[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 208 (Thursday, October 28, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62803-62805]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24030]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-173-AD; Amendment 39-13832; AD 2004-22-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F 
Series Airplanes Equipped With General Electric (GE) or Pratt & Whitney 
(P&W) Series Engines

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 747-400, -400D, and -400F series 
airplanes, equipped with GE or P&W series engines. This amendment 
requires modifications and functional tests of the wiring of the wire 
integration unit and the air supply control test unit (ASCTU) of the 
engine bleed air distribution system. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent inadvertent commanded shutdown of the engine 
bleed air distribution systems due to an erroneous ASCTU command. This 
type of shutdown could cause depressurization of the airplane and 
subsequent ice build-up on the engine inlets during descent, which 
could result in ingestion of ice into the

[[Page 62804]]

engine(s) and consequent loss of thrust on one or more engines. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective December 2, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 2, 2004.

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 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: Don Eiford, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 917-6465; 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, -
400D, and -400F series airplanes, equipped with GE or P&W series 
engines, was published as a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) in the Federal Register on August 16, 2004 (69 FR 50341). That 
action proposed to require modifications and functional tests of the 
wiring of the wire integration unit and the air supply control test 
unit of the engine bleed air distribution system.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 414 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 70 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will be 
minimal. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $36,400, or $520 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

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:

2004-22-04 Boeing: Amendment 39-13832. Docket 2002-NM-173-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes; 
as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-36A2136, Revision 2, dated 
May 13, 2004; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent inadvertent commanded shutdown of the engine bleed 
air distribution systems due to an erroneous air supply control test 
unit (ASCTU) command, which could cause depressurization of the 
airplane and subsequent ice build-up on the engine inlets during 
descent, which could result in ingestion of ice into the engine(s) 
and consequent loss of thrust on one or more engines; accomplish the 
following:

Modifications/Tests

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Do the 
modifications and functional tests of the wiring of the wire 
integration unit (WIU) and the ASCTU of the engine bleed air 
distribution system specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), 
and (a)(4) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-36A2136, Revision 2, 
dated May 13, 2004. Before further flight after accomplishing 
paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), and (a)(4) of this AD: Do the post-
installation tests in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (1) Remove the existing ASCTU.
    (2) Do the wiring changes between the WIU and ASCTU and the 
wiring changes to the WIU.
    (3) Do the resistance tests.
    (4) Install a new or reworked ASCTU.

Credit for Previous Issues of Boeing Service Bulletin

    (b) Modifications and tests accomplished before the effective 
date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-36A2136, dated April 12, 2001; or Revision 1, dated January 17, 
2002; are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions specified in paragraph (a) of this AD, if the 
resistance tests were done with the ASCTU removed. If the resistance 
tests were done with the ASCTU installed, do the actions specified 
in paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of this AD, at the time 
specified in paragraph (a) of this AD, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-36A2136, 
Revision 2, dated May 13, 2004. Before further flight after 
accomplishing paragraph (b)(3) of this AD: Do the post-installation 
tests in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (1) Remove the existing ASCTU.

[[Page 62805]]

    (2) Do the resistance tests.
    (3) Reinstall the ASCTU.

Part Installation

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane an ASCTU having a part number listed in the ``Old 
Part Number'' column in the table specified in paragraph 3.C. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin 
36-186, dated March 30, 2001.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (d) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-36A2136, 
Revision 2, dated May 13, 2004. 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 
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

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 2, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 18, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24030 Filed 10-27-04; 8:45 am]
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