[Federal Register: May 13, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 93)]
[Notices]
[Page 26641-26644]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13my04-166]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee; Transport Airplane and
Engine Issues--New Task
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
[[Page 26642]]
ACTION: Notice of new task assignment for the Aviation Rulemaking
Advisory Committee (ARAC).
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SUMMARY: The FAA assigned the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee a
new task to develop guidance that will support industry compliance with
the Aging Airplane Safety Rule requirements that relate to supplemental
structural inspections. This new tasking will also address certain
aspects of recommendations made during a previous ARAC tasking related
to widespread fatigue damage. This notice is to inform the public of
this ARAC activity.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kaszycki, Federal Aviation
Administration, Transport Standards Staff, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056, mike.kaszycki@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA established the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee to
provide advice and recommendations to the FAA Administrator on the
FAA's rulemaking activities with respect to aviation-related issues.
This includes obtaining advice and recommendations on the FAA's
commitments to harmonize Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations
(14 CFR) with its partners in Europe and Canada.
Airplane Applicability of Tasking
This new tasking shall apply to transport category airplanes with a
type-certificated passenger seating capacity of 30 or greater, or a
maximum payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or greater, operated under
part 121 or under part 129 (U.S. registered airplanes).
Statement of Tasking
There are four major tasks to be completed under this tasking:
Task 1.--Repairs to Baseline Primary Structure and Repairs to
Alterations and Modifications
Draft an Advisory Circular (AC) that contains guidance to support
the following two paths of compliance with Sec. Sec. 121.370a and
129.16 of the Aging Airplane Safety Interim Final Rule (AASIFR):
1. Damage-tolerance-based inspection program developed by part 121
and 129 certificate holders: Develop guidelines and procedures that
will enable part 121 and 129 certificate holders to develop a damage-
tolerance-based inspection program that addresses repairs made to
aircraft structure that is susceptible to fatigue cracking that could
contribute to a catastrophic failure.
2. Model specific damage-tolerance-based inspection program:
Develop Guidance that can be used by Type Certificate (TC) holders,
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) holders, and Structural Task Groups
to support the development of a model specific damage-tolerance-based
inspection program. The model specific damage-tolerance-based
inspection program will address repairs made to aircraft structure that
is susceptible to fatigue cracking that could contribute to a
catastrophic failure. The developed model specific inspection program
will support part 121 and 129 certificate holders' compliance with the
AASIFR.
A written report will also be submitted that includes an action
plan for the implementation of the recommendations of task 1 that will
be addressed in task 4 below. The report is to be submitted to the
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC), Transport Airplane and
Engine Issues Group, for approval. The ARAC, Transport Airplane and
Engine Issues Group, will determine as appropriate the means by which
the action plan will be implemented. The proposed actions and
implementation process approved by the ARAC, Transport Airplane and
Engine Issues Group, will be subject to FAA concurrence.
In the process of drafting the AC, the ARAC should assess the
effectiveness of AC 91-56B to provide guidance to TC and STC holders
for developing damage-tolerance-based inspections and procedures for
repairs made to aircraft structure that is susceptible to fatigue
cracking that could contribute to a catastrophic failure. The ARAC
should do the following:
Assess the effectiveness of AC 91-56B to support Industry
compliance with the AASIFR with respect to repairs.
Document any improvements to the AC that would provide
better direction with respect to the guidance for TC and STC holders in
their development of damage-tolerance-based inspections and procedures
for repairs.
The ARAC is requested to validate that the guidance material in the
new AC will result in programs that provide a high degree of autonomy
for part 121 and 129 certificate holders while supporting compliance
with the AASIFR. In order to determine a rational approach for
addressing repairs to aircraft structure that is susceptible to fatigue
cracking that could contribute to a catastrophic failure, and are not
currently covered by a mandated program, the AC should provide guidance
to the part 121 and 129 certificate holders and to the type certificate
holder to address the seven issues listed below.
1. The significance of the airplane certification amendment level
in providing direction for the development of damage tolerance
inspections and methods for repairs.
2. The degree to which Supplemental Structural Inspection
Documents/Programs (SSID/P) or equivalent documents/programs provide
direction to repair the structure using damage-tolerance-rated repairs.
The assessment should apply to SSID/Ps or equivalent documents/programs
developed for 14 CFR part 25 pre-amendment 25-45 transport airplane
models having a maximum gross takeoff weight of 75,000 lbs or greater.
