[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16316-16317]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06137]

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UNIFIED CARRIER REGISTRATION PLAN

Sunshine Act Meetings

TIME AND DATE: March 31, 2022, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Eastern time.

PLACE: This meeting will be accessible via conference call and via Zoom
Meeting and Screenshare. Any interested person may call (i) 1-929-205-
6099 (US Toll) or 1-669-900-6833 (US Toll) or (ii) 1-877-853-5247 (US
Toll Free) or 1-888-788-0099 (US Toll Free), Meeting ID: 956 7355 6729,
to listen and participate in this meeting. The website to participate
via Zoom Meeting and Screenshare is https://kellen.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErcOqtqz0tGN2cOoys6RcIabpP-LnfNfbA.

STATUS: This meeting will be open to the public.

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The Unified Carrier Registration Plan Finance
Subcommittee (the ``Subcommittee'') will continue its work in
developing and implementing the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and
Agreement. The subject matter of this meeting will include:

Proposed Agenda

I. Call to Order--UCR Finance Subcommittee Chair

    The UCR Finance Subcommittee Chair will welcome attendees, call the
meeting to order, call roll for the Finance Subcommittee, confirm
whether a quorum is present, and facilitate self-introductions.

II. Verification of Meeting Notice--UCR Executive Director

    The UCR Executive Director will verify the publication of the
meeting notice on the UCR website and distribution to the UCR contact
list via email followed by the subsequent publication of the notice in
the Federal Register.

III. Review and Approval of Finance Subcommittee Agenda and Setting of
Ground Rules--UCR Finance Subcommittee Chair

For Discussion and Possible Subcommittee Action

    The agenda will be reviewed, and the UCR Finance Subcommittee will
consider adoption.

Ground Rules
    [rtarr8] Subcommittee action only to be taken in designated areas
on agenda.

IV. Review and Approval of Minutes From the November 10, 2021 Meeting--
UCR Finance Subcommittee Chair

For Discussion and Possible Subcommittee Action

    Draft minutes from the November 10, 2021 UCR Finance Subcommittee
meeting via teleconference will be reviewed. The UCR Finance
Subcommittee will consider action to approve.

V. Review Current Calculations of 2024 Registration Fee
Recommendation--UCR Finance Subcommittee Chair and UCR Depository
Manager

    The UCR Finance Subcommittee Chair and UCR Depository Manager will
present the most recent calculations of the proposed fee for the 2024
registration year based on the actual registration results as of
February 28, 2022 and current projections for March 2022 through
December 31, 2022.

VI. Update on Development of Investment Strategy--UCR Finance
Subcommittee Chair and UCR Depository Manager

    The UCR Finance Subcommittee Chair and UCR Depository Manager will
provide an update regarding the development of an investment strategy
and policy for increasing the rate-of-return on Administrative Reserve
Funds. An update on current investment performance, including U.S.
Treasuries will be provided.

VII. Review of 2021 Administrative Expenses--UCR Depository Manager

For Discussion and Possible Subcommittee Action

    The UCR Depository Manager will review the expenditures of the UCR
Plan for the 12 months ended December 31, 2021 with the Finance
Subcommittee. The Finance Subcommittee may take action to recommend to
the UCR Board how to allocate any remaining allowance.

VIII. Review of 2022 Administrative Expenses--UCR Depository Manager

    The UCR Depository Manager will review the expenditures of the UCR
Plan for the 2 month period ended February 28, 2022 with the Finance
Subcommittee.

IX. 2020 Registration Year Closure--UCR Depository Manager

    The UCR Depository Manager will present to the subcommittee the
results of the final closure of the Depository for the 2020
registration year.

X. Other Business--UCR Finance Subcommittee Chair

    The UCR Finance Subcommittee Chair will call for any other items
Finance Subcommittee members would like to discuss.

XI. Adjourn--UCR Finance Subcommittee Chair

    The UCR Finance Subcommittee Chair will adjourn the meeting.
    The agenda will be available no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern time,
March 17, 2022 at: https://plan.ucr.gov.

CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Elizabeth Leaman, Chair, Unified
Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors,<PHONE_NUMBER>,
[email protected].

Alex B. Leath,
Chief Legal Officer, Unified Carrier Registration Plan.
[FR Doc. 2022-06137 Filed 3-18-22; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-YL-P


[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 207 (Friday, October 27, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 73772-73775]
[FR Doc No: 2023-23720]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-2135; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00509-T]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type
Certificate Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership
(CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and

BD-500-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of
multiple occurrences of low clearance or fouling between certain wiring
harnesses and a hydraulic bracket and structure in the wing trailing
edge area that were detected on the production line. This proposed AD
would require inspecting certain wiring harnesses for any damage and
clearance to adjacent structure and corrective actions, as specified in
a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference
(IBR). This proposed AD would also require an inspection report. The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by December
11, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-2135; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For material that is proposed for IBR in this AD, contact
Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-
3639; email [email protected]. You may find this material on the
Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. It is also
available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-2135.
     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<PHONE_NUMBER>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gabriel Kim, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-
228-7300; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-2135; Project Identifier
MCAI-2023-00509-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Gabriel Kim, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email: [email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.

Background

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued Transport Canada AD CF-2023-20, dated March 22, 2023 (Transport
Canada AD CF-2023-20) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model
BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. The MCAI states that multiple
occurrences of low clearance or fouling between certain wiring
harnesses and a hydraulic bracket and structure in the wing trailing
edge area were detected on the production line. These conditions were
caused by an inappropriate distribution of slack in the wiring
harnesses. Low clearance or fouling between the wiring harnesses and
adjacent structure could result in wear of the harnesses leading to
electrical arcing. Arcing in the presence of a leak from the hydraulic
lines in the area could lead to a fire.
    The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-2135.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Transport Canada AD CF-2023-20 specifies procedures for inspecting
certain wiring harnesses for damage and clearance to adjacent structure
and corrective actions. Corrective actions include adjustment of wiring
harnesses, replacing damaged braid sleeves, and contacting the
manufacturer for repair instructions for worn or damaged harnesses.
This material is reasonably available because the interested parties
have access to it through their normal course of business or by the
means identified in ADDRESSES.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop
in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-20 described previously, except for any

differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this
proposed AD. This proposed AD would also require an inspection report.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the
FAA proposes to incorporate Transport Canada AD CF-2023-20 by reference
in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require
compliance with Transport Canada AD CF-2023-20 in its entirety through
that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions
in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Service information
required by Transport Canada AD CF-2023-20 for compliance will be
available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-2135 after the
FAA final rule is published.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 157 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Labor cost                   Parts cost         Cost per product         Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 7 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up               $0   Up to $595................  Up to $93,415.
 to $595.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed AD.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:

Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate Previously Held
by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.):
Docket No. FAA-2023-2135; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00509-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by December 11, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type
Certificate previously held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership
(CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Transport
Canada AD CF-2023-20, dated March 22, 2023 (Transport Canada AD CF-
2023-20).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical
Power.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of multiple occurrences of low
clearance or fouling between certain wiring harnesses and a
hydraulic bracket and structure in the wing trailing edge area that
were detected on the production line. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address inappropriate distribution of slack in the wiring harness.
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in wear of the

harnesses leading to electrical arcing. Arcing in the presence of a
leak from the hydraulic lines in the area could lead to a fire.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2023-20.

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2023-20

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-20 refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-20 refers to hours air
time, this AD requires using flight hours.
    (3) Where paragraph (A) of Transport Canada AD CF-2023-20 states
to ``adjust as required,'' this AD requires that all applicable
adjustments must be done before further flight.

(i) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Validation 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 International
Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified
in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Validation Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or Airbus Canada
Limited Partnership's Transport Canada Design Approval Organization
(DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-
authorized signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any service information contains
procedures that are identified as RC, those procedures must be done
to comply with this AD; any procedures that are not identified as RC
are recommended. Those procedures that are not identified as RC may
be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the
operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining
approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures identified as RC can be
done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any
substitutions or changes to procedures identified as RC require
approval of an AMOC.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Gabriel Kim,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email: [email protected].

