[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 140 (Thursday, July 23, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36417-36420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17448]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0655; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-192-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200F, 747-200C, 747-
400, 747-400D, and 747-400F Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) that applies to all Boeing Model 747-200F, 747-200C, 
747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes. The existing AD 
currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of certain 
fuselage internal structure (i.e., Sections 42 and 46 fuselage frames, 
upper deck floor beams, electronic bay access door cutout, nose wheel 
well, and main entry doors and door cutouts), and repair if necessary. 
This proposed AD would require additional repetitive inspections for 
cracking of certain fuselage structure (i.e., Section 41 fuselage 
frames where they connect to upper deck floor beams, and section 41 
fuselage frames between stringer (S-8 and S-12), and related 
investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would

[[Page 36418]]

also reduce the inspection threshold and repetitive inspection 
intervals for certain airplanes. This proposed AD results from fatigue 
tests and analysis by Boeing that identified additional areas of the 
fuselage where fatigue cracks can occur. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent the loss of structural integrity of the fuselage, which could 
result in rapid depressurization of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 8, 
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-2009-0655; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-192-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

    On February 16, 2006, we issued AD 2006-05-02, amendment 39-14499 
(71 FR 10605, March 2, 2006), for all Boeing Model 747-200F, 747-200C, 
747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes. That AD requires 
repetitive inspections for cracking of certain fuselage internal 
structure, and repair if necessary. That AD resulted from fatigue tests 
and analysis that identified areas of the fuselage where fatigue cracks 
can occur. We issued that AD to prevent the loss of the structural 
integrity of the fuselage, which could result in rapid depressurization 
of the airplane.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2006-05-02, Boeing has conducted an additional 
analysis that shows that Section 41 fuselage frames in the areas 
attached to the upper deck floor beams are also prone to fatigue 
cracking. Cracking of the frames was found on the fatigue test airplane 
at about 40,000 total pressure cycles. As a result of the cracking, we 
have determined that additional inspections are necessary, as specified 
in the service information described below. In addition, for certain 
airplanes, we have determined that it is necessary to reduce the 
compliance time for certain inspections.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2500, 
Revision 1, dated September 25, 2008 (``Revision 1 of the service 
bulletin''). We referred to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2500, 
dated December 21, 2004, in AD 2006-05-02 as the appropriate source of 
service information for doing the actions required by that AD. Revision 
1 of the service bulletin retains the procedures from the original 
issue, and adds the repetitive inspections for cracking in the 
additional areas listed in the table titled ``New Service Bulletin 
Procedures.''

                     New Service Bulletin Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Revision 1 of the service bulletin adds    For airplanes identified as
     procedures for repetitive detailed       these groups in Revision 1
       inspections for cracking of--          of the service bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1 (upper deck floor beams)--            1 through 7 inclusive, and
 Inspections are added for the fuselage       9 through 10 inclusive.
 frames at body station (BS) 260 to 520 in
 areas where the upper deck floor beams are
 attached.
Area 6 (main entry door cutouts)--           1 through 7 inclusive.
 Inspections are added for the fuselage
 frames at BS 400 to 500 in areas above the
 main entry door 1 cutouts from the upper
 chord of the upper deck floor beams to
 stringer 8.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The compliance times for airplane groups 1 through 7 and 9 through 
10 remain the same as in AD 2006-05-02 for all inspections: 22,000 or 
25,000 total flight cycles (depending on the inspection area and 
airplane configuration), with a repetitive interval of 3,000 flight 
cycles. For the inspection of additional areas, the service bulletin 
specifies a compliance time of 22,000 total flight cycles or 1,000 
flight cycles after the date of Revision 1 of the service bulletin.
    No new inspections are added for Group 8 airplanes specified in 
Revision 1 of the service bulletin, although certain inspections 
required by AD

[[Page 36419]]

2006-05-02 continue at a reduced threshold. (These airplanes were 
identified as Group 1 in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2500, 
dated December 21, 2004.) Furthermore, for Group 8 airplanes, the 
service bulletin removed the inspection requirements for Areas 2 and 5.
    For Group 8 airplanes, the service bulletin specifies a reduced 
compliance time and reduced repetitive interval for continuing certain 
existing inspections. The compliance time for the initial inspection 
ranges from 15,000 total flight cycles to 22,000 total flight cycles 
(depending on the inspection area), or 1,000 flight cycles after the 
date of Revision 1 of the service bulletin, whichever occurs later. The 
repetitive interval ranges from intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight 
cycles to intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight cycles (depending on the 
inspection area).
    The service bulletin specifies repairing any crack before further 
flight per the service bulletin or per repair data obtained by 
contacting Boeing.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to develop on other airplanes of the 
same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, which 
would supersede AD 2006-05-02 and would retain the requirements of the 
existing AD. This proposed AD would also require additional inspections 
for certain airplanes, a revised inspection for certain airplanes, and 
a reduced compliance time for certain other airplanes.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 640 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate 
is $80 per work hour.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Number of U.S.-
             Action               Work         Parts        Cost per airplane    registered        Fleet cost
                                  hours                                           airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections (required by AD         260  None required....  $20,800 per                    71  $1,476,800 per
 2006[dash]05[dash]02).                                      inspection cycle.                  inspection
                                                                                                cycle.
Inspections of additional areas       7  None required....  $560 per                       71  $39,760 per
 (new proposed action).                                      inspection cycle.                  inspection
                                                                                                cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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 that the 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed 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.

