[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 54 (Friday, March 20, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13497-13498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6951]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-65-AD; Amendment 39-10407; AD 98-06-29]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 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 747-400 series airplanes, that 
requires a one-time inspection of the separation between the galley 
power feeder and static ground wiring, and the adjacent passenger 
oxygen system tubing in the forward ceiling area above the door 4 
galley; and rerouting of wiring, and installing clamps and sleeves, if 
necessary. This amendment is prompted by reports of inadequate 
clearance between the galley power feeder wiring and passenger oxygen 
system tubing. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
such inadequate clearance, which could result in a fire in the ceiling 
area above the door 4 galley due to chafing of wiring on oxygen system 
tubing.

DATES: Effective April 24, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 24, 1998.

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), ransport 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: Susan Letcher, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 
telephone (425) 227-2670; fax (425) 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 9, 
1997 (62 FR 64779). That action proposed to require a one-time 
inspection of the separation between the galley power feeder and static 
ground wiring, and the adjacent passenger oxygen system tubing in the 
forward ceiling area above the door 4 galley; and rerouting of wiring, 
and installing clamps and sleeves, if necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    Several commenters support the 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 452 Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes 
of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 
36 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 2 work hours 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 $4,320, or $120 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.

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

[[Page 13498]]

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:

98-06-29  Boeing: Amendment 39-10407. Docket 97-NM-65-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747-400 series airplanes; as listed in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3137, dated March 13, 1997; 
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 galley power feeder and static ground 
wiring on passenger oxygen system tubing in the forward ceiling area 
above the Door 4 galley, which could result in a fire, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Perform a one-time inspection of the separation between the galley 
power feeder and static ground wiring, and the adjacent passenger 
oxygen system tubing in the forward ceiling area above the door 4 
galley, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
25A3137, dated March 13, 1997. If the separation is outside the 
limits specified in the alert service bulletin, prior to further 
flight, reroute the wiring, and install clamps and sleeves, in 
accordance with the 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 747-25A3137, dated March 13, 1997. 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 April 24, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 11, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-6951 Filed 3-19-98; 8:45 am]
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