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.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

24276 

Vol. 87, No. 79 

Monday, April 25, 2022 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0458; Project 

Identifier AD–2021–00633–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 all 

The Boeing Company Model 767 

airplanes. This proposed AD was 

prompted by reports of inoperative 

manual and alternate horizontal 

stabilizer trim switches. This proposed 

AD would require repetitive inspections 

for immersion of each limit switch and 

position transmitter module (LSPTM) 

and of the LSPTM electrical wiring, 

repetitive inspections for blockage of the 

drain holes and cleaning of each drain 

hole, repetitive inspections for loose or 

cracked leveling compound, and 

applicable on-condition actions. For 

certain airplanes, this proposed AD 

would also require installing two new 

drain holes, performing repetitive 

inspections for blockage of the drain 

holes and cleaning each drain hole, and 

applicable on-condition actions. 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 June 9, 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–2022– 

0458. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0458; 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: 

Hassan Ibrahim, Aerospace Engineer, 

Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, 

Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th 

St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and 

fax: 206–231–3653; email: 

hassan.m.ibrahim@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–2022–0458; Project Identifier AD– 

2021–00633–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 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 Hassan Ibrahim, 

Aerospace Engineer, Systems and 

Equipment Section, FAA, Seattle ACO 

Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 

Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206– 

231–3653; email: hassan.m.ibrahim@

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 

This proposed AD was prompted by 

reports of inoperative manual and 

alternate horizontal stabilizer trim 

switches on the Boeing Model 767. An 

investigation found that drain holes in 

the area aft of body station (STA) 1725.5 

were blocked and caused water to 

accumulate and eventually submerge 

the three LSPTMs, which affected their 

function. Loose pieces of leveling 

compound in the area were found 

detached and blocking the drain holes. 

Collected water or ice could damage the 

LSPTMs and cause stabilizer trim 

position sensors to generate corrupt or 

erroneous signals to the flight crew. 

This condition, if not addressed, could 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 79 / Monday, April 25, 2022 / Proposed Rules 24277 

result in misleading or confusing flight 

deck indications, a high speed overrun 

during takeoff, or a low altitude stall 

immediately after takeoff. 

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 Alert 

Requirements Bulletin 767–27A0240 

RB, dated January 19, 2021, which 

specifies procedures for repetitive 

general visual inspections (GVIs) for 

immersion in water or ice of each 

LSPTM and of the LSPTM electrical 

wiring, repetitive GVIs for blockage of 

the three drain holes and cleaning of 

each drain hole, repetitive GVIs for 

loose or cracked leveling compound, 

and applicable on-condition actions. 

On-condition actions include removing 

any water or ice, doing a detailed 

inspection for damage (corrosion or 

water damage) of any immersed LSPTM 

or LSPTM electrical wiring, installing a 

serviceable LSPTM, repairing or 

replacing any damaged LSPTM 

electrical wiring, clearing any drain hole 

blockages, and repairing any loose or 

cracked leveling compound. 

The FAA also reviewed Boeing Alert 

Requirements Bulletin 767–27A0243 

RB, dated May 28, 2021. This service 

information specifies procedures for 

installing two new drain holes, 

performing repetitive GVIs for blockage 

of the five drain holes and cleaning each 

drain hole, and applicable on-condition 

actions. On-condition actions include 

clearing any drain hole blockages. 

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, for 

Model 767–200, –300, –300F, and 

–400ER airplanes, accomplishing the 

actions specified in the service 

information already described. For the 

airplanes identified in Boeing Alert 

Requirements Bulletin 767–27A0243 

RB, dated May 28, 2021, this proposed 

AD would require the concurrent 

accomplishment of the actions in 

Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 

767–27A0240 RB, dated January 19, 

2021. For Model 767–2C airplanes, this 

proposed AD would require inspections 

and applicable on-condition actions 

accomplished in accordance with a 

method approved by the Manager, 

Seattle ACO Branch, FAA. 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–2022– 

0458. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD, if 

adopted as proposed, would affect 613 

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 

Drill drain holes ...................... 5 work-hours × $85 per hour 

= $425.

$2,770 $3,195 .................................... Up to $1,958,535. 

Repetitive GVI and cleaning 

of 5 drain holes.

2 work-hours × $85 per hour 

= $170 per inspection cycle.

0 170 per inspection cycle ........ Up to $104,210 per inspection 

cycle. 

Repetitive GVI of LSPTM ....... 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = 

$85 per inspection cycle.

0 85 per inspection cycle .......... 52,105 per inspection cycle. 

Repetitive GVI of LSPTM 

electrical wiring.

1 work-hour × $85 per hour = 

$85 per inspection cycle.

