[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 4 (Monday, January 7, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1046-1048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-25500]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28989; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-070-AD; 
Amendment 39-15319; AD 2007-26-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), which applies to certain Boeing Model 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-
200F, 747-300, 747-400, and 747SP series airplanes. That AD currently 
requires doing a detailed inspection of the left and right longeron 
extension fittings, and corrective action if necessary. This new AD 
adds airplanes to the applicability of the existing AD. This AD results 
from reports that accidental drilling damage to the longeron extension 
fittings was found on airplanes not subject to the existing AD. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct accidental drilling damage of the 
longeron extension fittings, which could lead to cracking of the 
longeron extension fittings and result in rapid decompression of the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 11, 2008.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of February 11, 
2008.
    On June 16, 2006 (71 FR 27592, May 12, 2006), the Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2515, dated October 20, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivan Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe 
Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6437; 
fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 2006-10-04, amendment 
39-14588 (71 FR 27592, May 12, 2006). The existing AD applies to 
certain Boeing Model 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 
and 747SP series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on August 16, 2007 (72 FR 45973). That NPRM proposed to 
continue to require doing a detailed inspection of the left and right 
longeron extension fittings, and corrective action if necessary. That 
NPRM also proposed to add airplanes to the applicability of the 
existing AD.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the single comment received. Boeing supports the 
NPRM.

Clarification of Service Bulletins

    Where paragraphs (h) and (i) of the NPRM referred to ``the alert 
service bulletin'' and ``the service bulletin,'' we have specified the 
number, revision level and date of those service bulletins for clarity.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD with the changes described previously. We also determined that these 
changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or 
increase the scope of the AD.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. If final action is later 
identified, we might consider further rulemaking then.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 876 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 156 airplanes of U.S. registry.

[[Page 1047]]

    The actions specified by this AD were previously required by AD 
2006-10-04, which was applicable to approximately 25 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The actions required by that AD take about 1 work hour per 
airplane. We estimated the cost of the current requirements of that AD 
on U.S. operators to be $2,000, or $80 per airplane. Some operators of 
the 25 airplanes subject to AD 2006-10-04 may have already initiated 
the required actions. This AD adds no new costs associated with those 
airplanes.
    This AD is applicable to approximately 131 additional airplanes of 
U.S. registry. New actions required by this AD take about 1 work hour 
per airplane. Based on the current labor rate of $80 per work hour, we 
estimate the new costs imposed by this AD on U.S. operators to be 
$10,480, or $80 per airplane. This figure is based on assumptions that 
no operator of these additional airplanes has yet done any of the 
requirements of this AD, and that no operator would do those actions in 
the future if this AD were not adopted.

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 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 
removing amendment 39-14588 (71 FR 27592, May 12, 2006) and by adding 
the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-26-17 Boeing: Amendment 39-15319. Docket No. FAA-2007-28989; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-070-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective February 11, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2006-10-04.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B 
SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-
400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, certificated in any 
category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2515, Revision 1, dated March 1, 2007.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports that accidental drilling damage 
to the longeron extension fittings was found on airplanes not 
subject to the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct accidental drilling damage of the longeron extension 
fittings, which could lead to cracking of the longeron extension 
fittings and result in 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.

Restatement of Certain Requirements of AD 2006-10-04

Detailed Inspection

    (f) For Group 1 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2515, Revision 1, dated March 1, 2007: At the 
applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) 
of this AD, do a detailed inspection of the left and right longeron 
extension fittings for damage, and, before further flight, do the 
corrective action if applicable, by accomplishing all the applicable 
actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-53A2515, dated October 20, 2005; or Revision 1, 
dated March 1, 2007.

    Note 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2515, dated October 
20, 2005; and Revision 1, dated March 1, 2007; refer to Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-53A2390, Revision 1, dated July 6, 2000, as an 
additional source of service information for replacing a damaged 
longeron fitting with a new longeron extension fitting.

    (1) For airplanes that have accomplished the inspection of the 
splice area for cracking as specified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2390, dated July 31, 1997; or Revision 1, dated July 
6, 2000: Inspect in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD before 
the airplane has accumulated 10,000 total flight cycles, or within 
1,000 flight cycles after June 16, 2006 (the effective date of AD 
2006-10-04), whichever is later.
    (2) For airplanes that have not accomplished the inspection of 
the splice area for cracking as specified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2390, dated July 31, 1997; or Revision 1, dated July 
6, 2000: Inspect in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD before 
the airplane has accumulated 10,000 total flight cycles, or within 
250 flight cycles after June 16, 2006, whichever is later.

New Requirements of This AD

Detailed Inspection of Additional Airplanes

    (g) For Group 2 and Group 3 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-53A2515, Revision 1, dated March 1, 2007: 
Except as provided by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD, at the 
applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2515, Revision 1, dated March 1, 2007, do a detailed 
inspection of the left and right longeron extension fittings for 
damage and, before further flight, do the corrective action, as 
applicable; by accomplishing all the applicable actions specified in 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the alert service bulletin.

Compliance Times

    (h) Where the Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2515, dated 
October 20, 2005; or Revision 1, dated March 1, 2007; specify 
compliance times relative to the release date of the alert service 
bulletin, this AD requires compliance at compliance times relative 
to the effective date of this AD.

[[Page 1048]]

Repair of Certain Conditions

    (i) If any damage is found during any inspection required by 
this AD and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2515, Revision 1, 
dated March 1, 2007, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate 
action: Before further flight, repair the damage using a method 
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph 
(k) of this AD.

Credit for Actions Done Using Previous Service Information

    (j) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2515, dated 
October 20, 2005, are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k)(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) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2006-10-04, 
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.
    (3) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (4) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an 
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 
Delegation Option Authorization 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2515, 
dated October 20, 2005; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2515, Revision 1, dated March 1, 2007; as applicable, to perform 
the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2515, Revision 1, dated March 1, 2007, in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) On June 16, 2006 (71 FR 27592, May 12, 2006), the Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2515, dated October 20, 2005.
    (3) Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207, for a copy of this service information. You 
may review copies 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 20, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-25500 Filed 1-4-08; 8:45 am]
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