(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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Transport Canada AD CF-2023-20, dated March 22, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2023-20, contact Transport
Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-
3639; email [email protected]. You may find this Transport
Canada AD on the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/
aviation.
    (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<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    (5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of this material at NARA, email
[email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on October 20, 2023.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-23720 Filed 10-26-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7865-7868]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02719]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0670; Product Identifier 2019-NM-104-AD; Amendment
39-19830; AD 2020-02-16]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500
series airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design
approval holder (DAH) indicating that the lower skin of the fuselage
skin lap splices along the lower fastener row of a certain stringer lap
splice on certain body station skin panels may be subject to widespread
fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires inspections of the lower skin of
the fuselage skin lap splices along the lower fastener row of a certain
stringer lap splice on certain body station skin panels and applicable
on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 18, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference

of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 18, 2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA
90740-5600; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this service information at the
FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
206-231-3195. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0670.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0670; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Guo, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax: 562-627-
5210; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 4, 2019 (84 FR
46496). The NPRM was prompted by a report that an operator of a Model
737-300 airplane discovered a crack in the skin at a chem-milled step
at body station (STA) 727B+10, just above stringer (S)-14R. The
airplane had accumulated 88,805 flight hours and 65,804 flight cycles
at the time the crack was found. Upon further inspection in the local
area using high frequency eddy current (HFEC) hole probe inspection,
multiple fastener hole cracks were found in the S-14 lap splice lower
row in the lower skin between STA 727A and STA 727E. The lower skin at
S-14 is structure that may be susceptible to WFD and may also have
scratches that can propagate into cracks. The scratch cracks may
interact with fatigue cracking. The NPRM proposed to require
inspections of the lower skin of the fuselage skin lap splices along
the lower fastener row of a certain stringer lap splice on certain body
station skin panels and applicable on-condition actions.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address scratch cracks and fatigue
cracking, which may interact and could result in rapid decompression
and loss of structural integrity of the airplane.

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 FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM

    Priscilla Suarez expressed support for the NPRM, as well as support
for additional safety inspections, and stricter regulations that
increase safety.

Effect of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions

    Aviation Partners Boeing stated that accomplishing Supplemental
Type Certificate (STC) ST01219SE does not affect the actions specified
in the proposed AD.
    The FAA concurs with the commenter. The FAA has redesignated
paragraph (c) of the proposed AD as paragraph (c)(1) of this AD and
added paragraph (c)(2) to this AD to state that installation of STC
ST01219SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions
required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01219SE is
installed, a ``change in product'' alternative method of compliance
(AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with the
requirements of 14 CFR 39.17.

Request To Specify That the Airplane May Be Subject to the Unsafe
Condition

    Boeing requested that the FAA revise the SUMMARY, Discussion
section, and paragraph (e) in the regulatory text of the NPRM to
specify that the lap splice on certain body station skin panels may be
subject to widespread fatigue damage WFD. Boeing pointed out that the
change would maintain consistency with the wording used in the service
information. Boeing also mentioned that WFD has not been specifically
demonstrated in the subject areas.
    The FAA agrees for the reasons provided and has revised this AD
accordingly.

Request To Revise the Unsafe Condition

    Boeing requested that the FAA revise the unsafe condition statement
throughout the NPRM to specify only that it could result in rapid
decompression, and remove ``. . . or loss of structural integrity of
the airplane,'' as an additional consequent result. Boeing pointed out
that the change would maintain consistency with the wording in the
service information.
    The FAA partially agrees. The FAA agrees that the wording of the
unsafe condition could be confusing and that clarification is
necessary. Therefore, the FAA has changed the unsafe condition
statement to specify that this AD addresses ``. . . scratch cracks and
fatigue cracking, which may interact and could result in rapid
decompression and loss of structural integrity of the airplane.''

