Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/06/12/2019-12322/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes
Timestamp: 2019-06-17 19:21:00
Document Index: 157697254

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 39', 'art 8', 'arts 8', 'arts 8', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 3', 'arts 8', 'arts 8', 'arts 8', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 5', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 2', 'art 5', 'art 2', 'art 6', 'art 4', 'art 5']

A Rule by the Federal Aviation Administration on 06/12/2019
This AD is effective July 17, 2019.
84 FR 27193
27193-27197 (5 pages)
Docket No. FAA-2018-0708
Product Identifier 2018-NM-072-AD
Amendment 39-19652
AD 2019-11-06
FAA-2018-0708
2018-NM-072-AD The Boeing Company Model 737?600, ?700, ?700C, ?800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes
Ex Parte Forms
Request To Address Errors in the Service Information
Request To Exclude Post-Repair and Post-Modification Inspections
Request To Include Optional Terminating Action
Request To Add Inspection Condition of “No Crack Found”
Request To Approve AMOCs for AD 2017-02-10
Request To Add Material Incorporated by Reference Paragraph
(j) Optional Terminating Action for Certain Requirements of AD 2013-19-23
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-12322 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-12322
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 27193
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the skin and a certain chord at three fastener locations common to the drag link assembly at the chord. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the skin under the drag link assembly for any cracks, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 17, 2019.
For service information identified in this final rule, 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 service information at the FAA, Transport Standards 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 on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0708.
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0708; 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, the regulatory evaluation, 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.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 14, 2018 (83 FR 40159). The NPRM was prompted by reports of cracks in the skin and a certain chord at three fastener locations common to the drag link assembly at the chord. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections of the skin under the drag link assembly for any cracks, and applicable on-condition actions.
American Airlines stated its support for the NPRM. United Airlines stated that it has no technical objections to the NPRM.
Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) stated that accomplishing the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00830SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions specified in the proposed AD.
Southwest Airlines (SWA) requested that paragraph (c) of the proposed AD be revised to include aircraft with APB STC ST00830SE installed, with either blended or split scimitar winglets. SWA noted that paragraph 1.F of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, addresses the approval statement that the service information is also approved for airplanes having FAA APB STC ST00830SE installed, not including any areas affected by the split scimitar winglet configuration. SWA pointed out that it operates aircraft with STC ST00830SE installed and it has determined the structure within the STC ST00830SE area is subject to the concern addressed by the service information.
The FAA acknowledges the commenter's request. APB has already stated that winglets installed per STC ST00830SE do not affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. In addition, after the NPRM comment period closed, the FAA contacted APB as a result of SWA's comment and received additional confirmation that STC ST00830SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions of this AD. APB stated, “NPRM Docket FAA-2018-0708 was reviewed by APB for all configurations of STC ST00830SE, blended and split scimitar [winglets]. The APB comment of no impact is applicable to all configurations of STC ST00830SE.” As stated above, the FAA has added Start Printed Page 27194paragraph (c)(2) to this AD to state that installation of STC ST00830SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD.
Alaska Airlines (ASA), Delta Airlines (DAL), SWA, and Skymark Airlines (SMA) pointed out multiple errors in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018. DAL noted two errors in the service information that they would like to see addressed in order to avoid non-compliance with the proposed AD and reduce confusion. ASA echoed DAL's request to avoid non-compliance with the proposed AD by correcting the service information and pointed out one error within the service information, in addition to the ones noted by other commenters. SWA noted six errors within the service information and requested paragraph (h) of this proposed AD be revised to add exceptions to the service information. For one error, SWA noted that the post-repair instructions of the service information specify inspection standards that differ from established non-destructive test standards, and SWA requested paragraph (h) of this proposed AD be revised to include a provision allowing a deviation from the service information. SMA stated they have found errors in their initial review of the service information, which Boeing has acknowledged.
SMA requested to delay the issuance of the final rule until a revision to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368 is released and can be incorporated into the final rule. SMA argued that they are obligated to prepare a work instruction document that corrects any errors in the service information and this method is not preferable to SMA for managing the accomplishment of the proposed AD.
