[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 235 (Monday, December 8, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68306-68308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30336]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-82-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, 747-200B, 747-
200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 747 SR 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 747-100, 747-
200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 747 
SR series airplanes. This proposal would require inspection of fire 
extinguisher bottles in the engine and the auxiliary power unit (APU) 
to determine the part number; and replacement of the fire extinguisher 
bottles with new fire extinguisher bottles, if necessary. This action 
is necessary to prevent fractured discharge heads, which could cause 
the fire extinguishing agent to leak, which could result in an 
uncontrolled engine fire that could spread to the strut and wing, or an 
uncontrolled APU fire that could spread to the airplane structure. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 22, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-82-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2003-NM-82-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or 
ASCII text.
    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: Sulmo Mariano, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4086; telephone 
(425) 917-6501; fax (425) 917-6590.

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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    [sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2003-NM-82-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. 2003-NM-82-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of fractures of the discharge heads on 
certain fire extinguisher bottles in the engine and auxiliary power 
unit (APU) of Model 747-400 series airplanes. In one case, the 
discharge head fractured during installation of the fire extinguisher. 
In another case, two fire extinguisher bottles discharged during a 
tailpipe fire were found to have fractured discharge heads. Four other 
discharge heads were removed from service after an operator performed 
an x-ray inspection and found hairline cracks. The cause of the 
cracking and fractures was traced to discharge heads that were 
manufactured from a cast material, which had sharp edges or burrs on 
the retaining rings. These sharp edges or burrs caused the discharge 
head to seat incorrectly. When the discharge head nuts were tightened, 
the discharge heads fractured at the retaining ring groove. Fractured 
discharge heads could cause the fire extinguishing agent to leak from 
the discharge head. As a consequence, there would not be enough fire 
extinguishing

[[Page 68307]]

agent to extinguish a fire in the engine or APU fire zone. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in fractured heads which 
could cause the fire extinguishing agent to leak, which could result in 
an uncontrolled engine fire that could spread to the strut and wing, or 
an uncontrolled APU fire that could spread to the airplane structure.
    The subject area on certain Model 747-100, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-
200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 747 SR series airplanes 
is almost identical to that on the affected Model 747-400 series 
airplanes. Therefore, those Model 747-400 series airplanes may be 
subject to the same unsafe condition revealed on the Model 747-100, 
747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 
747 SR series airplanes.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-26A2272, dated January 16, 2003, which describes procedures for 
inspecting the fire extinguisher bottles in the engine and APU to 
determine the part number; and, if necessary, replacement of the fire 
extinguisher bottles with new fire extinguisher bottles that have 
discharge heads machined from forged rather than cast material. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
    Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-26A2272 refers to Kidde Aerospace 
Service Bulletin A820400-26-432, dated October 19, 2002; and Kidde 
Aerospace Service Bulletin A830800-26-433, dated October 19, 2002; as 
additional sources of service information for accomplishment of the 
inspection and replacement, if necessary, for Model 747-100, 747-200B, 
747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 747 SR 
series airplanes.

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 accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the Boeing service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 346 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 47 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and 
that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $3,055, or $65 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 proposed 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 proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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.

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 2003-NM-82-AD.

    Applicability: Boeing Model 747-100, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-
200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 747 SR series 
airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-26A2272, 
dated January 16, 2003; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent fractured discharge heads, which could cause the fire 
extinguishing agent to leak, which could result in an uncontrolled 
engine fire that could spread to the strut and wing, or an 
uncontrolled auxiliary power unit (APU) fire that could spread to 
the airplane structure, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Replacement

    (a) Within two years after the effective date of this AD: 
Perform an inspection to determine the part number (P/N) of the fire 
extinguisher bottles in the engine and the APU per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
26A2272, dated January 16, 2003.

    Note 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-26A2272 refers to 
Kidde Aerospace Service Bulletin A820400-26-432, dated October 19, 
2002; and Kidde Aerospace Service Bulletin A830800-26-433, dated 
October 19, 2002; as additional sources of service information for 
accomplishment of the inspection and replacement, if necessary, for 
Model 747-100, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-
400D, 747-400F, and 747 SR series airplanes.

    (1) If no ``Pre SB A820400-26-432'' P/N listed in Table 2 of 
Kidde Aerospace Service Bulletin A820400-26-432, dated October 19, 
2002, is found installed; and if no ``Pre SB A830800-26-433'' P/N 
listed in Table 2 of Kidde Aerospace Service Bulletin A830800-26-
433, dated October 19, 2002 is found installed; no further action is 
required by this paragraph.
    (2) If any ``Pre SB A820400-26-432'' P/N listed in Table 2 of 
Kidde Aerospace Service Bulletin A820400-26-432, dated October 19, 
2002 is found installed; or if any ``Pre SB A830800-26-433'' P/N 
listed in Table 2 of Kidde Aerospace Service Bulletin A830800-26-
433, dated October 19, 2002 is found installed, prior to further 
flight, replace the fire extinguisher bottle with a new fire 
extinguisher bottle having the ``Post SB'' P/N listed in Table 2 of 
the applicable Kidde Aerospace service bulletin. Do the actions per 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-26A2272, dated January 16, 2003.

[[Page 68308]]

Parts Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane a Kidde Aerospace fire extinguisher bottle with any 
``Pre SB A820400-26-432'' P/N listed in Table 2 of Kidde Aerospace 
Service Bulletin A820400-26-432, dated October 19, 2002; or any 
``Pre SB A830800-26-433'' P/N listed in Table 2 of Kidde Aerospace 
Service Bulletin A830800-26-433, dated October 19, 2002.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 1, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-30336 Filed 12-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P