[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 193 (Friday, October 4, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 80827-80831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22663]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1287; Project Identifier AD-2023-00992-T]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an earlier notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-07-06. AD 2012-
07-06 applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -
300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes. This action revises the NPRM by 
proposing to require revising the existing maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations. 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 November 18, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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-2024-1287; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains the NPRM, this SNPRM, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For Boeing material in this proposed 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; website myboeingfleet.com.
    <bullet> You may view this material 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 under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1287.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Luis Cortez-Muniz, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3958; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#afe3dac6dc81ee81ecc0dddbcad582e2dac1c6d5efc9cece81c8c0d9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="feb28b978dd0bfd0bd918c8a9b84d3b38b909784be989f9fd0999188">[email protected]</span></a>.

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 the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-1287; 
Project Identifier AD-2023-00992-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: Luis Cortez-Muniz, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3958; email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3a764f5349147b147955484e5f4017774f5453407a5c5b5b145d554c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6428110d174a254a270b1610011e4929110a0d1e240205054a030b12">[email protected]</span></a>. 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 AD 2012-07-06, Amendment 39-17012 (77 FR 21429, 
April 10, 2012) (AD 2012-07-06), for The Boeing Company Model 777-200, 
200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued before September 1, 2010. AD 2012-07-06 requires 
revising the maintenance program to update inspection requirements to 
detect fatigue cracking of principal structural elements (PSEs). The 
FAA issued AD 2012-07-06 to ensure that fatigue cracking of various 
PSEs is detected and corrected; such fatigue cracking could adversely 
affect the structural integrity of these airplanes.
    The FAA issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD to

[[Page 80828]]

supersede AD 2012-07-06 that would apply to certain The Boeing Company 
Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on May 14, 2024 (89 FR 
41908). The NPRM was prompted by a new revision to the airworthiness 
limitations (AWLs) of the maintenance planning document (MPD) and the 
damage tolerance rating (DTR) Check Form Document. In the NPRM, the FAA 
proposed to retain the requirements of AD 2012-07-06 and revise the 
existing maintenance or inspection program by incorporating the 
information in Subsection B, Airworthiness Limitations-Structural 
Inspections and Subsection C, Airworthiness Limitations-Structural 
Safe-Life Limits, of Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision 
December 2022, of the Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance 
Planning Data (MPD) Document; and Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F 
Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) Check Form Document, D622W001-DTR, dated 
December 2022.

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued the NPRM, Boeing published Section 9, 
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision April 2023, of the Boeing 
777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document; 
and Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) 
Check Form Document, D622W001-DTR, dated April 2023, which contain new 
and more restrictive airworthiness limitations (inspections and life 
limits have been updated). The FAA has determined it is necessary to 
mandate those airworthiness limitations.
    Airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original 
export certificate of airworthiness issued on or after September 5, 
2024, must comply with the airworthiness limitations specified as part 
of the approved type design and referenced on the type certificate data 
sheet; this proposed AD therefore does not include those airplanes in 
the applicability.

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from FedEx Express who supported the 
NPRM without change.
    The FAA received additional comments from four commenters, 
including American Airlines (AAL), Boeing, Japan Airlines (JAL), and 
United Airlines (UAL). The following presents the comments received on 
the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Update the Document to the Latest Revision

    JAL and UAL requested that the proposed AD be revised to change the 
reference to the December 2022 versions of the airworthiness limitation 
documents cited in the proposed AD. JAL and UAL noted that Section 9, 
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision April 2023, of the Boeing 
777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document; 
and Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) 
Check Form Document, D622W001-DTR, dated April 2023, are already 
published. UAL stated that this change will simplify the implementation 
process for operators by removing the need for a new alternative method 
of compliance (AMOC) to implement the latest MPD revision. UAL stated 
it has already been working toward implementing the April 2023 
revision, even before release of the NPRM.
    The FAA agrees with the request. As previously stated, the FAA has 
determined it is necessary to mandate the new airworthiness limitations 
specified in the Revision April 2023 AWLs documents because the 
inspections and life limits have been updated. The FAA has revised this 
proposed AD accordingly.

