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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 34 / Tuesday, February 23, 2021 / Rules and Regulations Discussion The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking NPRM to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company Model 747100, 747100B, 747100B
SUD, 747200B, 747200C, 747200F, 747300, 747400, 747400D, 747
400F, and 747SR series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 18, 2020 85 FR 29673.
The NPRM was prompted by reports of inboard foreflap departures from the airplane. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive replacement of certain parts; a general visual inspection to determine production configuration for certain parts; a repetitive lubrication of certain parts and a repetitive general visual inspection of certain parts for any exuding grease; repetitive detailed inspections of certain parts for loose or missing attachment bolts, cracks or bushing migration, cracks or gouges, or broken, binding, or missing rollers;
repetitive detailed inspections of certain parts for cracks or corrosion; repetitive lubrication; and on-condition actions if necessary.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address departures of the inboard foreflap assembly from the airplane, which could result in damage to the airplane and adversely affect the airplanes continued safe flight and landing.
Comments The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM
and the FAAs response to each comment.
Support for the NPRM
The Air Line Pilots Association, International ALPA and Boeing expressed support for the NPRM.
Request To Incorporate Inspection and Overhaul Program Atlas Air Atlas requested that the FAA revise the proposed AD to incorporate and provide credit for Atlass flap inspection and overhaul program. Atlas explained that after four flap failure events, their flap mitigation team formulated a program of actions that successfully address the unsafe conditions cited in the NPRM.
The FAA acknowledges that alternative methods may exist to address the potential unsafe condition, but disagrees with the request to revise this AD to incorporate specific actions from the Atlas flap mitigation program.
That program is unique to an individual operator, and Atlas has not provided the FAA substantiating data demonstrating
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that these proposed changes provide an equivalent level of safety. Atlas may apply for an AMOC with substantiating data. The FAA has not changed this AD
with regard to this request.
Request for Change in Inspection Requirement Cargolux CLX requested that the proposed inspection, as specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 74757A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019, Table 1, Action 2, no longer include identifying nuts with part number BACN10HR7CD. CLX explained that determining the part number by inspection is difficult due to access restrictions, and operators may have to replace the subject nuts to be compliant with the proposed AD.
The FAA disagrees with the requested exemption because it is unnecessary.
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 74757A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019, Table 1, Action 2, specifies a general visual inspection of the inboard foreflap assembly stop, stop attachment bolts, stop lug attachment bolts, and rollers. The subject nuts are not specifically identified. Additionally, the service bulletin does not mandate a specific method of compliance for this inspection. It refers to Part 2 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 74757A2367, dated November 15, 2019, where the subject nut is listed, as an accepted procedure. In accordance with Note 6 of the Accomplishment Instructions, when the words refer to are used and the operator has an accepted alternative procedure, the accepted alternative procedure can be used. The FAA has not changed this AD regarding this request.
Request To Allow Alternative Part Numbers CLX requested that approved alternative, substitute, or interchangeable part numbers for specified parts be allowed when demonstrating compliance. CLX is concerned that operators may have trouble obtaining parts if the parts have been replaced and there are interchangeable parts available in lieu of the required part number.
The FAA disagrees with the request.
The design approval holder DAH
identified the parts necessary to address the unsafe condition. Kits with those replacement part numbers may be acquired from the DAH. Additionally, CLX did not provide the FAA any substantiating data to demonstrate that any alternative/substitute part provides an acceptable level of safety. CLX may submit an AMOC request with supporting data that demonstrates an
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acceptable level of safety for a replacement part not specified in the service information. The FAA has not changed this AD regarding this request.
Request To Specify Document as Aid Royal Dutch Airlines KLM and CLX
requested that Boeing document 747
FTD5710002 be specified in the proposed AD as an aid for the general visual inspection described in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747
57A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019, to identify part numbers currently installed on the airplane. KLM and CLX
claimed that dirt, grease, or sealant may prevent part numbers from being identified by way of a general visual inspection and that the document provided by Boeing should be used as a visual aid.
The FAA agrees with using visual aids or other documentation to help identify part numbers during the inspection. However, the FAA disagrees with revising the AD to require the specified document. Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 74757A2367
RB, dated November 15, 2019, refers to a procedure in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 74757A2367, dated November 15, 2019, as an accepted procedure for the general visual inspection to identify the parts production configuration. Note 6 of the Accomplishment Instructions states that when the words refer to are used and the operator has an accepted alternative procedure, the accepted alternative procedure can be used. The FAA has not changed this AD regarding this request.
Request To Allow Optional Records Check Both KLM and CLX requested that a maintenance records check be allowed as an option to the general visual inspection specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 74757A2367
RB, dated November 15, 2019, for the purpose of identifying parts currently installed on the airplane. Both KLM and CLX stated that operators should be able to determine whether their maintenance records are accurate.
The FAA disagrees with the request.
The service information was coordinated with the DAH and it was determined that a physical check, as specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 74757A2367 RB, dated November 15, 2019, is required. This AD has not been changed regarding this request.
Request To Accept Work Package From Previous Service Bulletin United Parcel Service UPS requested that the FAA also accept
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