[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 34 (Monday, February 23, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8034-8036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3771]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 34 / Monday, February 23, 2009 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 8034]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0136; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-171-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 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 airplanes. This proposed AD would require
repetitive inspections for cracking of the fuselage frames in section
41, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from
reports of cracking in fuselage frames made of 2024 aluminum alloy that
were installed during previous modification of the frames in section 41
and during production. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct
frame cracks, which could result in cracking of the adjacent fuselage
skin and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 9, 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, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box
3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-5000,
extension 1, fax 206-766-5680; 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: 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:
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-2009-0136;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-171-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.
Other Related Rulemaking
On January 16, 1990, we issued AD 90-06-06, amendment 39-6490 (55
FR 8374, March 7, 1990), for certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. That
AD requires incorporation of certain structural modifications. That AD
resulted from reports of incidents involving fatigue cracking and
corrosion in transport category airplanes that are approaching or have
exceeded their design life goal. These incidents jeopardized the
airworthiness of the affected airplanes. We issued that AD to correct
degradation in the structural capabilities of the affected airplanes.
The requirements in that AD reflect the FAA's decision that long-term
continued operational safety should be ensured by actual modification
of the airframe rather than repetitive inspection.
On December 26, 2007, we issued AD 2004-07-22 R1, amendment 39-
15326 (73 FR 1052, January 7, 2008), for certain Boeing Model 747
airplanes. That AD requires that the FAA-approved maintenance
inspection program be revised to include inspections that will give no
less than the required damage tolerance rating for each structural
significant item, and repair of cracked structure. That AD resulted
from a report of incidents involving fatigue cracking in transport
category airplanes that are approaching or have exceeded their design
service objective. We issued that AD to ensure the continued structural
integrity of all 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.
Discussion
We have received reports of cracking in fuselage frames made of
2024 aluminum alloy material that were installed during previous
modification of frames in section 41 required by AD 90-06-06. One crack
was in the frame web at body station 340, at a fastener location common
to the upper chord of the upper deck floor beams. The other crack was
in the frame web and doubler at body station 420 and was also at a
fastener location common to the upper deck floor beams. The frame crack
in body station 340 was found 9,757 flight
[[Page 8035]]
cycles after the 2024 aluminum alloy frame was installed during
modification of the frames in section 41. The frame crack in body
station 420 was found 6,441 flight cycles after the 2024 aluminum alloy
frame was installed during modification of the frames in section 41.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in cracking of the
adjacent fuselage skin and consequent rapid decompression of the
airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletins 747-53A2732 and
747-53A2753, both dated August 28, 2008. Boeing Alert Service Bulletins
747-53A2732 and 747-53A2753, both dated August 28, 2008, describe
procedures for repetitive internal detailed inspections for cracking of
the fuselage frames in section 41, and corrective actions if necessary.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletins 747-53A2732 and 747-53A2753, both dated
August 28, 2008, also describe procedures for an optional special
detailed inspection behind the flight engineers panel on the upper deck
and the P14 and P15 electrical terminal panels using a borescope. The
corrective actions include repairing any crack found during any
inspection in accordance with the applicable Work Instructions, or by
contacting Boeing for repair data.
The compliance times for the initial inspections specified in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2732 range from before the
accumulation of 10,000 or 20,000 flight cycles depending on airplane
configuration and location since modification of the frames in section
41 was done, or for airplanes on which 2024 aluminum alloy material was
installed in production, 20,000 total flight cycles, or within 1,500
flight cycles after the date on this service bulletin; whichever occurs
latest. The inspections must be repeated at intervals not to exceed
3,000 or 6,000 flight cycles, as applicable.
The compliance times for the initial inspections specified in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2753 range from before the
accumulation of 15,000 or 30,000 total flight cycles depending on
airplane configuration, or within 1,000 flight cycles after the date on
this service bulletin, whichever occurs later. If no cracks are found
or the cracks have been repaired, the inspections must be repeated at
intervals not to exceed 2,400 or 3,000 flight cycles, as applicable.
