[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 90 (Tuesday, May 11, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25197-25198]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-11616]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-286-AD; Amendment 39-11163; AD 99-10-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200, -300, and -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 747-200, -300, and -400 series
airplanes, that requires replacement of fuse pins in the upper link,
midspar fittings, and diagonal brace of the nacelle strut with new
corrosion-resistant pins. This amendment is prompted by reports of
cracked fuse pins in the upper link, midspar fittings, and diagonal
brace of the nacelle strut due to fatigue and corrosion. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent cracking or corrosion of
the fuse pins of the nacelle strut, which could result in failure of
the fuse pin and strut-to-wing attachment, and consequent loss of the
strut and separation of the engine from the airplane.
DATES: Effective June 15, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 15, 1999.
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: Tamara L. Anderson, Aerospace
Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2771; 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 747-200, -
300, and -400 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
February 18, 1999 (64 FR 8024). That action proposed to require
replacement of fuse pins in the upper link, midspar fittings, and
diagonal brace of the nacelle strut with new corrosion-resistant pins.
Comments
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.
One commenter supports the proposed rule. The second commenter
states that the proposed rule will have no impact on it; therefore, the
commenter supports 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 282 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 43 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 105 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $270,900, or $6,300 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 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:
99-10-10 Boeing: Amendment 39-11163. Docket 98-NM-286-AD.
Applicability: Model 747-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped
with General Electric Model CF6-80C2 series engines, and Model 747-
400 series airplanes; as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-54-
2155, Revision 2, dated June 6, 1996, certificated in any category;
except those airplanes on which modifications of the strut/wing
[[Page 25198]]
structure have been accomplished in accordance either of the
following AD's:
AD 95-13-05, amendment 39-9285 (60 FR 33333, June 28,
1995), or
AD 95-13-06, amendment 39-9286 (60 FR 33338, June 28,
1995).
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 (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 prevent cracking or corrosion of the fuse pins of the nacelle
strut, which could result in failure of the fuse pin and strut-to-
wing attachment, and consequent loss of the strut and separation of
the engine from the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 10 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the fuse pins in the upper link, midspar fittings, and
diagonal brace of the nacelle strut with new corrosion-resistant
pins, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Service Bulletin 747-54-2155, Revision 2, dated June 6, 1996.
Note 2: Replacement of the fuse pins accomplished prior to the
effective date of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-54-2155, dated September
23, 1993, or Revision 1, dated December 8, 1994, is considered
acceptable for compliance with the applicable action specified in
this amendment.
Note 3: All fuse pins in the strut do not have to be replaced at
the same time; however, the fuse pins do have to be replaced in
sets, as specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-54-2155, Revision
2, dated June 6, 1996.
(b) Accomplishment of the replacement of the fuse pins specified
in paragraph (a) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the
repetitive inspections of the fuse pins of the upper link, required
by AD 97-14-06, amendment 39-10064; of the fuse pins of the midspar
fitting, required by AD 92-24-51, amendment 39-8439; and of the fuse
pins of the diagonal brace, required by AD 93-03-14, amendment 39-
8518.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(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.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing
Service Bulletin 747-54-2155, Revision 2, dated June 6, 1996. 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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on June 15, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 3, 1999.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-11616 Filed 5-10-99; 8:45 am]
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