83_FR_56045 83 FR 55828 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

83 FR 55828 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 217 (November 8, 2018)

Page Range55828-55830
FR Document2018-24389

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the splice plate on the lower sill of the overwing emergency exit doors. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for such cracking and applicable on-condition actions. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 217 (Thursday, November 8, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 217 (Thursday, November 8, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55828-55830]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24389]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0959; Product Identifier 2018-NM-123-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-400 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the splice plate on 
the lower sill of the overwing emergency exit doors. This proposed AD 
would require repetitive inspections for such cracking and applicable 
on-condition actions. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 24, 
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.
    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, 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-2018-0959.

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-
0959; 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, the regulatory evaluation, 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: James Guo, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5357; fax: 562-627-
5210; email: james.guo@faa.gov.

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-2018-0959; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-123-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 have received reports of cracking in the splice plate on the 
lower sill of the overwing emergency exit doors. During a maintenance 
check, a crack was found in the splice plate at station (STA) 601 on 
the right side of an airplane that had 28,153 total flight cycles and 
63,360 total flight hours at the time of the crack finding. The crack 
had completely severed the one-inch-wide splice plate; the cracking was 
caused by fatigue stresses. Existing Corrosion Prevention Control 
Program (CPCP) inspections do not adequately detect cracking in the 
splice plate before it becomes critical. This cracking, if not 
addressed, could result in the inability of a principal structural 
element to

[[Page 55829]]

sustain limit loads and possible rapid decompression of the fuselage.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1380 RB, 
dated July 18, 2018. This service information describes procedures for 
repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for cracking 
in the splice plate on the lower sill of the overwing emergency exit 
doors and applicable on-condition actions. 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.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions 
identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1380 RB, dated 
July 18, 2018, described previously, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
    For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this 
service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0959.

Explanation of Requirements Bulletin

    The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the 
Airworthiness Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee 
(AD ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement is a process for 
annotating which steps in the service information are ``required for 
compliance'' (RC) with an AD. Boeing has implemented this RC concept 
into Boeing service bulletins.
    In an effort to further improve the quality of ADs and AD-related 
Boeing service information, a joint process improvement initiative was 
worked between the FAA and Boeing. The initiative resulted in the 
development of a new process in which the service information more 
clearly identifies the actions needed to address the unsafe condition 
in the ``Accomplishment Instructions.'' The new process results in a 
Boeing Requirements Bulletin, which contains only the actions needed to 
address the unsafe condition (i.e., only the RC actions).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 85 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                     Labor cost          Parts cost     Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repetitive inspections.........  2 work-hours x $85 per               $0  $170 per            $14,450 per
                                  hour = $170 per                          inspection cycle.   inspection cycle.
                                  inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary on-condition 
actions that would be required. We have no way of determining the 
number of aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost                 Parts cost       Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 18 work-hours x $85 per     Up to $7,646......  Up to $9,176.
 hour = $1,530.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    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 because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.
    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 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) 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.

[[Page 55830]]

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2018-0959; Product Identifier 
2018-NM-123-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 24, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-400 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, line numbers 1487 through 3132 
inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the splice plate 
on the lower sill of the overwing emergency exit doors. We are 
issuing this AD to address cracking in the splice plate, which, if 
not addressed, could result in the inability of a principal 
structural element to sustain limit loads and possible rapid 
decompression of the fuselage.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1380 RB, dated July 18, 2018, do 
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
737-53A1380 RB, dated July 18, 2018.


