[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 66 (Thursday, April 4, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14961-14962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7984]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-93-AD; Amendment 39-9559; AD 96-07-10]
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, -200, and -300
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, and -300 series
airplanes, that requires 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 amendment 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 this AD are intended to ensure that hinge bolts are
installed in the overhead stowage bins. Missing hinge bolts could
result in the overhead stowage bins falling out of position and
injuring airplane occupants.
DATES: Effective May 6, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 6, 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: 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: 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, and -300 series airplanes was published as a supplemental notice
of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register on January 9, 1996 (61
FR 634). That action proposed to 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.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
One commenter supports the proposed rule.
One commenter states that the inspection required by the proposed
rule is a relatively simple inspection, and the issuance of an AD
should not be required. The FAA infers that the commenter requests the
AD be withdrawn. The FAA does not concur. According to section 39.1
(``Airworthiness Directives'') of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 39.1), the issuance of an AD is based on the finding that an unsafe
condition exists or is likely to develop in aircraft of a particular
type design. The responsibilities placed on the FAA by the Federal
Aviation Act do not limit it from making any unsafe condition--whether
resulting from maintenance, design defect, or otherwise--the proper
subject of an AD. Regardless of whether the corrective action is easy
or difficult to perform, the FAA has determined that the corrective
action must be accomplished in order to eliminate or prevent the
identified unsafe condition. Issuance of an AD is the appropriate
vehicle for ensuring that the corrective action is accomplished on all
affected airplanes.
Another commenter states that some stowage bin support panels
separated due to damaged honeycomb cores (the connection point for the
hinge bolts), not due to the absence of hinge bolts, as stated in the
proposed AD. The commenter also states that it installed an enlarged
blade assembly on the panels, and this corrected the problem. While
this commenter does not request that the proposed rule be changed, the
FAA infers that the commenter is requesting that the proposed rule be
withdrawn. In that case, the FAA does not concur. Investigation of
damaged stowage bin support panels in service revealed that the stowage
bin support panel separated because the hinge bolts were not installed
during maintenance; these occurrences prompted the issuance of the
proposed rule. Missing hinge bolts could result in the overhead stowage
bins falling out of position and injuring airplane occupants.
Additionally, the stowage bin support panels themselves must be in good
condition in order to support the interface of the hinge bolts. Prudent
operators performing the inspection of
[[Page 14962]]
the hinge bolts required by this AD would likely address any damage
found of the honeycomb cores of the panels or any damage detected of
the bin. The FAA has been advised that Boeing is currently developing
service information to address the repair of the bins. When this
information is reviewed and approved, the FAA may consider further
rulemaking.
One commenter requests that the compliance time for the inspection
be extended from the proposed 90 days to 150 days. This commenter
considers that extending it by another 60 days would allow operators to
accomplish the inspection during regularly scheduled maintenance, and
would prevent any disruption of service. The FAA does not concur. In
developing the compliance time for this rulemaking action, the FAA took
into consideration not only the safety implications associated with the
addressed unsafe condition, but parts availability, fleet utilization
rates, and normal maintenance schedules for the majority of affected
operators. In consideration of these factors, the FAA finds that the
90-day compliance time is appropriate for the one-time inspection
required by this AD. Additionally, the AD provides ``credit'' to
operators who have performed this inspection within the last 18 months
prior to the effective date of the AD. However, paragraph (b) of the
final rule does provide affected operators the opportunity to apply for
an adjustment of the compliance time if data are presented to justify
such an adjustment.
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
There are approximately 573 Model 747-100, -200, and -300 series
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA
estimates that 157 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this
AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,420, or $60 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.
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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-07-10 Boeing: Amendment 39-9559. Docket 95-NM-93-AD.
Applicability: Model 747-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes,
as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3095, Revision 1,
dated September 28, 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) 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.
To ensure that hinge bolts are installed in the overhead stowage
bins, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, unless
accomplished previously within the last 18 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 either Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-25A3095, dated April 27, 1995, or Revision 1, dated
September 28, 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 either 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.
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-25A3095, dated April 27, 1995, or Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-25A3095, Revision 1, dated September 28, 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 May 6, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 27, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-7984 Filed 4-3-96; 8:45 am]
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