Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/12/21/2016-29307/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes
Timestamp: 2018-04-21 16:32:07
Document Index: 366199421

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 39', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 3', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 4', 'art 6', 'art 5', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 4', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 6', 'art 3', 'art 5', 'art 4', 'art 6', 'art 5', 'art 7', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 8']

A Rule by the Federal Aviation Administration on 12/21/2016
This AD is effective January 25, 2017.
81 FR 93585
93585-93589 (5 pages)
Docket No. FAA-2015-5816
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-029-AD
Amendment 39-18731
AD 2016-25-05
2016-29307
FAA-2015-5816
2015-NM-029-AD The Boeing Company Model 747?100, 747?100B, 747?100B SUD, 747?200B, 747?200C, 747?200F, 747?300, 747?400, 747?400D, 747?400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes 2015-NM-166-AD
Request To Clarify Inspections
Request To Update Terminating Action Language for Zone C Inspections
(g) Repetitive Inspections/Investigative and Corrective Actions
(h) Exceptions to Service Bulletin Specifications
(j) Repetitive Post-Modification Inspections and Corrective Actions
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2016-29307 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2016-29307
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking found in the splice plates, hinge fittings, terminal fittings, the upper skin of the outboard Start Printed Page 93586and center sections, upper chord, and rear spar webs before reaching the inspection interval specified in AD 2006-10-16. Cracked and fractured Maraging steel fasteners were also found. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking, an inspection to determine whether fasteners are magnetic, repetitive ultrasonic inspections for cracking and fractures of affected fasteners, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are 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 January 25, 2017.
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-2015-5816.
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-5816; 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.
Nathan Weigand, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6428; fax: 425-917-6590; email: nathan.p.weigand@faa.gov.
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2006-10-16, Amendment 39-14600 (71 FR 28570, May 17, 2006) (“AD 2006-10-16”). AD 2006-10-16 applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 27, 2015 (80 FR 74052) (“the NPRM”). The NPRM was prompted by reports of cracking found in the splice plates, hinge fittings, terminal fittings, the upper skin of the outboard and center sections, upper chord, and rear spar webs before reaching the inspection interval specified in AD 2006-10-16. Cracked and fractured Maraging steel fasteners were also found. The NPRM proposed to reduce the compliance time for certain inspections and add repetitive inspections for cracking of the splice plates, hinge fittings, terminal fittings, upper skin of the outboard and center sections, and rear spar webs in Zone B. The NPRM also proposed to require an inspection to determine whether fasteners are magnetic in Zone C, repetitive ultrasonic inspections for cracking and fractures of affected fasteners, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. The NPRM also added an optional modification, which would terminate certain repetitive inspections, provided post-modification inspections and corrective action are done if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct this cracking, which could lead to reduced structural capability of the outboard and center sections of the horizontal stabilizer and could result in loss of control of the airplane.
Atlas Airlines, United Airlines, and The Boeing Company requested that we clarify the inspection required by the proposed AD. Atlas Airlines stated that the “Proposed AD Requirements” paragraph of the NPRM states that the proposed AD would retain all the requirements of AD 2006-10-16. Atlas Airlines also stated that paragraph (f) of AD 2006-10-16 is not included in the proposed AD and noted that paragraph (g)(3) of the proposed AD identifies only Groups 7 through 9 as the applicable groups for the Zone A inspections. Atlas Airlines asked for clarification of the Zone A inspections.
Boeing noted that AD 2006-10-16 includes Zone C inspections as specified in Part 5 of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 1, dated May 1, 2003, and included Zone A inspections for Groups 1 through 6. Boeing noted that these inspections have not been removed by Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015. Boeing also requested that we revise the proposed AD to address the Zone C inspections in Part 5 of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, and the Zone A inspections for Groups 1 through 6.
United Airlines disagreed with not restating the requirements of AD 2006-10-16. United Airlines stated that operators might miss that Zone A inspections and Zone C, Part 5, inspections required by AD 2006-10-16 are intended to be mandated. United Airlines noted that although the preamble of the NPRM stated that all inspections of AD 2006-10-16 are retained, paragraph (g) of the proposed AD only specifies new requirements and does not include certain Zone A inspections and Zone C, Part 5, inspections.
We agree that clarification is necessary. As stated in the preamble to the NPRM, we intended to retain all requirements of AD 2006-10-16. However, the actions specified in the proposed AD do not include the inspections referred to by the commenters. We have determined that instead of including those actions in this final rule, we will issue this action as a stand-alone AD. Thus, AD 2006-10-16 is not superseded, making it clear that all actions in AD 2006-10-16 continue to be required. In addition, we have revised this AD to specify when accomplishing certain actions in this AD terminates actions specified in AD 2006-10-16. We have made the following changes:
Revised paragraph (g)(1) of this AD to specify that accomplishing a Zone B inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD terminates the inspections required by paragraph (g) of AD 2006-10-16 for the inspected area only.
Revised paragraph (g)(2) of this AD to specify that accomplishing a Zone B inspection required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD terminates the inspections required by paragraph (i) of AD 2006-10-16 for the inspected area only.
Revised paragraph (g)(3) of this AD to specify that accomplishing Zone A and Zone B inspections required by Start Printed Page 93587paragraph (g)(3) of this AD terminates the inspections required by paragraphs (f), (i), and (l) of AD 2006-10-16 for the inspected area only.
Added paragraph (i)(1)(iii) to this AD to clarify that accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD terminates inspections required by paragraph (g) of AD 2006-10-16 for Zone B, as specified in Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, for the modified area only.
Added paragraph (i)(1)(iv) to this AD to clarify that accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (i) of this AD terminates inspections required by paragraph (k) of AD 2006-10-16 for Zone C, as specified in Part 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, for the modified area only.
Added paragraph (i)(2)(ii) of this AD to clarify that accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (k) of AD 2006-10-16 for Zone C, as specified in Part 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, for the inspected area only.
Added paragraph (i)(3)(ii) of this AD to clarify that accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (i) of AD 2006-10-16 for Zone B, as specified in Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, for the modified area only.
Boeing requested that we revise paragraph (i)(2) of the proposed AD to clarify which Zone C inspections are terminated. Boeing noted that paragraph (i)(2) of the proposed AD specifies that the actions terminate Zone C inspections specified in Part 6 of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, and noted that Zone C inspections in Part 5 of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, are also terminated.
We agree to clarify the terminating action for the Zone C inspections, and have revised paragraph (i)(2) of this AD accordingly.
We reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015. The service information describes procedures for accomplishing Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C inspections for cracking of the upper skin and upper rear spar chord of the outboard and center sections of the horizontal stabilizer, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. The service information also describes procedures for a magnetic inspection to determine the type of fasteners, ultrasonic inspections for cracking and fractures of affected fasteners, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. 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.
We estimate that this AD affects 116 airplanes of U.S. registry.
Zone A Inspections (required by AD 2006-10-16) 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 $0 $680 Up to $78,880.
Zone B Open-hole nondestructive testing (NDT) Inspection (required by AD 2006-10-16 for Groups 3, 4, and 5 airplanes; and for Groups 1, 2, and 3 airplanes, if done) 30 work-hours × $85 per hour = $2,550 0 2,550 Up to $295,800.
Zone C Maraging or H-11 Steel Fastener Inspection (required by AD 2006-10-16 for Groups 1, 2, and 3 airplanes) 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 0 680 Up to $78,880.
New Zone B Inspections 248 work-hours × $85 per hour = $21,080 0 21,080 $2,445,280.
New Zone C Inspection 26 work-hours × $85 per hour = $2,210 0 2,210 $256,360.
Estimated Costs—Optional Actions
Open-hole NDT Inspections (high frequency eddy current inspections) Up to 298 work-hours × $85 per hour = up to $25,330 $0 Up to $25,330.
Zone B Modification Up to 313 work-hours × $85 per hour = up to $26,605 Up to $3,486 Up to $30,091.
Post-Modification Inspections Up to 298 work-hours × $85 per hour = up to $25,330 $0 Up to $25,330.
Start Printed Page 93588
2016-25-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18731; Docket No. FAA-2015-5816; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-029-AD.
This AD affects AD 2006-10-16, Amendment 39-14600 (71 FR 28570, May 17, 2006) (“AD 2006-10-16”).
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes; certificated in any category.
This AD was prompted by reports of cracking found in the splice plates, hinge fittings, terminal fittings, the upper skin of the outboard and center sections, upper chord, and rear spar webs before reaching the inspection interval specified in AD 2006-10-16. Cracked and fractured Maraging steel fasteners were also found. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct this cracking, which could lead to reduced structural capability of the outboard and center sections of the horizontal stabilizer and could result in loss of control of the airplane.
At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, except as required by paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD: Do the applicable actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), and (g)(4) of this AD, and all applicable related investigative and corrective actions, in accordance with the applicable part of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, except as required by paragraph (h)(3) of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before further flight. Repeat the applicable inspections specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), and (g)(4) of this AD at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015.
(1) For Group 1 through 3 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015: Do non-destructive test (NDT) inspections (ultrasonic, high frequency eddy current, and low frequency eddy current inspections) or open-hole NDT inspections (high frequency eddy current inspections) of Zone B for cracking, in accordance with Part 3 or Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, as applicable. Accomplishing a Zone B inspection required by this paragraph terminates the inspections required by paragraph (g) of AD 2006-10-16 for the inspected area only.
(2) For Group 4 through 6 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015: Do open-hole NDT inspections (high frequency eddy current inspections) of Zone B for cracking, in accordance with Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015. Accomplishing a Zone B inspection required by this paragraph terminates the inspections required by paragraph (i) of AD 2006-10-16 for the inspected area only.
(3) For Group 7 through 9 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015: Do inspections of Zone A (detailed or high frequency eddy current inspections) and Zone B (open-hole high frequency eddy current inspections) for cracking, in accordance with Part 1, Part 2, or Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, as applicable. Accomplishing Zone A and Zone B inspections required by this paragraph terminates the inspections required by paragraphs (f), (i), and (l) of AD 2006-10-16 for the inspected area only.
(4) For Group 1 through 3 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015: Do an inspection of Zone C Maraging or H-11 steel fasteners to determine whether fasteners are magnetic, in accordance with Part 6 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015.
(1) Where Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, specifies a compliance time “after the Revision 2 date of this service bulletin,” this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
(2) The Condition column of Table 1 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, refers to airplanes with certain total flight cycles and total flight hours. This AD, however, applies to the Start Printed Page 93589airplanes with the specified total flight cycles and total flight hours as of the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, specifies to contact Boeing for repair instructions: Before further flight, repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.
(1) For Group 1 through 3 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015: Accomplishing the Zone B modification, including all applicable related investigative and corrective actions, specified in Part 7 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, except as required by paragraph (h)(3) of this AD, terminates the repetitive inspections specified in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iv) of this AD for the modified area only.
(i) Inspections required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD for Zone B, as specified in Part 3 and Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015.
(ii) Inspections required by paragraph (g)(4) of this AD for Zone C, as specified in Part 6 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015.
(iii) Inspections required by paragraph (g) of AD 2006-10-16 for Zone B, as specified in Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015.
(iv) Inspections required by paragraph (k) of AD 2006-10-16 for Zone C, as specified in Part 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015.
(2) For Group 1 through 3 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015: Accomplishing the Zone B open-hole NDT inspection, repairing any cracking as applicable, and replacing fasteners as specified in Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, terminates the actions specified in paragraphs (i)(2)(i) and (i)(2)(ii) of this AD for the inspected area only.
(i) The inspections required by paragraph (g)(4) of this AD for Zone C, as specified in Part 6 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015.
(ii) The repetitive inspections required by paragraph (k) of AD 2006-10-16 for Zone C, as specified in Part 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015.
(3) For Group 4 through 9 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015: Accomplishing the Zone B modification, including all applicable related investigative and corrective actions, specified in Part 7 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, except as required by paragraph (h)(3) of this AD, terminates the actions specified in paragraphs (i)(3)(i) and (i)(3)(ii) of this AD for the modified area only.
(i) The repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g)(2) or (g)(3) of this AD, as applicable, only for Zone B, as specified in Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015.
(ii) The repetitive inspections required by paragraph (i) of AD 2006-10-16 for Zone B, as specified in Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015.
At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015: Do the applicable inspections specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of this AD, and all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with Part 8 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, except as required by paragraph (h)(3) of this AD. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight. Repeat the applicable inspections at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015.
(1) For Group 1 through 3 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, on which the Zone B modification specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD is done: Do non-destructive test (NDT) inspections (ultrasonic, high frequency eddy current, and low frequency eddy current inspections) or open-hole NDT inspections (high frequency eddy current inspections) of Zone B for cracking.
(2) For Group 4 through 9 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, on which the Zone B modification specified in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD is done: Do open-hole NDT inspections (high frequency eddy current inspections) of Zone B for cracking.
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install any Maraging or H-11 steel fasteners in the locations specified in this AD. Where Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, specifies to install H-11 bolts (kept fasteners), this AD requires installation of Inconel bolts.
(4) AMOCs approved for AD 2006-10-16, are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph (g) of this AD, except for approved AMOCs that allow installation of Maraging or H-11 steel fasteners.
For more information about this AD, contact Nathan Weigand, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6428; fax: 425-917-6590; email: nathan.p.weigand@faa.gov.
(i) Boeing Service Bulletin 747-55A2050, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 25, 2016.
[FR Doc. 2016-29307 Filed 12-20-16; 8:45 am]