[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 183 (Thursday, September 22, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57850-57852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-20442]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0876; Project Identifier AD-2021-00999-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 that during 
regular pre-flight checks multiple door assist handles failed by 
pulling loose from their lower attachment point in the doorway support 
bracket. This proposed AD would require, depending on airplane 
configuration, doing an inspection of the forward and aft door assist 
handles for correct installation, installing a new retainer above the 
lower keyway of the support bracket assembly at certain locations, 
installing a placard on certain support bracket assemblies, 
reidentifying the support bracket assembly, and replacing the upper 
spring clip. 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 November 7, 
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.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, 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, 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. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-
0876.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0876; 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: Brandon Lucero, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO 
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-
3569; 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-2022-0876; Project Identifier 
AD-2021-00999-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 
Brandon Lucero, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental 
Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3569; email: [email protected]. 
Any commentary that the FAA receives that is not specifically 
designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this 
rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA has received a report indicating that during regular pre-
flight checks multiple door assist handles failed by pulling loose from 
their lower attachment point in the doorway support bracket. Boeing 
determined that a lower maximum allowable door assist handle flex 
value, coupled with an out-of-tolerance door assist handle, contributed 
to this failure. Loose door assist handles create a safety issue during 
normal and emergency use of the door if the door assist handles detach 
from the door. This condition, if not addressed, could result in injury 
to passengers, crew, or maintenance personnel due to falling out of the 
airplane when opening the door, and could limit exit from the airplane 
during a time-limited emergency evacuation.

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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250253-
00 RB, Issue 001, dated June 18, 2021. This service information 
specifies procedures for, depending on airplane configuration, doing a 
detailed inspection of the forward and aft door assist handles for 
correct installation, installing a new retainer above the lower keyway 
of the support bracket assembly at the left- and right-side passenger 
entry doors 1, 2, 3, and 4 located at the forward and aft door assist 
handle, installing a placard on the forward and aft support bracket

[[Page 57851]]

assembly, and replacing the upper spring clip.
    The FAA reviewed Boeing Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250254-
00 RB, Issue 001, dated February 22, 2021. This service information 
specifies procedures for installing a new retainer above the lower 
keyway of the support bracket assembly at the left- and right-side 
passenger entry doors 1, 2, 3, and 4 located at the forward and aft 
door assist handle, and reidentifying the support bracket assembly with 
a new part number.
    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.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information already described and except for any 
differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this 
proposed AD. For information on the procedures and compliance times, 
see this service information at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0876.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 123 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection and installation (for    20 work-hours x $85              $160          $1,860  $212,040 (114
 Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes).   per hour = $1,700.                                     airplanes).
Installation and reidentification   28 work-hours x $85               160           2,540  $22,860 (9
 (for Model 787-10 airplanes).       per hour = $2,380.                                     airplanes).
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacement that would be required based on the results of the proposed 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need this replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement...................................  1 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $160            $245
                                                 $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this 
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost 
impact on affected operators.

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-2022-0876; Project Identifier AD-
2021-00999-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by November 7, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 
787-10 airplanes,

[[Page 57852]]

certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Requirements 
Bulletin B787-81205-SB250253-00 RB, Issue 001, dated June 18, 2021; 
and Boeing Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250254-00 RB, Issue 
001, dated February 22, 2021; as applicable.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that during regular pre-flight 
checks multiple door assist handles failed by pulling loose from 
their lower attachment point in the doorway support bracket. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address loose or detached door assist handles, 
which could result in injury to passengers, crew, or maintenance 
personnel due to falling out of the airplane when opening the door, 
and could limit exit from the airplane during a time-limited 
emergency evacuation.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250253-00 RB, Issue 001, dated 
June 18, 2021; or Boeing Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250254-
00 RB, Issue 001, dated February 22, 2021; as applicable; do all 
applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB250253-00 RB, Issue 001, dated June 18, 2021; or Boeing 
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250254-00 RB, Issue 001, dated 
February 22, 2021; as applicable.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g):  Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Service Bulletin B787-
81205-SB250253-00, Issue 001, dated June 18, 2021, which is referred 
to in Boeing Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250253-00 RB, Issue 
001, dated June 18, 2021.


    Note 2 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Service Bulletin B787-
81205-SB250254-00, Issue 001, dated February 22, 2021, which is 
referred to in Boeing Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250254-00 
RB, Issue 001, dated February 22, 2021.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB250253-00 RB, Issue 001, dated June 18, 2021, use the phrase ``the 
Issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250253-00 RB,'' 
this AD requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
    (2) Where the Compliance Time column of the table in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB250254-00 RB, Issue 001, dated February 22, 2021, use the phrase 
``the Issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250254-00 
RB,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
    (3) Where the tables in the ``Accomplishment Instructions'' of 
Boeing Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB250253-00 RB, Issue 001, 
dated June 18, 2021, specify a certain Safran service bulletin (SB), 
replace the text ``SAFRAN SB C355101-25-02,'' with ``SAFRAN Service 
Bulletin C355101-25-02, Revision 2, dated February 24, 2021.''

(i) 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 (j)(1) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Brandon Lucero, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, 
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
phone: 206-231-3569; email: [email protected].
    (2) 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. You may view this referenced 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.

    Issued on July 8, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-20442 Filed 9-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


