[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 21, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57653-57655]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-20444]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0889; Project Identifier AD-2021-00614-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 all The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of ram air turbine (RAT) pump 
barrel assembly failures, which caused the RAT to fail to provide 
hydraulic power. The failures were determined to be caused by 
variations in the bronze metal used during manufacturing, which can 
result in varying fatigue properties. This proposed AD would require an 
inspection or records review to determine the part number of the RAT 
pump and control module (PCM) and of the RAT assembly, and replacement 
of any RAT PCM or any RAT assembly having certain part numbers. This 
proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts. 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-
0889.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0889; 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: Douglas Tsuji, Senior Aerospace 
Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3548; 
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-2022-0889; Project Identifier 
AD-2021-00614-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 
Douglas Tsuji, Senior Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment 
Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3548; 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 indicating that RAT pump barrel 
assembly failures during production flights have caused the RAT to fail 
to provide hydraulic power. An investigation by the manufacturer 
determined that the failures are caused by variations in the bronze 
material used during the manufacturing process, which can result in 
varying fatigue properties. The varying fatigue properties of the RAT 
pump cylinder

[[Page 57654]]

block, along with fatigue cracks, can result in failure of the RAT 
pump, which is a component within the RAT PCM and the larger RAT 
assembly. This condition, if not addressed, could cause fatigue or 
cracking of the hydraulic pump bronze cylinder block and lead to 
failures of the RAT pump and subsequent loss of backup hydraulic power 
for the flight controls, which can result in loss of continued safe 
flight and landing.

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 Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB290039-00 RB, Issue 002, dated October 26, 2021. This service 
information specifies procedures for replacing any RAT PCM having part 
number (P/N) 7001267H06 with P/N 7001267H07, and replacing any RAT 
assembly having P/N 7000011H08 with P/N 7000011H09.
    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 an inspection or records review to 
determine the part number of each RAT PCM and RAT assembly. This 
proposed AD would also require accomplishing the actions specified in 
the service information already described, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. 
This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected 
parts. 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-2022-0889.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The effectivity of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB290039-00 RB, Issue 002, dated October 26, 2021, is limited to Model 
787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes, having certain line numbers between 
6 and 1048. However, the applicability of this proposed AD includes all 
Boeing Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. Because the affected 
RAT PCMs and RAT assemblies are rotable parts, the FAA has determined 
that these parts could later be installed on airplanes that were 
initially delivered with acceptable RAT PCMs and RAT assemblies, 
thereby subjecting those airplanes to the unsafe condition.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 148 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 or records review..........  1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85         $12,580
                                         hour = $85.
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                                      Estimated Costs for Optional Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                    Labor cost                Parts cost               Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace RAT PCM..................  5 work-hours x $85    Up to $95,210..............  Up to $95,635.
                                    per hour = $425.
Replace RAT assembly.............  5 work-hours x $85    Up to $680,912.............  Up to $681,337.
                                    per hour = $425.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

[[Page 57655]]

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-2022-0889; Project Identifier AD-
2021-00614-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 all The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, 
and 787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 29, Hydraulic 
power.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of ram air turbine (RAT) 
assembly failures, which caused the RAT to fail to provide hydraulic 
power. The failures were determined to be caused by variations in 
the bronze metal used during manufacturing, which can result in 
varying fatigue properties. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
fatigue or cracking of the RAT hydraulic pump bronze cylinder block. 
This condition, if not addressed, could cause failure of the RAT 
pump and subsequent loss of backup hydraulic power for the flight 
controls, which can result in loss of continued safe flight and 
landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or 
original certificate of airworthiness issued on or before the 
effective date of this AD: Within 60 months after the effective date 
of this AD, inspect the RAT pump and control module (PCM) and the 
RAT assembly to determine the part number. A review of airplane 
maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the 
RAT PCM and the RAT assembly part numbers can be conclusively 
determined from that review.

(h) Replacements

    If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
any RAT PCM having part number (P/N) 7001267H06 or any RAT assembly 
having P/N 7000011H08 is found: Except as specified by paragraph (i) 
of this AD, at the applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' 
paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB290039-
00 RB, Issue 002, dated October 26, 2021, do all applicable actions 
identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB290039-00 RB, Issue 002, dated October 26, 2021.
    Note 1 to paragraph (h): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
B787-81205-SB290039-00, Issue 002, dated October 26, 2021, which is 
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB290039-00 RB, Issue 002, dated October 26, 2021.

(i) Exception to Service Information Specifications

    Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB290039-00 
RB, Issue 002, dated October 26, 2021, uses the phrase ``the Issue 
001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB290039-00 RB,'' this 
AD requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''

(j) Parts Installation Prohibition

    (1) For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued after the 
effective date of this AD: Installation of a RAT PCM, part number 
(P/N) 7001267H06, or RAT assembly, P/N 700011H08, is prohibited as 
of the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before the 
effective date of this AD, installation of a RAT PCM, P/N 
7001267H06, or RAT assembly, P/N 700011H08, is allowed until the 
actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD are accomplished.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
B787-81205-SB290039-00 RB, Issue 001, dated November 3, 2020.

(l) 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 (m) 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.

(m) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Douglas Tsuji, 
Senior Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, 
Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
phone and fax: 206-231-3548; 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 18, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-20444 Filed 9-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


