AD 2021-03-09
Recurring
final rule
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 727-100 Series | Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 727-100C Series | Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 727-200 Series | Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 727-200F Series | Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 727 Series | Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 727C Series | Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes |
Unsafe Condition
excessive sealant coating on internal wing Structural Significant Items (SSIs) may not reveal cracks during inspections required by AD 98-11-03 R1
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate inspections that will give no less than the required damage tolerance rating (DTR) for certain SSIs of the wing, repetitive inspections for cracking of the affected SSIs and repair if necessary
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
Prior to reaching the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
all The Boeing Company 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated in any category
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 727 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that excessive sealant coating on internal wing Structural Significant Items (SSIs) may not reveal cracks during inspections required by AD 98-11-03 R1. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate inspections that will give no less than the required damage tolerance rating (DTR) for certain SSIs of the wing. This AD also requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the affected SSIs and repair if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company 727, 727C, 727-100,
727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated in
any category.
Document Text
Show stored source text (verify against official source)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 24, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11106-11108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03598]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-1021; Project Identifier AD-2020-00847-T;
Amendment 39-21412; AD 2021-03-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
The Boeing Company Model 727 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by
a determination that excessive sealant coating on internal wing
Structural Significant Items (SSIs) may not reveal cracks during
inspections required by AD 98-11-03 R1. This AD requires revising the
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to
incorporate inspections that will give no less than the required damage
tolerance rating (DTR) for certain SSIs of the wing. This AD also
requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the affected SSIs and
repair if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 31, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 31,
2021.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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 <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>. You may view this 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 <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1021.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
1021; 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 final rule, any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mohit Garg, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5264; fax: 562-627-
5210; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6e030106071a40090f1c092e080f0f40090118"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fa979592938ed49d9b889dba9c9b9bd49d958c">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all The Boeing Company
Model 727 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
November 27, 2020 (85 FR 75969). The NPRM was prompted by a
determination that excessive sealant coating on internal wing SSIs may
not reveal cracks during inspections required by AD 98-11-03 R1,
Amendment 39-10983 (64 FR 989, January 7, 1999) (AD 98-11-03 R1). The
NPRM proposed to require revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate inspections that will
give no less than the required DTR for certain SSIs of the wing. The
NPRM also proposed to require repetitive inspections for cracking of
the affected SSIs and repair if necessary.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address excessive sealant coating on
internal wing SSIs that may prevent the detection of cracks during
inspections. This condition, if not addressed, could result in
propagation of structural cracks that could lead to the inability of a
wing SSI to sustain limit load and result in loss of control of the
airplane.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comment
received. Boeing indicated its support for the NPRM.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor
editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
<bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
[[Page 11107]]
<bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing 727 Supplemental Structural Inspection
Document D6-48040-1, Volume I, Temporary Revision 08-1001, dated
February 2020; and Boeing 727 Supplemental Structural Inspection
Document D6-48040-1, Volume II, Temporary Revision 11-1001, dated
February 2020. In combination, this service information describes
repetitive inspections for cracking of internal wing SSIs. 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 40 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator,
although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator
to operator. In the past, the FAA has estimated that this action takes
1 work-hour per airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or
inspection program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has
determined that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-
airplane estimate. Therefore, the FAA estimates the average total cost
per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).
Estimated Costs *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections..................... 48 work-hours x $85 per $0 $4,080 per $163,200 per
hour = $4,080 per inspection cycle. inspection cycle.
inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Table does not include estimated costs for revising the existing maintenance or inspection program.
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD.
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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
(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.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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:
2021-03-09 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-21412 ; Docket No. FAA-
2020-1021; Project Identifier AD-2020-00847-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 31, 2021.
(b) Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
This AD affects AD 98-11-03 R1, Amendment 39-10983 (64 FR 989,
January 7, 1999) (AD 98-11-03 R1).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company 727, 727C, 727-100,
727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated in
any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that excessive sealant
coating on internal wing Structural Significant Items (SSIs) may not
reveal cracks during inspections required by AD 98-11-03 R1. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address excessive sealant coating on internal
wing SSIs that may prevent the detection of cracks during
inspections. This condition, if not addressed, could result in
propagation of structural cracks that could lead to the inability of
a wing SSI to sustain limit load and result in loss of control of
the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision, Repetitive Inspections,
and Repair
(1) Prior to reaching the applicable time specified in paragraph
(g)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD, incorporate a revision into the
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, that
provides no less than the required damage tolerance rating (DTR) for
each SSI of the wing listed in Boeing 727 Supplemental Structural
Inspection Document D6-48040-1, Volume I, Temporary Revision 08-
1001, dated February 2020; and Boeing 727 Supplemental
[[Page 11108]]
Structural Inspection Document D6-48040-1, Volume II, Temporary
Revision 11-1001, dated February 2020.
