10468 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 

‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing Service Bulletin 

DC8–57–104, dated August 18, 2014, install 

external doublers and fasteners, and do an 

external doubler ETLF inspection around the 

fasteners for any cracking, in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Boeing Service Bulletin DC8–57–104, dated 

August 18, 2014. Repeat the external ETLF 

inspection at the applicable intervals 

specified in 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing 

Service Bulletin DC8–57–104, dated August 

18, 2014. If any cracking is found during any 

ETLF inspection required by this paragraph, 

before further flight, repair the crack using a 

method approved in accordance with the 

procedures specified in paragraph (m) of this 

AD. 

(l) Exception to the Compliance Time 

Where Boeing Service Bulletin DC8–57– 

104, dated August 18, 2014, specifies a 

compliance time ‘‘after the original issue date 

of this service bulletin,’’ this AD requires 

compliance within the specified compliance 

time after the effective date of this AD. 

(m) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft 

Certification Office (ACO), 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 ACO, send it to the 

attention of the person identified in 

paragraph (n) of this AD. Information may be 

emailed to 9-ANM-LAACO-AMOCREQUESTS@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 

required by this AD if it is approved by the 

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization 

Designation Authorization (ODA) that has 

been authorized by the Manager, Los Angeles 

ACO, to make those findings. For a repair 

method to be approved, the repair must meet 

the certification basis of the airplane, and the 

approval must specifically refer to this AD. 

(4) AMOCs approved for AD 2008–26–07, 

Amendment 39–15773 (73 FR 78946, 

December 24, 2008), are approved as AMOCs 

for the corresponding provisions of this AD. 

(5) Except as required by paragraphs (j) and 

(k) of this AD: For service information that 

contains steps that are labeled as Required 

for Compliance (RC), the provisions of 

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

(n) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Chandra Ramdoss, Aerospace 

Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM–120L, 

FAA, Los Angeles ACO, 3960 Paramount 

Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712–4137; 

telephone: 562–627–5239; fax: 562–627– 

5210; email: Chandraduth.Ramdos@faa.gov. 

(o) 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. 

(3) The following service information was 

approved for IBR on April 5, 2016. 

(i) Boeing Service Bulletin DC8–57–104, 

dated August 18, 2014. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(4) The following service information was 

approved for IBR on January 28, 2009 (73 FR 

78946, December 24, 2008). 

(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC8– 

57A102, dated February 12, 2008. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(5) For Boeing service information 

identified in this AD, contact Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & 

Services Management, 3855 Lakewood 

Boulevard, MC D800–0019, Long Beach, CA 

90846–0001; telephone 206–544–5000, 

extension 2; fax 206–766–5683; Internet 

https://www.myboeingfleet.com. 

(6) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

(7) 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, call 

202–741–6030, or go to: http://

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

Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 

15, 2016. 

Michael Kaszycki, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2016–04035 Filed 2–29–16; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2015–1270; Directorate 

Identifier 2014–NM–222–AD; Amendment 

39–18412; AD 2016–04–18] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

The Boeing Company Model 747–100, 

–200B, –200C, –200F, –300, –400, 

–400D, and –400F series airplanes. This 

AD was prompted by reports of 

significant fuselage skin damage at 

certain parts of the dorsal fairing, due to 

wear from the dorsal fairing. This AD 

requires repetitive detailed inspections 

for wear and cracks of the fuselage skin 

under the dorsal fairing, and related 

investigative and corrective actions if 

necessary. This AD also requires 

repetitive post-repair external surface 

high frequency eddy current inspections 

of the blended areas of the skin and 

detailed inspections of the unrepaired 

areas, and related investigative and 

corrective actions if necessary. We are 

issuing this AD to detect and correct 

fuselage skin damage of the dorsal 

fairing area, which could result in skin 

cracking and consequent 

depressurization of the airplane. 

