[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 23, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17824-17825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9338]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-98-AD; Amendment 39-9571; AD 96-08-05]
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 Series Airplanes
Powered by General Electric CF6-80C2 or Pratt & Whitney PW4000 Series
Engines
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 747-400 series airplanes, that
requires modification of the engine fuel feed system. This amendment is
prompted by reports indicating that the coupling nut on the fuel tube
on the outboard strut (engine position 1) fractured. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent such fracturing of the
coupling nut, which could result in release of fuel onto the engine
cowling and a subsequent fire.
DATES: Effective May 23, 1996. -
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 23, 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: Tamra J. Elkins, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington; telephone (206) 227-
2669; 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 747-400
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 12,
1995 (60 FR 63663). That action proposed to require modification of the
engine fuel feed system. -
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. -
The Air Transport Association (ATA) of America, on behalf of one of
its members, requests that the proposed compliance time be extended
from 18 months to 24 months to provide time for operators to procure
replacement kits and to accomplish the proposed actions during a
regularly scheduled maintenance (``C'') check. The FAA concurs with the
commenter's request. The FAA finds that extending the compliance time
to 24 months will not compromise safety; will allow operators
sufficient time to procure the necessary replacement kits (estimated by
the manufacturer to take approximately nine months); and will allow the
modification to be accomplished during a ``C'' check interval (15
months for most operators) at a main maintenance base where special
equipment and trained personnel will be available if necessary. -
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 with the change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD. -
There are approximately 226 Model 747-400 series airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet. -
The FAA estimates that 34 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
required by this AD to replace the strut fuel tubes and couplings at
engine positions 1 and 4 in accordance with Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-28A2185. That replacement will take approximately 74 work
hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per
work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $9,582 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of this required replacement on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $476,748, or $14,022 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. -
Currently, there are no Model 747-400 series airplanes on the U.S.
Register that would be required by this AD to accomplish the
installation specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-28-2146 [and
required by paragraph (a)(2) of the final rule]. However, should an
affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the
future, it would require approximately 162 work hours per airplane (81
work hours per engine; 2 engines per airplane) to accomplish the
installation, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required
parts would cost approximately $9,582 per airplane. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of this installation would be $19,302 per
airplane. -
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
[[Page 17825]]
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:
96-08-05 Boeing: Amendment 39-9571. Docket 95-NM-98-AD.
-Applicability: Model 747-400 series airplanes powered by
General Electric CF6-80C2 or Pratt & Whitney PW4000 series engines;
as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-28A2185, Revision
1, dated September 21, 1995, and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-28-
2146, dated August 13, 1992; 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, unless accomplished
previously. -
To prevent fracturing of the coupling nut, which could result in
release of fuel onto the engine cowling and a subsequent fire,
accomplish the following: -
(a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2), as
applicable. -
(1) For Model 747-400 series airplanes identified in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-28A2185, Revision 1, dated September 21,
1995: Replace the strut fuel tubes and couplings at engine numbers 1
and 4 with new redesigned (shrouded) couplings, in accordance with
that alert service bulletin. -
(2) For Model 747-400 series airplanes having variable numbers
RT641 through RT650 inclusive, identified in Boeing Service Bulletin
747-28-2146, dated August 13, 1992: On engine positions 1 and 4
only, install new fuel lines, shrouded fuel line couplings (between
the strut mid bulkhead and the wing front spar), and drain lines in
accordance with that 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 747-28A2185, Revision 1, dated September 21, 1995,
and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-28-2146, dated August 13, 1992. 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 23, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 10, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-9338 Filed 4-22-96; 8:45 am]
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