10110 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 23, 2022 / Proposed Rules 

if there is a crack, deterioration of the liner, 

or extrusion of the liner, before further flight, 

replace the bearing. 

(2) Inspect the pitch link assembly sealant 

for pin holes and voids and to determine if 

the sealant thickness is 0.025 inch (0.64 mm) 

or less, extends over the roll staked lip by 

0.030 inch (0.76 mm) or more, and is clear 

of the bearing ball. If there is a pin hole or 

void, or if the sealant exceeds 0.026 inch 

(0.66 mm), does not extend over the roll 

staked lip by 0.030 inch (0.76 mm) or more, 

or is not clear of the bearing ball, before 

further flight, replace the bearing. 

(i) Terminating Action for Certain Actions in 

AD 2020–17–10 

Accomplishing the initial inspection 

required by paragraph (g)(1) or (h) of this AD 

constitutes terminating action for the 

inspections required by paragraph (f)(2) of 

AD 2020–17–10 for that pitch link assembly 

only. 

(j) Optional Terminating Action 

The repetitive inspections required by 

paragraph (h) of this AD are no longer 

required for helicopters that incorporate 

pitch link assemblies, P/N 429–012–212–105 

or 429–012–212–107, in accordance with Part 

III of the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 429–15–16, 

Revision C, dated October 16, 2020. 

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) 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 local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the International Validation 

Branch, send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@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. 

(l) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer, 

Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950 L’Enfant 

Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; phone: 

(202) 267–9167; email: hal.jensen@faa.gov. 

(2) Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 429–15– 

16, Revision C, dated October 16, 2020, 

which is not incorporated by reference, 

contains additional information about the 

subject of this AD. For service information 

identified in this AD, contact Bell Textron 

Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l’Avenir, 

Mirabel, Quebec J7J 1R4, Canada; telephone 

1–450–437–2862 or 1–800–363–8023; fax 1– 

450–433–0272; email productsupport@

bellflight.com; or at https://

www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support. 

You may view this referenced service 

information at the FAA, Office of the 

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 

Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, 

TX 76177. For information on the availability 

of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222– 

5110. 

(3) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD 

CF–2015–16R3, dated April 30, 2021 (TCCA 

AD CF–2015–16R3). You may view the 

Transport Canada AD on the internet at 

https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0145. 

Issued on February 15, 2022. 

Ross Landes, 

Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–03770 Filed 2–22–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–1168; Project 

Identifier AD–2021–00825–T] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for 

certain The Boeing Company Model 

737–8 airplanes. This proposed AD was 

prompted by a report that, during 

production, a small number of fasteners 

in certain locations of the center fuel 

tank were cap sealed on top of a black 

stripe of ink with a clear overcoat. This 

clear overcoat is not an approved 

surface for sealing and can potentially 

compromise sealant adhesion. 

Compromised sealant adhesion can, 

over time, affect the lightning-protection 

properties of the airplane. This 

proposed AD would require preparation 

of the affected surface areas to ensure 

that there is adequate sealant adhesion, 

and complete encapsulation of the 

discrepant fastener locations with the 

approved production sealant. 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 April 11, 2022. 

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 

https://www.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. 

For service information identified in 

this NPRM, contact Boeing Commercial 

Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data 

Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster 

Blvd., MC 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA 

90740–5600; telephone 562–797–1717; 

internet https://

www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view 

this referenced 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 https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

1168. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–1168; 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, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

Docket Operations is listed above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Chris Baker, Aerospace Engineer, 

Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO 

Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 

Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206– 

231–3552; email: christopher.r.baker@

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–2021–1168; Project Identifier AD– 

2021–00825–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 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 23, 2022 / Proposed Rules 10111 

information as described in 14 CFR 

11.35, the FAA will post all comments 

received, without change, to https://

www.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 Chris Baker, 

Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion 

Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 

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

phone and fax: 206–231–3552; email: 

christopher.r.baker@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 has received a report that, 

during production, a small number of 

fasteners common to upper wing panel 

stringers U–S1, U–S10, U–S12, U–S20, 

and U–S21 and lower wing panel 

stringer L–S14 were cap sealed on top 

of a black stripe of ink with a clear 

overcoat. The black stripe and clear 

overcoat were applied during airplane 

assembly to certain interior areas of the 

center fuel tank to ensure proper 

alignment of components, and this 

discrepancy was not identified by 

Boeing prior to the delivery of certain 

airplanes. The purpose of cap sealing is 

to provide a secondary layer of lightning 

protection to the metal-to-metal rivet 

installation bond, however, the clear 

overcoat is not an approved surface for 

sealing and can compromise sealant 

adhesion. Compromised sealant 

adhesion can, over time, affect the 

lightning-protection properties of the 

airplane. This condition, if not 

addressed, could result in ignition of 

fuel vapors and subsequent explosion of 

the fuel tank in the event of a lightning 

strike. The FAA expects, however, that 

the degree to which sealant adhesion is 

compromised under these 

circumstances, and therefore the risk, 

will initially be small, and increase 

gradually over a period of years as the 

adhesion begins to deteriorate. 

