[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 23, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43728-43730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20858]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-93-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, -200 and -300 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100, -200 
and -300 series airplanes. This proposal would require an inspection to 
determine if hinge bolts and nuts are installed in the overhead stowage 
bins, and the installation of hinge bolts and nuts, if necessary. This 
proposal is prompted by reports that overhead stowage bins in the 
passenger compartment have fallen out of position due to missing hinge 
bolts. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to ensure 
that hinge bolts are installed in the overhead storage bins. 

[[Page 43729]]
Missing hinge bolts could result in the overhead stowage bins falling 
out of position and injuring airplane occupants.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 19, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-93-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dorothy Lundy, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington; telephone (206) 227-1675; fax 
(206) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 95-NM-93-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No 95-NM-93-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98055-
4056.
Discussion

    The FAA has received reports indicating that overhead stowage bins 
in the passenger compartment of certain Model 747 series airplanes have 
fallen out of position and injured passengers. Investigation has 
revealed that the stowage bin support panel separated because the hinge 
bolts were not installed during maintenance. This omission may have 
resulted from the long cure times for the bin material preceding 
installation of the bolts, which necessitates installing the bolts long 
after the rest of the associated maintenance has been completed. The 
hinge bolt acts as the primary support for the overhead bins; when the 
hinge bolts are installed, the stowage bins should not fall out of 
position. Missing hinge bolts could result in the overhead stowage bind 
failing out of position and injuring airplane occupants.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-25A3095, dated April 27, 1995, which describes procedures for a 
one-time visual inspection to determine if hinge bolts and nuts are 
installed in the overhead stowage bins. The alert service bulletin also 
describes procedures for installing hinge bolts and nuts, if necessary.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require a one-time visual inspection to determine if 
the hinge bolts and nuts are installed in the overhead stowage bins. 
The proposed AD also would require installation of hinge bolts and 
nuts, if necessary. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the alert service bulletin described previously.
    As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general, 
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes 
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that 
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA 
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision 
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered 
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance 
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval 
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with 
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has 
been included in this notice to clarify this long-standing requirement.
    There are approximately 560 Boeing Model 747-100, -200, and -300 
series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 144 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this 
proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane 
to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is 
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,640, or $60 per 
airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

[[Page 43730]]


The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

    Boeing: Docket 95-NM-93-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes; 
as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3095, dated April 
27, 1995; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (b) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of the AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated.
    To ensure that hinge bolts are installed in the overhead storage 
pins, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, unless 
accomplished previously within the last 6 months prior to the 
effective date of this AD, perform a one-time visual inspection to 
determine if hinge bolts and nuts are installed in the overhead 
stowage bins, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
25A3095, dated April 27, 1995.
    (1) If the hinge bolts and nuts are installed, no further action 
is required by this AD.
    (2) If any hinge bolt or nut is not installed, prior to further 
flight, install a hinge bolt and nut in accordance with the alert 
service bulletin.
    (b) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

    (c) 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 17, 1995.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-20858 Filed 8-22-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U