Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/09/01/2016-20825/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes
Timestamp: 2017-08-18 22:12:19
Document Index: 34938990

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 39', '§\u200939', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4']

81 FR 60248
60248-60252 (5 pages)
Docket No. FAA-2016-3702
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-103-AD
Amendment 39-18634
AD 2016-18-04
FAA-2016-3702
2015-NM-103-AD The Boeing Company Model 747?8 and 747?8F airplanes
Request for Explanation of Change in Applicability From AD 2013-24-12
(h) Retained Exceptions to Service Information Specifications, With Revised Service Information References
(i) Retained Reporting and Sending Parts, With Revised Service Information
(j) Retained Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement, With No Changes
(k) New Installation or Inspections
(l) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision
(o) New Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(p) No Alternative Actions or Intervals
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2016-20825 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2016-20825
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-24-12 for all The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F airplanes. AD 2013-24-12 required repetitive ultrasonic or dye penetrant inspections for cracking of the barrel nuts and bolts on each forward engine mount, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2013-24-12 and also requires installing new barrel nuts at the forward engine mounts; or identifying the part number of the barrel nuts, inspecting affected barrel nuts for gaps of the strut bulkhead and forward engine mount, and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD also removes airplanes from the applicability. This new AD also requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to include a new structurally significant item. This AD was prompted by our determination that it is necessary to mandate the installation of new barrel nuts or new inspections to adequately address the unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracked barrel nuts on a forward engine mount, which could result in reduced load capacity of the forward engine mount, separation of an engine under power from the airplane, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 6, 2016.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of December 17, 2013 (78 FR 71989, December 2, 2013).
For service information identified in this final rule, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-3702.
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-3702; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2013-24-12, Amendment 39-17686 (78 FR 71989, December 2, 2013) (“AD 2013-24-12”). AD 2013-24-12 applied to all The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 25, 2016 (81 FR 9370) (“the NPRM”). The NPRM was prompted by our determination that it is necessary to mandate the installation of new barrel nuts or new inspections to adequately address the unsafe condition. The NPRM proposed to retain the requirements of AD 2013-24-12 and also require installing new barrel nuts at the forward engine mounts; or identifying the part number of the barrel nuts, inspecting affected barrel nuts for gaps of the strut bulkhead and forward engine mount, and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to remove airplanes from the applicability. The NPRM also proposed to require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to include a new structurally significant item. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracked barrel nuts on a forward engine mount, which could result in reduced load capacity of the forward engine mount, separation of an engine under power from the airplane, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.
Boeing stated that it supports the NPRM.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) requested that we revise the applicability of the proposed AD to ensure that all necessary actions are applied on all applicable airplanes. CAAC explained that it compared the effectivity between Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015, which is referred to in the applicability of the proposed AD, and Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015 (which is referred to as the appropriate source of service information for doing the actions specified in paragraph (k) of the proposed AD). CAAC explained that there are more airplanes in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015, than in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015.
We agree to clarify and revise the applicability of this AD. The difference in effectivity between Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015, and Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015, Start Printed Page 60249is that there are six additional airplanes in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015—four of these airplanes are foreign-registered, and the other two airplanes have not been delivered yet. We have revised paragraph (c) of this AD to refer to Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015. We have also revised paragraph (g) of this AD to specify that only airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015, are affected by that paragraph.
The CAAC requested that we explain the change in the applicability paragraph of the proposed AD from that of AD 2013-24-12. The CAAC explained that the applicability paragraph of AD 2013-24-12 applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. The CAAC stated that the NPRM would retain the requirements of AD 2013-24-12, but the applicability paragraph of the proposed AD only applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015.
We agree to clarify. AD 2013-24-12 was issued as an interim action. Boeing developed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, dated September 27, 2013 (currently at Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015), which contains a newly designed barrel nut. The effectivity in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015, identifies the airplanes that did not have the newly designed barrel nuts installed upon delivery. Because this AD does not include airplanes that have the newly designed barrel nuts installed during production, the applicability of AD 2013-24-12 was reduced. No changes have been made to this AD in this regard.
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015. The service information describes procedures for inspecting for cracked bolts and barrel nuts on the forward engine mounts, replacing cracked bolts and barrel nuts, and sending the inspection results and cracked parts to Boeing.
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015. The service information describes procedures for installing new barrel nuts, inspecting the barrel nuts at the forward engine mount to determine the part number, inspecting for gaps of the strut bulkhead and forward engine mount, and doing applicable related investigative and corrective actions.
Boeing 747-8/-8F Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs), Document Number D011U721-02-01, dated September 2015, which includes a limitation for Structurally Significant Item (SSI) 54-50-003c. The service information describes procedures for structural inspections.
Inspections (retained actions from AD 2013-24-12) Up to 24 work-hours × $85 per hour = $2,040 per inspection cycle $0 Up to $2,040 per inspection cycle Up to $14,280 per inspection cycle.
Installation (new action) 17 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,445 6,384 7,829 Up to $54,803.
Inspections (new alternative actions) 4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 0 340 Up to $2,380.
Maintenance program revision (new requirement) 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 0 85 595.
We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the bootstrap installation specified in this AD. We estimate the following costs to do other necessary related investigative and corrective actions that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these actions:
Ultrasonic inspection 5 work-hours × $85 per hour = $425 $0 $425
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject Start Printed Page 60250to penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, ATTN: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-24-12, Amendment 39-17686 ( 78 FR 71989, December 2, 2013), and adding the following new AD:
2016-18-04 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18634; Docket No. FAA-2016-3702; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-103-AD.