DATES: This AD is effective April 5, 

2016. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of April 5, 2016. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this final rule, contact 

Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 

Attention: Data & Services Management, 

P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65, Seattle, WA 

98124–2207; telephone 206–544–5000, 

extension 1; fax 206–766–5680; Internet 

https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You 

may view this referenced service 

information at the FAA, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue 

SW., Renton, WA. For information on 

the availability of this material at the 

FAA, call 425–227–1221. It is also 

available on the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2015– 

1270. 


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Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2015– 

1270; or in person at the Docket 

Management Facility between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. The AD docket 

contains this AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The address for the 

Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is 

Docket Management Facility, 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: 

Nathan Weigand, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 

(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

WA 98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6428; 

fax: 425–917–6590; email: 

nathan.p.weigand@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to certain The Boeing Company 

Model 747–100, –200B, –200C, –200F, 

–300, –400, –400D, and –400F series 

airplanes. The NPRM published in the 

Federal Register on May 5, 2015 (80 FR 

25627). The NPRM was prompted by 

reports of significant fuselage skin 

damage at certain parts of the dorsal 

fairing, due to wear from the dorsal 

fairing. The NPRM proposed to require 

repetitive detailed inspections for wear 

and cracks of the fuselage skin under 

the dorsal fairing, and related 

investigative and corrective actions if 

necessary. The NPRM also proposed to 

require repetitive post-repair external 

surface high frequency eddy current 

inspections of the blended areas of the 

skin and detailed inspections of the 

unrepaired areas, and related 

investigative and corrective actions if 

necessary. We are issuing this AD to 

detect and correct fuselage skin damage 

of the dorsal fairing area, which could 

result in skin cracking and consequent 

depressurization of the airplane. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. The 

following presents the comments 

received on the NPRM (80 FR 25627, 

May 5, 2015) and the FAA’s response to 

each comment. 

Request To Clarify Exclusion of Certain 

Post-Modification Inspections 

Boeing asked that we clarify 

paragraph (i) of the proposed AD (80 FR 

25627, May 5, 2015). Boeing stated that 

paragraph (i) of the proposed AD 

correctly states that post-modification 

inspections would not be required by 

the AD, but the proposed AD does not 

clearly state that those inspections are 

still required per operating rules, which 

has caused confusion for operators in 

the past. Boeing suggested that we 

revise the proposed AD to state that 

post-modification inspections are 

already required by 14 CFR 

121.1109(c)(2) and 14 CFR 

129.109(b)(2). 

We agree to clarify paragraph (i) of 

this AD. We have revised paragraph (i) 

of this AD to clarify that the postmodification inspections are 

airworthiness limitations that are 

required by maintenance and 

operational rules; therefore, these 

inspections are not required by this AD. 

Request To Require Post-Modification 

Inspections Currently Excluded 

United Airlines (UAL) asked that the 

post-modification inspections excluded 

from the requirements of paragraph (i) 

of the proposed AD (80 FR 25627, May 

5, 2015) instead be required. UAL stated 

that there is a conflict between the 

proposed AD and tables 3, 6, and 7 of 

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

Alert Service Bulletin 747–53A2876, 

dated October 22, 2014. UAL noted that 

the post-modification inspections 

specified in tables 3, 6, and 7 are not 

required in paragraph (i) of the 

proposed AD; however, compliance 

tables 1 and 2 of paragraph 1.E. of the 

service information instruct operators to 

accomplish those post-modification 

inspections using tables 3, 6, and 7 of 

paragraph 1.E. 

UAL added that Note 1 to paragraph 

(i) of the proposed AD (80 FR 25627, 

May 5, 2015) specifies that the postmodification inspections may be used in 

support of compliance with section 

121.1109(c)(2) or 129.109(b)(2) of the 

Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 

121.1109(c)(2) or 14 CFR 129.109(b)(2)). 

UAL pointed out that sections 

121.1109(c)(2) and 129.109(b)(2) require 

operators to inspect damage-tolerant 

reinforcing repairs to fatigue critical 

structures; however, rub strips protect 

the skin from contact with the dorsal 

fairing and are not considered a 

reinforcing repair. 