The FAA acknowledges the commenters' concerns regarding the information in the service information that requires clarification or correction. In light of the critical nature of the identified unsafe condition, the FAA does not consider it appropriate to delay this final rule until new service information is available. In addition, the amount of clarification needed would be overly complex for inclusion in this AD. Therefore, the FAA has added paragraph (h)(3) to this AD, “Exceptions to Service Information Specifications,” to provide operators with information regarding how to address any actions in the service information that cannot be accomplished. The FAA has also revised paragraph (g) of this AD to include a reference to paragraph (h)(3) of this AD.
We anticipate that Boeing will publish a revision to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, to address known errors. The FAA will consider issuing a global AMOC to address known errors if the new revision is not published soon after the effective date of this AD. After the publication of the revision, the FAA will review the revision in consideration of an AMOC to this AD, or may consider future rulemaking action.
Regarding SWA's comment on post-repair and post-modification inspections, those inspections will not be required by this AD, as discussed in the response to the request below to exclude post-repair and post-modification inspections.
Boeing and SWA requested that the proposed AD be revised to exclude the post-repair/post-modification inspection requirements specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, as AD-mandated actions. The commenters pointed to paragraph (j) of AD 2017-02-10, Amendment 39-18789 (82 FR 10258, February 10, 2017) (“AD 2017-02-10”) as an example of post-repair and post-modification inspections that are specified in the service information but are excepted by the AD.
Note that the service information referenced in AD 2017-02-10 identified post-repair and post-modification inspection procedures, but the AD excepted those inspections because the inspections are airworthiness limitations and are required by maintenance and operational rules. Therefore, it was unnecessary to mandate them in AD 2017-02-10.
The FAA agrees with the commenters' requests for the reasons provided. The FAA infers that SWA meant to include in its comment a reference to Table 5 of paragraph 1.E, Compliance, of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018. This table is associated with the Part 8 post-repair inspections of the Accomplishment Instructions. The FAA has added paragraph (h)(4) to exclude the post-repair and post-modification inspection requirements specified in Parts 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, as AD-mandated actions. The FAA has also revised paragraph (g) of this AD to include a reference to paragraph (h)(4) of this AD.
In addition, Parts 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, were incorrectly labeled as required for compliance (RC). This will likely be corrected in a future revision to this service bulletin.
SWA requested to add a paragraph that specifies an AMOC for the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2013-19-23, Amendment 39-17605 (78 FR 61173, October 3, 2013) (“AD 2013-19-23”). SWA pointed out that the accomplishment of Part 4 or Part 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, will prohibit the D626A001-9-01 inspection for Principal Structural Element (PSE) 53-30-02-4, as required by paragraph (g) of AD 2013-19-23.
The FAA partially agrees with the commenter's request. After the NPRM comment period closed, the FAA queried Boeing and confirmed that this repair should indeed be considered a method of compliance, as suggested by SWA. The FAA has added paragraph (j) to this AD to allow an optional terminating action for the inspections of PSE 53-30-02-4 required by the airworthiness limitations specified in paragraph (g) of AD 2013-19-23. The optional terminating action is the accomplishment of the actions specified in Part 4 or Part 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018. The FAA has also revised paragraph (b) of this AD to reflect that this AD affects AD 2013-19-23.
ASA noted that Tables 1, 2, and 3 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, are missing Condition 1.3, which should provide instructions on how to proceed in the case that no crack is found during the specified inspection. ASA suggested using the same language found in Condition 2.3 of Tables 1, 2, and 3 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018. ASA reasoned that it requires clear and correct reference documents to develop accurate engineering documents and avoid noncompliance with the requirements of the AD.
The FAA agrees with the commenter's request for the reasons provided. There Start Printed Page 27195should also be a Condition 1.3 in the appropriate places in the Accomplishment Instructions as well as paragraph 1.E., Compliance. These issues have been coordinated with Boeing, and they have indicated that this will be addressed in a future revision to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018. The FAA has added paragraph (h)(5) to this AD to provide instructions regarding how to proceed if no crack is found upon accomplishment of Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018. The FAA has also revised paragraph (g) of this AD to include a reference to paragraph (h)(5) of this AD.
ASA requested to revise the proposed AD to include AMOCs previously approved for AD 2017-02-10. ASA pointed out that during their accomplishment of AD 2017-02-10, they completed repairs in the same area as specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018.
