2024-16-14: 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: 2024-16-14 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22820; Docket No. FAA-2024-2017; Project Identifier AD-2024-00204-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 21, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD. (1) Airplanes with a Captain's seat having Ipeco part number P/N 3A380-0007-XX-X or First Officer's seat having Ipeco P/N 3A380-0008-XX-X. (2) Airplanes that do not have a seat identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/furnishings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded horizontal movement of the Captain's and First Officer's seats. The FAA is issuing this AD to address a dislodged rocker switch cap under the spring-loaded rocker switch cover guard, which can cause unintended and sustained movement of the seat. Uncommanded horizontal movement of a Captain's or First Officer's seat, when occupied, can cause in-flight upset from unintended and abrupt flight control inputs, which could result in a rapid descent of the airplane and serious injury to passengers and crew. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Switch Cap Inspection For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, do a general visual inspection for cracked or missing rocker switch caps of the Captain's and First Officer's seats, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Ipeco Service Bulletin 380-25-06, Issue 03, dated July 17, 2024. For any switch that has a cracked or missing switch cap, replace the switch and bond the switch cap within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Ipeco Service Bulletin 380-25-06, Issue 03, dated July 17, 2024. Replacement may be delayed provided the airplane is operated under the provisions of Master Minimum Equipment List item 25-11-01-0, but no later than 120 days after the effective date of this AD. (h) Switch Cover Assembly Inspection For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a general visual inspection for cracks of the switch cover assemblies and local areas and a functional test of the switch cover, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Ipeco Service Bulletin 380-25-06, Issue 03, dated July 17, 2024. Replace any cracked or nonfunctional parts within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Ipeco Service Bulletin 380-25-06, Issue 03, dated July 17, 2024. Replacement may be delayed provided the airplane is operated under the provisions of Master Minimum Equipment List item 25-11-01-0, but no later than 120 days after the effective date of this AD. (i) Rocker Switch Cap Pull Test For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD, perform a rocker switch cap pull test of all switch caps, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Ipeco Service Bulletin 380-25-06, Issue 03, dated July 17, 2024. For any rocker switch cap that is un-bonded or de-bonded ( i.e., fails the test), bond the rocker switch cap, or replace the switch and bond the switch cap, within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Ipeco Service Bulletin 380-25-06, Issue 03, dated July 17, 2024. The bonding may be delayed provided the airplane is operated under the provisions of Master Minimum Equipment List item 25-11-01-0, but no later than 120 days after the effective date of this AD. (j) Seat Marking For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD: Before further flight after accomplishment of the applicable actions required by paragraphs (g) through (i) of this AD, mark the seat in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Ipeco Service Bulletin 380-25-06, Issue 03, dated July 17, 2024. (k) Exceptions to Service Bulletin (1) Where a note in paragraph 3.a. of Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions of Ipeco Service Bulletin 380-25-06, Issue 03, dated July 17, 2024, specifies to visually inspect the switch guard (3-270 or 3-270A) for cracks or modifications and "replace in accordance with the CMM," this AD requires replacing that text with "replace the switch guard before further flight in accordance with the CMM if any crack or modification is found." (2) For any switch that has been replaced with a switch having a bonded cap as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, the actions required by paragraph (i) of this AD are not required. (l) Parts Installation Limitation At the applicable time specified in paragraph (l)(1) or (2) of this AD, no person may install, on any airplane, a seat identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, unless the seat is marked as specified in paragraph (j) of this AD. (1) For airplanes in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD: After accomplishment of all applicable actions required by this AD. (2) For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD: As of the effective date of this AD. (m) 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 (n) 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. (n) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Brandon Lucero, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3569; email: [email protected]. (o) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Ipeco Service Bulletin 380-25-06, Issue 03, dated July 17, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For Ipeco material identified in this AD, contact Ipeco Holdings Limited, Aviation Way, Southend on Sea, SS2 6UN, United Kingdom; phone: +44 1702 545118; fax: +44 1702 540782; email: [email protected]. (4) You may view this material 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 August 2, 2024. John P. Piccola, Jr., Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-18843 Filed 8-19-24; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P