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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 12, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9403-9406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02316]

========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 28 / Wednesday, February 12, 2025 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 9403]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0196; Project Identifier AD-2024-00250-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2019-12-13, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 757 
airplanes. AD 2019-12-13 requires repetitive checks of the aileron trim 
actuator bearing for free rotation, repetitive detailed inspections of 
the aileron trim actuator attachment lug for damage and cracking, and 
applicable on-condition actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-12-13, 
the FAA has determined that a modification must be done to address the 
unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the 
actions in AD 2019-12-13. This proposed AD would also require for 
certain airplanes changing the lateral control box support assembly and 
installing an aileron trim actuator bracket, and for certain other 
airplanes replacing the existing actuator lateral control fitting with 
an aileron trim actuator bracket, which terminates the repetitive 
checks and inspections. 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 March 31, 
2025.

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 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.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0196; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For the material identified 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.
     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-2025-0196.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katherine Venegas, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 562-
627-5353; email: [email protected].

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-2025-0196; 
Project Identifier AD-2024-00250-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 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 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 
Katherine Venegas, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 562-627-5353; email: 
[email protected]. 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 2019-12-13, Amendment 39-19668 (84 FR 30577, June 
27, 2019) (AD 2019-12-13), for all Boeing 757 airplanes. AD 2019-12-13 
was prompted by a report of the failure of the aileron trim actuator 
attachment lug. AD 2019-12-13 requires repetitive checks of the aileron 
trim actuator bearing for free rotation, repetitive detailed 
inspections of the aileron trim actuator attachment lug for damage and 
cracking, and applicable on-condition actions. The agency issued AD 
2019-12-13 to address failure of the aileron trim actuator attachment 
lug and subsequent loss of feel force, wheel centering, and lateral 
trim, which, if not corrected, could cause over-control of

[[Page 9404]]

the airplane and subsequent lateral pilot-induced oscillations that 
could adversely affect continued safe flight and landing.

Actions Since AD 2019-12-13 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2019-12-13, the FAA has determined that a 
modification must be done to address the unsafe condition. The preamble 
to AD 2019-12-13 specifies that the FAA considers that AD ``interim 
action'' and that the FAA might consider further rulemaking if a 
modification is developed, approved, and available. The manufacturer 
has since developed such a modification, which would terminate the 
repetitive inspections required by AD 2019-12-13.

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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB, 
Revision 1, dated April 29, 2020. This material describes procedures 
for repetitive checks of the aileron trim actuator bearing for free 
rotation, repetitive detailed inspections of the aileron trim actuator 
attachment lug for damage or cracking, and applicable on-condition 
actions. On-condition actions include high frequency eddy current 
(HFEC) inspections of the aileron trim actuator attachment lug for 
cracking, repair, and replacement. This revision only adds references 
to AD 2019-12-13 and does not add any new actions.
    The FAA also reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-
27A0160 RB, dated April 1, 2024. This material specifies procedures for 
modifying the affected airplanes, which includes for certain airplanes 
changing the lateral control box support assembly (which includes doing 
a portable method C penetrant inspection of the machined surface of the 
lug for any crack, and repair as applicable) and installing an aileron 
trim actuator bracket, and for certain other airplanes replacing the 
existing actuator lateral control fitting with an aileron trim actuator 
bracket. Accomplishment of the modification terminates the repetitive 
checks and inspections specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
757-27A0159 RB.
    This proposed AD would also require Boeing Alert Requirements 
Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB, dated March 29, 2019, which the Director of 
the Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of July 
12, 2019 (84 FR 30577, June 27, 2019).
    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 NPRM

