[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3793-3795]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1877]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-274-AD; Amendment 39-9507; AD 96-03-10]
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 Series Airplanes
Equipped With Rolls Royce Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes. This
action requires an inspection for damage of the fuel tube located in
the forward engine strut, and repair, if necessary; installation of a
new support bracket and clamps on the power feeder conduit; and an
inspection for proper positioning of the power feeder conduit in each
engine strut, and adjustment, if necessary. This amendment is prompted
by reports of worn fuel tubes that were caused by the power feeder
conduit moving and touching the fuel tube. The actions specified in
this AD are intended to prevent wear of the fuel tube, which could
result in a fuel leak in the engine strut and a consequent fire hazard.
DATES: Effective February 20, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of February 20, 1996.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before April 2, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-274-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: Stephen S. Oshiro, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington;
telephone (206) 227-2793; fax (206) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Two operators of Boeing Model 747-400 series
airplanes equipped with Rolls Royce engines have reported five
incidents of worn engine fuel feed tubes found in the engine struts. In
each case, the worn tube was found to be touching the engine power
feeder cable conduit in the front of the engine strut. This touching
created worn (chafed) areas on the fuel tubes; the worn areas were
between 0.0055 and 0.014 inch deep. Investigation revealed that the
currently-installed bracket and clamps for the power feeder conduit
allow the conduit to rotate and consequently come into contact with the
engine fuel feed tube. If this is not prevented, the conduit can wear a
hole in the fuel tube, which could result in a fuel leak in the forward
strut area. A fuel leak such as this, if not corrected, could pose a
fire hazard.
Boeing has issued Alert Service Bulletin 747-28A2190, dated March
23, 1995, which describes procedures for inspecting the fuel tube in
each strut for wear or damage, and repairing it, if necessary. It also
describes procedures for installing a new support bracket and two new
clamps on the power feeder
[[Page 3794]]
conduit in all four engine struts. The service bulletin also describes
procedures for inspecting the power feeder conduit for proper
positioning, and adjusting it to obtain maximum clearance between it
and the fuel tube.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is
being issued to prevent a fuel leak in the forward engine strut. This
AD requires (1) an inspection for wear of the fuel tube in the forward
engine strut, and repair, if necessary; (2) the installation of a new
support bracket and two new clamps on the power feeder conduit; and (3)
an inspection for proper positioning of the power feeder conduit, and
adjustment, if necessary. The actions are required to be accomplished
in accordance with the service bulletin described previously.
None of the Model 747-400 series airplanes affected by this action
are 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 8 work hours to
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per
work hour. The cost of required parts would be $368 per airplane. Based
on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be $848 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 95-NM-274-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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-03-10 BOEING: Amendment 39-9507. Docket 95-NM-274-AD.
Applicability: Model 747-400 series airplanes equipped with
Rolls Royce engines; as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
28A2190, dated March 23, 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
otherwise 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 this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously. To prevent a fuel leak in the forward engine strut,
accomplish the following: (a) Within 90 days after the effective
date of this AD, accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1),
(a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD in accordance with Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-28A2190, dated March 23, 1995:
(1) Inspect the fuel tube in each engine strut for wear and
damage. Prior to further flight, repair any discrepancy found.
(2) Install a new support bracket and new clamps on the power
feeder conduit in each engine strut.
(3) Inspect the engine power feeder cable conduit in the front
of each engine strut for proper positioning. Prior to further
flight, position the conduit to obtain the most clearance between it
and the fuel tube.
(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.
[[Page 3795]]
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.
(d) The inspection and installation shall be done in accordance
with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-28A2190, dated March 23,
1995. 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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on February 20, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 25, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-1877 Filed 2-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U