```

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 8, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1368-1371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00144]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1689; Project Identifier AD-2024-00109-T; 
Amendment 39-22910; AD 2024-25-08]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, and -300F airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by a report of a main landing gear (MLG) collapse event 
following maintenance where a grinder was operating outside of its 
input parameters, resulting in possible heat damage to the outer 
cylinder of the MLG. This AD requires replacing affected outer 
cylinders. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 12, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 12, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1689; 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-2024-1689.

[[Page 1369]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stefanie Roesli, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3964; email: [email protected].

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 all The Boeing Company 
Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on June 20, 2024 (89 FR 51856), corrected July 15, 
2024 (89 FR 57377). The NPRM was prompted by a report of a MLG collapse 
event following maintenance where a grinder was operating outside of 
its input parameters, resulting in possible heat damage to the outer 
cylinder of the MLG. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing 
any affected outer cylinders. The FAA is issuing this AD to address any 
heat damage to the outer cylinder of the landing gear, which could 
result in the inability of a principal structural element to sustain 
limit load, gear collapse resulting in loss of control of the airplane, 
and potential for off-runway excursion.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from Air Line Pilots Association, 
International, Aviation Partners Boeing, and an individual commenter, 
who supported the NPRM without change.
    The FAA received an additional comment from The Boeing Company. The 
following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response.

Effect of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions

    Aviation Partners Boeing stated that accomplishing Supplemental 
Type Certificate (STC) ST01920SE does not affect the actions specified 
in the proposed AD.
    The FAA concurs with the commenter. The FAA has redesignated 
paragraph (c) of the proposed AD as paragraph (c)(1) of this AD and 
added paragraph (c)(2) to this AD to state that installation of STC 
ST01920SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions 
required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01920SE is 
installed, a ``change in product'' alternative method of compliance 
(AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with the 
requirements of 14 CFR 39.17.

Request for Parts Installation Prohibition Paragraph

    Boeing requested the addition of a parts installation prohibition 
paragraph as of the effective date of this AD. Boeing stated that the 
parts prohibition paragraph should prohibit installation of any 
affected outer cylinders with part numbers and serial numbers listed in 
Appendix A, B, or C of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-32A0253 
RB, dated February 6, 2024, unless the parts have been inspected, 
applicable on-condition corrective actions have been done, and the 
parts have been part marked, in accordance with Appendix D of Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-32A0253 RB. The MLG outer cylinders are 
rotable structural components (RSC) that may be moved from one airplane 
to another. Additionally, the commenter asserted that since the 
applicability of the proposed AD covers all Model 767-200, -300, and -
300F series airplanes in service, the parts installation prohibition is 
needed to prevent the affected outer cylinders from being moved onto 
airplanes that have already complied with the required actions of the 
AD.
    The FAA agrees to clarify. This AD applies to all The Boeing 
Company Model 767-200, -300, and -300F airplanes. 14 CFR 39.7 specifies 
that once an AD is issued, no person may operate a product to which the 
AD applies except in accordance with the requirements of that AD. 
Further, 14 CFR 39.9 imposes a continuing obligation to maintain 
compliance with an AD by establishing a separate violation for each 
time an aircraft is operated that fails to meet AD requirements. Since 
this AD captures all possibly affected operators and requires 
replacement of the affected parts, and since those operators have an 
ongoing obligation to ensure that the AD-mandated configuration is 
maintained, a parts installation prohibition is unnecessary. The FAA 
has not changed this AD as a result of the request.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 
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 767-32A0253 RB, 
dated February 6, 2024. This material specifies procedures for 
performing a check of maintenance records or performing an inspection 
of the left and right MLG outer cylinders for any affected part numbers 
and serial numbers and replacing affected cylinders.
    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 574 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Action                  Labor cost      Parts cost      Cost per product      Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection or maintenance       Up to 3 work-               $0  Up to $255.............  Up to $146,370.
 records check for affected      hours x $85 per
 part numbers.                   hour = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection or maintenance records check. The agency has no way of 
determining the number of aircraft that might need this replacement:

[[Page 1370]]

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Action                               Labor cost              Parts cost     Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of MLG outer cylinder (83         189 work-hours * x $85 per          * $500,000            $516,065
 affected parts).                              hour = $16,065.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Task work-hours and parts cost are based on one MLG outer cylinder replacement.

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

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2024-25-08 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22910; Docket No. FAA-
2024-1689; Project Identifier AD-2024-00109-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 12, 
2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -
300, and -300F series airplanes, certificated in any category.
    (2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
ST01920SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions 
required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01920SE 
is installed, a ``change in product'' alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with 
the requirements of 14 CFR 39.17.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
Gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a main landing gear (MLG) 
collapse event following maintenance where a grinder was operating 
outside of its input parameters, resulting in possible heat damage 
to the outer cylinder of the MLG. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address any heat damage to the outer cylinder of the landing gear. 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the 
inability of a principal structural element to sustain limit load, 
gear collapse resulting in loss of control of the airplane, and 
potential for off-runway excursion.

(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 767-32A0253 RB, dated February 6, 2024, 
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
767-32A0253 RB, dated February 6, 2024.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
767-32A0253, dated February 6, 2024, which is referred to in Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-32A0253 RB, dated February 6, 2024.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    Where the Boeing Recommended Compliance Time column of the table 
in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements 
Bulletin 767-32A0253 RB, dated February 6, 2024, uses the phrase 
``the Original Issue date of Requirements Bulletin 767-32A0253 RB,'' 
this AD requires using the effective date 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: [email protected].
    (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: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is

[[Page 1371]]

available at the address specified in paragraph (k)(3) of this AD.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 767-32A0253 RB, dated 
February 6, 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/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].

    Issued on December 9, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-00144 Filed 1-7-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
```