[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 56 (Thursday, March 21, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11533-11534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6390]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-22-AD; Amendment 39-9543; AD 96-06-06]


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100, -200, -300, and SP series 
airplanes, that requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to 
prohibit the use of the autoland function. This amendment also requires 
installation of a diode and a marker on certain shelves and making 
wiring changes to the flight mode annunciator of the autopilot/flight 
director system, which terminates the requirements for the AFM 
limitation. This amendment is prompted by a report that the flightcrew 
was unaware of the configuration of the autoland system during landing. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure flightcrew 
awareness of the configuration of the autoland system in the event of a 
change from fail-operational to fail-passive mode.

DATES: Effective April 22, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 22, 1996.
ADDRESSES: 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 Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 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: Hania Younis, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2764; fax (206) 
227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100,-200, 
-300, and SP series airplanes was published in the Federal Register as 
a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking on January 23, 1996 (61 FR 
1722). That action proposed to require:
    1. revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit the use of 
the autoland function;
    2. installing a diode and a marker on shelves;
    3. making wiring changes to the flight mode annunciator (FMA) of 
the autopilot/flight director system, which would terminate the 
requirements for the AFM revision; and
    4. conducting follow-on operational tests.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    There are approximately 179 Boeing Model 747-100, -200, -300, and 
SP series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The 
FAA estimates that 12 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by 
this AD.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the required revision to the AFM, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $720, or $60 per airplane.
    It will take approximately 10 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required installation and operational test, at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $613 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of these 
requirements on U.S. operators is estimated to be $14,556, or $1,213 
per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.
    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.

[[Page 11534]]

    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:

96-06-06 Boeing: Amendment 39-9543. Docket 95-NM-22-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747-100, -200, -300, and SP series 
airplanes, equipped with triple channel autoland autopilots; as 
listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-22A2212, Revision 1, 
dated April 27, 1995, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-22A2213, 
Revision 2, dated June 22, 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To ensure flightcrew awareness of the configuration of the 
autoland system in the event of a change from fail-operational to 
fail-passive mode, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual 
(AFM) to include the following statement. This may be accomplished 
by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.

    Pay close attention to all 3 NAV receiver flags immediately 
after FLARE ARM is annunciated on the FMA's. If there is a flag on 
any NAV receiver, the corresponding autopilot channel must be 
disconnected; the approach must be down-graded to dual channel, CAT 
II configuration; and the autopilot must be disconnected prior to 
landing.

    (b) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install a diode and a marker on the E1-4, E1-5, and E1-6 shelves, 
and make wiring changes to the flight mode annunciator of the 
autopilot/flight director system, in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-22A2212, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1995; or 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-22A2213, Revision 1, dated April 
27, 1995, or Revision 2, dated June 22, 1995; as applicable. After 
this installation and wiring change is accomplished, the AFM 
limitation required by paragraph (a) of this AD may be removed from 
the AFM.
    (c) Prior to further flight after accomplishment of paragraph 
(b) of this AD, perform an operational test of the newly installed 
diodes, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
22A2212, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1995; or Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-22A2213, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1995, or Revision 
2, dated June 22, 1995; as applicable. Thereafter, repeat the 
operational test at intervals not to exceed 20,000 flight hours.
    (d) 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.

    (e) 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.
    (f) The installation, wiring changes and operational tests shall 
be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
22A2212, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1995; Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-22A2213, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1995, or Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-22A2213, Revision 2, dated June 22, 1995; 
as applicable. 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 April 22, 1996.
    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 12, 1996.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-6390 Filed 3-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U