2023-10624

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: • the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document • the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to • the agency docket number / agency internal file number • the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration • 14 CFR Part 39 • [Docket No. FAA-2023-1048; Project Identifier AD-2023-00620-A,T; Amendment 39-22440; AD 2023-10-04] • RIN 2120-AA64 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model B-17E, B-17F, and B-17G airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the left front spar lower fitting had completely separated at the wing-to-fuselage joint, and the equivalent joint on the right side of the airplane was cracked. This AD requires inspections of the wing terminal-to-spar chord joints, and repair if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective June 1, 2023. The FAA must receive comments on this AD by July 3, 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: 202-493-2251. • 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2023-1048; 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, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information about this AD, contact Eric Schrieber, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Airframe Section, West Certification Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone 562-627-5348; email Eric.Schrieber@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background During walk-around checks performed in 2021 prior to takeoff of a Model B-17 airplane, it was discovered that the left wing had shifted away from the fuselage by about 2 inches. Further investigation was conducted when both wings were removed in 2023 and found complete separation of the left front spar lower fitting at the wing-to-fuselage joint as well as additional cracking on the equivalent joint on the right side of the airplane. This condition, if not addressed, could result in fatigue cracking of the wing terminal-to-spar chord joints, which could result in loss of control of the airplane and reduced structural integrity of the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. AD 2001-22-06, Amendment 39-12485 (66 FR 54111, October 26, 2001), requires an inspection of the holes in the spar chord at the same location where the c…

Fonte: Federal Register (federalregister.gov). Texto original em inglês. Conteúdo sanitizado por segurança.