[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 72 (Thursday, April 14, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22158-22161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07903]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0290; Project Identifier AD-2021-01266-T]
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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report from Boeing that 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) discovered a design issue in 
the engine fuel feed system, which could result in fuel flow 
restrictions to both engines when ice that has accumulated in the 
airplane fuel feed system suddenly releases into the engines. This 
proposed AD would require revising the existing airplane flight manual 
(AFM) to update the limitations on minimum fuel temperatures. The FAA 
is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 31, 
2022.

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 https://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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No.

[[Page 22159]]

FAA-2022-0290; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tak Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3553; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0290; Project Identifier 
AD-2021-01266-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Takahisa Kobayashi, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, 
Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone 
and fax: 206-231-3553; email: [email protected]. Any 
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated 
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA has received a report from Boeing that affects certain 
Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes, with RRD Model Trent 1000 
engines installed. RRD discovered and reported to Boeing that a design 
issue in the engine fuel feed system could result in fuel flow 
restrictions to both engines when ice that has accumulated in the 
airplane fuel feed system suddenly releases into the engines. The 
sudden release of accumulated ice into the engine fuel feed system, in 
combination with low fuel temperatures, could cause freezing 
temperatures at the inlet of certain engine fuel feed system 
components. This condition, if not addressed, could result in fuel flow 
restrictions to both engines, causing a potential loss of dual engine 
thrust control and reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Applicability

    The applicability of this proposed AD includes additional 
designations for RRD Model Trent 1000 engines not explicitly identified 
on the model list of the FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) Number 
E00076EN, but are identified on the EASA TCDS EASA.E.036. The 
parenthetical text included in paragraph (c) of this proposed AD is an 
additional identifier for RRD Model Trent 1000 engines that specifies 
certain build standards have been incorporated on the engine. The 
designation of ``/01'' identifies RRD Model Trent 1000 engines on which 
Service Bulletin 72-G319 has been incorporated, and ``/01A'' identifies 
RRD Model Trent 1000 engines on which Service Bulletin 72-G893 has been 
incorporated.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require revising the existing AFM to update 
the limitations on minimum fuel temperatures.

Compliance With AFM Revisions

    Section 91.9 prohibits any person from operating a civil aircraft 
without complying with the operating limitations specified in the AFM. 
FAA regulations also require operators to furnish pilots with any 
changes to the AFM (14 CFR 121.137) and pilots in command to be 
familiar with the AFM (14 CFR 91.505).

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this proposed AD interim action. Boeing is 
currently working with RRD to develop updated electronic engine control 
(EEC) software, which will change the engine oil temperature amber line 
indicated in the engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS). 
This change will ensure that, before takeoff, the engine oil 
temperature would be warm enough to operate the engine with cold fuel. 
The updated EEC software combined with the action required by this 
proposed AD will address the unsafe condition identified in this AD. 
Once this software is developed, approved, and available, the FAA might 
consider additional rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 14 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revising the existing AFM..........  1 work-hour x $85 per hour               $0             $85          $1,190
                                      = $85.
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[[Page 22160]]

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.
    The 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.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2022-0290; Project Identifier AD-
2021-01266-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by May 31, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 
787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category, with Rolls-Royce 
Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model Trent 1000-A (including -A/01 and -A/
01A), Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE (including -AE/01A), Trent 1000-
AE2, Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-C (including -C/01 and -C/01A), 
Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE (including -CE/01A), Trent 1000-CE2, 
Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D (including -D/01 and -D/01A), Trent 
1000-D2, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-E (including -E/01 and -E/01A), 
Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G (including -G/01 and -G/01A), Trent 
1000-G2, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-H (including -H/01 and -H/01A), 
Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 
1000-K2, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L2, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, 
Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3, or Trent 1000-R3 
engines installed.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report from Boeing that Rolls-Royce 
Deutschland Ltd & Co KG discovered a design issue in the engine fuel 
feed system, which could result in fuel flow restrictions to both 
engines when ice that has accumulated in the airplane fuel feed 
system suddenly releases into the engines. The sudden release of 
accumulated ice into the engine fuel feed system, in combination 
with low fuel temperatures, could cause freezing temperatures at the 
inlet of certain engine fuel feed system components. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address possible fuel flow restrictions to both 
engines, which could result in loss of dual engine thrust control 
and reduced controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
existing AFM to incorporate the information specified in figure 1 to 
paragraph (g) of this AD into the ``Certificate Limitations'' 
chapter of the applicable Engine Appendix of the existing AFM.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP14AP22.044


[[Page 22161]]



(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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 paragraph (i) 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 responsible Flight Standards 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 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.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Tak Kobayashi, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-
3553; email: [email protected].

    Issued on March 17, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-07903 Filed 4-13-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


