AD 2019-19-02

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation that determined fatigue cracks could develop in the underwing longerons. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the underwing longerons and certain fuselage skins for any crack, and applicable on-condition actions. 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\n((Page 56680)) \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 (AD): \n\n2019-19-02 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-19738; Docket No. FAA- 2019-0524; Product Identifier 2019-NM-081-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective November 27, 2019. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2900 RB, dated April 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 an evaluation that determined fatigue cracks could develop in the underwing longerons. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracks in the underwing longerons, which could result in fuel leakage into the pressurized fuselage and increase the risk of a fire, and to address cracks in the adjacent fuselage skin, which could result in rapid decompression. Either condition 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 747-53A2900 RB, dated April 11, 2019, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2900 RB, dated April 11, 2019. \n\n\n\tNote 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2900, dated April 11, 2019, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2900 RB, dated April 11, 2019. \n\n(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications \n\n\n\t(1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this AD: Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2900 RB, dated April 11, 2019, uses the phrase ''the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2900 RB,'' this AD requires using ''the effective date of this AD.'' \n\t(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2900 RB, dated April 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 (i) of this AD. \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 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 (j) 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, therepair 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\tFor 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\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 747-53A2900 RB, dated April 11, 2019. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & DataServices (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, Transport Standards 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: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Discussion \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 certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 12, 2019 (84 FR 33189). The NPRM was prompted by an evaluation that determined fatigue cracks could develop in the underwing longerons. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections of the underwing longerons and certain fuselage skins for any crack, and applicable on-condition actions. \n\tThe FAA is issuing this AD to address cracks in the underwing longerons, which could result in fuel leakage into the pressurized fuselage and increase the risk of a fire, and to address cracks in the adjacent fuselage skin, which could result in rapid decompression. Either condition could 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 final rule. The FAA has considered the comments received. Boeing and United Airlines indicated concurrence with the NPRM. \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 final rule 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 Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2900 RB, dated April 11, 2019. This service information describes procedures for repetitive detailed inspections and ultrasonic inspections of the underwing longerons and the adjacent fuselage skin, and ultrasonic and surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC)inspections of certain fuselage skins, on the left and right sides of the airplane, for any crack, and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions include repair. \n\tThis 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 20 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\n\n\tEstimated Costs for Required Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost on U.S. \n\tAction Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Detailed inspections of the 2 work-hours x $85 $0 $170 per inspection $3,400 per \n\tunderwing longerons. per hour = $170 cycle. inspection cycle. \n\tper inspection \n\tcycle. Ultrasonic and HFEC inspections 9 work-hours x $85 0 $765 per inspection $15,300 per \n\tof the adjacent fuselage skin. per hour = $765 cycle. inspection cycle. \n\tper inspection \n\tcycle. Ultrasonic inspections of the 2 work-hours x $85 0 $170 per inspection $3,400 per \n\tunderwing longerons. per hour = $170 cycle. inspection cycle. \n\tper inspection \n\tcycle. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\n\n\tThe FAA has received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 49 of the United States Code specifies theFAA'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\tThis AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is normally afunction of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes and associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division. \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.