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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 119 / Thursday, June 24, 2021 / Rules and Regulations configuration, and repair if necessary.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address splice bars which are not structurally adequate, which can lead to failure of the splice bar to keep the spoiler drive link engaged, and could result in spoiler float and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments The FAA received comments from The Air Line Pilots Association, International ALPA and Boeing, who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received comments from two additional commenters, Delta Air Lines Delta and Hawaiian Airlines.
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAAs response to each comment.
Request To Revise Compliance Time Delta asked that the compliance time of the proposed AD be changed to 27
months of flying days instead of calendar days. Delta stated that paragraph g of the proposed AD states, in part, At the applicable times specified in the Compliance paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 71757A0027 RB, dated June 26, 2020. Delta noted that Paragraph 1.E., Compliance, of the referenced service information requires a general visual inspection for the correct splice bar and doubler configuration within 6,400 flight hours or 27 months. Delta added that because of the Covid-19
pandemic airlines have a large quantity of aircraft in storage, so changing to flight time would not affect the unsafe condition.
The FAA does not agree with the commenters request. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this action, the FAA considered the degree of urgency associated with addressing the subject unsafe condition, the manufacturers recommendation for an appropriate compliance time, and the practical aspect of accomplishing the required inspection within a period of time that corresponds to the normal scheduled maintenance for most affected operators. In addition, the FAA
notes that some Model 717200

airplanes may have been in service during the pandemic and must comply within the required compliance time.
Operators do have the option to inspect the airplane before the first flight following storage if the airplane is in storage for more than 27 months.
However, under the provisions of paragraph k of this AD, the FAA will consider requests for approval of an extension of the compliance time if sufficient data are submitted to substantiate that the new compliance time would provide an acceptable level of safety.
Requests To Allow Alternative Methods for Corrective Action Hawaiian Airlines asked that paragraph h2 of the proposed AD, which requires obtaining approval of an alternative method of compliance AMOC for repair of any discrepant spoiler, be changed to add another method: Removal and replacement of the discrepant spoiler with a serviceable spoiler that has the correct splice bar and doublers using the procedure specified in the Model 717 airplane maintenance manual AMM, Chapter 276001. Hawaiian Airlines stated that this would alleviate further out-ofservice time of the aircraft, and the discrepant spoiler can be repaired offwing.
The FAA agrees with the commenters request. The FAA has added paragraphs h2i and ii of this AD to specify that either repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph k of this AD or replacement of any spoiler assembly having an incorrect configuration with a replacement spoiler assembly is acceptable for compliance with this AD. The FAA
notes that a replacement spoiler assembly must have a correct configuration as specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 717
57A0027 RB, dated June 26, 2020. The FAA has also added Note 2 to paragraph h2ii to specify that guidance for replacement can be found in Model 717
AMM, Chapter 276001.
Delta requested the FAA provide an approved method to correct the unsafe condition by removing and discarding
33117

any non-blueprint parts and reassembling per original equipment manufacturer OEM spoiler drawing 59409741/2/501/502. Delta stated that the OEM spoiler drawing was acceptable for the type certification basis for the Model 717200 airplane during assembly of the aircraft. Delta added that restoring the spoiler to the OEM blueprint would restore the part to an approved configuration with the unsafe condition removed.
The FAA disagrees with the commenters request. An operator cannot bring a discrepant spoiler assembly back to the OEM correct configuration without modifying the underlying spoiler structure. Modifying the spoiler assembly requires repair instructions from the OEM. An operator may request an AMOC under the provisions of paragraph k of this AD.
Conclusion The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Except for minor editorial changes, and any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 71757A0027
RB, dated June 26, 2020. This service information describes procedures for a one-time general visual inspection of the leftand right-wing inboard and outboard spoiler assemblies for the correct splice bar and doublers configuration, and 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 ADDRESSES.
Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD
affects 114 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

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ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS
Action
Labor cost
Inspection

4 work-hours $85 per hour = $340

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-condition
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actions that would be required. The FAA has no way of determining the
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Cost per product
Parts cost
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$0

$340

Cost on U.S.
operators $38,760

number of aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:

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