We disagree with the commenter’s 

request to require post-modification 

inspections; however we acknowledge 

there is a conflict. Paragraph (i) of this 

AD states that tables 3, 6, and 7 of 

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

Alert Service Bulletin 747–53A2876, 

dated October 22, 2014, specify postmodification airworthiness limitation 

inspections in compliance to 14 CFR 

25.571(a)(3) at the modified locations, 

which support compliance with 14 CFR 

121.1109(c)(2) or 129.109(b)(2). These 

two regulations require damagetolerance-based inspections to be added 

as airworthiness limitations in order to 

prevent the adverse effects of repairs, 

alterations, and modifications. The rub 

strips are considered a modification to 

fatigue-critical structure and meet the 

intent of section 121.1109(c)(2) or 

129.109(b)(2) of the Federal Aviation 

Regulations. Where compliance tables 1 

and 2 of paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–53A2876, dated 

October 22, 2014, instruct operators to 

accomplish post-modification 

inspections using tables 3, 6, and 7 of 

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

service information, those postmodification inspections are not 

required by this AD. We have added a 

reference to paragraph (i) of this AD in 

paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD to 

clarify tables 3, 6, and 7 of paragraph 

1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of the service 

information are not required by 

paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD. 

Request To Delete Certain Actions 

UAL asked that we delete Options 1 

and 2 of table 3 of paragraph 1.E., 

‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–53A2876, dated October 

22, 2014. UAL stated that Option 1 is for 

post-modification of blend-out repairs 

without a rub strip installed, and added 

that table 3 is for post-modification 

inspections for airplanes with a rub 

strip previously installed. UAL added 

that the Option 2 blend-out repair is 

redundant information if the Option 1 

action is deleted. 

We do not agree with the commenter’s 

request. Paragraph (i) of this AD 

specifies that table 3, as well as tables 

6 and 7, are not required by this AD. 

Therefore, no further change to the AD 

is necessary in this regard. 

Request To Add Certain Requirements 

UAL asked that instructions be added 

to Part 3 of the Work Instructions of 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– 

53A2876, dated October 22, 2014, to 

apply Teflon coating on top of the rub 

strips. UAL stated that this will further 

enhance protection and will reduce 

wear and cracking of the rub strip due 

to contact with the dorsal fairing. 

We do not agree with the commenter’s 

request. Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

747–53A2876, dated October 22, 2014 


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(and the associated repairs and 

modifications), was coordinated with 

the FAA before it was issued. This 

coordination included a damagetolerance analysis supporting the 

inspection thresholds and intervals 

specified in the service information. 

Operators preferring to use a method 

other than that specified in the 

referenced service information may 

request approval for an alternative 

method of compliance (AMOC) and 

provide supporting data, which, if 

approved, may be used instead of the 

procedures specified in the service 

information. We have made no change 

to the AD in this regard. 

Request To Add Exception to the 

Proposed AD (80 FR 25627, May 5, 

2015) 

United Parcel Service (UPS) asked 

that we add another exception to 

paragraph (j) of the proposed AD (80 FR 

25627, May 5, 2015) to clarify that 

Section 3.B., Part 6, sub-step 2, of 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– 

53A2876, dated October 22, 2014, is not 

required. UPS stated that paragraph (g) 

of the proposed AD requires operators to 

perform applicable related investigative 

and corrective actions, in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions 

of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– 

53A2876, dated October 22, 2014. UPS 

added that there is an inconsistency in 

those Accomplishment Instructions. 

UPS noted that tables 2 and 3 of 

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

Alert Service Bulletin 747–53A2876, 

dated October 22, 2014, specify 

performing the actions in Parts 6 and 7, 

and those sections include instructions 

labeled ‘‘Required for Compliance’’ 

(RC). UPS stated that performing the 

same action in both Parts 6 and 7 results 

in a duplication of work. UPS added 

that it submitted a service request to 

Boeing and asked for clarification on 

this duplication of work. UPS stated 

that Boeing agreed that corrective 

actions could result in duplication and 

that it would evaluate the steps in the 

Work Instructions and clarify them as 

necessary. 