    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD:  Guidance for accomplishing 
the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 737-53A1380, dated July 18, 2018, which is referred to in 
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1380 RB, dated July 18, 
2018.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements 
of this AD: Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1380 RB, 
dated July 18, 2018, uses the phrase ``the original issue date of 
Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1380 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the 
effective date of this AD.''
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1380 RB, 
dated July 18, 2018, specifies contacting Boeing for repair 
instructions: This AD requires doing the repair and applicable on-
condition actions before further flight using a method approved in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this 
AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles 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 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 (j)(1) of this AD. Information 
may be emailed to: 9-ANM-LAACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district 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 Commercial Airplanes Organization 
Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the 
Manager, Los Angeles 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 James Guo, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-
5357; fax: 562-627-5210; email: james.guo@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, 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.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on October 31, 2018.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-24389 Filed 11-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                 55828                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 217 / Thursday, November 8, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                   (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance                 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                          Examining the AD Docket
                                                 (AMOCs): The Manager, International
                                                 Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA,               Federal Aviation Administration                          You may examine the AD docket on
                                                 has the authority to approve AMOCs for this                                                                   the internet at http://
                                                 AD, if requested using the procedures found             14 CFR Part 39                                        www.regulations.gov by searching for
                                                 in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR                                                                    and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–
                                                 39.19, send your request to your principal                                                                    0959; or in person at Docket Operations
                                                                                                         [Docket No. FAA–2018–0959; Product                    between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
                                                 inspector or local Flight Standards District            Identifier 2018–NM–123–AD]
                                                 Office, as appropriate. If sending information                                                                through Friday, except Federal holidays.
                                                 directly to the International Section, send it                                                                The AD docket contains this NPRM, the
                                                                                                         RIN 2120–AA64                                         regulatory evaluation, any comments
                                                 to the attention of the person identified in
                                                 paragraph (o)(2) of this AD. Information may                                                                  received, and other information. The
                                                                                                         Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing                  street address for Docket Operations
                                                 be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-
                                                                                                         Company Airplanes                                     (phone: 800–647–5527) is in the
                                                 REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any
                                                 approved AMOC, notify your appropriate                  AGENCY: Federal Aviation                              ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
                                                 principal inspector, or lacking a principal             Administration (FAA), DOT.                            available in the AD docket shortly after
                                                 inspector, the manager of the local flight              ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking                 receipt.
                                                 standards district office/certificate holding           (NPRM).                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                 district office.                                                                                              James Guo, Aerospace Engineer,
                                                   (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any              SUMMARY:   We propose to adopt a new                  Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles
                                                 requirement in this AD to obtain corrective             airworthiness directive (AD) for certain              ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount
                                                 actions from a manufacturer, the action must            The Boeing Company Model 737–400                      Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712–4137;
                                                 be accomplished using a method approved                 series airplanes. This proposed AD was                phone: 562–627–5357; fax: 562–627–
                                                 by the Manager, International Section,                  prompted by reports of cracking in the                5210; email: james.guo@faa.gov.
                                                 Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the                 splice plate on the lower sill of the
                                                 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or                                                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                         overwing emergency exit doors. This
                                                 Fokker Services B.V.’s EASA Design                      proposed AD would require repetitive                  Comments Invited
                                                 Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by             inspections for such cracking and
                                                 the DOA, the approval must include the                                                                          We invite you to send any written
                                                                                                         applicable on-condition actions. We are
                                                 DOA-authorized signature.                                                                                     relevant data, views, or arguments about
                                                                                                         proposing this AD to address the unsafe
                                                                                                                                                               this proposal. Send your comments to