Request To Add a Compliance Time for New Parts

    JAL requested that a compliance time for new parts, similar to the 
statement in paragraph (g)(2) of AD 2012-07-06, be added to this 
proposed AD, i.e., ``within the applicable time specified in Subsection 
B, Airworthiness Limitations-Structural Inspections, of Section 9, 
`Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMRs),' D622W001-9, Revision July 2011, of the Boeing 777 
Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, from the time of installation 
for new parts.''
    The FAA agrees with the request. The compliance time for new parts 
is still applicable as stated previously in AD 2012-07-06. This 
compliance time was inadvertently excluded from the proposed AD (in the 
NPRM). The FAA has revised paragraph (i)(2) of this proposed AD (in the 
SNPRM) accordingly.

Request To Remove a Duplicate Reporting Requirement

    The Boeing company requested that the FAA removes paragraph (i)(3) 
of the proposed AD. Boeing stated that the same reporting requirement 
is included in Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision 
December 2022, of the Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance 
Planning Data (MPD) Document.
    The FAA agrees with the request. Both the Revision December 2022 
and Revision April 2023 versions of the MPD already include a reporting 
requirement of 10 days after the airplane is returned to service. 
Therefore, the exception is not necessary for the Revision April 2023 
MPD. However, the exception is still necessary for the Boeing 777-200/
200LR/300/300ER/777F Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) Check Form Document, 
D622W001-DTR, dated April 2023. The FAA has revised paragraph (i)(3) of 
the proposed AD (in the NPRM) accordingly.

Request for Clarification of Reporting Requirements

    AAL requested that the language in the ``Proposed AD Requirements 
in This NPRM'' paragraph of the NPRM be revised from ``This proposed AD 
would also require sending inspection results to Boeing'' to ``This 
proposed AD would also require sending inspection results of crack 
findings to Boeing.'' AAL also requested that paragraph (i)(3) of the 
proposed AD be revised to change ``Reports specified in Section 9 . . 
.'' to ``Reports of crack findings as specified in Section 9 . . . .'' 
AAL stated that additional clarification is necessary to avoid any 
possible ambiguity in the intent of the proposed AD and makes the 
requirement eminently clear that only crack findings need to be 
reported, as specified in Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) 
and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision 
April 2023, of the Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance 
Planning Data (MPD) Document.
    The FAA partially agrees with the requests. The FAA concurs that 
Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification 
Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision April 2023, of 
the Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) 
Document specifies to report crack findings of structural inspections. 
However, as stated previously, paragraph (i)(3) of the proposed AD (in

[[Page 80829]]

the NPRM) has been removed. In addition, the ``Proposed AD 
Requirements'' paragraph in the NPRM is not restated in this SNPRM. 
Therefore, the FAA has not revised this SNPRM in this regard.

