[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 241 (Thursday, December 16, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78591-78594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30612]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1098; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-108-AD; 
Amendment 39-16532; AD 2010-24-13]
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), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD requires adding two new indicator lights 
on a certain panel to inform the captain and first officer of a low 
pressure condition in the left and right override/jettison pumps of the 
center wing tanks. This AD also requires replacing the left and right 
override/jettison switches on the M154 fuel control module on the P4 
panel with improved switches and doing the associated wiring changes. 
This AD also requires, for certain airplanes, installation of a 
mounting bracket for the new indicator lights. This AD also requires a 
revision to the maintenance program to incorporate airworthiness 
limitation No. 28-AWL-22. This AD also requires a revision to the 
airplane flight manual to advise the flightcrew what to do in the event 
that the pump low pressure light on the flight engineer's panel does 
not illuminate when the pump is selected off. This AD was prompted by 
fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent uncommanded operation of the override/jettison pumps of 
the center wing tanks, and failure to manually shut off the override/
jettison pumps at the correct time, either of which could lead to an 
ignition source inside the center wing tank. This condition, in 
combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a center fuel 
tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective January 20, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of January 20, 
2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of June 
12, 2008 (73 FR 25977, May 8, 2008).

ADDRESSES: 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.

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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Bryant, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
(425) 917-6505; fax (425) 917-6590; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that 
would apply to the specified products. That supplemental NPRM published 
in the Federal Register on October 1, 2010 (75 FR 60661). That 
supplemental NPRM proposed to require adding two new indicator lights 
on the P10 panel to inform the captain and first officer of a low 
pressure condition in the left and right override/jettison pumps of the 
center wing tanks. That supplemental NPRM also proposed to require 
replacing the left and right override/jettison switches on the M154 
fuel control module on the P4 panel with improved switches and doing 
the associated wiring changes. That supplemental NPRM also proposed to 
require, for certain airplanes, installation of a mounting bracket for 
the new indicator lights. That supplemental NPRM also proposed to 
require a revision to the maintenance program to incorporate 
airworthiness

[[Page 78592]]

limitation No. 28-AWL-22. That supplemental NPRM also proposed to 
require a revision to the airplane flight manual to advise the 
flightcrew what to do in the event that the pump low pressure light on 
the flight engineer's panel does not illuminate when the pump is 
selected off.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the supplemental NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Clarification

    In our response in the supplemental NPRM to Northwest Airline's 
Request to Reference Later Revision of Service Bulletin Cited in 
Original NPRM, we described some of the changes in Boeing Service 
Bulletin 747-28A2288, Revision 1, dated January 21, 2010. That service 
bulletin was described as having installation instructions for the LOW 
PRESS indicator lights for airplanes that did not have the warning 
panel (i.e., the P10 panel) installed. We also described the changes to 
paragraph (g) of the Supplemental NPRM. We have revised the Summary and 
paragraph (g) of this AD to clarify that both groups of airplanes, with 
or without the warning panel installed, must install the two new 
indicator lights on certain panels (either the P10 panel, or for those 
airplanes without the P10 panel installed, the Autopilot Flight 
Director panel).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 185 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Action                Labor cost        Parts cost     Cost per product     Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing Service Bulletin        Between 30 and    Between $2,768    Between $5,318    Between $983,830 and
 747[dash]28A2288, Revision 1.  32 work-hours x   and $2,868.       and $5,588.       $1,033,780.
                                $85 per hour =
                                Between $2,550
                                and $2,720.
AFM revision.................  1 work-hour x     None............  $85.............  $15,725
                                $85 per hour =
                                $85.
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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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2010-24-13 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16532; Docket No. FAA-
2008-1098; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-108-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective January 20, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

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 Service Bulletin 747-28A2288, Revision 1, dated 
January 21, 2010.


    Note 1:  This AD requires revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include a new inspection. Compliance with 
this inspection is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that 
have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas 
addressed by this inspection, the operator may not be able to 
accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must 
request approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) 
according to paragraph (l) of this AD. The request should include a 
description of changes to the required inspection that will ensure 
the continued operational safety of the airplane.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD 
to prevent uncommanded operation of the override/jettison pumps of 
the center wing tanks, and failure to manually shut off

[[Page 78593]]

the override/jettison pumps at the correct time, either of which 
could lead to an ignition source inside the center wing tank. This 
condition, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result 
in a center fuel tank explosion and consequent loss 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.