Additionally, the compliance time 

would allow operators to align this work 

with the typical schedule for 

maintenance into the airplane’s fuel 

tank, which rarely exceeds once every 

ten years. Therefore, based on the 

evaluated risk, the FAA has determined 

that the related actions need to be 

completed within the timeframes 

identified in paragraph (g) of this 

proposed AD and in the manufacturer’s 

service information. 

FAA’s Determination 

The FAA is issuing this NPRM after 

determining that the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of the same 

type design. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed Boeing Special 

Attention Requirements Bulletin 737– 

57–1352 RB, dated February 1, 2021. 

This service information specifies 

procedures for preparing the surface and 

completely encapsulating the black 

stripe of ink, the clear overcoat, and the 

existing sealant with the approved 

production (BMS5–45) sealant at upper 

stringer U–S1, U–S10, U–S12, U–S20, 

and U–S21, and lower stringer L–S14. 

The affected areas are all located on the 

portion of the stringers just outboard of 

the wing box. 

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 ADDRESSES. 

Proposed AD Requirements in This 

NPRM 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information already 

described, except for any differences 

identified as exceptions in the 

regulatory text of this proposed AD. For 

information on the procedures and 

compliance times, see this service 

information at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

1168. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD, if 

adopted as proposed, would affect 11 

airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA 

estimates the following costs to comply 

with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Apply Sealant .......................... 106 work-hours × $85 per hour = $9,010 .............................. $500 $9,510 $104,610 

The FAA has included all known 

costs in its cost estimate. According to 

the manufacturer, however, some or all 

of the costs of this proposed AD may be 

covered under warranty, thereby 

reducing the cost impact on affected 

operators. 

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 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
10112 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 23, 2022 / Proposed Rules 

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 adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 

2021–1168; Project Identifier AD–2021– 

00825–T. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) by April 11, 

2022. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

Model 737–8 airplanes, certificated in any 

category, as identified in Boeing Special 

Attention Requirements Bulletin 737–57– 

1352 RB, dated February 1, 2021. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 57, Wings. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report that, 

during production, a small number of 

fasteners in certain locations of the center 

fuel tank were cap sealed on top of a black 

stripe of ink with a clear overcoat. This clear 

overcoat is not an approved surface for 

sealing and can potentially compromise 

sealant adhesion. Compromised sealant 

adhesion can, over time, affect the lightningprotection properties of the airplane. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to address 

compromised sealant adhesion within the 

center fuel tank, which, if not addressed, 

could result in ignition of fuel vapors and 

subsequent explosion of the fuel tank in the 

event of a lightning strike. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

Within 10 years after the date of issuance 

of the original airworthiness certificate or the 

original export certificate of airworthiness, 

do all applicable actions identified in, and in 

accordance with, the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 

Requirements Bulletin 737–57–1352 RB, 

dated February 1, 2021. 

Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for 

accomplishing the actions required by this 

AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 737–57–1352, dated 

February 1, 2021, which is referred to in 

Boeing Special Attention Requirements 

Bulletin 737–57–1352 RB, dated February 1, 

2021. 

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 

FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs 

for this AD, if requested using the procedures 

found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 

14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 

principal inspector or 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 Related Information. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the 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, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, to make 

those findings. To be approved, the repair 

method, modification deviation, or alteration 

deviation must meet the certification basis of 

the airplane, and the approval must 

specifically refer to this AD. 

(i) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Chris Baker, Aerospace Engineer, 

Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO 

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

WA 98198; phone and fax: 206–231–3552; 

email: christopher.r.baker@faa.gov. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Boeing Commercial 

Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data 

Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., 

MC 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740–5600; 

telephone 562–797–1717; internet https://

www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this 

referenced 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. 

Issued on December 21, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–03804 Filed 2–22–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0143; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–01401–T] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland 

Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type 

Certificate Previously Held by 

Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for 

certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada 

Limited (type certificate previously held 

by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC–8–401 

and –402 airplanes. This proposed AD 

was prompted by reports of a certain 

bolt at the pivot pin link being found 

missing or having stress corrosion 

cracking. This proposed AD would 

require a modification to the nose 

landing gear (NLG) shock strut 

assembly. 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 April 11, 2022. 

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 

https://www.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. 

For service information identified in 

this NPRM, contact De Havilland 

Aircraft of Canada Limited, Q-Series 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS