83 FR 33162 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 137 (July 17, 2018)

We propose to remove AD 93-14-19, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 93-14-19 requires inspections for disbonding of the trailing edge wedge of the leading edge slat; and repair, if necessary. Since we issued AD 93-14- 19, an updated stability and control analysis showed that the worst- case scenario of a trailing edge wedge disbond in-flight would not adversely affect the controllability of the airplane. Accordingly, we propose to remove AD 93-14-19.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 17, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33162-33163]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14398]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0582; Product Identifier 2018-NM-085-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); removal of airworthiness 
directive (AD).

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SUMMARY: We propose to remove AD 93-14-19, which applies to certain The 
Boeing Company Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 93-14-19 
requires inspections for disbonding of the trailing edge wedge of the 
leading edge slat; and repair, if necessary. Since we issued AD 93-14-
19, an updated stability and control analysis showed that the worst-
case scenario of a trailing edge wedge disbond in-flight would not 
adversely affect the controllability of the airplane. Accordingly, we 
propose to remove AD 93-14-19.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 31, 2018.

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 http://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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0582; 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 proposal, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Lockett, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3524; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite 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-2018-0582; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-085-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed 
AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We issued AD 93-14-19, Amendment 39-8644 (58 FR 41177, August 3, 
1993) (``AD 93-14-19''), for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200 
and -300 series airplanes. AD 93-14-19 requires visual inspections and 
either ``Coin Tap'' inspections or ultrasonic inspections for 
disbonding of the trailing edge wedge of the leading edge slat, and 
repair, if necessary. AD 93-14-19 resulted from reports of wedge damage 
or disbonding; in two cases the damage resulted in loss of a portion of 
the trailing edge wedge. The trailing edge wedge disbonding was caused 
by moisture ingression at the wedge end seals and in the skin bonds 
along the spar chords. Moisture in the aluminum honeycomb core would 
cause corrosion that would eventually result in disbonding between the 
skin and the aluminum honeycomb core. We issued AD 93-14-19 to prevent 
the loss of a trailing edge wedge, which could result in reduced 
maneuver margins, reduced speed margins to stall, and unexpected roll 
before stall warning, all of which would adversely affect the 
controllability of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 93-14-19 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 93-14-19, an updated stability and control 
analysis showed that the worst-case scenario of a trailing edge wedge 
disbond in-flight would not adversely affect the controllability of the 
airplane. Simulation analysis shows that the airplane has sufficient 
lateral control up to the stick shaker to counter the rolling moment 
caused by a trailing edge wedge loss, at all flap settings. Therefore, 
the unsafe condition no longer exists on these products worldwide.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, we have determined that AD 93-14-19 
must be removed. Accordingly, this proposed AD would remove AD 93-14-
19. Removal of AD 93-14-19 would not preclude the FAA from issuing 
another related action or commit the FAA to any course of action in the 
future.

Related Costs of Compliance

    AD 93-14-19 affects approximately 180 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The estimated costs for the actions required by AD 93-14-19 for U.S. 
operators is $79,200, or $440 per airplane. Removing AD 93-14-19 would 
eliminate those costs.

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.

[[Page 33163]]

    We are 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.
    This proposed 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 of 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.

Regulatory Findings

    We have 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 that the proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
AD 93-14-19, Amendment 39-8644 (58 FR 41177, August 3, 1993), and 
adding the following new AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2018-0582; Product Identifier 
2018-NM-085-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August 31, 
2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD removes AD 93-14-19, Amendment 39-8644 (58 FR 41177, 
August 3, 1993).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, line numbers 1 through 488 
inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Wayne Lockett, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3524; 
email: [email protected].

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on June 22, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-14398 Filed 7-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P