Installation of Indicator Lights and Replacement of Switches

    (g) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: For 
airplanes with a P10 panel installed, add two new indicator lights 
on the P10 panel to inform the captain and first officer of a low 
pressure condition in the left and right override/jettison pumps of 
the center wing tanks, and, for airplanes that do not have the 
warning panel (P10 panel) installed, add a mounting bracket and two 
new indicator lights to the Autopilot Flight Director panel; and 
replace the left and right override/jettison switches on the M154 
fuel control module on the P4 panel with improved switches; and do 
the associated wiring changes. Accomplish these actions by doing all 
of the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-28A2288, Revision 1, 
dated January 21, 2010, except where that service bulletin states 
``20-60-00,'' the correct sub-section number is ``28-60-06,'' and 
except as described in Table 1 of this AD.

                                         Table 1--Part Number Correction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Part number specified in Figures
                                 22 through 32 of Boeing Service     Part name of
          Part name                Bulletin 747[dash]28A2288,        correct part        Correct part number
                               Revision 1, dated January 21, 2010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nut..........................  BACN10JC06CD                        Nut.............  BACN10NW1
Bolt.........................  BACS12HN06-10                       Screw...........  BACS12HN04-6
Washer.......................  NAS1149D0632J                       Washer..........  NAS1149DN416J
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Note 2:  For airplanes equipped with certain M154 fuel control 
modules, paragraph 2.C.2 of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-28A2288, 
Revision 1, dated January 21, 2010, refers to the BAE Systems 
service bulletins identified in Table 2 of this AD, as applicable, 
as additional sources of guidance for replacing the switches.


                 Table 2--Additional Sources of Guidance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Service bulletin                           Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BAE Systems Service Bulletin             February 16, 2006.
 65B46124[dash]28[dash]01.
BAE Systems Service Bulletin             March 28, 2007.
 65B46124[dash]28[dash]02.
BAE Systems Service Bulletin             March 28, 2007.
 65B46124[dash]28[dash]03.
BAE Systems Service Bulletin             February 16, 2006.
 65B46214[dash]28[dash]01.
BAE Systems Service Bulletin             March 28, 2007.
 65B46214[dash]28[dash]02.
BAE Systems Service Bulletin             March 28, 2007.
 65B46214[dash]28[dash]03.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maintenance Program Revision

    (h) Concurrently with accomplishing the actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, revise the maintenance program by 
incorporating Airworthiness Limitation (AWL) No. 28-AWL-22 of 
Section D of the Boeing 747-100/200/300/SP Airworthiness Limitations 
(AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D6-13747-
CMR, Revision March 2008. Where the AWL states ``28-31-00,'' the 
correct section number is ``28-42-00.''

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision

    (i) Concurrently with accomplishing the actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, revise Section 1, ``Certificate 
Limitations,'' of the applicable Boeing 747 AFM to include the 
following statement. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD 
into the AFM.

``When the center tank override jettison pumps are selected off, the 
amber pump low pressure lights on the Flight Engineer's panel should 
illuminate and remain on. If a pump low pressure light on the Flight 
Engineer's panel does not illuminate, open the associated pump 
circuit breaker.''

    Note 3:  When a statement identical to that in paragraph (i) of 
this AD has been included in the general revisions of the AFM, the 
general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, and the copy of this 
AD may be removed from the AFM.

No Alternative Inspections or Inspection Intervals

    (j) After accomplishing the action specified in paragraph (h) of 
this AD, no alternative inspections or inspection intervals may be 
used unless the inspections or inspection intervals are approved as 
an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) 
of this AD.

Terminating Action for Maintenance Program Revision

    (k) Incorporating AWL No. 28-AWL-22 into the maintenance program 
in accordance with paragraph (g) of AD 2008-10-07, Amendment 39-
15513, or AD 2008-10-07 R1, Amendment 39-16070, terminates the 
action required by paragraph (h) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (l)(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 Bryant, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-
140S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6505; fax (425) 917-6590. 
Information may be e-mailed 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.

Related Information

    (m) For more information about this AD, contact Douglas Bryant, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6505; fax (425) 917-6590; 
e-mail: [email protected].

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (n) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 747-28A2288, Revision 
1, dated January 21, 2010; and Boeing 747-100/200/300/SP 
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMRs), D6-13747-CMR, Revision March 2008; as 
applicable; to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference Boeing Service Bulletin 747-28A2288, 
Revision 1, dated January 21, 2010, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51.
    (2) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of Boeing 747-100/200/300/SP 
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMRs), D6-13747-CMR, Revision March 2008, on June 12, 
2008 (73 FR 25977, May 8, 2008).
    (3) 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-

[[Page 78594]]

5680; e-mail [email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may review copies of the 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.
    (5) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 18, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-30612 Filed 12-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P