[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 12, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64102-64104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30207]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-219-AD; Amendment 39-12548; AD 2001-24-31]
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 
performing a one-time inspection for chafing of certain electrical wire 
bundles behind the flight engineer's panel in the cockpit; repairing 
any chafed wire bundles, if necessary; and installing Teflon sleeving 
over the inspected wire bundles and rerouting them. This action is 
necessary to prevent burning of electrical wires, which could result in 
smoke in the cockpit and loss of function of several airplane systems. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective January 16, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 16, 2002.

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: Stephen Oshiro, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 227-2793; 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 23, 2001 (66 FR 
38211). That action proposed to require performing a one-time 
inspection for chafing of certain electrical wire bundles behind the 
flight engineer's panel in the cockpit; repairing any chafed wire 
bundles, if necessary; and installing Teflon sleeving over the 
inspected wire bundles and rerouting them.

Comments

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

Request To Allow Use of Other Service Information

    The commenter requests that the FAA revise the proposed AD to 
specify that

[[Page 64103]]

accomplishment of the necessary actions according to Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-24A2118, Revision 3, dated June 24, 1999, OR 
EARLIER REVISIONS, is acceptable for compliance. The commenter states 
that it has done the actions on its airplanes according to revisions of 
the service bulletin prior to Revision 3 and believes that this meets 
the intent of the proposed AD.
    The FAA concurs and has added Note 3 to this final rule (and 
reordered subsequent notes accordingly) to state that inspections and 
follow-on actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD 
according to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24-2118, dated February 9, 
1989; Revision 1, dated May 11, 1989; or Revision 2, dated December 21, 
1989; are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions 
required by this AD.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously 
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 443 Model 747 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 164 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The cost 
of required parts per airplane will be negligible. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $29,520, or $180 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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

2001-24-31  Boeing: Amendment 39-12548. Docket 2001-NM-219-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2118, Revision 3, dated June 24, 1999; 
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 chafing and burning of electrical wires, which could 
result in smoke in the cockpit and loss of function of several 
airplane systems, accomplish the following:

One-Time Inspection and Follow-On Actions

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
one-time detailed visual inspection for chafing of certain 
electrical wire bundles behind the P4 flight engineer's panel in the 
cockpit, according to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2118, 
Revision 3, dated June 24, 1999. If any chafing is found, before 
further flight, repair the chafed wire bundles according to the 
service bulletin. Before further flight following the inspection and 
repair, as applicable, wrap the electrical wire bundles with Teflon 
sleeving and reroute them, according to the service bulletin.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''


    Note 3: Inspections and follow-on actions accomplished before 
the effective date of this AD according to Boeing Service Bulletin 
747-24-2118, dated February 9, 1989; Revision 1, dated May 11, 1989; 
or Revision 2, dated December 21, 1989; are acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding actions required by this AD.

Operator's Comparable Procedure

    (b) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2118, Revision 3, 
dated June 24, 1999, specifies that certain procedures may be 
accomplished per an ``operator's comparable procedure,'' the 
procedures must be accomplished per the applicable chapter of the 
Boeing 747 Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM) specified in the 
service bulletin.

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. 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.


[[Page 64104]]



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) Except as required by paragraph (b) of this AD, the actions 
shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
24A2118, Revision 3, dated June 24, 1999. 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.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on January 16, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 28, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30207 Filed 12-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P