0 85 per inspection cycle .......... 52,105 per inspection cycle. 

Repetitive GVI and cleaning 

of 3 drain holes.

1 work-hour × $85 per hour = 

$85 per inspection cycle.

0 85 per inspection cycle .......... 52,105 per inspection cycle. 

Repetitive GVI of leveling 

compound.

1 work-hour × $85 per hour = 

$85 per inspection cycle.

0 85 per inspection cycle .......... 52,105 per inspection cycle. 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to do any necessary inspections 

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 

inspections: 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Detailed inspection of LSPTM or LSPTM electrical 

wiring.

1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ............................... $0 $85 

The FAA has received no definitive 

data on which to base the cost estimates 

for the other on-condition actions 

specified in this proposed 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 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
24278 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 79 / Monday, April 25, 2022 / Proposed Rules 

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 

■ 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– 

2022–0458; Project Identifier AD–2021– 

00633–T. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) by June 9, 2022. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all The Boeing 

Company Model 767–200, –300, –300F, 

–400ER, and –2C 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 reports of 

inoperative manual and alternate horizontal 

stabilizer trim switches; an investigation 

found that certain drain holes were blocked, 

causing water and ice to collect and 

subsequently cover the limit switch and 

position transmitter modules (LSPTMs), 

which affected their function. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to address collected water or 

ice that could damage the LSPTMs and cause 

stabilizer trim position sensors to generate 

corrupt or erroneous signals to the flight 

crew. This condition, if not addressed, could 

result in misleading or confusing flight deck 

indications, a high speed overrun during 

takeoff, or a low altitude stall immediately 

after takeoff. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

(1) For all Model 767–200, –300, –300F, 

and –400ER airplanes: Except as specified by 

paragraph (h) of this AD, at the applicable 

times specified in the ‘‘Compliance’’ 

paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements 

Bulletin 767–27A0240 RB, dated January 19, 

2021, do all applicable actions identified in, 

and in accordance with, the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements 

Bulletin 767–27A0240 RB, dated January 19, 

2021. 

Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1): Guidance for 

accomplishing the actions required by this 

AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 767–27A0240, dated January 19, 

2021, which is referred to in Boeing Alert 

Requirements Bulletin 767–27A0240 RB, 

dated January 19, 2021. 

(2) For Model 767–200, –300, –300F, and 

–400ER airplanes, as identified in Boeing 

Alert Requirements Bulletin 767–27A0243, 

dated May 28, 2021: Except as specified by 

paragraph (h) of this AD, at the applicable 

times specified in the ‘‘Compliance’’ 

paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements 

Bulletin 767–27A0243, dated May 28, 2021, 

do all applicable actions identified in, and in 

accordance with, the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements 

Bulletin 767–27A0243, dated May 28, 2021. 

Accomplishing the installation of two new 

drain holes required by this paragraph 

terminates the repetitive inspections of the 

drain holes required by paragraph (g)(1) of 

this AD. 

Note 2 to paragraph (g)(2): Guidance for 

accomplishing the actions required by this 

AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 767–27A0243, dated May 28, 2021, 

which is referred to in Boeing Alert 

Requirements Bulletin 767–27A0243, dated 

May 28, 2021. 

(3) For Model 767–2C airplanes: Within 90 

days after the effective date of this AD, 

inspect the LSPTMs, LSPTM electrical 

wiring, drain holes, and leveling compound; 

install two new drain holes as applicable; 

and do applicable on-condition actions in 

accordance with a method approved by the 

Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA. 

(h) Exceptions to Service Information 

Specifications 

(1) Where Boeing Alert Requirements 

Bulletin 767–27A0243 RB, dated May 28, 

2021, uses the phrase ‘‘the original issue date 

of the Requirements Bulletin 767–27A0243 

RB,’’ this AD requires using ‘‘the effective 

date of this AD.’’ 

(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements 

Bulletin 767–27A0240 RB, dated January 19, 

2021, uses the phrase ‘‘the original issue date 

of the Requirements Bulletin 767–27A0240 

RB,’’ this AD requires using ‘‘the effective 

date of this AD.’’ 

(3) Where Boeing Alert Requirements 

Bulletin 767–27A0243 RB, dated May 28, 

2021, specifies a compliance time for Action 

1, for this AD do Action 1 as specified in 

paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. 

(i) 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 paragraph (j)(1) of 

this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9- 

ANM-Seattle-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. 

(j) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Hassan Ibrahim, Aerospace Engineer, 

Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, 

Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., 

Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206– 

231–3653; email: hassan.m.ibrahim@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 April 7, 2022. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–08658 Filed 4–22–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


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