Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
| Published date | 30 December 2020 |
| Citation | 85 FR 86515 |
| Record Number | 2020-28823 |
| Section | Proposed rules |
| Court | Federal Aviation Administration |
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 86515-86518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28823]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-1022; Project Identifier AD-2020-01101-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating the
passenger service units (PSUs) and life vest panels became separated
from their attachments during several survivable accident sequences.
This proposed AD would require installing lanyard assemblies on the
PSUs, and, for certain airplanes, on the life vest panels and video
panels as applicable. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by February
12, 2021.
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 https://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; phone:
562-797-1717; internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view
this referenced service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products
Section, Operational Safety 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
1022.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
1022; 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, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Craig, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin
Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
[[Page 86516]]
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3566;
email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
written comments, data, or views about this proposal. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters
should submit only one copy of the comments. Send your comments to an
address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-
2020-1022; Project Identifier AD-2020-01101-T'' at the beginning of
your comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, as well
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments received by the closing
date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after the
comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring
expense or delay. The FAA may change this NPRM because of those
comments.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to the
person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Any
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report indicating the PSUs and life vest
panels became separated from their attachments during several
survivable accident sequences. In addition, there is no secondary means
of retention (lanyards) for the PSU to the airplane structure. The FAA
has determined that video panels may also become separated from their
attachments during survivable accident sequences. This condition, if
not addressed, could result in the PSUs, life vest panels, and video
panels becoming detached and falling into the cabin, which could lead
to passenger injuries and impede egress during an evacuation.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin
757-25-0315 RB, Revision 1, dated May 20, 2020. The service information
describes procedures for installing lanyard assemblies on the PSUs,
life vest panels, and video panels as applicable. 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
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.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions
identified in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 757-25-
0315 RB, Revision 1, dated May 20, 2020, described previously, except
as discussed under ``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the
Service Information,'' and 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1022.
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).
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
Since Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 757-25-0315
RB, Revision 1, dated May 20, 2020, was issued, the FAA has determined
that airplane having variable number NB451 is also affected by the
unsafe condition. Therefore, we have included variable number NB451 in
this AD. This difference has been coordinated with Boeing.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 363 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Install Lanyard Assemblies........ Up to 75 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up to $45,750........... Up to $52,125.......... Up to $18,921,375.
Up to $6,375.
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[[Page 86517]]
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.
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.
Regulatory Findings
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.
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-2020-1022; Project Identifier AD-
2020-01101-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by February 12, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and
-300 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified
in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 757-25-0315 RB,
Revision 1, dated May 20, 2020, and airplane having variable number
NB451.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report indicating the passenger
service units (PSUs) and life vest panels became separated from
their attachments during several survivable accident sequences. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the PSUs, life vest panels, and
video panels becoming detached and falling into the cabin, which
could lead to passenger injuries and impede egress during an
evacuation.
(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
Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 757-25-0315 RB, Revision 1,
dated May 20, 2020, do all applicable actions identified in, and in
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Requirements Bulletin 757-25-0315 RB, Revision 1, dated
May 20, 2020.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 757-25-0315, Revision 1, dated May 20, 2020, which is
referred to in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 757-
25-0315 RB, Revision 1, dated May 20, 2020.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 757-25-
0315 RB, Revision 1, dated May 20, 2020, uses the phrase ``the
Revision 1 date of Requirements Bulletin 757-25-0315 RB,'' this AD
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(2) For airplane variable number NB451, do the applicable
actions for Group 4 identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Requirements
Bulletin 757-25-0315 RB, Revision 1, dated May 20, 2020.
(i) Parts Installation Limitation
As of the applicable time specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (2)
of this AD, no person may install on any airplane any PSU, life vest
panel, or video panel without an updated lanyard assembly installed.
(1) For airplanes that have PSUs, life vest panels, or video
panels without the updated lanyard assemblies installed as of the
effective date of this AD: After modification of the airplane as
required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) For airplanes that do not have PSUs, life vest panels, or
video panels without the updated lanyard assemblies installed as of
the effective date of this AD: As of the effective date of this AD.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(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 (k)(1) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: [email protected].
(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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Scott Craig,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section,
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone and fax: 206-231-3566; email: [email protected].
(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; phone: 562-797-1717; internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
You may view this referenced service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
[[Page 86518]]
Issued on November 6, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-28823 Filed 12-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
