[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 130 (Thursday, July 8, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39185-39189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16606]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0679; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-179-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-
100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 
747SP Series Airplanes

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

[[Page 39186]]


ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) that applies to certain Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-
100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP 
series airplanes. The existing AD requires repetitive inspections and 
torque checks of the hanger fittings and strut forward bulkhead of the 
forward engine mount and adjacent support structure, and visual 
inspections of the internal angle and external bulkhead chord and 
detailed inspection of internal angles, and corrective actions if 
necessary. The existing AD also provides for an optional inspection. 
This proposed AD would also require additional inspections of airplanes 
that have hi-lok bolts and collars at all of the Group B fastener 
locations, except fastener 13, and related investigative and corrective 
actions. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the 
internal angle and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposed AD 
also would require, for certain airplanes, replacing the fasteners, 
which terminates certain repetitive inspections. This proposed AD 
results from the reports of undertorqued or loose fasteners, a cracked 
bulkhead chord, and a fractured back-up angle. We are proposing this AD 
to prevent loose fasteners and/or damaged or cracked hanger fittings, 
back-up angles, and bulkhead of the forward engine mount, which could 
lead to failure of the hanger fitting and bulkhead and consequent 
separation of the engine from the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 23, 2010.

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: Ken Paoletti, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
917-6434; 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-2010-0679; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-179-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 September 14, 2007, we issued AD 2007-19-19, Amendment 39-15210 
(72 FR 53939, September 21, 2007), for certain Boeing Model 747-100, 
747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, 
and 747SP series airplanes. That AD requires repetitive inspections and 
torque checks of the hanger fittings and strut forward bulkhead of the 
forward engine mount and adjacent support structure, and visual 
inspections of the internal angle and external bulkhead chord and 
detailed inspection of internal angles, and corrective actions if 
necessary. The existing AD also provides for an optional inspection. 
That AD resulted from reports of undertorqued or loose fasteners, a 
cracked bulkhead chord, and a fractured back-up angle after operators 
accomplished the terminating action required by AD 2001-15-02, 
Amendment 39-12336 (66 FR 37884, July 20, 2001), which was superseded 
by AD 2007-19-19. We issued that AD to detect and correct loose 
fasteners and/or damaged or cracked hanger fittings, back-up angles, 
and bulkhead of the forward engine mount, which could lead to failure 
of the hanger fitting and bulkhead and consequent separation of the 
engine from the airplane.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    The preamble to AD 2007-19-19 specifies that we consider the 
requirements ``interim action'' and that we were considering requiring 
the inspections and applicable related investigative and corrective 
actions specified in Part 7 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 1, dated August 9, 
2007, and we have determined that further rulemaking is indeed 
necessary; this proposed AD follows from that determination.

Relevant Service Information

    AD 2007-19-19 cited Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, 
Revision 1, dated August 9, 2007, as the relevant source of 
information. Since we issued AD 2007-19-19, the manufacturer has 
revised the service information. Boeing has released Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 2, dated July 9, 2009.
    Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 2, dated July 
9, 2009, specifies that hi-lok bolts and collars at all of the Group B 
fastener locations, except fastener 13, need to be replaced with bolts 
specified in the service bulletin within 18 months after the service 
bulletin is released. (Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, dated 
August 31, 2000; and Revision 1, dated August 9, 2007; specified that 
the hi-lok bolts on these airplanes did not have to be replaced 
according to Part 6 of the Accomplishment Instructions if they met the 
inspection requirements of Part 2.) The related corrective actions are 
replacing the fasteners; removing loose fasteners; tightening all Group 
A

[[Page 39187]]

and Group B fasteners; tightening all under-torqued or loose Group A 
and Group B fasteners; and removing loose fasteners, inspecting the 
hole, installing fasteners, and applying optional torque stripes. In 
addition, that service bulletin specifies that the fasteners on these 
airplanes need to be replaced in accordance with Part 6--Fastener 
Replacement. The related investigative actions are doing repetitive 
detailed inspections, a torque stripe inspection, and torque checks.
    Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 2, dated July 
9, 2009, specifies a compliance time of within 90 days after the date 
of Revision 2 of that service bulletin for the Part 2 inspection, and 
within 18 months after the date of Revision 2 of that service bulletin 
for the Part 6 replacement. For the related investigative actions, that 
service bulletin specifies a compliance time ranging from before 
further flight to within 18 months after the fasteners are replaced. 
For the related corrective actions, that service bulletin specifies a 
compliance time ranging from before further flight to within 18 months 
after under-torqued or loose fasteners were found.
    For all airplanes, Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, 
Revision 2, dated July 9, 2009, clarifies the requirements for 
conditions in which the torque stripe is not applied and for which no 
under-torqued or loose fastener was found by reordering the steps. In 
addition, Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 2, dated 
July 9, 2009, adds an option for supporting the engine weight, instead 
of removing the engine, in Part 7--HFEC Internal Angle Inspection of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of that service bulletin. Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 2, dated July 9, 2009, also no 
longer includes the 60-month compliance time for doing Part 6 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of that service bulletin.

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 2007-19-19 and would retain certain requirements of 
the existing AD. This proposed AD would also require repetitive 
inspections of the internal angle, and corrective actions if necessary, 
and this proposed AD would also require, for certain airplanes, 
replacing the fasteners.

Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Information

    The service information specifies to contact the manufacturer for 
instructions on how to repair certain conditions, but this AD requires 
repairing 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 the Boeing Commercial 
Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization whom we have 
authorized to make those findings.
    Part 7--HFEC Internal Angle Inspection of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 2, 
dated July 9, 2009, also provides an option to support the engine 
weight rather than removing the engine. This AD requires the removal of 
the engine to perform the inspection.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 266 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.

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                         Number of
                                                   Average                   Cost per      U.S.-
              Action                Work  hours   labor rate     Parts       airplane    registered   Fleet cost
                                                   per hour                              airplanes
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Actions (required by AD 2007-19-             40          $85           $0       $3,400          121     $411,400
 19)..............................
Internal Angle Inspection (new               16           85            0        1,360          121      164,560
 proposed action).................
Replacement of fasteners (new                24           85            0        2,040          121      246,840
 proposed action).................
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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 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:

[[Page 39188]]

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 removing Amendment 39-15210 (72 FR 
53939, September 21, 2007) and adding the following new AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-0679; Directorate Identifier 
2009-NM-179-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August 
23, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2007-19-19, Amendment 39-15210.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-
100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, 
and 747SP series airplanes, certificated in any category; as 
identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 2, 
dated July 9, 2009.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 54: 
Nacelles/Pylons.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from the development of a mandating action. 
The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to detect and 
correct loose fasteners and/or damaged or cracked hanger fittings, 
back-up angles, and bulkhead of the forward engine mount, which 
could lead to failure of the hanger fitting and bulkhead and 
consequent separation of the engine from 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 a Requirement of AD 2007-19-19, With Updated Service 
Information

Inspections and Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

    (g) Except as provided by paragraphs (i), (l), and (n) of this 
AD: At the applicable compliance times and repeat intervals listed 
in Tables 1 and 2 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 1, dated August 9, 2007, do 
the inspections and applicable related investigative and corrective 
actions in accordance with Parts 2 and 8 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 
1, dated August 9, 2007; or Revision 2, dated July 9, 2009. After 
the effective date of this AD, use only Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 2, dated July 9, 2009.

New Requirements of This AD

Mandatory Initial and Repetitive Inspections and Related 
Investigative and Corrective Actions

    (h) For all airplanes: Except as provided by paragraph (m) of 
this AD, at the applicable time in Table 2 of paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, 
Revision 2, dated July 9, 2009, do the initial inspection and 
related investigative and corrective actions in accordance with Part 
7 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 2, dated July 9, 2009, except as 
required by paragraphs (k) and (n) of this AD. Repeat the inspection 
thereafter at the applicable time in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 2, dated July 
9, 2009.
    (i) For airplanes that were inspected in accordance with Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, dated August 31, 2000; or 
Revision 1, dated August 9, 2007; and that have hi-lock bolts and 
collars at all of the Group B fastener locations: Except as provided 
by paragraph (m) of this AD, at the applicable time in paragraph 
1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, 
Revision 2, dated July 9, 2009, do the initial inspection and 
related investigative and corrective actions in accordance with Part 
2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 2, dated July 9, 2009, except as 
required by paragraph (n) of this AD. Repeat the inspection at the 
applicable interval in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 2, dated July 9, 2009.

Replacement of Hi-Lok Group B Fasteners

    (j) For airplanes that were inspected in accordance with Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, dated August 31, 2000, and that 
have hi-lock bolts and collars at all of the Group B fastener 
locations: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace all hi-lok Group B fasteners in accordance with Part 6 of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-54A2203, Revision 2, dated July 9, 2009. Repeat the inspection 
required by Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 2, dated July 9, 2009, 
at the applicable interval in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 2, dated July 9, 
2009.

Exceptions to Service Bulletin

    (k) Where Step 3 of Part 7 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 1, dated August 
9, 2007; or Revision 2, dated July 9, 2009; provides the option to 
support the engine weight instead of removing the engine, this AD 
does not allow that option. This AD requires that the engine be 
removed before performing the inspections required by paragraph (h) 
of this AD.
    (l) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 1, 
dated August 9, 2007, specifies a compliance time after the date of 
that service bulletin, this AD requires compliance within the 
specified compliance time after October 9, 2007 (the effective date 
of AD 2007-19-19).
    (m) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 2, 
dated July 9, 2009, specifies a compliance time after the date of 
Revision 1 or Revision 2 of that service bulletin, this AD requires 
compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective 
date of this AD.
    (n) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, Revision 1, 
dated August 9, 2007; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2203, 
Revision 2, dated July 9, 2009; specifies to contact Boeing for 
appropriate action, this AD requires, before further flight, repair 
of the discrepancy or replacement of the discrepant part using a 
method approved in accordance with the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 
Organization Designation Authorization or in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (p) of this AD.

Credit for Actions Previously Accomplished

    (o) Actions performed before the effective date of this AD, in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2203, Revision 
1, dated August 9, 2007, are acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions specified in paragraphs (h), (i), and (j) of 
this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (p)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 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: Ken 
Paoletti, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6434; 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) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by the 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization 
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.
    (4) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2007-19-19, 
Amendment 39-15210, are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding 
provisions of this AD.


[[Page 39189]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 25, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-16606 Filed 7-7-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P