[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 7 (Monday, January 12, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1158-1159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-312]
[[Page 1158]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-1362; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-150-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200C and 747-200F
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 747-200C and 747-200F series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require installing larger moisture shrouds and
additional drain lines in the electrical/electronic equipment center.
This proposed AD results from reports of water contamination in the
electrical/electronic units in the main equipment center. We are
proposing this AD to prevent water contamination in the electrical/
electronic units in the main equipment center, which could result in an
electrical short and potential loss of several functions essential for
safe flight.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 26,
2009.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207;
telephone 206-544-9990; fax 206-766-5682; e-mail [email protected];
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or
425-227-1152.
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 proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcia Smith, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6484; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-1362;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-150-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We have received reports of water contamination in the electrical/
electronic units in the main equipment center. Loading cargo in rain or
snow conditions can allow a large amount of water into the airplane on
the cargo or open main deck doors. The water can spill onto the main
deck cargo floor and flow through the power drive units (PDUs). If the
amount of water exceeds the drain capacity of the PDUs located above
the main equipment center, water can spill onto the electrical/
electronic units. Water contamination in the electrical/electronic
units in the main equipment center could result in an electrical short
and potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3431, dated
March 6, 2008. This service bulletin describes procedures for
installing larger moisture shrouds and additional drain lines in the
electrical/electronic equipment center that provide protection from
water contamination in the main equipment center. The procedures
include:
Changing the PDU drain tubes;
Changing the pitot static tubes;
Replacing moisture curtains and support brackets;
Reworking base line (BL) 11 intercostals;
Installing new moisture shrouds; and
Relocating the wire bundle, lights, ground bracket, and
disconnect bracket of the main equipment center.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3430, dated February 15, 2007,
is necessary to be accomplished prior to or concurrent with Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3431. Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
25A3430 describes procedures for installing protective moisture
curtains in the main equipment center.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.
Related AD
AD 2007-26-03, amendment 39-15305 (72 FR 71218, December 17, 2007),
applies to the airplanes affected by this NPRM. That AD requires, among
other actions, installation of mounting brackets, support angles, and
moisture curtains in the main equipment center in accordance with
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3430.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 25 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S.
operators to comply with this proposed AD.
[[Page 1159]]
Estimated Costs
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Number of
Average U.S.-
Action Work hours labor rate Parts Cost per product registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
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Installation...................... Up to 75............. $80 Up to $28,405........ Up to $34,405....... 25 Up to $860,125.
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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 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 this 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.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
Reference, 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 AD:
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2008-1362; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-
150-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by February 26, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-200C and 747-200F series
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3431, dated March 6, 2008.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of water contamination in the
electrical/electronic units in the main equipment center. We are
issuing this AD to prevent water contamination in the electrical/
electronic units in the main equipment center, which could result in
an electrical short and potential loss of several functions
essential for safe flight.
Compliance
(e) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
Installation
(f) Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD,
install larger moisture shrouds and additional drain lines, by doing
all the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3431, dated
March 6, 2008.
Prior or Concurrent Action
(g) Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the actions
required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Install protective moisture
curtains in the main equipment center in accordance with Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3430, dated February 15, 2007.
Note 1: The installation required by paragraph (g) of this AD is
also required by paragraph (f) of AD 2007-26-03, amendment 39-15305,
for Boeing Model 747-200C and -200F series airplanes.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, ATTN: Marcia Smith, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and
Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6484; fax (425) 917-6590; has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 18, 2008.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-312 Filed 1-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P