The FAA does not agree with the request to allow AMOCs previously approved for AD 2017-02-10 to be approved for this AD. After the NPRM comment period closed, the FAA coordinated this issue with Boeing. Boeing indicated that different types of repairs have been encountered during the service history of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 2, dated December 9, 2015, which is referred to as the appropriate source of service information for accomplishing the required actions specified in AD 2017-02-10. For some repairs required by this AD, an AMOC approved for AD 2017-02-10 would also be suitable for this AD. However, this is not the case for all types of repairs, and therefore, all AMOCs previously approved for AD 2017-02-10 cannot be approved for this AD. This AD has not been changed in this regard.
Boeing requested to add a paragraph to the proposed AD titled “Material Incorporated by Reference,” stating that this paragraph is missing.
For clarification, the paragraph titled “Material Incorporated by Reference” is not currently included in NPRMs, but is included in all final rule ADs.
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018. This service information describes procedures for an ultrasonic inspection of the skin under the drag link assembly and repair for any cracks; repetitive inspections for any cracks, including ultrasonic inspections, high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections, low frequency eddy current (LFEC) inspections, and detailed inspections; and a preventive modification if no crack is found. 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 the ADDRESSES section.
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,664 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Inspection 28 work-hours × $85 per hour = $2,380 per inspection cycle $0 $2,380 per inspection cycle $3,960,320 per inspection cycle.
Up to 56 work-hours × $85 per hour = $4,760 $24,020 Up to $28,780.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance Start Printed Page 27196of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes and associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.
2019-11-06 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-19652; Docket No. FAA-2018-0708; Product Identifier 2018-NM-072-AD.
This AD affects AD 2013-19-23, Amendment 39-17605 (78 FR 61173, October 3, 2013) (“AD 2013-19-23”).
(1) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018.
This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the skin and the station (STA) 540 bulkhead chord at the three fastener locations common to the drag link assembly at the STA 540 bulkhead chord. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the STA 540 bulkhead chord or skin, which could result in the inability of a primary structural element to sustain limit load. This condition, if not addressed, could result in possible rapid decompression and loss of structural integrity of the airplane.
Except as required by paragraphs (h)(1) through (h)(5) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, do all applicable actions identified as “RC” (required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018.
(1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this AD: Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, uses the phrase “the original issue date of this service bulletin,” this AD requires using “the effective date of this AD.”
(2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, specifies contacting Boeing: This AD requires repair before further flight using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
(3) If any action(s) identified as RC in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, cannot be accomplished as specified therein, those action(s) must be accomplished using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
(4) Parts 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, specify post-repair/modification airworthiness limitation inspections in compliance with 14 CFR 25.571(a)(3) at the repaired/modified locations to support compliance with 14 CFR 121.1109(c)(2) or 129.109(b)(2). Although Parts 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, are identified as RC, this AD does not require accomplishment of Parts 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018. As airworthiness limitations, these inspections are required by maintenance and operational rules. It is therefore unnecessary to mandate them in this AD. Deviations from these inspections require FAA approval, but do not require approval of an AMOC.
(5) For airplanes on which any crack is found during any Part 2 inspection specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, and no crack is found during the Part 3 inspection specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018: Before further flight, do the preventative modification specified in Part 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, on each side of the airplane on which no crack was found during the Part 3 inspection.
(1) Accomplishment of the repair in accordance with Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, terminates the repetitive inspections specified in Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, on the side of the airplane on which the repair was done, as required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) Accomplishment of the preventive modification in accordance with Part 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, terminates the repetitive inspections specified in Part 2 or Part 6, as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, on the side of the airplane on which the preventive modification was done, as required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
Accomplishment of the repair specified in Part 4 or the modification specified in Part 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, terminates the repetitive inspections specified in the airworthiness limitations required by paragraph (g) of AD 2013-19-23 for Principal Structural Element (PSE) 53-30-02-4 on the side of the airplane on which the repair or modification was done.
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs Start Printed Page 27197for 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(4) Except as specified in paragraphs (h)(2) through (h)(5) of this AD: For service information that contains steps that are labeled as RC, the provisions of paragraphs (k)(4)(i) and (k)(4)(ii) of this AD apply.
For more information about this AD, contact Alan Pohl, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3527; email: alan.pohl@faa.gov.
(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards 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 service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.
[FR Doc. 2019-12322 Filed 6-11-19; 8:45 am]