[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 214 (Friday, November 5, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64537-64539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24720]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19532; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-87-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-
200B, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747SR, and 747SP Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-300, 747-400, 
747-400D, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. This proposed AD would 
require replacing or modifying the control panels for the galley cart 
lift and modifying related electrical cable assemblies, as applicable. 
This proposed AD is prompted by reports of injuries to catering 
personnel and flight attendants who were loading or unloading galley 
carts on one deck when the galley cart lift unexpectedly moved when it 
was activated from the other deck. We are proposing this AD to ensure 
that the galley cart lift can be sent only from the deck on which it is 
in use, which will prevent unexpected movement of the cart lift that 
could result in possible injury to catering personnel or flight 
attendants.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 20, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide Rulemaking Web Site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     By Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket 
number is FAA-2004-19532; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2004-NM-87-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Technical Information: Donald Wren, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6451; fax (425) 917-6590.
    Plain Language Information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19532; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-87-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual

[[Page 64538]]

who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an 
association, business, labor union, etc.). You can review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    We have received reports of injuries to catering personnel and 
flight attendants who were loading or unloading galley carts on one 
deck when the galley cart lift unexpectedly moved when it was activated 
from the other deck. These incidents occurred on several Boeing Model 
747-100, 747-200B, and 747-400 series airplanes. Investigation revealed 
that the cause of these incidents was a safety interlock switch in the 
cart lift door that had been disabled or had malfunctioned. This 
condition, if not corrected, could allow unexpected movement of the 
galley cart lift that could result in possible injury to catering 
personnel or flight attendants.
    The galley cart lift installations on certain Model 747-100, 747-
200B, and 747-400 series airplanes are identical to those installed on 
certain Model 747-100B, 747-300, 747-400D, 747SR, and 747SP series 
airplanes. Therefore, all of these models may be subject to the 
identified unsafe condition.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3187, 
Revision 2, dated January 27, 2000, which describes procedures for 
replacing the main and upper deck control panels for the galley cart 
lift with new or modified control panels and accomplishing a functional 
test of the cart lift system.
    We have also reviewed Service Bulletin 747-25A3287, Revision 2, 
dated September 4, 2003, which describes procedures for modifying the 
main and upper deck control panels and related electrical cable 
assemblies for the galley cart lift and accomplishing a functional test 
of the cart lift system.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously, except as discussed under 
``Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Information.''

Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Information

    Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3287, Revision 2, recommends 
accomplishing the actions ``as soon as manpower, materials and 
facilities are available;'' Service Bulletin 747-25A3187, Revision 2, 
states that ``no compliance time is given.'' However, we have 
determined that these imprecise compliance times would not address the 
identified unsafe condition in a timely manner. In developing an 
appropriate compliance time for this AD, we considered not only the 
manufacturer's recommendation, but also the degree of urgency 
associated with addressing the subject unsafe condition, the average 
utilization of the affected fleet, and the time necessary to perform 
the modifications. In light of all of these factors, we find a 
compliance time of 18 months for completing the required actions to be 
warranted, in that it represents an appropriate interval of time for 
affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising safety.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 600 airplanes of the affected design worldwide. 
This proposed AD would affect about 66 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    About 22 Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-300, 747SR, and 
747SP series airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by the 
proposed actions. It would take about 7 work hours per airplane to do 
the proposed actions, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost about $143 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is 
$13,156, or $598 per airplane.
    About 44 Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes of U.S. 
registry would be affected by the proposed actions. It would take about 
2 work hours per airplane to do the proposed actions, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost about $4,934 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the 
proposed AD for U.S. operators is $222,816, or $5,064 per airplane.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2004-19532; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
87-AD.

[[Page 64539]]

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by December 20, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.
    Applicability: (c) This AD applies to certain Model 747-100, 
747-100B, 747-200B, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, as 
listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3287, Revision 2, 
dated September 4, 2003; and Model 747-400 and 747-400D series 
airplanes, as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25A3187, 
Revision 2, dated January 27, 2000; certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of injuries to catering 
personnel and flight attendants who were loading or unloading galley 
carts on one deck when the galley cart lift unexpectedly moved when 
it was activated from the other deck. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent unexpected movement of the galley cart lift that could 
result in possible injury to catering personnel or flight 
attendants.
    Compliance: (e) You are responsible for having the actions 
required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, 
unless the actions have already been done.

Replacement/Modification of Control Panel

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the actions required by paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of 
this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes: Replace the 
main and upper deck control panels for the galley cart lift with new 
or modified control panels by doing all the actions specified in 
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25A3187, Revision 2, dated January 27, 
2000.
    (2) For Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-300, 747SR, and 
747SP series airplanes: Modify the main and upper deck control 
panels and related cable assemblies for the galley cart lift by 
doing all the actions specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-25A3287, Revision 2, dated September 4, 2003.

Actions Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (g) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3287, dated 
October 25, 2001, or Revision 1, dated April 25, 2002; or in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25A3187, dated April 29, 
1999, or Revision 1, dated September 23, 1999; are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified 
in paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 26, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24720 Filed 11-4-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P