[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 1, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14750-14751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7273]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 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. 61 / Wednesday, April 1, 2009 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 14750]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0293; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-221-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, 
-200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F, and 747SR 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 airplanes identified above. This proposed AD 
would require replacing the inboard trailing edge (TE) flap 
transmission carbon disk no-back brakes with skewed roller no-back 
brakes at the TE flap transmission, positions 4 and 5. This proposed AD 
results from reports of the inboard TE flaps blowing back due to the 
failure of a transmission carbon disk no-back brake. The no-back brake 
did not hold the TE flaps in the commanded position. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent a decrease of the aerodynamic controllability of the 
airplane, which could adversely affect the airplane's continued safe 
flight and landing.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 18, 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 proposed 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: Douglas Tsuji, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 917-6487; 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-2009-0293; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-221-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 the inboard trailing edge (TE) flaps 
blowing back due to the failure of a transmission carbon disk no-back 
brake. The no-back brake did not hold the TE flaps in the commanded 
position. On approach, with landing flaps 25 or 30 selected, the 
inboard TE flaps failed to hold the commanded position and blew back to 
approximately flaps 10/15. This failure can cause an asymmetric flap 
blow-back if a torque tube becomes disconnected in combination with a 
failed no-back brake, or cause a symmetric flap blow-back if the 
hydraulic motor torque is lost in combination with two failed no-back 
brakes.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in a decrease of the 
aerodynamic controllability of the airplane, which could adversely 
affect the airplane's continued safe flight and landing.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-27-
2422, dated October 30, 2008. The service bulletin describes procedures 
to replace the inboard TE flap transmission carbon disk no-back brakes 
with skewed roller no-back brakes at the TE flap transmission, 
positions 4 and 5.

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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 249 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.

[[Page 14751]]



                                                                 Table--Estimated costs
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                                                                                                                        Number of U.S.-
                      Action                           Work hours     Average labor        Parts             Cost          registered       Fleet cost
                                                                      rate per hour                                        airplanes
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Replacement.......................................              25              $80          $60,670          $62,670              249      $15,604,830
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-2009-0293; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-
221-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by May 18, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -
200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F, and 747SR series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-27-2422, dated October 30, 
2008.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27: Flight 
controls.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from reports of the inboard trailing edge 
(TE) flaps blowing back due to the failure of a transmission carbon 
disk no-back brake. The no-back brake did not hold the flaps in the 
commanded position. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing 
this AD to prevent a decrease of the aerodynamic controllability of 
the airplane, which could adversely affect the airplane's continued 
safe flight and landing.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Corrective Action

    (g) Within 5 years after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the trailing edge flap transmission no-back brakes with skewed 
roller no-back brakes at the trailing edge flap transmission, 
positions 4 and 5, in accordance with Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 747-27-2422, dated October 30, 2008.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(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: Douglas Tsuji, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment 
Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
917-6487; 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 18, 2009.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E9-7273 Filed 3-31-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P