[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 173 (Tuesday, September 8, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47447-47448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24065]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-223-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747 series 
airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time detailed visual 
inspection to detect improperly installed or frayed aileron cables, and 
a one-time detailed visual inspection to detect improper identification 
or location of the cable markers, and corrective actions, if necessary. 
This proposal is prompted by a report that an aileron cable failed, due 
to improper installation onto the wrong groove of an aileron cable 
drum. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect 
and correct an improperly installed aileron cable; such installation 
could lead to the failure of the aileron cable, and consequent reduced 
lateral control capability of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 23, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-223-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tamara L. Anderson, Aerospace 
Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 
telephone (425) 227-2771; fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 98-NM-223-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 98-NM-223-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report indicating that an operator of a 
Boeing Model 747 series airplane experienced a failure of a wing 
aileron control cable (AA-11) during the taxi-out phase of operations. 
An adjacent aileron cable (AB-13) also was found to be severely frayed. 
An investigation attributed the aileron cable failure and cable fraying 
to the improper installation of the aileron cables onto the aileron 
cable drum. Specifically, the improper installation consisted of both 
aileron cables being installed into the wrong grooves of the aileron 
cable drum. This allowed the aileron cables to make contact with the 
forward guide pin of the aileron cable drum, which in turn led to the 
fraying of the cables.
    The misrouting of the aileron cables on the incident airplane was 
probably related to the fact that certain aileron cable markers, which 
are merely decals that the manufacturer uses as guides for 
installation, were installed incorrectly. Further investigation 
indicated that as many as eight other airplanes also had aileron cable 
markers that had been installed incorrectly. In addition, at least 
three other airplanes have experienced excessive aileron cable wear due 
to misrouting of the aileron cables during installation. An improperly 
installed aileron cable, if not corrected, could lead to the eventual 
failure of an aileron cable, and consequent reduced lateral control 
capability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Service Bulletin 747-27-
2367, dated June 25, 1998, which describes procedures for performing a 
one-time detailed visual inspection to detect improper installation or 
fraying of the aileron cables, and a one-time detailed visual 
inspection to detect improper identification or location of the 
associated aileron cable markers, and corrective actions, if necessary. 
The corrective actions include replacing frayed cables with new cables, 
and rerouting misrouted aileron cables; and replacing any incorrectly 
installed aileron cable markers with new markers.

[[Page 47448]]

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously. The proposed AD also would 
require that operators report the results of adverse inspection 
findings to the FAA.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 1,053 Boeing Model 747 series airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 228 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 9 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed detailed visual inspections, at an average labor rate of 
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $123,120, or $540 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Boeing: Docket 98-NM-223-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747 series airplanes, line numbers 1 
through 1129 inclusive, excluding line number 1122; 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 (c) 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 detect and correct an improperly installed aileron cable, 
which could lead to the failure of the aileron cable, and consequent 
reduced lateral control capability of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time detailed visual inspection to detect improper 
installation or fraying of the aileron cables on both wings. In 
addition, perform a one-time detailed visual inspection of the 
aileron cable markers on both wings to detect improper 
identification or location. Perform both inspections in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-
27-2367, dated June 25, 1998.
    (1) If no improperly installed or frayed aileron cable is found, 
and if no aileron cable marker is improperly identified or located, 
no further action is required by this AD.
    (2) If any aileron cable is found to be improperly installed 
(but not frayed), prior to further flight, reroute the discrepant 
aileron cable in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the service bulletin.
    (3) If any aileron cable is found to be frayed, prior to further 
flight, replace the discrepant aileron cable with a new aileron 
cable in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
service bulletin.
    (4) If any aileron cable marker is found to be improperly 
identified or located, prior to further flight, replace the 
discrepant aileron cable marker with a new aileron cable marker in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the service 
bulletin.
    (b) Within 10 days after accomplishing the detailed visual 
inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD, submit a report of 
the inspection results (adverse findings only) to the Manager, 
Boeing Certificate Management Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 2500 East Valley Road, Suite C2, Renton, Washington 
98055; fax (425) 227-1159. Required information for each report must 
include the following: description of the adverse finding, airplane 
serial number, and total flight cycles and flight hours accumulated 
at the time of the inspection. Information collection requirements 
contained in this regulation have been approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been 
assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
    (c) 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.

    (d) 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 1, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24065 Filed 9-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U