The following should be identified:
Areas of aircraft structure that is susceptible to fatigue
cracking that could contribute to a catastrophic failure, which are not
covered by SSID/Ps or equivalent documents/programs
Significant assumptions applied in developing SSID/Ps or
equivalent documents/programs
Any significant issues in the implementation of the
requirements of SSID/Ps or equivalent documents/programs
Data from SSID/Ps or equivalent documents/programs that
would be useful in supporting this new tasking
3. The degree to which an applicable airplane model's Airworthiness
Limitations Section (ALS) provides direction to repair the structure
using damage-tolerance-rated repairs. This assessment should apply to
damage-tolerance-based inspection programs/data developed for 14 CFR
part 25 amendment 25-45 or later transport airplane models having a
maximum gross takeoff weight of 75,000 lbs or greater. The following
should be identified:
Areas of aircraft structure that is susceptible to fatigue
cracking that could contribute to a catastrophic failure, which are not
covered by a damage-tolerance-based inspection program/data
Any significant issues in the implementation of the
requirements of the damage-tolerance-based inspection programs/data
Data from the damage-tolerance-based inspection programs
that would be useful in supporting this new tasking
4. The degree to which existing Repair Assessment Guideline
documents developed for Sec. Sec. 121.370 and 129.32 provide damage-
tolerance-based inspections for repairs made to aircraft structure that
is susceptible to fatigue
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cracking that could contribute to a catastrophic failure. The
assessment should identify the following:
Areas of the aircraft structure that is susceptible to
fatigue cracking that could contribute to a catastrophic failure, which
are not covered by these documents
Data from these documents that would be useful in
supporting this new tasking
5. Identify the issues/difficulties industry has encountered with
establishing damage-tolerance-based inspections and procedures for
repairs as required by various FAA approaches in issuing SSIP
airworthiness directives (e.g., 727/737 AD 98-11-03 R1, AD 98-11-04 R1
verses other SSIP AD approaches like the 747). The assessment should
identify the following:
Comparison of approaches with pros and cons for each
approach
Data from these documents that would be useful in
supporting this new tasking
6. Assess the extent to which Structural Repair Manuals (SRM)
provide damage-tolerance-based inspections for repairs made to aircraft
structure that is susceptible to fatigue cracking that could contribute
to a catastrophic failure.
7. Assess the need to include damage-tolerance-based inspections
and procedures in TC and STC Holder issued Service Bulletins (SB) that
provide repair instructions for aircraft structure that is susceptible
to fatigue cracking that could contribute to a catastrophic failure.
Task 2.--Alterations and Modifications to Baseline Primary Structure,
Including STCs and Amended Type Certificates (ATCs)
Prepare a written report assessing how an operator would include
damage-tolerance-based inspections and procedures for alterations and
modifications made to aircraft structure that is susceptible to fatigue
cracking that could contribute to a catastrophic failure. This
assessment would include, but is not limited to, alterations and
modifications performed under an STC, ATC, FAA field approval (e.g.,
FAA form 337) and/or FAA approved TC holder design data. The report
should include a recommendation on the best means to develop damage-
tolerance-based inspections and procedures for these alterations and
modifications and the applicability of AC 91-56B. The ARAC should
assess the effectiveness of AC 91-56B to provide guidance to STC
holders for developing damage-tolerance-based inspections and
procedures for alterations and modifications. The ARAC should do the
following:
Assess the effectiveness of AC 91-56B to support Industry
compliance with the AASIFR with respect to alterations and
modifications.
Document any improvements to the AC that would provide
better direction with respect to the guidance for STC holders in their
development of damage-tolerance-based inspections and procedures for
alterations and modifications.
The written report will include a proposed action plan to address
and/or accomplish these recommendations, including actions that should
be addressed in task 4 below. The report should also provide a
recommendation on the means of compliance provided by the AC developed
in Task 1 in regards to repairs installed on STC or ATC approved
alterations and modifications. The report is to be submitted to the
ARAC, Transport Airplane and Engine Issues Group, for approval. The
ARAC, Transport Airplane and Engine Issues group, will determine as
appropriate the means by which the action plan will be implemented. The
proposed actions and implementation process approved by the ARAC,
Transport Airplane and Engine Issues Group, will be subject to FAA
concurrence (FAA concurrence is necessary to ensure actions will
support industry compliance with the AASIFR).