Request To Extend Compliance Time

    AAL requested that paragraph (i)(2) of the proposed AD be revised 
to ``. . . or within 18 months from the AD effective date, whichever 
occurs later,'' as was permitted in paragraph (g)(2) of AD 2012-07-06. 
AAL stated that extending the compliance time from 12 months to 18 
months will allow operators greater flexibility to bridge these 
requirements into their maintenance program without the possibility of 
forcing aircraft out of service, especially considering some 
maintenance check intervals may have been escalated during the time 
between when AD 2012-07-06 was released, and when the proposed AD 
becomes an AD.
    The FAA does not agree with the request. The 12-month compliance 
time (grace period) is being proposed to ensure a timely implementation 
of Subsection B, Airworthiness Limitations-Structural Inspections and 
Subsection C, Airworthiness Limitations-Structural Safe-Life Limits, of 
Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification 
Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision April 2023, of 
the Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) 
Document; and Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Damage Tolerance 
Rating (DTR) Check Form Document, D622W001-DTR, dated April 2023, and 
to maintain an adequate level of safety in the fleet. Therefore, the 
FAA has not changed this proposed AD regarding this request. However, 
under the provisions of paragraph (k) of this proposed AD, the FAA will 
consider requests for approval of alternative compliance times if 
sufficient data are submitted to substantiate that the change would 
provide an acceptable level of safety.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is proposing this SNPRM after determining the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other 
products of the same type design. Certain changes described above 
expand the scope of the NPRM. As a result, it is necessary to reopen 
the comment period to provide additional opportunity for the public to 
comment on this SNPRM.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision 
April 2023, of the Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance 
Planning Data (MPD) Document. Subsection B, Airworthiness Limitations--
Structural Inspections and Subsection C, Airworthiness Limitations--
Structural Safe-Life Limits, of this material contains airworthiness 
limitations for structural inspections and structural life limits, 
among other limitations.
    The FAA also reviewed Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Damage 
Tolerance Rating (DTR) Check Form Document, D622W001-DTR, dated April 
2023. This material provides the DTR check forms and the procedure for 
their use.
    This proposed AD would also require Section 9, ``Airworthiness 
Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),'' 
D622W001-9, Revision July 2011, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning 
Data (MPD) Document, which the Director of the Federal Register 
approved for incorporation by reference as of May 15, 2012 (77 FR 
21429, April 10, 2012).
    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.

Proposed AD Requirements in This SNPRM

    For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued before September 1, 
2010, this proposed AD would retain all the requirements of AD 2012-07-
06. For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued before September 5, 
2024, this proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance 
or inspection program to incorporate new and more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations, which would then terminate the retained 
requirements of AD 2012-07-06. This proposed AD would also require 
sending inspection results to Boeing.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 326 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained 
actions from AD 2012-07-06 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-
hour).
    The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, 
although the FAA recognizes that this number may vary from operator to 
operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program 
changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-
operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate.
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new proposed 
actions to be $7,650 (90 work x hours x $85 per work-hour).

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting.....................................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85              $0             $85
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public 
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take 
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate 
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including 
suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Information Collection 
Clearance

[[Page 80830]]

Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177-1524.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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


Sec.  39.13   [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-07-06, Amendment 39-17012 
(77 FR 21429, April 10, 2012); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2024-1287; Project Identifier AD-
2023-00992-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by November 18, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2012-07-06, Amendment 39-17012 (77 FR 21429, 
April 10, 2012) (AD 2012-07-06).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -
300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original 
export certificate of airworthiness issued before September 5, 2024.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls; 28, Fuel; 32, Landing Gear; 52, Doors; 53, Fuselage; 54, 
Nacelles/Pylons; 55, Stabilizers; 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by new revisions to the airworthiness 
limitations of the maintenance planning document and damage 
tolerance rating check form document. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address fatigue cracking of various principal structural elements. 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in could 
adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Revision of Maintenance Program With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2012-07-06, with no changes. For airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued before September 1, 2010: Comply with the 
requirements of paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD. 
Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection 
program required by paragraph (i) of this AD terminates the 
requirements of this paragraph.
    (1) Within 12 months after May 15, 2012 (the effective date of 
AD 2012-07-06), revise the maintenance program by incorporating the 
information in Subsection B, Airworthiness Limitations-Structural 
Inspections, of Section 9, ``Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),'' D622W001-9, 
Revision July 2011, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning Data 
(MPD) Document, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD.
    (2) The initial compliance time for the inspections is within 
the applicable times specified in Subsection B, Airworthiness 
Limitations-Structural Inspections, of Section 9, of ``Airworthiness 
Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements 
(CMRs),'' D622W001-9, Revision July 2011, of the Boeing 777 
Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, or within 18 months after 
May 15, 2012 (the effective date of AD 2012-07-06), whichever occurs 
later, or within the applicable time specified in Subsection B, 
Airworthiness Limitations-Structural Inspections, of Section 9, 
``Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMRs),'' D622W001-9, Revision July 2011, of the Boeing 
777 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, from the time of 
installation for new parts.
    (3) Reports specified in Section 9, ``Airworthiness Limitations 
(AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),'' 
D622W001-9, Revision July 2011, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance 
Planning Data (MPD) Document may be submitted within 10 days after 
the airplane is returned to service, instead of 10 days after each 
individual finding as specified in this document.