                                                 (o) Related Information                                 condition on these products.
                                                                                                                                                               an address listed under the ADDRESSES
                                                    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing                    DATES: We must receive comments on                    section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–
                                                 Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD                this proposed AD by December 24,                      2018–0959; Product Identifier 2018–
                                                 2018–0015, dated January 25, 2018, for                  2018.                                                 NM–123–AD’’ at the beginning of your
                                                 related information. This MCAI may be                   ADDRESSES:    You may send comments,                  comments. We specifically invite
                                                 found in the AD docket on the internet at               using the procedures found in 14 CFR                  comments on the overall regulatory,
                                                 http://www.regulations.gov by searching for             11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following              economic, environmental, and energy
                                                 and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–0956.                  methods:                                              aspects of this NPRM. We will consider
                                                    (2) For more information about this AD,                 • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to                all comments received by the closing
                                                 contact Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer,              http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the                date and may amend this NPRM
                                                 International Section, Transport Standards              instructions for submitting comments.                 because of those comments.
                                                 Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des                     • Fax: 202–493–2251.                                  We will post all comments we
                                                 Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206–                   • Mail: U.S. Department of                         receive, without change, to http://
                                                 231–3226.                                               Transportation, Docket Operations, M–                 www.regulations.gov, including any
                                                    (3) For Fokker service information                   30, West Building Ground Floor, Room                  personal information you provide. We
                                                 identified in this AD, contact Fokker Services          W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,                   will also post a report summarizing each
                                                 B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box
                                                                                                         Washington, DC 20590.                                 substantive verbal contact we receive
                                                 1357, 2130 EL Hoofddorp, the Netherlands;
                                                                                                            • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail                   about this proposed AD.
                                                 telephone +31 (0)88–6280–350; fax +31
                                                                                                         address above between 9 a.m. and 5
                                                 (0)88–6280–111; email technicalservices@                                                                      Discussion
                                                 fokker.com; internet http://
                                                                                                         p.m., Monday through Friday, except
                                                 www.myfokkerfleet.com. For Safran service
                                                                                                         Federal holidays.                                        We have received reports of cracking
                                                 information identified in this AD, contact                 For service information identified in              in the splice plate on the lower sill of
                                                 Safran Landing Systems, One Carbon Way,                 this NPRM, contact Boeing Commercial                  the overwing emergency exit doors.
                                                 Walton, KY 41094; telephone (859) 525–                  Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data              During a maintenance check, a crack
                                                 8583; fax (859) 485–8827. You may view this             Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster                     was found in the splice plate at station
                                                 service information at the FAA, Transport               Blvd., MC 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA                    (STA) 601 on the right side of an
                                                 Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des             90740–5600; telephone 562–797–1717;                   airplane that had 28,153 total flight
                                                 Moines, WA. For information on the                      internet https://www.myboeingfleet.                   cycles and 63,360 total flight hours at
                                                 availability of this material at the FAA, call          com. You may view this referenced                     the time of the crack finding. The crack
                                                 206–231–3195.                                           service information at the FAA,                       had completely severed the one-inch-
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                         Transport Standards Branch, 2200                      wide splice plate; the cracking was
                                                   Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on
                                                                                                         South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For                  caused by fatigue stresses. Existing
                                                 October 26, 2018.
                                                                                                         information on the availability of this               Corrosion Prevention Control Program
                                                 Michael Kaszycki,                                       material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195.               (CPCP) inspections do not adequately
                                                 Acting Director, System Oversight Division,             It is also available on the internet at               detect cracking in the splice plate before
                                                 Aircraft Certification Service.                         http://www.regulations.gov by searching               it becomes critical. This cracking, if not
                                                 [FR Doc. 2018–24387 Filed 11–7–18; 8:45 am]             for and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–                 addressed, could result in the inability
                                                 BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                  0959.                                                 of a principal structural element to


