[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 120 (Thursday, June 22, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35788-35789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5549]


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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; 
Amendment 39-14662; AD 2006-13-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D 
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 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes. This AD 
requires replacing specified tie rods of the center overhead stowage 
bins. This 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 issuing this AD to prevent 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: This AD becomes effective July 27, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of July 27, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207, for service information identified in this 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:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Boeing Model 
747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on March 14, 2006 (71 FR 13060). That NPRM proposed to 
require replacing specified tie rods of the center overhead stowage 
bins.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.

Support for the NPRM

    Boeing expresses support for the NPRM.

Request To Revise Costs of Compliance

    The Air Transport Association (ATA), on behalf of its member 
Northwest Airlines (NWA), requests that we revise the costs of 
compliance shown in the NPRM. NWA states that the cost of the parts kit 
has increased from $1,090 to $2,301.
    We agree with this request. We have confirmed that the cost of the 
parts kit has increased as specified and have revised the costs of 
compliance of this AD accordingly.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD as proposed. We have determined that 
the changes in cost will not significantly increase the economic burden 
on any operator.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 380 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This AD will affect about 62 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The required actions, depending on whether an airplane has 
tie rods on both sides or one side only, will take between 2 and 3 work 
hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost about $2,301 per tie rod replacement kit (one 
kit per side). Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for 
U.S. operators is between $150,722 and $297,414, or between $2,431 and 
$4,797 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

[[Page 35789]]

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 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, 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-13-09 Boeing: Amendment 39-14662. Docket No. FAA-2006-24121; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-248-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective July 27, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

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 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 issuing this AD to prevent detachment of the 
center overhead stowage bins during an extreme forward load event, 
which could cause injury to passengers and hinder evacuation 
emergency 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-
25-3371, dated July 28, 2005, to perform the actions that are 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, WA 
98124-2207, for a copy of this service information. You may review 
copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or 
at 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, WA, on June 14, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-5549 Filed 6-21-06; 8:45 am]
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