[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]
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