[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25558-25560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12599]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-162-AD; Amendment 39-9628; AD 96-11-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200, -300, and -400
Series Airplanes Equipped With General Electric Model CF6-80C2 PMC and
CF6-80C2 FADEC Engines, and Pratt & Whitney Model PW4000 Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-200, -300, and -400 series
airplanes, that currently requires inspection of each fuel feed line of
the outboard engine in the engine strut to determine if interference
with an adjacent pneumatic duct clamp has caused damage, and repair or
replacement of the fuel feed tube, if necessary. That AD also currently
requires inspection and replacement of the adjacent pneumatic duct
clamp with a non-rotating type clamp, if necessary. This amendment
requires modification of the upper gap area of the strut of the number
1 and 4 engines. This amendment is prompted by a report of fuel leakage
in the strut of the number 4 engine due to a high profile clamp that
chafed the fuel line. The actions specified by this AD are intended to
prevent chafing of the fuel line in the strut of the number 1 and 4
[[Page 25559]]
engines, which could result in rupture of the fuel line and subsequent
in-flight engine fire.
DATES: Effective June 26, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 26, 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: Kenneth W. Frey, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington;
telephone (206) 227-2673; fax (206) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 91-05-19,
amendment 39-6918 (56 FR 8705, March 1, 1991), which is applicable to
certain Boeing Model 747-200, -300, and -400 series airplanes, was
published in the Federal Register on January 29, 1996 (61 FR 2730). The
action proposed to supersede AD 91-05-19 to require modification of the
upper gap area of the strut of the number 1 and 4 engines.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the two comments received.
Both commenters support the proposed rule.
Conclusion
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.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 363 Boeing Model 747-200, -300, -400 series
airplanes equipped with General Electric Model CF6-80C2 PMC and CF6-
80C2 FADEC engines, and Pratt & Whitney Model PW4000 engines of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 39
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
The actions that are required by this AD will take approximately 6
work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60
per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at
no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact on
U.S. operators of the new requirements of this AD is estimated to be
$14,040, or $360 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.
Regulatory Impact
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 removing amendment 39-6918 (56 FR
8705, March 1, 1991), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD),
amendment 39-9628, to read as follows:
96-11-03 Boeing: Amendment 39-9628. Docket 95-NM-162-AD. Supersedes
AD 91-05-19, Amendment 39-6918.
Applicability: Model 747-200, -300, and -400 series airplanes
having line positions 679 through 1041 inclusive; equipped with
General Electric Model CF6-80C2 PMC and CF6-80C2 FADEC, and Pratt &
Whitney Model PW4000 engines; 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 (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 chafing of the fuel line in the strut of the number 1
and 4 engines, which could result in rupture of the fuel line and
subsequent in-flight engine fire, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the upper gap area of the strut of the number 1 and 4 engines, in
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-36A2097, Revision 3,
dated September 28, 1995.
(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 modification shall be done in accordance with Boeing
Service Bulletin 747-36A2097, Revision 3, 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,
[[Page 25560]]
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 June 26, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 14, 1996.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager,Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-12599 Filed 5-21-96; 8:45 am]
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