This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

74369 

Vol. 88, No. 209 

Tuesday, October 31, 2023 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2023–2136; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2023–00759–T] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to 

supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 

2019–16–11, which applies to certain 

Airbus SAS Model A300 F4–600R series 

airplanes. AD 2019–16–11 requires 

repetitive high frequency eddy current 

(HFEC) inspections of the aft lower deck 

cargo door (LDCD) frame forks; a onetime check of the LDCD clearances; a 

one-time detailed visual inspection of 

hooks, eccentric bushes, and x-stops; 

and corrective actions if necessary. 

Since the FAA issued AD 2019–16–11, 

it has been determined that the 

threshold for the (repetitive) HFEC 

inspection needs to be corrected, and 

the LDCD frame forks modified. This 

proposed AD would continue to require 

the actions in AD 2019–16–11 and 

would require correcting the HFEC 

inspection threshold and modifying the 

LDCD frame forks and prohibit the 

installation of affected LDCDs under 

certain conditions, as specified in a 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD, which is proposed for 

incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 December 15, 

2023. 

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 

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. 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket 

No. FAA–2023–2136; 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, the mandatory 

continuing airworthiness information 

(MCAI), any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

Docket Operations is listed above. 

Material Incorporated by Reference: 

• For the EASA AD identified in this 

NPRM, you may contact EASA, KonradAdenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, 

Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; 

email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website 

easa.europa.eu. You may find this 

material on the EASA website 

ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also available at 

regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA– 

2023–2136. 

• You may view this service 

information at the FAA, Airworthiness 

Products Section, Operational Safety 

Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des 

Moines, WA. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, 

call 206–231–3195. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan 

Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 

1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 

Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206– 

231–3225; email dan.rodina@faa.gov. 

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–2023–2136; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2023–00759–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 

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 Dan Rodina, Aviation 

Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart 

Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 

11590; telephone 206–231–3225; email 

dan.rodina@faa.gov. 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 issued AD 2019–16–11, 

Amendment 39–19714 (84 FR 45061, 

August 28, 2019) (AD 2019–16–11), for 

certain Airbus SAS Model A300 F4– 

605R and F4–622R airplanes. AD 2019– 

16–11 was prompted by an MCAI 

originated by EASA, which is the 

Technical Agent for the Member States 

of the European Union. EASA issued 

AD 2018–0266, dated December 11, 

2018, to correct an unsafe condition. 

AD 2019–16–11 requires repetitive 

HFEC inspections of the aft LDCD frame 

forks; a one-time check of the LDCD 

clearances; a one-time detailed visual 

inspection of hooks, eccentric bushes, 


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74370 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 209 / Tuesday, October 31, 2023 / Proposed Rules 

and x-stops; and corrective actions if 

necessary. The FAA issued AD 2019– 

16–11 to address cracked or ruptured aft 

LDCD frames, which could allow loads 

to be transferred to the remaining 

structural elements. This condition 

could lead to the rupture of one or more 

vertical aft LDCD frames, which could 

result in reduced structural integrity of 

the aft LDCD. 

AD 2019–16–11 previously 

superseded AD 2018–20–06 

Amendment 39–19440 (83 FR 49265, 

October 1, 2018). AD 2018–20–06 

superseded AD 2016–25–03 

Amendment 39–18729 (81 FR 93801, 

December 22, 2016). 

Actions Since AD 2019–16–11 Was 

Issued 

Since the FAA issued AD 2019–16– 

11, EASA superseded EASA AD 2018– 

0266, dated December 11, 2018, and 

issued EASA AD 2023–0117, dated June 

13, 2023 (EASA AD 2023–0117) (also 

referred to as the MCAI), to correct an 

unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS 

Model A300 F4–605R and F4–622R 

airplanes. The MCAI states that based 

on more detailed stress analyses, it has 

been determined that the threshold for 

the (repetitive) HFEC inspection could 

be extended from 12,500 flight hours to 

26,455 flight hours for those affected 

parts installed on an LDCD that has 

been modified or replaced. It was also 

determined that an incorrect HFEC 

inspection threshold had been defined 

for the affected parts that have not been 

modified or replaced. Additional 

widespread fatigue damage analysis 

determined that all frame forks of 

affected LDCDs are susceptible to crack 

development, which compromises the 

structural integrity of the LDCD and 

therefore of the airplane. 

The FAA is proposing this AD to 

address the unsafe condition on these 

products. You may examine the MCAI 

in the AD docket at regulations.gov 

under Docket No. FAA–2023–2136. 

Explanation of Retained Requirements 

Although this proposed AD does not 

explicitly restate the requirements of AD 

2019–16–11, this proposed AD would 

retain all of the requirements of AD 

2019–16–11. Those requirements are 

referenced in EASA AD 2023–0117, 

which, in turn, is referenced in 

paragraph (g) of this proposed AD. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

EASA AD 2023–0117 specifies 

procedures for repetitive HFEC 

inspections for cracks of the aft LDCD 

frame forks; a one-time check of the 

LDCD clearances; a one-time detailed 

visual inspection for signs of wear on 

the hooks, eccentric bushes, and xstops; and corrective actions if 

necessary. In addition, EASA AD 2023– 

0117 specifies procedures for modifying 

frame forks that have not been 

reinforced. EASA AD also prohibits the 

installation of affected LDCDs under 

certain conditions. This material 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. 