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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 217 / Thursday, November 8, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                                            55829

                                                 sustain limit loads and possible rapid                   develop in other products of the same                          which steps in the service information
                                                 decompression of the fuselage.                           type design.                                                   are ‘‘required for compliance’’ (RC) with
                                                                                                                                                                         an AD. Boeing has implemented this RC
                                                 Related Service Information Under 1                      Proposed AD Requirements
                                                                                                                                                                         concept into Boeing service bulletins.
                                                 CFR Part 51                                                This proposed AD would require
                                                                                                                                                                           In an effort to further improve the
                                                   We reviewed Boeing Alert                               accomplishment of the actions
                                                                                                                                                                         quality of ADs and AD-related Boeing
                                                 Requirements Bulletin 737–53A1380                        identified in Boeing Alert Requirements
                                                                                                                                                                         service information, a joint process
                                                 RB, dated July 18, 2018. This service                    Bulletin 737–53A1380 RB, dated July
                                                                                                                                                                         improvement initiative was worked
                                                 information describes procedures for                     18, 2018, described previously, except
                                                                                                                                                                         between the FAA and Boeing. The
                                                                                                          for any differences identified as
                                                 repetitive high frequency eddy current                                                                                  initiative resulted in the development of
                                                                                                          exceptions in the regulatory text of this
                                                 (HFEC) inspections for cracking in the                                                                                  a new process in which the service
                                                                                                          proposed AD.
                                                 splice plate on the lower sill of the                      For information on the procedures                            information more clearly identifies the
                                                 overwing emergency exit doors and                        and compliance times, see this service                         actions needed to address the unsafe
                                                 applicable on-condition actions. This                    information at http://                                         condition in the ‘‘Accomplishment
                                                 service information is reasonably                        www.regulations.gov by searching for                           Instructions.’’ The new process results
                                                 available because the interested parties                 and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–                              in a Boeing Requirements Bulletin,
                                                 have access to it through their normal                   0959.                                                          which contains only the actions needed
                                                 course of business or by the means                                                                                      to address the unsafe condition (i.e.,
                                                 identified in the ADDRESSES section.                     Explanation of Requirements Bulletin                           only the RC actions).
                                                 FAA’s Determination                                        The FAA worked in conjunction with                           Costs of Compliance
                                                                                                          industry, under the Airworthiness
                                                   We are proposing this AD because we                    Directive Implementation Aviation                                 We estimate that this proposed AD
                                                 evaluated all the relevant information                   Rulemaking Committee (AD ARC), to                              affects 85 airplanes of U.S. registry. We
                                                 and determined the unsafe condition                      enhance the AD system. One                                     estimate the following costs to comply
                                                 described previously is likely to exist or               enhancement is a process for annotating                        with this proposed AD:

                                                                                                       ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS
                                                           Action                                     Labor cost                                Parts cost               Cost per product          Cost on U.S. operators

                                                 Repetitive inspections ...     2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 per in-                                   $0     $170 per inspection            $14,450 per inspection
                                                                                  spection cycle.                                                                     cycle.                         cycle.



                                                   We estimate the following costs to do                  determining the number of aircraft that
                                                 any necessary on-condition actions that                  might need these on-condition actions:
                                                 would be required. We have no way of

                                                                                                     ESTIMATED COSTS OF ON-CONDITION ACTIONS
                                                                                    Labor cost                                                         Parts cost                                Cost per product

                                                 Up to 18 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,530 .......................................   Up to $7,646 ..................................   Up to $9,176.



                                                 Authority for This Rulemaking                            products identified in this rulemaking                         the relationship between the national
                                                                                                          action.                                                        Government and the States, or on the
                                                    Title 49 of the United States Code                                                                                   distribution of power and
                                                                                                             This proposed AD is issued in
                                                 specifies the FAA’s authority to issue                                                                                  responsibilities among the various
                                                                                                          accordance with authority delegated by
                                                 rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,                                                                                   levels of government.
                                                                                                          the Executive Director, Aircraft
                                                 section 106, describes the authority of
                                                                                                          Certification Service, as authorized by                          For the reasons discussed above, I
                                                 the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII:                     FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance
                                                 Aviation Programs, describes in more                                                                                    certify this proposed regulation:
                                                                                                          with that order, issuance of ADs is
                                                 detail the scope of the Agency’s                         normally a function of the Compliance                            (1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
                                                 authority.                                               and Airworthiness Division, but during                         action’’ under Executive Order 12866,
                                                    We are issuing this rulemaking under                  this transition period, the Executive                            (2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under
                                                 the authority described in Subtitle VII,                 Director has delegated the authority to                        the DOT Regulatory Policies and
                                                 Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701:                      issue ADs applicable to transport                              Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26,
                                                 ‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that                     category airplanes and associated                              1979),
                                                 section, Congress charges the FAA with                   appliances to the Director of the System                         (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                 promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in               Oversight Division.                                            in Alaska, and
                                                 air commerce by prescribing regulations                  Regulatory Findings
                                                 for practices, methods, and procedures                                                                                    (4) Will not have a significant
                                                 the Administrator finds necessary for                      We determined that this proposed AD                          economic impact, positive or negative,
                                                 safety in air commerce. This regulation                  would not have federalism implications                         on a substantial number of small entities
                                                 is within the scope of that authority                    under Executive Order 13132. This                              under the criteria of the Regulatory
                                                 because it addresses an unsafe condition                 proposed AD would not have a                                   Flexibility Act.
                                                 that is likely to exist or develop on                    substantial direct effect on the States, on


