Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787–8 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of fatigue cracking at certain frame tie rod locations of the wing. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of the left- and right-side frame tie rod assemblies and stub beam upper chords, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 3, 2020.
You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
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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
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at
Greg Rutar, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206–231–3529; email:
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the
The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
The FAA has received a report indicating fatigue cracks were found at 3 of 8 frame tie rod locations in Section 11 of the wing during full-scale fatigue testing. The cracks were located at the frame tie rod end lugs or in the typical frame tie rod section. At 77,640 fatigue test cycles, the right-side station (STA) 1089 corrosion resistant steel (CRES) frame tie rod lug had failed and was replaced. At 132,000 fatigue test cycles, the left-side STA 1041 aluminum frame tie rod had failed in the typical section, and was replaced. At 152,879 fatigue test cycles, the left-side STA 1089 CRES frame tie rod lug had failed and was replaced. This condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of a principal structural element to sustain limit load, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane and result in possible decompression of the airplane.
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–SB570041–00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 7, 2019. The service information describes procedures for repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for cracking of the left- and right-side frame tie rod assemblies, and repetitive ultrasonic (UT) inspections for cracking of the left- and right-side stub beam upper chords, and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions include repair. 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
The FAA is proposing this AD because the agency 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.
This proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–SB570041–00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 7, 2019, described previously.
For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this service information at
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 (
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 55 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the agency to provide cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed AD.
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.
The FAA is 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.
The FAA 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) 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.
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
The FAA must receive comments by January 3, 2020.
None.
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787–8 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–SB570041–00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 7, 2019.
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
This AD was prompted by a report of fatigue cracking at certain frame tie rod locations of the wing. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the frame tie rod assemblies and consequent failure of a principal structural element to sustain limit load, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane and result in possible decompression of the airplane.
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in the “Compliance” paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–SB570041–00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 7, 2019, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–SB570041–00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 7, 2019.
Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787–81205–SB570041–00, Issue 001, dated March 7, 2019, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–SB570041–00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 7, 2019.
(1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this AD: Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–SB570041–00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 7, 2019, uses the phrase “the issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–SB570041–00 RB,” this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787–81205–SB570041–00 RB, Issue 001, dated March 7, 2019, specifies contacting Boeing for repair instructions:
(1) The Manager, Seattle 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:
(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 Company Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle 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.
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Greg Rutar, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206–231–3529; email:
(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