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 these same type
designs. This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information described previously, except as
discussed under ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and Alert Service
Bulletins.''
Differences Between the Proposed AD and Alert Service Bulletins
Boeing Alert Service Bulletins 747-53A2732 and 747-53A2753, both
dated August 28, 2008, specify that you may contact the manufacturer
for instructions on how to repair certain conditions, but this proposed
AD requires you to repair those conditions in one of the following
ways:
Using a method that we approve; or
Using data that meet the certification basis of the
airplane, and that have been approved by an Authorized Representative
for the Boeing Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has
been authorized by the FAA to make those findings.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 165 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.
Table--Estimated Costs
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Average
Work labor Number of U.S-
Inspection hours rate per Cost per product registered Fleet cost
hour airplanes
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Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 50 $80 Up to $4,000, per 94 Up to $376,000, per inspection cycle.
53A2732, Part 1. inspection cycle.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 650 80 Up to $52,000, per 94 Up to $4,888,000, per inspection cycle.
53A2732, Part 2. inspection cycle.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 6 80 $480, per inspection cycle 94 Up to $45,120, per inspection cycle.
53A2732, Part 3.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 51 80 Up to $4,080, per 94 Up to $383,520, per inspection cycle.
53A2732, Part 4. inspection cycle.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 11 80 Up to $880, per inspection 94 Up to $82,720, per inspection cycle.
53A2732, Part 5. cycle.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 52 80 Up to $4,160, per 94 Up to $391,040, per inspection cycle.
53A2732, Part 6. inspection cycle.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 13 80 Up to $1,040, per 94 Up to $97,760, per inspection cycle.
53A2732, Part 7. inspection cycle.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 54 80 Up to $4,320, per 94 Up to $406,080, per inspection cycle.
53A2732, Part 8. inspection cycle.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 244 80 Up to $19,520, per 71 Up to $1,385,920, per inspection cycle.
53A2753. inspection cycle.
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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.
[[Page 8036]]
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-2009-0136; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-
171-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by April 9, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747 airplanes, certificated
in any category, as specified in paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this
AD, as applicable.
(1) Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-
200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, as
identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2732, dated
August 28, 2008.
(2) Boeing Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series
airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2753, dated August 28, 2008.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53:
Fuselage.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from reports of cracking in fuselage frames
made of 2024 aluminum alloy that were installed during previous
modification of the frames in section 41 and during production. We
are issuing this AD to detect and correct frame cracks which could
result in cracking of the adjacent fuselage skin and consequent
rapid decompression of the airplane.
Compliance
(f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Actions
(g) At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph
1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2732
or 747-53A2753, both dated August 28, 2008, as applicable, do the
detailed inspection for cracking of the fuselage frames in section
41, and do all applicable corrective actions, by accomplishing all
the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2732 or 747-53A2753, both dated August
28, 2008, as applicable; except as provided by paragraphs (g) and
(h) of this AD. Repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed
those specified in paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-53A2732 or 747-53A2753, both dated August 28, 2008, as
applicable. If any crack is found, do all corrective actions before
further flight.
Note 1: As specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletins 747-
53A2732 and 747-53A2753, both dated August 28, 2008, an optional
special detailed inspection behind the P14 and P15 electrical
terminal panels using the borescope may be done.
(h) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletins 747-53A2732 and 747-
53A2753, both dated August 28, 2008, recommend an initial inspection
threshold relative to the date on Boeing Alert Service Bulletins
747-53A2732 and 747-53A2753, both dated August 28, 2008; this AD
requires the initial inspection threshold relative to the effective
date of this AD.
(i) If any crack is found during any inspection required by this
AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletins 747-53A2732 and 747-53A2753,
both dated August 28, 2008, specify to contact Boeing for
appropriate action: Before further flight, repair the cracking using
a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in
paragraph (j) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(j)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to
Attn: Ivan Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA,
Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356;
telephone (425) 917-6437; fax (425) 917-6590.
(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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
(3) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 30, 2009.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-3771 Filed 2-20-09; 8:45 am]
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