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.


39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing amendment 39-14499 (71 FR 
10605, March 2, 2006) and adding the following new AD:

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2009-0655; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-
192-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by September 
8, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2006-05-02.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 747-200F, 747-200C, 747-
400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes; certificated in any 
category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53: 
Fuselage.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from fatigue tests and analysis that 
identified additional areas of the fuselage where fatigue cracks can 
occur. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of the structural 
integrity of the fuselage, which could result in rapid 
depressurization of the airplane.

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.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2006-05-02 With Reduced Compliance 
Times for Group 8 Airplanes

Inspections

    (g) Do initial and repetitive inspections for fuselage cracks 
using applicable internal and external detailed inspection methods, 
and repair all cracks, by doing all the actions

[[Page 36420]]

specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2500, dated December 21, 2004; or Revision 1, dated 
September 25, 2008; except as required by paragraph (h) or provided 
by paragraph (l) of this AD. After the effective date of this AD, 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2500, Revision 1, dated 
September 25, 2008, must be used. Do the initial and repetitive 
inspections at the applicable times specified in paragraph (g)(1) or 
(g)(2) of this AD, except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD. 
Repair any crack before further flight after detection.
    (1) For Groups 1 through 7, 9, and 10 identified in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-53A2500, Revision 1, dated September 25, 2008: 
Do the initial and repetitive inspections at the times specified in 
paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2500, dated 
December 21, 2004, except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD.
    (2) For Group 8 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2500, Revision 1, dated September 25, 2008: Do the 
initial and repetitive inspections at the applicable time specified 
in paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2500, 
Revision 1, dated September 25, 2008, except as required by 
paragraph (k) of this AD.

Exceptions to Service Bulletin Procedures

    (h) If any crack is found during any inspection required by this 
AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2500, dated December 
21, 2004, or Revision 1, dated September 25, 2008, specifies to 
contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair 
the crack using a method approved in accordance with the procedures 
specified in paragraph (m) of this AD.
    (i) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2500, dated 
December 21, 2004, or Revision 1, dated September 25, 2008, 
specifies a compliance time after the date on the original issue of 
the service bulletin, this AD requires compliance within the 
specified compliance time after April 6, 2006 (the effective date of 
AD 2006-05-02).

New Requirements of This AD

Actions for Additional Areas

    (j) For the additional inspection areas of Groups 1 through 7, 
9, and 10 airplanes, identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-53A2500, Revision 1, dated September 25, 2008: Do initial and 
repetitive inspections for cracking of the inspection areas, and, as 
applicable, repair cracking, by doing all the actions specified in 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-53A2500, Revision 1, dated September 25, 2008; except as 
required by paragraph (h) of this AD. Do the initial and repetitive 
inspections at the times specified in paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-53A2500, Revision 1, dated September 25, 2008, 
except as required by paragraph (k) of this AD. Repair all cracking 
before further flight.
    (k) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2500, Revision 1, 
dated September 25, 2008, specifies a compliance time after the date 
on Revision 1 of the service bulletin, this AD requires compliance 
within the specified compliance time after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (l) For Group 8 airplanes, inspection of Areas 2 and 5 
identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2500, dated 
December 21, 2004 as required by paragraph (g) of this AD is no 
longer required.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (m)(1) The Manager, Seattle 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 Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6437; fax (425) 917-6590. Or, e-mail 
information to [email protected].
    (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) AMOCS approved previously in accordance with AD 2006-05-02, 
are approved as alternative methods of compliance with the 
corresponding requirements of this AD.
    (4) Accomplishment of the inspections specified in this AD is 
considered an AMOC for the applicable requirements of paragraphs (c) 
and (d) of AD 2004-07-22 R1, amendment 39-15326, under the 
conditions specified in paragraphs (m)(4)(i) and (m)(4)(ii) of this 
AD.
    (i) The inspections specified in this AD must be done within the 
compliance times specified in AD 2004-07-22 R1. The initial 
inspection specified in this AD must be done at the times specified 
in paragraph (d) of AD 2004-07-22 R1, and the inspections specified 
in this AD must be repeated within the intervals specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (ii) The AMOC applies only to the areas of Supplemental 
Structural Inspection Document for Model 747 Airplanes, Document D6-
35022, Revision G, dated December 2000, that are specified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2500, dated December 21, 2004.
    (5) 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 July 15, 2009.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-17448 Filed 7-22-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P