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                                                 55830                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 217 / Thursday, November 8, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                 List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39                      Alert Requirements Bulletin 737–53A1380                 Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on
                                                                                                         RB, dated July 18, 2018.                              October 31, 2018.
                                                   Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
                                                                                                                                                               Dionne Palermo,
                                                 safety, Incorporation by reference,                     (h) Exceptions to Service Information
                                                                                                                                                               Acting Director, System Oversight Division,
                                                 Safety.                                                 Specifications
                                                                                                                                                               Aircraft Certification Service.
                                                 The Proposed Amendment                                    (1) For purposes of determining
                                                                                                                                                               [FR Doc. 2018–24389 Filed 11–7–18; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                         compliance with the requirements of this AD:
                                                   Accordingly, under the authority                      Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin              BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

                                                 delegated to me by the Administrator,                   737–53A1380 RB, dated July 18, 2018, uses
                                                 the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part                   the phrase ‘‘the original issue date of
                                                 39 as follows:                                          Requirements Bulletin 737–53A1380 RB,’’               DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                                                                         this AD requires using ‘‘the effective date of
                                                 PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS                                   this AD.’’                                            Federal Aviation Administration
                                                 DIRECTIVES                                                (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements
                                                                                                         Bulletin 737–53A1380 RB, dated July 18,               14 CFR Part 39
                                                 ■ 1. The authority citation for part 39                 2018, specifies contacting Boeing for repair
                                                                                                                                                               [Docket No. FAA–2018–0554; Product
                                                 continues to read as follows:                           instructions: This AD requires doing the
                                                                                                                                                               Identifier 2018–NM–064–AD]
                                                                                                         repair and applicable on-condition actions
                                                     Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.          before further flight using a method approved         RIN 2120–AA64
                                                                                                         in accordance with the procedures specified
                                                 § 39.13   [Amended]
                                                                                                         in paragraph (i) of this AD.                          Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS
                                                 ■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
                                                 the following new airworthiness                         (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance                 AGENCY:  Federal Aviation
                                                                                                         (AMOCs)                                               Administration (FAA), DOT.
                                                 directive (AD):
                                                                                                           (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch,            ACTION: Supplemental notice of
                                                 The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA–
                                                                                                         FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs               proposed rulemaking (SNPRM);
                                                     2018–0959; Product Identifier 2018–
                                                                                                         for this AD, if requested using the procedures
                                                     NM–123–AD.
                                                                                                         found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with
                                                                                                                                                               reopening of comment period.
                                                 (a) Comments Due Date                                   14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your                 We are revising an earlier
                                                                                                                                                               SUMMARY:
                                                   We must receive comments by December                  principal inspector or local Flight Standards
                                                                                                                                                      proposal, which would have applied to
                                                 24, 2018.                                               District Office, as appropriate. If sending
                                                                                                         information directly to the manager of the   certain Airbus SAS Model A318 series
                                                 (b) Affected ADs                                                                                     airplanes; Model A319 series airplanes;
                                                                                                         certification office, send it to the attention of
                                                   None.                                                 the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of Model A320 series airplanes; and Model
                                                                                                         this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-   A321–111, –112, –131, –211, –212,
                                                 (c) Applicability                                       ANM-LAACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.             –213, –231, –232, –251N, –253N, and
                                                    This AD applies to The Boeing Company                  (2) Before using any approved AMOC,        –271N airplanes. This action revises the
                                                 Model 737–400 airplanes, certificated in any            notify your appropriate principal inspector, notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
                                                 category, line numbers 1487 through 3132                or lacking a principal inspector, the managerby including revised restrictive
                                                 inclusive.                                              of the local flight standards district office/
