[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 26, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17857]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: July 26, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-68-AD; Amendment 39-8983; AD 94-15-12]
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100SR Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100SR series airplanes,
that currently requires that the FAA-approved maintenance inspection
program include inspections which will give no less than the required
damage tolerance rating (DTR) for each Structural Significant Item
(SSI). That AD was prompted by a structural re-evaluation of this
airplane model by the FAA. The actions specified in that AD are
intended to ensure the continued structural integrity of the total
Boeing Model 747-100SR fleet. This amendment revises the applicability
of the rule by removing airplanes and adding others.
DATES: Effective August 10, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 10, 1994.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before September 26, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-68-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington
98124-2207.
This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office
of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven C. Fox, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate ,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2777; fax (206) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 8, 1986, the FAA issued AD 86-19-
01, amendment 39-5394 (51 FR 29212, August 15, 1986), which is
applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100SR (short range operation)
series airplanes. That AD requires that the FAA-approved maintenance
inspection program of affected operators be revised to include
inspections that will give no less than the required damage tolerance
rating (DTR) for each Structural Significant Item (SSI) listed in
Boeing Document No. D6-35655, ``Supplemental Structural Inspection
Document'' (SSID), approved March 22, 1986. That action was prompted by
a structural re-evaluation of this airplane model by the FAA. The
requirements of that AD are intended to ensure the continued structural
integrity of the total Boeing Model 747-100SR fleet.
AD 86-19-01 is applicable only to Model 747-100SR series airplanes
that are listed in the referenced Boeing Document No. D6-35655. These
airplanes represented the ``candidate fleet'' of airplanes selected to
participate in the SSID program. Since the issuance of that AD,
however, the FAA has been advised that the airplanes applicable to AD
86-19-01 are no longer operated as short range airplanes, but have been
converted to long range, high gross weight freighters. Therefore, these
airplanes are no longer representative of the Model 747-100SR candidate
fleet. The FAA has now identified other airplanes to replace the
original airplanes as the candidate fleet.
Further, on December 28, 1993, the FAA issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking, Airworthiness Directive Rules Docket 93-NM-174-AD (59 FR
265, January 4, 1994), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747 series
airplanes (not including Model 747- 100SR's), which would require that
affected operators' revise their FAA-approved maintenance inspection
programs to include inspections that will give no less than the
required DTR for each SSI, as specified in Boeing Document No. D6-
35022, ``Supplemental Structural Inspection Document (SSID) for Model
747 Airplanes,'' Revision E, dated June 17, 1993. The applicability of
that proposed AD includes Model 747 series airplanes that were formerly
operated as Model 747-100SR series airplanes. Consequently, the
airplanes that are currently subject to the requirements of AD 86-19-01
are included in the applicability of Rules Docket 93-NM-174-AD and will
be subject to its requirements. To avoid redundant requirements for
these airplanes, the FAA has determined that AD 86-19-01 must be
revised to remove those airplanes that are currently listed both in its
applicability as well as the applicability of Rules Docket 93-NM-174-
AD.
The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Document No. D6-35655,
``Supplemental Structural Inspection Document for 747-100SR,'' dated
April 2, 1986, which specifies supplemental inspections of Boeing Model
747-100SR series airplanes that give no less than the required DTR for
each SSI. This Document is essentially identical to Boeing Document No.
D6-35655, approved March 22, 1986, which was called out in AD 86-19-01
as the appropriate source of service information. Incorporating the
inspections described in this Document will ensure the continuing
structural integrity of the total Model 747-100SR fleet. (It should be
noted, however, that the airplanes listed in this document as the
``candidate fleet'' are no longer operated as short-range airplanes.)
Since the failure of an SSI can compromise the structural integrity
of these airplanes, and since such conditions are likely to exist or
develop on other Model 747-100SR airplanes, this AD is being issued to
supersede AD 86-19-01 with a new AD to require that affected operators
revise their maintenance inspection programs to include inspections
that provide no less than the required DTR for each SSI listed in the
Boeing Document No. D6-35655, dated April 2, 1986. The applicability of
this AD lists six specific airplanes as the candidate fleet.
Additionally, this new AD differs from the superseded AD in certain
other ways:
1. All references to the use of ``later FAA-approved revisions'' of
the applicable Boeing Document have been deleted in order to be
consistent with FAA policy in that regard. Later revisions of the
Document may be approved for use as an alternative method of
compliance, as provided by paragraph (c) of this AD.
2. This AD does not include a specific paragraph similar to
paragraph E. of AD 86-19-01, which stated that, if an operator's
maintenance program has been revised to incorporate the inspections
specified in the Boeing Document, that operator is exempt from the
requirements of the AD. Since the Compliance section of this new AD
indicates that compliance is required ``unless accomplished
previously,'' any additional paragraph, such as one similar to
paragraph E. of AD 86-19-01, would be redundant.
3. The new AD has been reformatted to be in compliance with Federal
Register style.
There currently are no Model 747-100SR series airplanes affected by
this AD on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the
applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by
this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary
to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any
of these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register
in the future.
Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S.
Register in the future, it would require approximately 36.25 work hours
to accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $55
per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD
would be $1,993.75 per airplane.
Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this
rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may
desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be
submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional
rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 94-NM-68-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-5394 (51 FR
29212, August 15, 1986) and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39- , to read as follows:
94-15-12 Boeing: Amendment 39-8983. Docket 94-NM-68-AD. Supersedes
AD 86-19-01, amendment 39-5394.
Applicability: Model 747-100SR series airplanes having line
numbers 346, 351, 420, 426, 427, and 601; certificated in any
category.
Note: The airplanes listed as the ``747-100SR Candidate
Airplanes'' on page 2 of Section 3.0 of Boeing Document D6-35655,
``Supplemental Structural Inspection Document for 747-100SR,'' dated
April 2, 1986, are not subject to the requirements of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To ensure continued structural integrity of the total fleet of
these airplanes, accomplish the following:
(a) Within one year after the effective date of this AD,
incorporate a revision into the FAA-approved maintenance inspection
program which provides no less than the required damage tolerance
rating (DTR) for each Structural Significant Item (SSI) as listed in
Boeing Document D6-35655, ``Supplemental Structural Inspection
Document for 747-100SR,'' dated April 2, 1986. The revision to the
maintenance program must include and be implemented in accordance
with the procedures specified in sections 5.0 and 6.0 of the
Document.
(b) Cracked structure must be repaired prior to further flight,
in accordance with an FAA-approved method.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Seattle ACO.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(e) The incorporation of the revision to the maintenance program
shall be done in accordance with Boeing Document No. D6-35655,
Supplemental Structural Inspection Document for 747-100SR,'' dated
April 2, 1986, which contains the following list of effective pages:
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Revision
Page No. letter shown
on page
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List of Active Pages:
Section A, Pages 1-11................................... (None)
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This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane
Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on August 10, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 18, 1994.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-17857 Filed 7-25-94; 8:45 am]
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