[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