[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 11, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26012-26013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10251]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-93-AD; Amendment 39-13624; AD 2004-09-33]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D series 
airplanes, that requires a detailed inspection of the fire 
extinguishing system tube and clamp for correct installation or a 
repetitive pressure test of the fire extinguishing system tube for 
leakage, and corrective action, if necessary. This action is necessary 
to prevent a chafed hole in the fire extinguishing system tube of the 
aft cargo compartment, which could result in a lack of fire 
extinguishing agent and consequent uncontained fire in the aft cargo 
compartment. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective June 15, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 15, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 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 National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Mudrovich, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety & Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6477; fax (425) 917-6590.

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 747-400 and 
747-400D series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
December 3, 2003 (68 FR 67616). That action proposed to require a 
detailed inspection of the fire extinguishing system tube and clamp for 
correct installation or a repetitive pressure test of the fire 
extinguishing system tube for leakage, and corrective action, if 
necessary.

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 Reference Latest Service Bulletin

    One commenter requests that the notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) be revised to reference Boeing Service Bulletin 747-26A2270, 
Revision 2, dated June 26, 2003. The commenter notes that the NPRM 
refers to Revision 1 of that service bulletin as the appropriate source 
of service information for the proposed actions.
    The FAA agrees. Since the issuance of the NPRM, we have reviewed 
and approved Revision 2 of the service bulletin. The inspection and 
corrective actions if necessary are essentially identical to those in 
Revision 1. Revision 2 revises the minimum tubing clearance in the 
Accomplishment Instructions for ``Part 2--Tube removal and installation 
instructions'' and Figure 3. No more work is necessary on airplanes 
changed by Revision 1. Therefore, we have revised this final rule to 
reference Revision 2 as the appropriate source of service information 
and revised paragraph (e) of this final rule to provide credit for 
accomplishing the required actions per Revision 1 before the effective 
date of this AD.

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 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 416 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 44 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the required inspection or pressure 
test, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $2,860, or $65 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

[[Page 26013]]

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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-09-33 Boeing: Amendment 39-13624. Docket 2003-NM-93-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes, as 
listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-26A2270, Revision 2, dated 
June 26, 2003; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent a chafed hole in the fire extinguishing system tube 
of the aft cargo compartment, which could result in a lack of fire 
extinguishing agent and consequent uncontained fire in the aft cargo 
compartment, accomplish the following:

Service Bulletin References

    (a) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-26A2270, 
Revision 2, dated June 26, 2003.

Inspection/Pressure Test

    (b) Within 6,500 flight hours or 18 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform the detailed 
inspection specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this AD or the pressure 
test specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this AD.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed 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.''

    (1) Perform a detailed inspection of the fire extinguishing 
system tube and clamps for correct installation, either using an 
inspection hole and boroscope or with the floor panel removed, per 
the service bulletin.
    (i) If the fire extinguishing system tube is installed 
correctly, no further action is required by this AD.
    (ii) If the fire extinguishing system tube is installed 
incorrectly, prior to further flight, do the actions specified in 
paragraph (c) of this AD.
    (2) Perform a pressure test of the fire extinguishing system 
tube to check for leakage of the fire extinguishing agent per the 
service bulletin.
    (i) If leakage is not found, repeat the pressure test thereafter 
at intervals not to exceed 6,500 flight hours or 18 months, 
whichever occurs first, until the actions specified in paragraph 
(b)(1) or (c) of this AD have been done.
    (ii) If any leakage is found, prior to further flight, do the 
actions specified in paragraph (c) of this AD.

Removal and Installation/Repair/Replace

    (c) Remove the fire extinguishing system tube and do the actions 
in paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) If, during the detailed inspection specified in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this AD, the fire extinguishing system tube was found to 
be installed incorrectly: Prior to further flight, perform a 
detailed inspection of the fire extinguishing system tube for 
chafing/damage per the service bulletin.
    (i) If no chafing/damage is found, prior to further flight, 
install the existing fire extinguishing system tube per Figure 3 of 
the service bulletin.
    (ii) If any chafing/damage is found, prior to further flight, 
replace the fire extinguishing system tube with a new tube or repair 
the fire extinguishing system tube, per the service bulletin, and 
install the new or repaired tube per Figure 3 of the service 
bulletin.
    (2) If, during the pressure test required by paragraph (b)(2) of 
this AD, leakage was found: Prior to further flight, replace the 
fire extinguishing system tube with a new tube or repair the fire 
extinguishing system tube, per the service bulletin, and install the 
new or repaired tube per Figure 3 of the service bulletin.

Terminating Action

    (d) Accomplishment of the actions specified in paragraph (b)(1) 
or (c) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the 
requirements of this AD.

Actions Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (e) Inspections, repetitive tests and corrective actions 
accomplished before the effective date of this AD per Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-26A2270, dated May 8, 2002; or Revision 1, 
dated January 16, 2003; are considered acceptable for compliance 
with the corresponding action specified in this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

Incorporation by Reference

    (g) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-26A2270, 
Revision 2, dated June 26, 2003. 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 Airplanes, 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 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information 
on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, 
or go to: http://www.archives.gov/ federal--register/ code--of-- 
federal-- regulations/ibr-- locations.html.

Effective Date

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on June 15, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 23, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10251 Filed 5-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P