FAA’s Determination 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 

country and is approved for operation in 

the United States. Pursuant to the FAA’s 

bilateral agreement with this State of 

Design Authority, it has notified the 

FAA of the unsafe condition described 

in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA 

is issuing this NPRM after determining 

that the unsafe condition described 

previously is likely to exist or develop 

in other products of the same type 

design. 

Proposed AD Requirements in This 

NPRM 

This proposed AD would retain all 

requirements of AD 2019–16–11. This 

proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

EASA AD 2023–0117 described 

previously, except for any differences 

identified as exceptions in the 

regulatory text of this proposed AD. 

Explanation of Required Compliance 

Information 

In the FAA’s ongoing efforts to 

improve the efficiency of the AD 

process, the FAA developed a process to 

use some civil aviation authority (CAA) 

ADs as the primary source of 

information for compliance with 

requirements for corresponding FAA 

ADs. The FAA has been coordinating 

this process with manufacturers and 

CAAs. As a result, the FAA proposes to 

incorporate EASA AD 2023–0117 by 

reference in the FAA final rule. This 

proposed AD would, therefore, require 

compliance with EASA AD 2023–0117 

in its entirety through that 

incorporation, except for any differences 

identified as exceptions in the 

regulatory text of this proposed AD. 

Using common terms that are the same 

as the heading of a particular section in 

EASA AD 2023–0117 does not mean 

that operators need comply only with 

that section. For example, where the AD 

requirement refers to ‘‘all required 

actions and compliance times,’’ 

compliance with this AD requirement is 

not limited to the section titled 

‘‘Required Action(s) and Compliance 

Time(s)’’ in EASA AD 2023–0117. 

Service information required by EASA 

AD 2023–0117 for compliance will be 

available at regulations.gov under 

Docket No. FAA–2023–2136 after the 

FAA final rule is published. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD, if 

adopted as proposed, would affect 58 

airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA 

estimates the following costs to comply 

with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS

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

operators 

Retained actions from AD 2019–16–11 15 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,275 $0 $1,275 .................... $73,950. 

New proposed actions ............................ Up to 38 work-hours × $85 per hour = 

$3,230.

850 Up to $4,080 .......... Up to $236,640. 

The FAA has received no definitive 

data on which to base the cost estimates 

for certain on-condition repairs 

specified in this proposed 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. 

The FAA is issuing this rulemaking 

under the authority described in 

Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 

44701: General requirements. Under 


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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 209 / Tuesday, October 31, 2023 / Proposed Rules 74371 

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 

■ 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 

2019–16–11, Amendment 39–19714 (84 

FR 45061, August 28, 2019); and 

■ b. Adding the following new 

Airworthiness Directive: 

Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA–2023–2136; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2023–00759–T. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) by December 15, 

2023. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD replaces AD 2019–16–11, 

Amendment 39–19714 (84 FR 45061, August 

28, 2019) (AD 2019–16–11). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model 

A300 F4–605R and F4–622R airplanes, 

certificated in any category, as identified in 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2023–0117, dated June 13, 2023 

(EASA AD 2023–0117). 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code: 52, Doors. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of two 

adjacent frame forks that were found cracked 

on the aft lower deck cargo door (LDCD) of 

two airplanes during scheduled maintenance, 

and a determination that certain compliance 

times need to be revised. The FAA is also 

issuing this AD to address the susceptibility 

of the frame forks of affected LDCDs to 

develop cracks, which could lead to 

additional rupture of one or more LDCD 

frame forks, compromising the structural 

integrity of the LDCD and therefore of the 

airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Requirements 

Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this 

AD: Comply with all required actions and 

compliance times specified in, and in 

accordance with, EASA AD 2023–0117. 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023–0117 

(1) Where EASA AD 2023–0117 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

(2) Where Table 2 of EASA AD 2023–0117 

refers to the effective date of EASA AD 2015– 

0152R1, dated May 23, 2017, this AD 

requires using November 5, 2018 (the 

effective date of AD 2018–20–06, 

Amendment 39–19440 (83 FR 49265, October 

1, 2018). 

(3) Where Table 2 of EASA AD 2023–0117 

refers to the effective date of EASA AD 2015– 

0152, dated July 24, 2015, this AD requires 

using January 26, 2017 (the effective date of 

AD 2016–25–03, Amendment 39–18729 (81 

FR 93801, December 22, 2016). 

(4) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2023– 

0117 specifies ‘‘before next flight, contact 

Airbus for approved corrective action 

instructions, and within the compliance time 

specified therein, accomplish those 

instructions accordingly,’’ this AD requires 

replacing those words with ‘‘repair cracking 

before further flight using a method approved 

by the Manager, International Validation 

Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS’s 

EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). 

