[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 19, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20273-20275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7683]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20136; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-185-AD; 
Amendment 39-14061; AD 2005-08-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200B, -200C, -200F, 
and -400F Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive 
detailed inspections for cracks in the crease beam and adjacent 
structure of the fuselage, and related investigative and corrective 
actions if necessary. This AD is prompted by fatigue cracks found in 
the crease beam during a follow-on inspection of a previously installed 
modification. We are issuing this AD to find and fix fatigue cracking 
of the fuselage frame, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the frame and consequent rapid decompression of the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 24, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of May 
24, 2005.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207.
    Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any 
final disposition. 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 U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20136; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2005-NM-185-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nick Kusz, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
917-6432; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR Part 39 
with an AD for certain Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. That action, 
published in the Federal Register on January 28,

[[Page 20274]]

2005 (70 FR 4048), proposed to require repetitive detailed inspections 
for cracks in the crease beam and adjacent structure of the fuselage, 
and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the single comment that has 
been submitted on the proposed AD. The commenter supports the proposed 
AD.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment that has been submitted, and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 163 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This AD will affect about 30 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The inspection will take about 8 work hours per airplane, at 
an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the inspection for U.S. operators is $15,600, or $520 
per airplane, per inspection cycle.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2005-08-09 Boeing: Amendment 39-14061. Docket No. FAA-2005-20136; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-185-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective May 24, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-200B, -200C, -200F, and 
-400F series airplanes, line numbers 604 and subsequent, 
certificated in any category; as listed in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2504, dated August 19, 2004.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by fatigue cracks found in the crease 
beam during a follow-on inspection of a previously installed 
modification. We are issuing this AD to find and fix fatigue 
cracking of the fuselage frame, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the frame and consequent rapid decompression 
of the airplane.

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.

Repetitive Inspections

    (f) Accomplish a detailed inspection for cracks in the crease 
beam and adjacent structure of the fuselage by doing all the 
applicable actions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2504, dated 
August 19, 2004; at the applicable time specified in paragraph 
(f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD. Repeat the inspection thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight cycles.
    (1) For Groups 1 and 2 airplanes as identified in the service 
bulletin: Before the accumulation of 10,000 total flight cycles, or 
within 1,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever is later.
    (2) For Groups 3 and 4 airplanes as identified in the service 
bulletin: Before the accumulation of 14,000 total flight cycles, or 
within 1,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever is later.

Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

    (g) If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD: Before further flight, repair the cracking 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-53A2504, dated August 19, 2004. If cracking of 
the crease beam or outer tee chord attachment is found: Before 
further flight, do a high frequency eddy current inspection for 
additional cracking, and repair any cracking found, in accordance 
with the service bulletin. Where the service bulletin specifies 
contacting the manufacturer for disposition of certain repair 
conditions, repair before further flight in accordance with a method 
approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA; or by an Authorized Representative for the Boeing 
Delegation Option Authorization (DOA) Organization, who has been 
authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For 
a repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the 
certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.

No Reporting Required

    (h) For certain airplanes, the service bulletin referenced in 
this AD recommends reporting any discrepancies to the manufacturer, 
but this AD does not include that requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures 
found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for a repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an 
Authorized Representative for the Boeing DOA Organization who has 
been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make such findings.

[[Page 20275]]

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2504, 
dated August 19, 2004, to perform the actions that are required by 
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of this 
document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To 
get copies of the service information, go to Boeing Commercial 
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. To view 
the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC. To review copies of the service 
information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 11, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-7683 Filed 4-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P