
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 98 (Tuesday, May 23, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23509-23512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10257]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9394; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-162-AD; 
Amendment 39-18872; AD 2017-09-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The 
Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by a report of a crack in the left wing front spar web, 
found following a fuel leak. This AD requires repetitive inspections 
for cracking of the front spar web, and repairs if necessary. We are 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 27, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 27, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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. 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-2016-
9394.

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-
9394; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket

[[Page 23510]]

Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6432; fax: 425-917-6590; email: bill.ashforth@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We 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 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F airplanes. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on December 2, 2016 (81 FR 86977) (``the NPRM''). 
The NPRM was prompted by a report indicating that a fuel leak in one 
airplane led to the discovery of a 13.4-inch crack in the left wing 
front spar web inboard of pylon number 2 between front spar station 
inboard (FSSI) 655.75 and FSSI 660. The NPRM proposed to require 
repetitive detailed, ultrasonic, and high frequency eddy current 
inspections for cracking of the front spar web between FSSI 628 and 
FSSI 713, and repairs if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect 
and correct cracking in the front spar web, which could lead to fuel 
leaks and a consequent fire.

Comments

    We 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.

Support for the NPRM

    Boeing and commenter Melanie Smith stated that they support the 
NPRM.

Request To Update the Labor Costs

    British Airways (BA), Cargolux Airlines (CLX), and KLM Royal Dutch 
Airlines (KLM) all stated that the actual work-hours required to do the 
mandated inspections are higher than the estimate listed in the NPRM. 
They estimated the inspections actually take between 137 and 159 work-
hours, not the 55 work-hours stated in the NPRM.
    We agree that the estimated work-hours should be increased. When 
issuing a service bulletin, Boeing estimates work-hours under expected 
conditions. As operators implement the service bulletin, they may find 
the actual work-hours are higher or lower than estimated. We have 
updated the Costs of Compliance section of this AD to reflect a 
conservative estimate of 159 work-hours per inspection cycle.

Request To Change the Initial and Repetitive Compliance Times

    BA, CLX, and KLM all requested that we change the initial and/or 
repetitive compliance times to align with scheduled maintenance checks. 
BA proposed to do time-limited alternative inspections in the most 
critical web locations and to defer the majority of the web inspections 
to coincide with longer planned maintenance checks. CLX requested that 
we change the initial compliance time from 6 months to 24 months, and 
that we change the repetitive inspection interval from 1,200 flight 
cycles to 2,000 flight cycles. KLM requested that we extend the 
repetitive inspection intervals for Model 747 freighters from 1,200 
flight cycles to 1,800 flight cycles. Each of the commenters noted that 
the actual work-hours are higher than estimated in the NPRM, and the 
inspections would require additional downtime and costs if not done at 
the same time as regularly scheduled maintenance. None of the 
commenters provided engineering analyses to support their proposed 
extended compliance times.
    We disagree with the requests. In developing an appropriate 
compliance time for this action, we considered the urgency associated 
with the subject unsafe condition and the practical aspect of 
accomplishing the required modification within a period of time that 
corresponds to the normal scheduled maintenance for most affected 
operators. Boeing is aware of the discrepancy in work-hours and is 
developing a request for a global alternative method of compliance 
(AMOC) to provide operators an alternative for both the areas of 
inspection and the compliance times. In addition, operators have the 
option of proposing an adjustment to the compliance times, supported by 
appropriate engineering analyses, in accordance with the provisions of 
paragraph (j) of this AD. We have not changed this final rule regarding 
this issue.

Conclusion

    We 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. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-57A2357, dated 
September 12, 2016. The service information describes procedures for 
repetitive detailed, ultrasonic, and high frequency eddy current 
inspections, and repairs of cracking of the front spar web between FSSI 
628 and FSSI 713. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 137 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections......................  159 work-hours x                 $0  $13,515 per          $1,851,555 per
                                    $85 per hour =                       inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
                                    $13,515 per
                                    inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.

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.

[[Page 23511]]

    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

    This 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2017-09-10 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18872; Docket No. FAA-
2016-9394; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-162-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective June 27, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-
400D, and 747-400F airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a 13.4-inch crack in the 
left wing front spar web inboard of pylon number 2 between front 
spar station inboard (FSSI) 655.75 and FSSI 660, found following a 
fuel leak. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in 
the front spar web, which could lead to fuel leaks and a consequent 
fire.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Repetitive Detailed, Ultrasonic, and High Frequency Eddy Current 
Inspections

    At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-57A2357, dated 
September 12, 2016, except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD, 
do detailed, ultrasonic, and high frequency eddy current inspections 
for any cracking in the front spar web, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
57A2357, dated September 12, 2016. Repeat the inspections thereafter 
at the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-57A2357, dated September 12, 
2016.

(h) Repair of Any Cracking

    If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, repair using a 
method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in 
paragraph (j) of this AD. Thereafter, repeat the inspections 
specified in paragraph (g) of this AD at all unrepaired areas.

(i) Service Information Exceptions

    Where paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-57A2357, dated September 12, 2016, specifies a 
compliance time ``after the original date of this service 
bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance within the specified 
compliance time after the effective date of this AD.

(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) of this AD. 
Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
    (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, modification, or alteration 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. 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.
    (4) Except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD: For service 
information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for 
Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (j)(4)(i) and 
(j)(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. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the 
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. 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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Bill Ashforth, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6432; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
bill.ashforth@faa.gov.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (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.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-57A2357, dated September 
12, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (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.
    (4) You may view this 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.

[[Page 23512]]

    (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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 27, 2017.
Paul Bernado,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-10257 Filed 5-22-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


