[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 136 (Friday, July 16, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38383-38385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18200]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-46-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 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 series
airplanes. This proposal would require removal of cable guards in the
lateral control system and replacement with
[[Page 38384]]
new, improved cable guards. This proposal is prompted by reports of
high control wheel forces and restricted control wheel movement. The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent
deterioration of cable guards in the lateral control system, which
could result in a jam of the lateral control system and consequent
reduced lateral controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 30, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-M-46-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, 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:
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 99-NM-46-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. 99-NM-46-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received reports indicating that operators of Boeing
Model 747 series airplanes have experienced high control wheel forces
or restricted control wheel movement. Physical inspection of the cable
runs revealed that the cable guards had deteriorated due to exposure to
Boeing Material Specification (BMS) 3-24 aircraft grease. Deteriorated
cable guards can splinter and fall into the cable pulley covers. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in a jam of the lateral
control system and consequent reduced lateral controllability of the
airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-27A2364, dated September 3, 1998, which describes procedures for
removal of cable guards in the lateral control system and replacement
with new cable guards. The new, improved cable guards are made of a
material that shows no signs of deterioration when exposed to either
BMS 3-24 or BMS 3-33, a newer general purpose aircraft grease.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the alert service bulletin
is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
The FAA has also reviewed Boeing Service Letter 747-SL-27-134,
dated December 23, 1993, which provides an acceptable procedure for
removal of cable guards in the lateral control system and replacement
with new, improved cable guards between Stations 300 and 420.
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 removal of cable guards in the lateral
control system and replacement with new, improved cable guards. The
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the
alert service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 956 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates 219 airplanes of U.S. registry would
be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 10
work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would
cost approximately $11,000 per airplane. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$2,540,400, or $11,600 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.
[[Page 38385]]
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 99-NM-46-AD.
Applicability: Model 747 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2364, dated September 3, 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
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 deterioration of cable guards in the lateral control
system, which could result in a jam of the lateral control system
and consequent reduced lateral controllability of the airplane,
accomplish the following:
Replacement
(a) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, remove
existing cable guards in the lateral control system and replace with
new, improved cable guards in accordance with Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-27A2364, dated September 3, 1998.
Note 2: Removal of existing cable guards and replacement with
new, improved cable guards between Stations 300 and 420 accomplished
prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing
Service Letter 747-SL-27-134, dated December 23, 1993, is considered
acceptable for compliance with paragraph (a) of this AD.
Spares
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
a cable guard with a part number and dash number listed in Table 1
of this AD, on any airplane.
Table 1.--Cable Guards Not To Be Installed
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Part No. Part dash No.
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65B82025............................... 65B82025-2 through 65B82025-4 inclusive.
65B82025-9 through 65B82025-10 inclusive.
65B82025-17 through 65B82025-22 inclusive.
65B82025-25.
65B82025-27 through 65B82025-46 inclusive.
65B82025-48 through 65B82025-57 inclusive.
65B82204............................... 65B82204-9 through 65B82204-10 inclusive.
65B82204-18 through 65B82204-22 inclusive.
65B82204-25.
65B82204-31 through 65B82204-40 inclusive.
65B82204-43 through 65B82204-44 inclusive.
65B82204-61 through 65B82204-76 inclusive.
65B82204-81 through 65B82204-86 inclusive.
65B82443............................... 65B82443-9 through 65B82443-10 inclusive.
65B82443-12.
65B82443-14 through 65B82443-18 inclusive.
65B82443-21 through 65B82443-22 inclusive.
65B82443-26 through 65B82443-31 inclusive.
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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 3: 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
Secs. 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 July 12, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-18200 Filed 7-15-99; 8:45 am]
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