Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 238 / Thursday, December 10, 2020 / Rules and Regulations 79411 

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference 

None. 

Issued on December 2, 2020. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2020–26915 Filed 12–9–20; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2020–0586; Product 

Identifier 2020–NM–066–AD; Amendment 

39–21306; AD 2020–22–10] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding 

Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018–14– 

02, which applied to certain The Boeing 

Company Model 777–200, –200LR, 

–300, and –300ER series airplanes. AD 

2018–14–02 required an inspection for 

foam insulation on the dripshield above 

the overhead panel support structure 

and replacement if necessary. For 

certain airplanes, AD 2018–14–02 also 

required replacement of foam insulation 

on the overhead panel support 

structure. This AD continues to require 

the actions in AD 2018–14–02, and, for 

certain airplanes, this AD requires an 

inspection of the foam insulation on the 

overhead panel support structure, and 

replacement if necessary. This AD was 

prompted by reports that additional 

areas of Boeing Material Specification 

(BMS) 8–39 flexible urethane foam were 

found on the overhead panel support 

structure in the flight compartment. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to address the 

unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective January 14, 

2021. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of January 14, 2021. 

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 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 on the internet at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2020–0586. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2020– 

0586; 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 final rule, 

any comments received, and other 

information. The address for Docket 

Operations is U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie 

Linn, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety 

and Environmental Systems Section, 

FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 

216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

phone and fax: 206–231–3584; email: 

Julie.Linn@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to supersede AD 2018–14–02, 

Amendment 39–19322 (83 FR 31650, 

July 9, 2018) (‘‘AD 2018–14–02’’). AD 

2018–14–02 applied to certain The 

Boeing Company Model 777–200, 

–200LR, –300, and –300ER series 

airplanes. The NPRM published in the 

Federal Register on July 28, 2020 (85 FR 

45357). The NPRM was prompted by 

reports that additional areas of BMS 8– 

39 flexible urethane foam were found on 

the overhead panel support structure in 

the flight compartment. The degradation 

of the foam over time increases the 

potential for an uncontrolled fire below 

the passenger compartment floor and 

other locations outside the areas 

covered by smoke detection and fire 

protection systems. The NPRM 

proposed to continue to require the 

actions in AD 2018–14–02, and, for 

certain airplanes, the NPRM also 

proposed to require an inspection of the 

foam insulation on the overhead panel 

support structure, and replacement if 

necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD 

to address BMS 8–39 flexible urethane 

foam found in certain areas of an 

airplane, which, if exposed to an 

ignition source, could cause loss of 

control of the airplane during a fire. 

Comments 

The FAA gave the public the 

opportunity to participate in developing 

this AD. The FAA has considered the 

comments received. Boeing and United 

Airlines indicated their support for the 

NPRM. 

Conclusion 

The FAA 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. The FAA has determined that 

these minor changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM for 

addressing the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM. 

Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 

51 

The FAA reviewed Boeing Special 

Attention Service Bulletin 777–25– 

0621, Revision 2, dated February 28, 

2020. This service information describes 

procedures for removal and replacement 

of the foam on the overhead panel 

support structure; a general visual 

inspection for foam insulation on the 

dripshield above the overhead panel 

support structure; a detailed inspection 

for foam insulation on the overhead 

panel support structure; and 

replacement if necessary. 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 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 132 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

The FAA estimates the following costs 

to comply with this AD: 


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79412 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 238 / Thursday, December 10, 2020 / Rules and Regulations 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Inspection and replacement of foam insulation (retained actions from AD 

2018–14–02).

Up to 32 work-hours × $85 per hour = 

Up to $2,720.

$5,611 Up to $8,331 ......... Up to $1,099,692. 

Detailed inspection and replacement 

(new proposed action).

Up to 18 work-hours × $85 per hour = 

Up to $1,530.

$5,840 Up to $7,370 ......... Up to $972,840. 

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 has determined that 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation 

in Alaska, and 

(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. 

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 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: 

■ a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 

(AD) 2018–14–02, Amendment 39– 

19322 (83 FR 31650, July 9, 2018), and 

■ b: Adding the following new AD: 

2020–22–10 The Boeing Company: 

Amendment 39–21306; Docket No. 

FAA–2020–0586; Product Identifier 

2020–NM–066–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective January 14, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD replaces AD 2018–14–02, 

Amendment 39–19322 (83 FR 31650, July 9, 

2018) (‘‘AD 2018–14–02’’). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

Model 777–200, –200LR, –300, and –300ER 

series airplanes, certificated in any category, 

as identified in Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 777–25–0621, Revision 2, 

dated February 28, 2020. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 25, Equipment/furnishings. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports that 

additional areas of Boeing Material 

Specification (BMS) 8–39 flexible urethane 

foam were found on the overhead panel 

support structure in the flight compartment. 

