[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 14, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13060-13062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3560]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24121; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-248-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (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 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require replacing specified tie rods of the center 
overhead stowage bins. This proposed AD results from manufacturer 
analysis of the overhead storage bin support structure that 
demonstrated that the capability of certain existing tie rods does not 
meet emergency landing load requirements. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent disintegration or detachment of the center overhead stowage 
bins during an extreme forward load event, which could cause injury to 
passengers and hinder emergency evacuation procedures.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 28, 2006.

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.
     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.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this 
proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Gillespie, 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) 917-6429; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
24121; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-248-AD'' at the beginning 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 received 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://
http://dms.dot.gov">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 13061]]

who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an 
association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
http://dms.dot.gov">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 Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    We have received a report that a manufacturer tension test 
demonstrated that the capability to meet emergency landing load 
requirements was lower than predicted for some existing tie rods in the 
support structure of the center overhead stowage bins on certain Model 
747-400 airplanes. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
disintegration or detachment of the center overhead stowage bins during 
an extreme forward load event, which could cause injury to passengers 
and hinder emergency evacuation procedures.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-
3371, dated July 28, 2005. The service bulletin describes procedures 
for replacing specified tie rods of the center overhead stowage bins 
with new, improved tie rods that meet emergency landing load 
requirements. 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. For this reason, 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 Bulletin.''

Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin

    Where Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3371 recommends 
accomplishing the specified actions within 24 months, we have 
determined that a compliance time of 60 months will be acceptable. In 
developing an appropriate compliance time for this AD, we considered 
the degree of urgency associated with the subject unsafe condition and 
the average utilization of the affected fleet. In light of these 
factors, we find that 60 months represents an appropriate interval of 
time for affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising 
safety. We have coordinated this difference with the manufacturer.

Clarification of Applicability

    Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3371 identifies certain 
airplanes as having center overhead stowage bins; however, such an 
airplane may have received an approved cargo conversion that removed 
the center overhead stowage bins and tie rods. We have determined that 
only airplanes identified in the service bulletin that actually have 
center overhead stowage bins and associated tie rods installed are 
affected by this proposed AD. We have clarified the applicability of 
this proposed AD accordingly.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 380 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 62 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed actions, depending on whether an airplane 
has tie rods on both sides or one side only, would take between 2 and 3 
work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost about $1,090 per tie rod replacement kit. 
Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. 
operators is between $75,640 and $147,250, or between $1,220 and $2,375 
per airplane.

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 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 and placed it in the AD docket. 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2006-24121; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
248-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 28, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

[[Page 13062]]

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3371, dated July 28, 2005; 
equipped with center overhead stowage bins.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that a manufacturer tension 
test demonstrated that the capability to meet emergency landing load 
requirements was lower than predicted for some existing tie rods in 
the support structure of the center overhead stowage bins on certain 
Model 747-400 airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
disintegration or detachment of the center overhead stowage bins 
during an extreme forward load event, which could cause injury to 
passengers and hinder evacuation procedures.

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.

Replace Tie Rods

    (f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace specified tie rods of the center overhead stowage bins with 
new, improved tie rods that meet emergency landing load 
requirements, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3371, dated July 
28, 2005.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) 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.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 3, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-3560 Filed 3-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P