    This proposed AD would retain all of the requirements of AD 2019-
12-13 and would refer to Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 
RB, Revision 1, dated April 29, 2020, as the appropriate source of 
service information for accomplishing the retained actions.
    This proposed AD would also require doing the actions described in 
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0160 RB, dated April 1, 2024, 
above, 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 
material at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0196.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 460 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost    Cost per product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repetitive inspections (retained   3 work-hours x $85             $0  $255 per inspection   $117,300 per
 actions from AD                    per hour = $255 per                cycle.                inspection cycle.
 2019[dash]12[dash]13).             inspection cycle.
Install aileron trim actuator      6 work-hours x $85          3,820  $4,330..............  $1,991,800.
 bracket (new proposed action).     per hour = $510.
Change the lateral control box     2 work-hours x $85              0  $170................  $69,020.*
 assembly for Groups 1, 4, and 5    per hour = $170.
 (new proposed action).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The number of airplanes in Groups 1, 4, and 5, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0160
  RB, dated April 1, 2024, is estimated to be 406.

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement (retained actions from AD           4 work-hours x $85 per hour =            $17,693         $18,033
 2019[dash]12[dash]13).                          $340.
HFEC inspection (retained actions from AD       1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85               0              85
 2019[dash]12[dash]13).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the on-condition repair specified in this proposed AD.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue

[[Page 9405]]

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) 2019-12-13, Amendment 39-19668 
(84 FR 30577, June 27, 2019), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2025-0196; Project Identifier AD-
2024-00250-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by March 31, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2019-12-13, Amendment 39-19668 (84 FR 30577, 
June 27, 2019) (AD 2019-12-13).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, 
-200PF, and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of the failure of the aileron 
trim actuator attachment lug. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
failure of the aileron trim actuator attachment lug and subsequent 
loss of feel force, wheel centering, and lateral trim. The unsafe 
condition, if not corrected, could cause over-control of the 
airplane and subsequent lateral pilot-induced oscillations, which 
could adversely affect continued safe flight and landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Required Actions, With Revised Service Information

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2019-12-13, with revised service information. Except as specified by 
paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-
27A0159 RB, Revision 1, dated April 29, 2020, do all applicable 
actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB, 
dated March 29, 2019, or Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-
27A0159 RB, Revision 1, dated April 29, 2020. As of the effective 
date of this AD, only use Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-
27A0159 RB, Revision 1, dated April 29, 2020, for the actions 
required by this paragraph.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
757-27A0159, dated March 29, 2019, which is referred to in Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB, dated March 29, 2019.
    Note 2 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can also be found in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 757-27A0159, Revision 1, dated April 29, 2020, which is 
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB, 
Revision 1, dated April 29, 2020.

(h) Retained Exception, With Revised Service Information

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h)(2) of 
AD 2019-12-13, with revised service information. Where Boeing Alert 
Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB, dated March 29, 2019, and 
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB, Revision 1, dated 
April 29, 2020, specify contacting Boeing for repair instructions: 
This AD requires doing the repair using a method approved in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this 
AD.

(i) New Required Actions

    Except as specified by paragraph (j) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0160 RB, dated April 1, 2024, do 
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
757-27A0160 RB, dated April 1, 2024. Doing the modification required 
in this paragraph terminates the inspections required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD.
    Note 3 to paragraph (i): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
757-27A0160, dated April 1, 2024, which is referred to in Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0160 RB, dated April 1, 2024.

(j) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications

    (1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-
27A0160 RB, dated April 1, 2024, refer to the original issue date of 
Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0160 RB, this AD requires using the 
effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0160 RB, 
dated April 1, 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 
(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)(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

[[Page 9406]]

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.
    (4) AMOCs approved for AD 2019-12-13 are approved as AMOCs for 
the corresponding provisions of paragraph (g) of this AD.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Katherine 
Venegas, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 562-627-5353; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by 
reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (m)(5) 
of this AD.

(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) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB, Revision 
1, dated April 29, 2020.
    (ii) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0160 RB, dated 
March 29, 2024.
    (4) The following material was approved for IBR on July 12, 2019 
(84 FR 30577, June 27, 2019).
    (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-27A0159 RB, dated 
March 29, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) For the 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 [email protected].

    Issued on February 3, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-02316 Filed 2-11-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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