If approved by the DOA, the approval must 

include the DOA-authorized signature.’’ 

(5) This AD does not adopt the ‘‘Remarks’’ 

section of EASA AD 2023–0117. 

(i) No Reporting Requirement 

Although the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2023–0117 specifies 

to submit certain information to the 

manufacturer, this AD does not include that 

requirement. 

(j) Additional AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Validation 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 International Validation Branch, send 

it to the attention of the person identified in 

paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be 

emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. 

Before using any approved AMOC, notify 

your appropriate principal inspector, or 

lacking a principal inspector, the manager of 

the responsible Flight Standards Office. 

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any 

requirement in this AD to obtain instructions 

from a manufacturer, the instructions must 

be accomplished using a method approved 

by the Manager, International Validation 

Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS’s 

EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). 

If approved by the DOA, the approval must 

include the DOA-authorized signature. 

(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except 

as required by paragraphs (h)(4) and (j)(2) of 

this AD, if any service information contains 

procedures or tests that are identified as RC, 

those procedures and tests must be done to 

comply with this AD; any procedures or tests 

that are not identified as RC are 

recommended. Those procedures and tests 

that are not identified 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 

procedures and tests identified as RC can be 

done and the airplane can be put back in an 

airworthy condition. Any substitutions or 

changes to procedures or tests identified as 

RC require approval of an AMOC. 

(k) Additional Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 

410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206– 

231–3225; email dan.rodina@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 this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2023–0117, dated June 13, 2023. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For EASA AD 2023–0117, contact 

EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 


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74372 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 209 / Tuesday, October 31, 2023 / Proposed Rules 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 

000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website 

easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD 

on the EASA website ad.easa.europa.eu. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th 

Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on 

the availability of this material at the FAA, 

call 206–231–3195. 

(5) You may view this material at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, 

visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ 

ibr-locations, or email fr.inspection@

nara.gov. 

Issued on October 20, 2023. 

Ross Landes, 

Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2023–23724 Filed 10–30–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2023–1037; Project 

Identifier AD–2023–00511–T] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Supplemental notice of 

proposed rulemaking (SNPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA is revising a notice 

of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to 

supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 

2020–26–08. AD 2020–26–08 applies to 

The Boeing Company Model 787–8, 

787–9, and 787–10 airplanes powered 

by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. This 

action revises the NPRM by proposing 

replacement of an additional upper 

splitter fairing assembly. The FAA is 

proposing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. Since these 

actions would impose an additional 

burden over those in the NPRM, the 

FAA is requesting comments on this 

SNPRM. 

DATES: The FAA must receive comments 

on this SNPRM by December 15, 2023. 

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 

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. 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket 

No. FAA–2023–1037; 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 SNPRM, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for Docket Operations is 

listed above. 

Material Incorporated by Reference: 

• For service information identified 

in this SNPRM, contact Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes, Attention: 

Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 

2600 Westminster Boulevard, MC 110– 

SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740–5600; 

telephone 562–797–1717; website: 

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 at 

regulations.gov by searching for and 

locating Docket No. FAA–2023–1037. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tak 

Kobayashi, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, 

WA 98198; phone: 206–231–3553; 

email: takahisa.kobayashi@faa.gov. 

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–2023–1037; Project Identifier AD– 

2023–00511–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 again revise 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 

regulations.gov, including any personal 

information you provide. The agency 

will also post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact received 

about this proposed AD. 

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 SNPRM 

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 SNPRM, 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 SNPRM. Submissions containing 

CBI should be sent to Tak Kobayashi, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 

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

phone: 206–231–3553; email: 

takahisa.kobayashi@faa.gov. 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 issued an NPRM to amend 

14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD to 

supersede AD 2020–26–08, Amendment 

39–21363 (85 FR 83755, December 23, 

2020) (AD 2020–26–08). AD 2020–26– 

08 applies to The Boeing Company 

Model 787–8, 787–9, and 787–10 

airplanes powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 

1000 engines. AD 2020–26–08 requires 

repetitive inspections of the inner fixed 

structure (IFS) forward upper fire seal 

and thermal insulation blankets in the 

forward upper area of the thrust reverser 

(TR) for damage and applicable oncondition actions. 

The NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on May 25, 2023 (88 FR 33851). 

The NPRM was prompted by a 

determination that a new upper splitter 

fairing assembly is needed to prevent 

damage to the fire seal and thermal 

insulation blanket. In the NPRM, the 

FAA proposed to continue to require the 

actions specified in AD 2020–26–08 and 

proposed to require determining if an 

affected part number of the upper 

splitter fairing assembly is installed on 

the engine, replacing an affected upper 

splitter fairing assembly part number 

with a new upper splitter fairing 

assembly part number, inspecting the 

IFS forward upper fire seal and thermal 

insulation blanket for any damage, and 


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