Request To Remove Language Regarding Fatigue Damage

    Boeing requested that the FAA remove language regarding fatigue
damage and multiple-site damage (MSD) from the Discussion section of
the NPRM. Boeing stated that the information is confusing, provides no
additional understanding of the issues, and that other AD's related to
lap splice scratch cracking and MSD do not include the same
information. Boeing argued that the remaining portions of the
discussion are sufficient with the intent of the NPRM.
    The FAA does not agree, because the language identified by Boeing
is not carried forward into the final rule. The FAA acknowledges that
the language regarding fatigue damage and MSD is not present in all ADs
related to lap splice cracking; however, this specific language is
present in other ADs that are related to MSD. This wording helps define
the terms, provides general explanation of the issue, and has not been
demonstrated as confusing. The FAA has not changed this AD in this
regard.

Request for Clarification of the Terminating Action

    Boeing requested that the FAA revise paragraph (i) of the proposed
AD to clarify if the proposed terminating action is applicable to ``the
corresponding locations'' or ``the inspections'' in the corresponding
locations. Boeing pointed out that rearranging the statement would make
it grammatically clear whether actions or

locations are being terminated. Otherwise, Boeing pointed out that the
statement could be misread to interpret it to mean terminating the
locations required by the NPRM.
    The FAA agrees for the reasons provided and has revised paragraph
(i) of this AD accordingly.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
require adopting this final rule with the changes described previously
and minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor
changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
    The FAA also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final
rule.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA has reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1382
RB, dated May 6, 2019. This service information describes procedures
for detailed inspections for previous repairs, and repetitive dual
frequency eddy current (DFEC) inspections for cracks of the lower skin
of the fuselage skin lap splices along the lower fastener row of the S-
14 lap splice at specified locations on the STA 727 to STA 908 skin
panel in areas not inspected as specified in other service bulletins,
and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions include open
hole HFEC inspections for cracks, 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 the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 158 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DFEC Inspections of S-14 Lap       18 work-hours x $85              $0  $1,530 per           $241,740 per
 Splices.                           per hour = $1,530                    inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
                                    per inspection
                                    cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition inspections that would be required. The FAA has no way of
determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition
actions:

                                     Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Cost per
                                  Labor cost                                       Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
97 work-hours x $85 per hour = $8,245.........................................              $0           $8,245
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable us to
provide cost estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this
AD.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):

2020-02-16 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-19830; Docket No. FAA-
2019-0670; Product Identifier 2019-NM-104-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 18, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C,
-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category,
as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1382 RB,
dated May 6, 2019.
    (2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
ST01219SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions
required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01219SE
is installed, a ``change in product'' alternative method of
compliance (AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with
the requirements of 14 CFR 39.17.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval
holder (DAH) indicating that the lower skin of the fuselage skin lap
splices along the lower fastener row of the stringer (S)-14 lap
splice on certain body station skin panels may be subject to
widespread fatigue damage (WFD). The FAA is issuing this AD to
address scratch cracks and fatigue cracking, which may interact and
could result in rapid decompression and loss of 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 737-53A1382 RB, dated May 6, 2019, do
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin
737-53A1382 RB, dated May 6, 2019.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
737-53A1382, dated May 6, 2019, which is referred to in Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1382 RB, dated May 6, 2019.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1382 RB,
dated May 6, 2019, uses the phrase ``the original issue date of
Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1382 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the
effective date of this AD.''
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1382 RB,
dated May 6, 2019, specifies contacting Boeing for repair
instructions or for alternative inspections: This AD requires doing
the repair, or doing the alternative inspections and applicable on-
condition actions using a method approved in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.

(i) Terminating Action for the Required Inspections

    Accomplishment of certain skin panel replacements identified as
terminating action in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1382
RB, dated May 6, 2019, terminates the inspections required by this
AD, in the corresponding locations.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO 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 local Flight Standards
District 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 (k)(1) of this AD. Information
may be emailed to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district 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, Los
Angeles ACO 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact James Guo,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch,
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-
5357; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (l)(3) and (4) of this AD.

(l) 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 737-53A1382 RB, dated May
6, 2019.
    (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; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport
Standards 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<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on January 27, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-02719 Filed 2-11-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P