[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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P