[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 216 (Monday, November 9, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60222-60224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29866]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-222-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400 
series airplanes. This proposal would require installation of strap 
assemblies on the ceiling panels and rails that support the video 
monitors. This proposal is prompted by reports of the video monitor 
ceiling panels falling into the cabin area due to the failure of 
certain latch assemblies during turbulence. The actions specified by 
the proposed AD are intended to prevent such failure, which could cause 
the ceiling panels to fall into the cabin area, and consequent injury 
to the crew and passengers.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 24, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-222-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: Jan Risheim, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1675; fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such

[[Page 60223]]

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-222-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-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 98-NM-222-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received two reports of video monitor ceiling panels 
falling into the passenger cabin area; these ceiling panels weigh 
approximately 80 pounds. In both incidents, the cause of the falling 
video monitor ceiling panels has been attributed to the failure of 
certain latch assemblies on the subject ceiling panels during 
turbulence. This condition, if not corrected, could result in ceiling 
panels falling into the cabin area, and consequent injury to the crew 
and passengers.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletins 
747-25A3142, dated October 16, 1997, and Revision 1, dated August 6, 
1998, which describe procedures for installation of strap assemblies to 
provide backup support for the ceiling panels with video monitors. 
Accomplishment of the action specified in the alert service bulletins 
is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.

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 alert service bulletins described previously, except as discussed 
below.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Alert Service Bulletins

    Operators should note that, although the alert service bulletins 
recommend installing the subject strap assemblies at the first 
maintenance opportunity, the FAA has determined that an unspecified 
interval would not address the identified unsafe condition in a timely 
manner. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this AD, the 
FAA considered not only the manufacturer's recommendation, but the 
degree of urgency associated with addressing the subject unsafe 
condition, the average utilization of the affected fleet, and the time 
necessary to perform the installation (476 hours). In light of all of 
these factors, the FAA finds a 24-month compliance time for completing 
the required actions to be warranted, in that it represents an 
appropriate interval of time allowable for affected airplanes to 
continue to operate without compromising safety.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 280 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 40 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
476 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed installation, 
and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts 
would cost approximately $9,575 per airplane. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the installation proposed by this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $1,525,400, or $38,135 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.
    The FAA recognizes that the proposed installation of strap 
assemblies would require a large number of work hours to accomplish. 
However, the 24-month compliance time specified in paragraph (a) of 
this proposed AD should allow ample time for the installation of strap 
assemblies to be accomplished simultaneously with scheduled major 
airplane inspection and maintenance activities, thereby minimizing the 
costs associated with special airplane scheduling.

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-222-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747-400 series airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3142, Revision 1, dated August 
6, 1998; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been

[[Page 60224]]

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 failure of certain latch assemblies on the ceiling 
panels, which could cause the ceiling panels to fall into the cabin 
area, and consequent injury to the crew and passengers, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install strap assemblies on the ceiling panels and rails that 
support the video monitors, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-25A3142, dated October 16, 1997, or Revision 1, dated 
August 6, 1998.
    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 2, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-29866 Filed 11-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P