                                                                                                                                                      requirements and adding airplanes to
                                                                                                         certificate holding district office.
                                                 (d) Subject                                                                                          the applicability. We are proposing this
                                                                                                           (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable
                                                   Air Transport Association (ATA) of                    level of safety may be used for any repair,  airworthiness directive (AD) to address
                                                 America Code 53, Fuselage.                              modification, or alteration required by this the unsafe condition on these products.
                                                                                                         AD if it is approved by the Boeing           Since these actions impose an
                                                 (e) Unsafe Condition
                                                                                                         Commercial Airplanes Organization            additional burden over those proposed
                                                    This AD was prompted by reports of                   Designation Authorization (ODA) that has     in the NPRM, we are reopening the
                                                 cracking in the splice plate on the lower sill          been authorized by the Manager, Los Angeles  comment period to allow the public the
                                                 of the overwing emergency exit doors. We are            ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings.     chance to comment on these proposed
                                                 issuing this AD to address cracking in the              To be approved, the repair method,
                                                 splice plate, which, if not addressed, could                                                         changes.
                                                                                                         modification deviation, or alteration
                                                 result in the inability of a principal structural                                                    DATES: The comment period for the
                                                                                                         deviation must meet the certification basis of
                                                 element to sustain limit loads and possible             the airplane, and the approval must          NPRM published in the Federal
                                                 rapid decompression of the fuselage.                    specifically refer to this AD.               Register on July 17, 2018 (83 FR 33159),
                                                 (f) Compliance                                                                                       is reopened.
                                                                                                         (j) Related Information
                                                                                                                                                         We must receive comments on this
                                                    Comply with this AD within the                          (1) For more information about this AD,
                                                 compliance times specified, unless already
                                                                                                                                                      SNPRM by December 24, 2018.
                                                                                                         contact James Guo, Aerospace Engineer,
                                                 done.                                                                                                ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
                                                                                                         Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO
                                                                                                         Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,            using the procedures found in 14 CFR
                                                 (g) Required Actions
                                                                                                         Lakewood, CA 90712–4137; phone: 562–627– 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
                                                    Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this                                                      methods:
                                                                                                         5357; fax: 562–627–5210; email: james.guo@
                                                 AD: At the applicable times specified in the                                                            • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
                                                                                                         faa.gov.
                                                 ‘‘Compliance’’ paragraph of Boeing Alert
                                                 Requirements Bulletin 737–53A1380 RB,
                                                                                                            (2) For service information identified in http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                                                                                         this AD, contact Boeing Commercial           instructions for submitting comments.
                                                 dated July 18, 2018, do all applicable actions
                                                 identified in, and in accordance with, the
                                                                                                         Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data        • Fax: 202–493–2251.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                 Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert             Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd.,        • Mail : U.S. Department of
                                                 Requirements Bulletin 737–53A1380 RB,                   MC 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740–5600;      Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
                                                 dated July 18, 2018.                                    telephone 562–797–1717; internet https://
                                                                                                         www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this
                                                                                                                                                      30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
                                                   Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD:                   referenced service information at the FAA,   W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
                                                 Guidance for accomplishing the actions                  Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South       Washington, DC 20590.
                                                 required by this AD can be found in Boeing              216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information      • Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
                                                 Alert Service Bulletin 737–53A1380, dated               on the availability of this material at the  Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
                                                 July 18, 2018, which is referred to in Boeing           FAA, call 206–231–3195.                      30, West Building Ground Floor, Room


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Document Created: 2018-11-08 06:23:00
Document Modified: 2018-11-08 06:23:00
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
DatesWe must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 24, 2018.
ContactJames Guo, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5357; fax: 562-627- 5210; email: [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 55828 
RIN Number2120-AA64
CFR AssociatedAir Transportation; Aircraft; Aviation Safety; Incorporation by Reference and Safety

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