(h) Retained Alternative Inspections and Inspection Intervals With an 
Additional Exception

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2012-07-06, with an additional exception. After accomplishing the 
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative 
inspections or inspection intervals may be used unless the 
alternative inspection or interval is required by paragraph (i) of 
this AD or approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this 
AD.

(i) Revision of Maintenance or Inspection Program

    (1) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the existing maintenance or inspection program by incorporating the 
information in Subsection B, Airworthiness Limitations-Structural 
Inspections and Subsection C, Airworthiness Limitations-Structural 
Safe-Life Limits, of Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision 
April 2023, of the Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance 
Planning Data (MPD) Document; and in Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/
777F Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) Check Form Document, D622W001-
DTR, dated April 2023.
    (2) The initial compliance time for the tasks is within the 
applicable times specified in Subsection B, Airworthiness 
Limitations-Structural Inspections and Subsection C, Airworthiness 
Limitations-Structural Safe-Life Limits, of Section 9, Airworthiness 
Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements 
(CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision April 2023, of the Boeing 777-200/
200LR/300/300ER/777F

[[Page 80831]]

Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document; and in Boeing 777-200/
200LR/300/300ER/777F Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) Check Form 
Document, D622W001-DTR, dated April 2023, or within 12 months after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, or within the 
applicable time specified in Subsection B, Airworthiness 
Limitations-Structural Inspections, and Subsection C, Airworthiness 
Limitations-Structural Safe-Life Limits, of Section 9, Airworthiness 
Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements 
(CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision April 2023, of the Boeing 777-200/
200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, from 
the time of installation for new parts.
    (3) Reports specified in Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F 
Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) Check Form Document, D622W001-DTR, 
dated April 2023 may be submitted within 10 days after the airplane 
is returned to service, instead of 10 days as specified in the 
document.

(j) Alternative Inspections and Inspection Intervals

    After accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (i) of 
this AD, no alternative inspections or inspection intervals may be 
used unless the alternative inspection or interval is approved as an 
AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of 
this AD.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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 (l) 
of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4504080a06052324246b222a33"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4504080a06052324246b222a33">[email protected]</span></a>.
    (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, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, 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 for AD 2012-07-06 are approved as AMOCs for 
the corresponding provisions of paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (5) AMOCs approved for repairs and alterations for AD 2012-07-06 
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph 
(i) of this AD. All other AMOCs approved for AD 2012-07-06 are not 
approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph (i) 
of this AD.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Luis Cortez-Muniz, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 206-231-3958; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cf83baa6bce18ee18ca0bdbbaab5e282baa1a6b58fa9aeaee1a8a0b9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eba79e8298c5aac5a884999f8e91c6a69e858291ab8d8a8ac58c849d">[email protected]</span></a>.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following material was approved for IBR on [DATE 35 DAYS 
AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].
    (i) Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D622W001-9, Revision 
April 2023, of the Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Maintenance 
Planning Data (MPD) Document.
    (ii) Boeing 777-200/200LR/300/300ER/777F Damage Tolerance Rating 
(DTR) Check Form Document, D622W001-DTR, dated April 2023.
    (4) The following material was approved for IBR on May 15, 2012 
(77 FR 21429, April 10, 2012).
    (i) Section 9, ``Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),'' D622W001-9, 
Revision July 2011, of the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning Data 
(MPD) Document.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) For Boeing material 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; website myboeingfleet.com.
    (6) You may view this material 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.
    (7) 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5d3b2f7334332e2d383e293432331d333c2f3c733a322b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c7a1b5e9aea9b4b7a2a4b3aea8a987a9a6b5a6e9a0a8b1">[email protected]</span></a>.

    Issued on September 27, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-22663 Filed 10-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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