This AD replaces AD 2013-24-12, Amendment 39-17686 (78 FR 71989, December 2, 2013) (“AD 2013-24-12”).
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015.
This AD was prompted by a report of cracked barrel nuts found on a forward engine mount, and by the determination that additional actions are necessary to address the unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracked barrel nuts on a forward engine mount, which could result in reduced load capacity of the forward engine mount, separation of an engine under power from the airplane, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.
This paragraph restates the actions required by paragraph (g) of AD 2013-24-12, with revised service information. For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015: Except as required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, at the time specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, dated September 27, 2013, do the inspection specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, and do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, dated September 27, 2013; or Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before further flight. Repeat the inspection thereafter at the times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, dated September 27, 2013. As of the effective date of this AD, use only Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015.
(1) Ultrasonic inspection for cracking of the barrel nuts on each forward engine mount, except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.
(2) Dye penetrant inspection for cracking of the bolts and barrel nuts. Whenever a dye penetrant inspection is done, all the bolts and barrel nuts on that engine mount must be removed and replaced with new or serviceable parts.
(1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, dated September 27, 2013; or Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015; specify a compliance time “after the original issue date of this service bulletin,” this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after December 17, 2013 (the effective date of AD 2013-24-12).
(2) Where Appendix B of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, dated September 27, 2013, and Appendix B of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015, state that alternate instruments and transducers can be used, this AD requires that only equivalent instruments and transducers can be used.
(3) Where Appendix A of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, dated September 27, 2013, and Appendix A of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015, state to record flight hours and flight cycles, record the flight hours and flight cycles on the airplane and the flight hours and flight cycles for each engine since change or removal.
After any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Submit a report of the inspection results (both positive and Start Printed Page 60251negative), and return all cracked bolts and barrel nuts, at the applicable time specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD. The report must include the information requested in Appendix A of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, dated September 27, 2013, or Appendix A of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015, except as required by paragraph (h)(3) of this AD. Both the report and all cracked bolts and barrel nuts must be sent to the address specified in Appendix A of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, dated September 27, 2013, or Appendix A of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015.
(1) For airplanes on which an ultrasonic inspection was done and no cracking was found, do the required actions at the time specified in paragraph (i)(1)(i) or (i)(1)(ii) of this AD, as applicable.
(i) If the inspection was done on or after December 17, 2013 (the effective date of AD 2013-24-12): Submit the report within 10 days after the inspection.
(ii) If the inspection was done before December 17, 2013 (the effective date of AD 2013-24-12): Submit the report within 10 days after December 17, 2013 (the effective date of AD 2013-24-12).
(2) For airplanes on which a dye penetrant inspection was done, do the required actions at the time specified in paragraph (i)(2)(i) or (i)(2)(ii) of this AD, as applicable.
(i) If the inspection was done on or after December 17, 2013 (the effective date of AD 2013-24-12): Submit the report and return all cracked bolts and barrel nuts within 10 days after replacing the bolts and barrel nuts with new or serviceable bolts and barrel nuts in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, dated September 27, 2013; or Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015.
(ii) If the inspection was done before December 17, 2013 (the effective date of AD 2013-24-12): Submit the report and return all cracked bolts and barrel nuts within 10 days after December 17, 2013 (the effective date of AD 2013-24-12).
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015, except as required by paragraph (o)(1) of this AD: Do the actions specified in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015, except as required by paragraph (o)(2) of this AD.
(1) Install new barrel nuts using the bootstrap installation method identified in Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015.
(2) Do a general visual inspection to determine the part number (P/N) of the barrel nuts at the forward engine mount. If any barrel nut P/N SL4081C14SP1 is installed, before further flight, do a general visual inspection for gaps of the strut bulkhead and forward engine mount to determine if the nut-by-nut method identified in Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015, can be used, and do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before further flight, including the nut-by-nut replacement identified in Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015. If the nut-by-nut replacement identified in Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015, cannot be accomplished, install new nuts, in accordance with paragraph (k)(1) of this AD.
Within 30 days after accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (k) of this AD, or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Revise the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate Structurally Significant Item (SSI) 54-50-003c specified in Boeing 747-8/-8F Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs), Document Number D011U721-02-01, dated September 2015.
Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraphs (k) and (l) of this AD terminate the requirements of paragraphs (g) and (i) of this AD.
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install or reinstall any barrel nut P/N SL4081C14SP1 at the forward engine mount assembly on any airplane; and only P/N SL4750NA may be installed.
(1) Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015, specifies a compliance time “after the original issue date of this service bulletin,” this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (r) of this AD.
After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (l) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (r) of this AD.
This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in paragraph (k) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, dated May 30, 2014, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 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 ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (s)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(4) AMOCs approved for AD 2013-24-12 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.
(5) Except as required by paragraph (o)(2) of this AD: For service information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of Start Printed Page 60252paragraphs (r)(5)(i) and (r)(5)(ii) of this AD apply.
(2) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (t)(5) and (t)(6) of this AD.
(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on October 6, 2016.
(i) Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015.
(ii) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-71-2332, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2015.
(iii) Boeing 747-8/-8F Airworthiness Limitation (AWL), Document Number D011U721-02-01, dated September 2015.
(4) The following service information was approved for IBR on December 17, 2013 (78 FR 71989, December 2, 2013).
(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-71A2329, dated September 27, 2013.
[FR Doc. 2016-20825 Filed 8-31-16; 8:45 am]