We do not agree with the commenter’s 

request. Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

747–53A2876, dated October 22, 2014, 

specifies that if, during the 

accomplishment of Part 6, obtaining the 

gap identified in Condition 6 is not 

possible, the operator must perform the 

actions associated with Condition 7, 

including trimming and re-shimming 

the dorsal fin fairing to obtain that gap 

by following the instructions in Part 7 

of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– 

53A2876, dated October 22, 2014. After 

this is done, the operator must remeasure, as specified in Part 7, to make 

sure the gap dimensions are correct. 

Following accomplishment of Part 7, the 

operator must complete the actions in 

Part 6 at the repetitive intervals 

specified in table 2 or table 3 of 

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

Alert Service Bulletin 747–53A2876, 

dated October 22, 2014 (table 2 is 

required by paragraph (g) of this AD; 

table 3 specifies post-modification 

airworthiness limitation inspections in 

compliance to 14 CFR 25.571(a)(3) at the 

modified locations, which support 

compliance with 14 CFR 121.1109(c)(2) 

or 129.109(b)(2)). In light of these facts, 

we have determined that there is no 

duplication of work. We have not 

changed the AD in this regard. 

Change To the Proposed AD (80 FR 

25627, May 5, 2015) 

Paragraph (g) of this AD refers to 

initial and repetitive inspections of the 

unrepaired structure. Paragraph (h) of 

this AD refers to doing the inspections 

specified at the applicable times in 

tables 4 and 5 of paragraph 1.E., 

‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–53A2876, dated October 

22, 2014. These tables include 

compliance times for both the repaired 

and unrepaired areas. The proposed AD 

(80 FR 25627, May 5, 2015) specified to 

require the inspections in both 

paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, since 

there is no terminating action identified 

in paragraph (h) of this AD. We have 

determined that further clarification of 

these inspection requirements is 

necessary. Therefore, we have added a 

sentence to paragraph (h) of this AD 

clarifying that the inspections required 

by paragraph (h) of this AD do not 

terminate the inspections required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting this AD 

with the changes described previously 

and minor editorial changes. We have 

determined that these minor changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 

25627, May 5, 2015) for correcting the 

unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 25627, 

May 5, 2015). 

We also determined that these 

changes will not increase the economic 

burden on any operator or increase the 

scope of this AD. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

We reviewed Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–53A2876, dated October 

22, 2014. This service information 

describes procedures for repetitive 

inspections of the fuselage skin under 

the dorsal fairing, the blended areas of 

the skin, and unrepaired areas, and 

related investigative and corrective 

actions, 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. 

Explanation of ‘‘RC’’ Steps in Service 

Information 

The FAA worked in conjunction with 

industry, under the Airworthiness 

Directive Implementation Aviation 

Rulemaking Committee (ARC), to 

enhance the AD system. One 

enhancement was a new process for 

annotating which steps in the service 

information are required for compliance 

with an AD. Differentiating these steps 

from other tasks in the service 

information is expected to improve an 

owner’s/operator’s understanding of 

crucial AD requirements and help 

provide consistent judgment in AD 

compliance. The steps identified as 

Required for Compliance (RC) in any 

service information identified 

previously have a direct effect on 

detecting, preventing, resolving, or 

eliminating an identified unsafe 

condition. 

For service information that contains 

steps that are labeled as RC, the 

following provisions apply: (1) 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, and an AMOC 

is required for any deviations to RC 

steps, including substeps and identified 

figures; and (2) 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. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 93 

airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this AD: 


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ESTIMATED COSTS

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

Inspections ........ Up to 15 work-hours × $85 per 

hour = $1,275.

$0 Up to $1,275 per inspection cycle Up to $118,575 per inspection 

cycle. 

We have received no definitive data 

that will enable us to provide cost 

estimates for the on-condition actions 

specified in this 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. 

