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 Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1882; Project Identifier AD-2024-00227-T; Amendment 39-22843; AD 2024-19-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
 ACTION: Final rule.
 SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SP, and 747SR series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating cracks at eight fastener hole locations in the fuselage skin lap splice between certain stations (STAs) at certain stringers. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the upper fastener row of the fuselage skin lap splice in a certain area for any crack, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
 DATES: This AD is effective November 15, 2024.
                        ( print page 82487) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 15, 2024.
 ADDRESSES:  *AD Docket:*
                         You may examine the AD docket at 
                        *regulations.gov*
                         under Docket No. FAA-2024-1882; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. *Material Incorporated by Reference:* 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.*
                    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-2024-1882.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stefanie Roesli, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3964; email: 
                        *Stefanie.N.Roesli@faa.gov.*


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The FAA 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, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SP, and 747SR series airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
                    **Federal Register**
                     on July 3, 2024 (89 FR 55128). The NPRM was prompted a report indicating cracks at eight fastener hole locations in the fuselage skin lap splice between STAs 1450 and 1470 at stringers S-23L and S-23R. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitive inspections of the upper fastener row of the fuselage skin lap splice in a certain area for any crack, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the upper fastener row of the fuselage skin lap splice between STAs 1350 and 1480 at stringers S-23L and S-23R. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an in-flight rapid decompression and a loss of structural integrity of the fuselage. Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments The FAA received a comment from Boeing who supported the NPRM without change. Conclusion The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator. Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51 The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2912 RB, dated April 5, 2024. This material specifies procedures for repetitive external surface high frequency eddy current inspections of the upper fastener row of the fuselage skin lap splice between STAs 1350 and 1480 at stringers S-23L and S-23R for any crack, and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions include obtaining and following repair instructions. 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. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD affects 170 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: Estimated Costs
Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per product
Cost on U.S.
                             operatorsInspections
8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 per inspection cycle
$0
$680 per inspection cycle
$115,600 per inspection cycle.
 The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the 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. 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 This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: (1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866, (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation
Aircraft
Aviation safety
Incorporation by reference
Safety
 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
 2.The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: **2024-19-01 The Boeing Company:**
                             Amendment 39-22843; Docket No. FAA-2024-1882; Project Identifier AD-2024-00227-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 15, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SP, and 747SR series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2912 RB, dated April 5, 2024. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report indicating cracks at eight fastener hole locations in the fuselage skin lap splice between stations (STAs) 1450 and 1470 at stringers S-23L and S-23R. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the upper fastener row of the fuselage skin lap splice between STAs 1350 and 1480 at stringers S-23L and S-23R. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an in-flight rapid decompression and a loss of structural integrity of the fuselage. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in the “Compliance” paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2912 RB, dated April 5, 2024, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2912 RB, dated April 5, 2024. **Note 1 to paragraph (g):**
                             Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2912, dated April 5, 2024, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2912 RB, dated April 5, 2024. (h) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications (1) Where the Condition and Boeing Recommended Compliance Time columns of the tables in the “Compliance” paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2912 RB, dated April 5, 2024, refer to “the Original Issue date of the Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2912 RB,” this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2912 RB, dated April 5, 2024, specifies contacting Boeing for repair instructions: This AD requires doing the repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD. (i) 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 (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 
                            *AMOC@faa.gov.* (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, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD. (j) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Stefanie Roesli, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3964; email: 
                            *Stefanie.N.Roesli@faa.gov.* (2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (k)(3) this AD. (k) 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 the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2912 RB, dated April 5, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (3) 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.* (4) 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. (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 September 9, 2024. Peter A. White, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service.


[FR Doc. 2024-23537 Filed 10-10-24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P