2024-10-05: Equipment/Furnishings

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: 2024-10-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22750; Docket No. FAA-2023-2003; Project Identifier AD-2022-01620-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 19, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-25A0319 RB, dated March 24, 2023. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/Furnishings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports that operators have found, on multiple aircraft, frequent and severe damage to the blowout vent grilles throughout the lower lobe cargo compartment. The FAA is issuing this AD to address damage to the blowout vent grilles in the forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments that could lead to latent failure of the decompression panels and pressure equalization valves. This latent failure, in combination with a fire, could make the cargo fire protection, detection, suppression, and containment system ineffective. Also, this latent failure, in combination with rapid decompression of the airplane, could prevent activation of the station (STA) 1640 decompression panels, which could damage the STA 1640 floor beam and cause loss of hydraulic systems components and flight control and damage to the auxiliary power unit (APU) fuel line. This unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the inability of the flightcrew to maintain safe flight and landing. (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 757-25A0319 RB, dated March 24, 2023, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-25A0319 RB, dated March 24, 2023. Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-25A0319, dated March 24, 2023, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-25A0319 RB, dated March 24, 2023. (h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications (1) For all airplanes: Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-25A0319 RB, dated March 24, 2023, refer to the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 757-25A0319 RB, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) For Groups 1, 2, and 4 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-25A0319 RB, dated March 24, 2023, that have been converted from a passenger to freighter configuration in accordance with VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Inc. Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST04242AT or STC ST03562AT or Precision Conversions LLC STC ST01529SE: Where the Compliance Time columns of tables 1, 2, 3, and 5 in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-25A0319 RB, dated March 24, 2023, specify "Within 5,425 Flight Hours" and "Within 16 months," this AD requires replacing that text with "Within 9,000 Flight Hours" and "Within 36 months," respectively. (3) For Group 6 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-25A0319 RB, dated March 24, 2023: Where the Compliance Time column of table 7 in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-25A0319 RB, dated March 24, 2023, specifies "Within 5,425 Flight Hours" and "Within 16 months," this AD requires replacing that text with "Within 9,000 Flight Hours" and "Within 36 months," respectively. (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)(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 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, 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. (j) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Katherine Venegas, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone: 562-627-5353; email: [email protected]. (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (k)(3) 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 757-25A0319 RB, dated March 24, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For service information, 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 material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected]. Issued on May 23, 2024. Suzanne Masterson, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-13014 Filed 6-13-24; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P