(2) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or
(ii) of this AD, perform initial inspections to detect cracks in the
SSIs identified in Boeing 727 Supplemental Structural Inspection
Document D6-48040-1, Volume I, Temporary Revision 08-1001, dated
February 2020; and Boeing 727 Supplemental Structural Inspection
Document D6-48040-1, Volume II, Temporary Revision 11-1001, dated
February 2020.
(i) For Model 727-100C and 727-200F series airplanes: Inspect
prior to the accumulation of 46,000 total flight cycles, or within
12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later.
(ii) For all airplanes except for those airplanes identified in
paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD: Inspect prior to the accumulation of
55,000 total flight cycles, or within 3,000 flight cycles measured
from the date 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later.
(3) At the intervals specified in in Boeing 727 Supplemental
Structural Inspection Document D6-48040-1, Volume I, Temporary
Revision 08-1001, dated February 2020; and Boeing 727 Supplemental
Structural Inspection Document D6-48040-1, Volume II, Temporary
Revision 11-1001, dated February 2020, as applicable, repeat the
inspections required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.
(4) If any cracked structure is found during any inspections
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, repair before further flight
using an FAA-approved method or using a method approved in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this
AD. Within 12 months after repair, incorporate a revision into the
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to include a
damage-tolerance-based alternative inspection program for the
repaired structure. Thereafter, inspect the affected structure in
accordance with the alternative program. The inspection method and
compliance times (i.e., threshold and repetitive intervals) of the
alternative program must be approved in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been
revised as required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the
actions or intervals are approved as an alternative method of
compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in
paragraph (j) of this AD.
(i) Terminating Action for Certain Inspections Required by AD 98-11-03
R1
Accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g)(1) of this
AD and the initial inspections identified in Boeing 727 Supplemental
Structural Inspection Document D6-48040-1, Volume I, Temporary
Revision 08-1001, dated February 2020; and Boeing 727 Supplemental
Structural Inspection Document D6-48040-1, Volume II, Temporary
Revision 11-1001, dated February 2020, as required by paragraph
(g)(2) of this AD, terminate the corresponding SSI inspections
specified in Boeing Document No. D6-48040-1, Volumes 1 and 2,
``Supplemental Structural Inspection Document'' (SSID), Revision H,
dated June 1994, as required by AD 98-11-03 R1.
(j) 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 (k) of this AD. Information may
be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eed7c3afa0a3c3a2afafada1c3afa3a1adc3bc8b9f9b8b9d9a9dae888f8fc0898198"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5d64701c131070111c1c1e12701c10121e700f382c28382e292e1d3b3c3c733a322b">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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, 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.
(4) AMOCs approved previously for AD 98-11-03 R1 are approved as
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD for the SSIs
identified in Boeing 727 Supplemental Structural Inspection Document
D6-48040-1, Volume I, Temporary Revision 08-1001, dated February
2020; and Boeing 727 Supplemental Structural Inspection Document D6-
48040-1, Volume II, Temporary Revision 11-1001, dated February 2020.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Mohit Garg,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch,
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-
5264; fax: 562-627-5210; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a7cac8cfced389c0c6d5c0e7c1c6c689c0c8d1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="93fefcfbfae7bdf4f2e1f4d3f5f2f2bdf4fce5">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing 727 Supplemental Structural Inspection Document D6-
48040-1, Volume I, Temporary Revision 08-1001, dated February 2020.
(ii) Boeing 727 Supplemental Structural Inspection Document D6-
48040-1, Volume II, Temporary Revision 11-1001, dated February 2020.
(3) 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 <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>.
(4) You may view this 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.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f89e9d9c8a9d9fd6949d9f9994b896998a99d69f978e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="89efecedfbeceea7e5eceee8e5c9e7e8fbe8a7eee6ff">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on January 28, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-03598 Filed 2-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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