Task 3.--Widespread Fatigue Damage (WFD) of Repairs, Alterations, and
Modifications
Provide a written report providing recommendations on how best to
enable part 121 and 129 certificate holders of airplanes with a maximum
gross take-off weight of greater than 75,000 pounds to assess the WFD
characteristics of structural repairs, alterations, and modifications
as recommended in a previous ARAC tasking. The written report will
include a proposed action plan to address and/or accomplish these
recommendations including actions that should be addressed in task 4
below. The report is to be submitted to the ARAC, Transport Airplane
and Engine Issues Group, for approval. The ARAC, Transport Airplane and
Engine Issues Group, will determine as appropriate the means by which
the action plan will be implemented. The proposed actions and
implementation process approved by the ARAC, Transport Airplane and
Engine Issues Group, will be subject to FAA concurrence.
Task 4.--Model Specific Programs
Oversee the Structural Task Group (STG) activities that will be
coordinated for each applicable airplane model by the respective type
certificate holders' and part 121 and 129 certificate holders. These
STG activities will involve the development of model specific
approaches for compliance with Sec. Sec. 121.370a and 129.16 under the
guidance material supplied in Task 1.
As part of this tasking, the AAWG will identify those airplane
models that do not have an STG, and will assess the need to form one
(based on industry benefit). For those airplane models that will need
to form an STG, the AAWG will initiate the coordination required to
form the STG with the respective type certificate holder and/or part
121 and 129 certificate holders.
In addition, the AAWG will support the implementation of the action
plan to address recommendations made in tasks 2 and 3 as determined
necessary by the ARAC, Transport Airplane and Engine Issues Group, and
concurred with by the FAA.
Schedule
The tasking will be performed in two phases. In Phase 1, the ARAC
will provide to the FAA the results of Tasks 1 through 3. Phase 1
should be accomplished by December 16, 2005.
In Phase 2, the Structures Task Groups, under the direction of the
ARAC, should produce the model specific guidance material, Task 4,
using the guidelines and procedures of the AC produced in Phase 1. The
ARAC will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the STG's
application of the AC. Phase 2 documents should be completed by
December 18, 2009.
ARAC Acceptance of Task
ARAC accepted the task and assigned the task to the Airworthiness
Assurance Working Group, Transport Airplane and Engine Issues. The
Structural Task Groups (STG) composed of type certificate and part 121
and 129 certificate holders familiar with the specific model aircraft
will support the working group. The working group will serve as staff
to ARAC and assist in the analysis of the assigned task. ARAC must
review and approve the working group's recommendations. If ARAC accepts
the working group's recommendations, it will forward them to the FAA.
Working Group Activity
The Airworthiness Assurance Working Group must comply with the
procedures adopted by ARAC. As part
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of the procedures, the working group must:
1. Recommend a work plan for completion of the task, including the
rationale supporting such a plan for consideration at the next meeting
of the ARAC on transport airplane and engine issues held following
publication of this notice.
2. Give a detailed conceptual presentation of the proposed
recommendations prior to proceeding with the work stated in item 3
below.
3. Draft the appropriate documents and required analyses and/or any
other related materials or documents.
4. Provide a status report at each meeting of the ARAC held to
consider transport airplane and engine issues.
Participation in the Working Group
The Airworthiness Assurance Working Group will be composed of
technical experts having an interest in the assigned task. A working
group member need not be a representative or a member of the full
committee.
If you have expertise in the subject matter and wish to become a
member of the working group you should write to the person listed under
the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT expressing that desire,
describing your interest in the task, and stating the expertise you
would bring to the working group. We must receive your request to
participate no later than May 28, 2004. The assistant chair, the
assistant executive director, and the working group chair will review
your request and will advise you whether your request is approved.
If you are chosen for membership on the working group, you must
represent your aviation community segment and actively participate in
the working group (e.g., attend all meetings, provide written comments
when requested to do so, etc.). You must also devote the resources
necessary to support the working group in meeting any assigned
deadlines. You must keep your management chain and those you may
represent advised of working group activities and decisions to ensure
that the proposed technical solutions don't conflict with your
sponsoring organization's position when the subject being negotiated is
presented to ARAC for approval.
Once the working group has begun deliberations, members will be
added or substituted only with the approval of the assistant chair, the
assistant executive director, and the working group chair.
The Secretary of Transportation determined that the formation and
use of the ARAC is necessary and in the public interest in connection
with the performance of duties imposed on the FAA by law.
Meetings of the ARAC will be open to the public. Meetings of the
Airworthiness Assurance Working Group will not be open to the public,
except to the extent that individuals with an interest and expertise
are selected to participate. The FAA will make no public announcement
of working group meetings.
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 4, 2004.
Anthony F. Fazio,
Executive Director, Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.
[FR Doc. 04-10816 Filed 5-12-04; 8:45 am]
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