking; \n\n((Page 45763)) \n\nrepetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of any modified, repaired, or replaced longeron extension fitting for cracking; and applicable on-condition actions. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2015-13-06. This AD also requires, for certain additional airplanes, repetitive inspections of the longeron extension fittings for cracking and repair if necessary. This AD was prompted by the FAA's determination that additional airplanes are affected by the identified unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

Adoption of 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-13-06, Amendment 39-18193 (80 FR 44835, July 28, 2015), and adding the following new AD: \n\n2020-15-14 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-21177; Docket No. FAA- 2020-0208; Product Identifier 2019-NM-209-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective September 3, 2020. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tThis AD replaces AD 2015-13-06, Amendment 39-18193 (80 FR 44835, July 28, 2015) (''AD 2015-13-06''). \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747- 400D, 747-400F,747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, Revision 3, dated November 11, 2019. \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 cracking in the outboard flange of the longeron extension fittings and the FAA's determination that additional airplanes are affected by the identified unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracks in the longeron extension fittings, which can become large and 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 paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, Revision 3, dated November 11, 2019, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, Revision 3, dated November 11, 2019. \n\n(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications \n\n\n\t(1) Where Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, Revision 3, dated November 11, 2019, uses the phrase ''the Revision 3 date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires using ''the effective date of this AD.'' \n\t(2) Where Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, Revision 3, dated November 11, 2019, specifies contacting Boeing for repair instructions: This AD requires doing the repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD. \n\n(i) Credit for Previous Actions \n\n\n\t(1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 53A2860, Revision 1, \n\n((Page 45765)) \n\ndated March 18, 2014, which was incorporated by reference in AD 2015-13-06; or Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, Revision 2, dated July 12, 2016, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD. \n\t(2) This paragraph provides credit for the repetitive inspections, and inspection of temporary repair and corrective actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before September 1, 2015 (the effective date of AD 2015- 13-06) using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, dated December 4, 2012, which was incorporated by reference in AD 2013-14- 05, Amendment 39-17510 (78 FR 43763, July 22, 2013). \n\n(j) 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 local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. 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 local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 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\t(4) AMOCs approved previously for the actions specified in paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (j) of AD 2015-13-06 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, Revision 3, dated November 11, 2019, that are required by paragraph (g) of this AD. \n\n(k) Related Information \n\n\n\t(1) For more information about this AD, contact Eric Lin, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3523; email: eric.lin@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 (l)(3) and (4) of this AD. \n\n(l) 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 Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, Revision 3, dated November 11, 2019. \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; phone: 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, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on July 16, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-16483 Filed 7-29-20; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Discussion \n\n\n\tThe FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2015-13-06, Amendment 39-18193 (80 FR 44835, July 28, 2015) (''AD 2015-13-06''). AD 2015-13-06 applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 30, 2020 (85 FR 17510). The NPRM was prompted by a report that an operator found a cracked longeron extension fitting on an airplane not included in the applicability of AD 2015-13-06. The NPRM proposed to continue to require repetitive inspections of the longeron extension fittings for cracking; repetitive HFEC inspections of any modified, repaired, or replaced longeron extension fitting for cracking; and applicable on- condition actions. The NPRM also proposed to add Model 747-100, 747- 100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400D, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes to the applicability, and forthose additional airplanes, repetitive inspections of the longeron extension fittings for cracking and repair if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracks in the longeron extension fittings, which can become large and adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane. \n\nComments \n\n\n\tThe FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment. \n\nSupport for the NPRM \n\n\n\tBoeing stated that it had no comment regarding the NPRM and Hasan Ashour expressed support for the NPRM. \n\nRequest To Expand the Applicability of the NPRM \n\n\n\tAddison Hull requested that the FAA expand the applicability of the NPRM to include all airplanes. The commenter expressed concern that the NPRM only identified 67 affected airplanes. The commenter also pointed out their belief that all airplanes should have the same minimum requirements, and that this method would be more efficient compared with publishing specific rules to mandate the inspection and maintenance of other types of airplanes that are not affected by the NPRM. \n\tThe FAA disagrees with the request. The FAA issues ADs to address potential unsafe conditions in airplanes with similar designs. The FAA has worked closely with the design approval holder (DAH) to determine the group of affected airplanes that may develop this particular unsafe condition. The group of affected airplanes for this particular unsafe condition is an expansion to the group of airplanes addressed by AD 2015-13-06. Therefore, the FAA believes that the entire number of affected airplanes have been captured by this AD. This AD has not been changed in this regard. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes: \n\tAre consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and \n\tDo not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM. \n\nRelated Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2860, Revision 3, dated November 11, 2019. This service information describes procedures for repetitive inspections of the longeron extension fittings for cracking; repetitive HFEC inspections of any modified, repaired, or replaced longeron extension fitting for cracking; and applicable on- condition actions. On-condition actions include replacement, repair, and modification. 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. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD affects 67 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\n((Page 45764)) \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\tEstimated Costs for Required Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost on U.S. \n\tAction Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HFEC inspection (retained 32 work-hours x $85 per $0 $2,720 per $111,520 per \n\tactions from AD 2015-13-06) (41 hour = $2,720 per inspection cycle. inspection cycle. \n\tairplanes). inspection cycle. HFEC inspection (new action) (26 32 work-hours x $85 per 0 2,720 per 70,720 per \n\tairplanes). hour = $2,720 per inspection cycle. inspection cycle. \n\tinspection cycle. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on- condition actions that would be required. The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition actions: \n\n\n\n\n\tEstimated Costs of On-Condition Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tAction Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Replacement, repair, modification, Up to 908 work-hours x $85 Up to $99,950....... Up to $177,130. \n\tor preventative modification. per hour = Up to $77,180. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \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\tThe FAA has determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial directeffect 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.