We are 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 

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) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under 

DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 

(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), 

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation 

in Alaska, and 

(4) 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 adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

2016–04–18 The Boeing Company: 

Amendment 39–18412 ; Docket No. 

FAA–2015–1270; Directorate Identifier 

2014–NM–222–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective April 5, 2016. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

Model 747–100, –200B, –200C, –200F, –300, 

–400, –400D, and –400F series airplanes; 

certificated in any category, as identified in 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–53A2876, 

dated October 22, 2014. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 53, Fuselage. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

significant fuselage skin damage at the dorsal 

fairing forward of station (STA) 2280 due to 

wear from the dorsal fairing. We are issuing 

this AD to detect and correct fuselage skin 

damage of the dorsal fairing area, which 

could result in skin cracking and consequent 

depressurization of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Inspections and Repair 

At the applicable time specified in tables 

1 and 2 of paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–53A2876, 

dated October 22, 2014, except as provided 

by paragraph (j)(1) of this AD, do a detailed 

inspection of the fuselage skin under the 

dorsal fairing for wear or cracks, and do all 

applicable related investigative and 

corrective actions, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–53A2876, dated October 

22, 2014, except as provided by paragraph (i) 

of this AD and except as required by 

paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Do all applicable 

related investigative and corrective actions at 

the time specified in paragraph 1.E., 

‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–53A2876, dated October 22, 

2014. Repeat the applicable inspections of 

the fuselage skin thereafter at the applicable 

times specified in paragraph 1.E., 

‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–53A2876, dated October 22, 

2014. 

(h) Post-Repair Inspections 

At the applicable time specified in tables 

4 and 5 of paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–53A2876, 

dated October 22, 2014, except as provided 

by paragraph (j)(1) of this AD, do an external 

surface high frequency eddy current 

inspection of the blended areas of the skin 

and a detailed inspection of the unrepaired 

areas, and do all applicable related 

investigative and corrective actions, in 

accordance with Part 8 of the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–53A2876, dated October 

22, 2014, except as provided by paragraph (i) 

of this AD and except as required by 

paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Do all applicable 

related investigative and corrective actions at 

the time specified in paragraph 1.E., 

‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–53A2876, dated October 22, 

2014. Repeat the applicable inspections of 

the blended areas of the skin thereafter at the 

applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., 

‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–53A2876, dated October 22, 

2014. Accomplishing the inspections 

required by this paragraph does not terminate 

the inspections required by paragraph (g) of 

this AD. 

(i) Post-Modification Inspections 

Tables 3, 6, and 7 of paragraph 1.E., 

‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–53A2876, dated October 22, 

2014, specify post-modification 

airworthiness limitation inspections in 

compliance to 14 CFR 25.571(a)(3) at the 

modified locations, which support 

compliance with 14 CFR 121.1109(c)(2) or 

129.109(b)(2). As airworthiness limitations, 

these inspections are required by 

maintenance and operational rules. It is 

therefore unnecessary to mandate them in 

this AD. Deviations from these inspections 

require FAA approval, but do not require an 

alternative method of compliance. 

(j) Exceptions to Service Information 

Specifications 

(1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

747–53A2876, dated October 22, 2014, 

specifies a compliance time ‘‘after the 


asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
10472 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 

Original Issue date of this service bulletin,’’ 

this AD requires compliance within the 

specified compliance time after the effective 

date of this AD. 

(2) Although Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

747–53A2876, dated October 22, 2014, 

specifies to contact Boeing for repair data, 

and specifies that action as ‘‘RC’’ (Required 

for Compliance), this AD requires repair 

before further flight using a method approved 

in accordance with the procedures specified 

in paragraph (k) of this AD. 

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft 

Certification Office (ACO), 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 ACO, send it to the 

attention of the person identified in 

paragraph (l)(1) of this AD. Information may 

be emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOCRequests@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 

Commercial Airplanes Organization 

Designation Authorization (ODA) that has 

been authorized by the Manager, Seattle 

ACO, 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) Except as required by paragraph (j)(2) 

of this AD: For service information that 

contains steps that are labeled as Required 

for Compliance (RC), the provisions of 

paragraphs (k)(4)(i) and (k)(4)(ii) 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. 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. 