The degradation of the foam over time 

increases the potential for an uncontrolled 

fire below the passenger compartment floor 

and other locations outside the areas covered 

by smoke detection and fire protection 

systems. The FAA is issuing this AD to 

address BMS 8–39 flexible urethane foam 

found in certain areas of an airplane, which, 

if exposed to an ignition source, could cause 

loss of control of the airplane during a fire. 

(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 

paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing 

Special Attention Service Bulletin 777–25– 

0621, Revision 2, dated February 28, 2020, do 

all applicable actions identified as ‘‘RC’’ 

(required for compliance) in, and in 

accordance with, the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 777–25–0621, Revision 2, 

dated February 28, 2020. 

(h) Exceptions to Service Information 

Specifications 

(1) Where Boeing Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 777–25–0621, Revision 2, dated 

February 28, 2020, uses the phrase ‘‘the 

Revision 2 date of this service bulletin,’’ this 

AD requires using ‘‘the effective date of AD 

2018–14–02.’’ 

(2) For any Group 1 Configuration 3 

airplane as identified in Boeing Special 

Attention Service Bulletin 777–25–0621, 

Revision 2, dated February 28, 2020, no 

action is required by this AD, provided that 

airplane remains in that configuration. 

(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 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-ANMSeattle-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 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. 

(4) AMOCs approved previously for AD 

2018–14–02 are approved as AMOCs for the 

corresponding provisions of Boeing Special 

Attention Service Bulletin 777–25–0621, 

Revision 2, dated February 28, 2020, that are 

required by paragraph (g) of this AD. 

(5) For service information that contains 

steps that are labeled as Required for 


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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 238 / Thursday, December 10, 2020 / Rules and Regulations 79413 

Compliance (RC), the provisions of 

paragraphs (i)(5)(i) and (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. 

(j) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Julie Linn, Aerospace Engineer, 

Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems 

Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 

South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

phone and fax: 206–231–3584; email: 

Julie.Linn@faa.gov. 

(k) 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 Special Attention Service 

Bulletin 777–25–0621, Revision 2, dated 

February 28, 2020. 

(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, 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. 

(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: https:// 

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued on October 19, 2020. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2020–27005 Filed 12–9–20; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2020–0573; Product 

Identifier 2020–NM–078–AD; Amendment 

39–21289; AD 2020–21–16] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all The 

Boeing Company Model 747–100, 747– 

100B, 747–100B SUD, 747–200B, 747– 

200C, 747–200F, 747–300, 747–400, 

747–400D, 747–400F, 747SR, and 747SP 

series airplanes. This AD was prompted 

by a determination that the upper wing 

skin at engine nacelle points may be 

subject to undetected cracking. This AD 

requires repetitive ultrasonic 

inspections of the upper wing skin at 

certain engine strut positions for 

cracking; repetitive detailed and 

ultrasonic inspections of the strut lower 

spar fitting, diagonal brace strut end 

clevis, and diagonal brace wing attach 

end clevis for cracking; repetitive 

detailed inspections of lower link fitting 

at certain engine strut positions for 

cracking; and applicable on-condition 

actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to 

address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

DATES: This AD is effective January 14, 

2021. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of January 14, 2021. 

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 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 on the internet at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2020–0573. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2020– 

0573; 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 final rule, 

any comments received, and other 

information. The address for Docket 

Operations is U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 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. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

The FAA 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 

747–100, 747–100B, 747–100B SUD, 

747–200B, 747–200C, 747–200F, 747– 

300, 747–400, 747–400D, 747–400F, 

747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. The 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on June 30, 2020 (85 FR 39108). 

The NPRM was prompted by a 

determination that the upper wing skin 

at engine nacelle points may be subject 

to undetected cracking. The NPRM 

proposed to require repetitive ultrasonic 

inspections of the upper wing skin at 

certain engine strut positions for 

cracking; repetitive detailed and 

ultrasonic inspections of the strut lower 

spar fitting, diagonal brace strut end 

clevis, and diagonal brace wing attach 

end clevis for cracking; repetitive 

detailed inspections of lower link fitting 

at certain engine strut positions for 

cracking; and applicable on-condition 

actions. 

The FAA is issuing this AD to address 

undetected cracking in the upper wing 

skin, strut lower spar fitting, or clevis 

lugs at either end of the diagonal brace 

and lower link fitting. This condition, if 

not addressed, could adversely affect 

the structural integrity of the engine 

strut and may lead to the separation of 

the strut to wing box assembly. 

Comments 

The FAA gave the public the 

opportunity to participate in developing 

this final rule. The FAA has considered 

the comments received. Boeing stated 

that it concurred with the NPRM. 


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