[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 30, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66752-66754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30629]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-46-AD; Amendment 39-11441; AD 99-24-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 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 series airplanes, that requires 
removal of cable guards in the lateral control system and replacement 
with new, improved cable guards. This amendment is prompted by reports 
of high control wheel forces and restricted control wheel movement. The 
actions specified by this 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: Effective January 4, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 4, 2000.

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 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 16, 1999 (64 FR 
38383). That action proposed to require removal of cable guards in the 
lateral control system and replacement with new, improved cable guards.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Support for the Proposal

    One commenter supports the proposed rule.

Request To Revise Cost Impact Information

    One commenter requests that the cost impact information be revised 
to include the work hours required to gain access and close up, and to 
test the lateral flight control system after the replacement of the 
cable guards. The commenter states that cost impact information 
provided in the proposed rule estimates 10 work hours per airplane is 
necessary for the replacement, whereas the Boeing service bulletin 
estimates 31.5 work hours per airplane.
    The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request. The cost 
impact information, below, describes only the ``direct'' costs of the 
specific actions required by this AD. The number of work hours 
necessary to accomplish the required actions, specified as 10 in the 
cost impact information, below, was provided to the FAA by the 
manufacturer based on the best data available to date. This number 
represents the time necessary to perform only the actions actually 
required by this AD. The FAA recognizes that, in accomplishing the 
requirements of any AD, operators may incur ``incidental'' costs in 
addition to the ``direct'' costs. The cost analysis in AD rulemaking 
actions, however, typically does not include incidental costs, such as 
the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions. Because incidental costs 
may vary significantly from operator to operator, they are almost 
impossible to calculate. No change to the final rule is necessary in 
this regard.

Request To Extend the Compliance Time

    One commenter requests that the compliance time for the replacement 
of the cable guards be extended from 2 years to 4 years. The commenter 
states that it has replaced deteriorated cable guards found during 
various inspection and maintenance tasks in the area, but that it is 
unaware of any cases where deterioration of the cable guards has led to 
binding of the control cables. Due to the access required for the 
replacement, the commenter states that a longer compliance time would 
better accommodate its work schedule.
    The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request to extend the 
compliance time. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this 
action, the FAA considered the safety implications, parts availability, 
and normal maintenance schedules for timely accomplishment of the 
modification. In consideration of these items, as well as two reports 
of cable binding due to cable guard deterioration in service, the FAA 
has determined that 2 years represents an appropriate interval of time 
allowable wherein the modifications can be accomplished during 
scheduled maintenance intervals for the majority of affected operators, 
and an acceptable level of safety can be maintained. No change to the 
final rule is necessary in this regard.

Request To Consider Repetitive Inspections in Lieu of Replacement

    One commenter requests that the FAA consider allowing repetitive 
inspections of the cable guards in lieu of the required replacement. 
The commenter states that repetitive inspections and on-condition 
replacement of cable guards, as well as the elimination of existing 
cable guards from spares, provides an acceptable level of safety. The 
commenter also notes that, on freighters, the lateral control cables 
are exposed and can be easily inspected.
    The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request. The FAA has 
determined that the eventual replacement of all existing cable guards 
is required because it is not known how long the cable guards will 
remain intact after exposure to airplane grease. No change to the final 
rule is necessary in this regard.

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.

[[Page 66753]]

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 956 Model 747 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 219 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 10 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost approximately $11,000 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the 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 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:

99-24-16  Boeing: Amendment 39-11441. 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

[[Page 66754]]

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 
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 
Alert Service
    Bulletin 747-27A2364, dated September 3, 1998. 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 January 4, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 18, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-30629 Filed 11-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P