(l) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Nathan Weigand, Aerospace 

Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, 

FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 

(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 

98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6428; fax: 425– 

917–6590; email: nathan.p.weigand@faa.gov. 

(m) 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 Alert Service Bulletin 747– 

53A2876, dated October 22, 2014. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Boeing Commercial 

Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 

Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65, 

Seattle, WA 98124–2207; telephone 206– 

544–5000, extension 1; fax 206–766–5680; 

Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 

Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

(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, call 

202–741–6030, or go to: http://

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

Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 

15, 2016. 

Michael Kaszycki, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2016–03884 Filed 2–29–16; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Bureau of Industry and Security 

15 CFR Part 701 

[Docket No. 150825780–6125–02] 

RIN 0694–AG38 

Export Control Reform: Conforming 

Change to Defense Sales Offset 

Reporting Requirements 

AGENCY: Bureau of Industry and 

Security, Commerce. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: This rule requires reporting of 

offsets agreements in connection with 

sales of items controlled on the United 

States Munitions List (USML) and items 

controlled in ‘‘600 series’’ Export 

Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) 

on the Commerce Control List (CCL) 

except for certain submersible and semisubmersible cargo transport vessels and 

related items that are not on the control 

lists of any of the multilateral export 

control regimes of which the United 

States is a member. Since the early 

1990s, BIS has required reporting of 

offsets agreements in connection with 

sales of items controlled on the USML. 

Those reporting requirements will 

continue, unchanged by this rule. 

Beginning on October 15, 2013, some 

items have been removed from the 

USML and been added to 600 series 

ECCNs. These items were subject to 

offsets reporting requirements prior to 

being added to 600 series ECCNs. Some 

other items have been moved from non600 series ECCNs to 600 series ECCNs 

as part of the Administration’s Export 

Control Reform Initiative. This rule 

requires reporting of offsets agreements 

in connection with sales of items 

controlled in 600 series ECCNs 

regardless of whether the item was 

added to a 600 series ECCN 

simultaneously with its removal from 

the USML or was subject to the EAR 

prior to its inclusion in a 600 series 

ECCN, except for certain submersible 

and semi-submersible cargo transport 

vessels and related items that are not on 

the control lists of any of the 

multilateral export control regimes of 

which the United States is a member. 

The changes made by this rule were the 

subject of a proposed rule for which BIS 

received no comments. This final rule 

adopts the text of the proposed rule 

without change. 

DATES: Effective: March 31, 2016. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Ronald DeMarines, Strategic Analysis 

Division, Office of Strategic Industries 

and Economic Security, 202–482–3755, 

or ronald.demarines@bis.doc.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

Part 701 of Title 15, Code of Federal 

Regulations—Reporting of Offsets 

Agreements in Sales of Weapon Systems 

or Defense-Related Items to Foreign 

Countries or Foreign Firms (herein the 

Offsets Reporting Regulations) requires 

that U.S. firms report certain offset 

agreements to BIS annually. BIS uses 

the information so reported to develop 

a ‘‘detailed annual report on the impact 

of offsets on the defense preparedness, 

industrial competitiveness, 

employment, and trade of the United 

States’’ (herein ‘‘the offset report to 

Congress’’), that is submitted to the 

Committee on Banking, Housing, and 

Urban Affairs of the Senate, and the 

Committee on Financial Services of the 

House of Representatives, as required by 

Section 723 of the Defense Production 

Act of 1950, as amended (DPA) (50 

U.S.C. 4568(a)(1)). An offset for 

purposes of the Offsets Reporting 

Regulations is compensation required 

by the purchaser as a condition of the 

purchase in government-to-government 

or commercial sales of defense articles 

or services. This compensation can take 

a variety of forms, including: CoVerDate Sep<11>2014 18:20 Feb 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1

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