2023-12-18: Fuselage

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-12-18 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22477; Docket No. FAA-2022-0816; Project Identifier AD-2022-00355-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 11, 2023. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and -8F series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in stringers and splice fittings located at stringer splices at multiple body stations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address such cracking, which could result in the inability of a structural element to sustain limit load and could affect structural integrity of the airplane. (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 Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022. Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2907, dated March 3, 2022, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022. (h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications (1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022, use the phrase "the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB," this AD requires using "the effective date of this AD." (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022, specifies contacting Boeing for repair instructions: This AD requires doing the repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD. (3) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022, use the phrase "Before 12,000 total flights cycles," this AD requires using "Before 12,000 total flight cycles, or within 8 years after the date of issuance of the original certificate of airworthiness or the original export certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs first." (4) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022, uses the phrase "Within 9,600 flight cycles after the last detailed inspection," this AD requires using "Within 9,600 flight cycles or 8 years after the last detailed inspection, whichever occurs first." (5) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022, uses the phrase "Within 4,600 flight cycles after the last detailed inspection," this AD requires using "Within 4,600 flight cycles or 8 years after the last detailed inspection, whichever occurs first." (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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 responsible Flight Standards 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) 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 responsible Flight Standards 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, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, 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. (j) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Stefanie Roesli, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3964; email: [email protected] . (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (k)(3) and (4) of this AD. (k) 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 Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, dated March 3, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (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; website myboeingfleet.com . (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 protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html . Issued on June 13, 2023. Michael Linegang, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-14332 Filed 7-6-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P