[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 122 (Wednesday, June 25, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35968-35971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14813]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0342; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-007-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company 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 The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747-8F, 
and 747-8 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of 
very high temperatures, up to 67 degrees Celsius (152 degrees 
Fahrenheit), near the floor in the aft lower lobe cargo compartment. 
This proposed AD would require installing an additional zone 
temperature sensor (ZTS) in the aft cargo compartment. For certain 
airplanes, the proposed AD would first require installing tape and 
replacing the markers in the bulk cargo compartment, unless terminated 
by the early installation of the ZTS. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent overheating of the aft lower lobe cargo compartment, where, if 
temperature sensitive cargo is present, the release of flammable vapors 
could result in a fire or explosion if exposed to an ignition source.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 11, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above 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, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service information 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA. 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0342; 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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the

[[Page 35969]]

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Monroe, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA; phone: 425-917-6457; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0342; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-007-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 received reports of very high temperatures--up to 67 degrees 
Celsius (152 degrees Fahrenheit)--near the floor in the aft lower lobe 
cargo compartment. The operator noted that loose cargo blocked the 
cover plate for the bulk cargo ZTS. The aft cargo heat system is 
controlled by three temperature switches (two control switches and one 
overheat switch) located in the bulk cargo ZTS assembly. When the air 
inlet to this assembly becomes blocked by loaded or shifted cargo, the 
temperature switches fail to receive an adequate sample of compartment 
air. Under these conditions, the switches will not command the system 
valves properly, and the switches may fail to shut off the flow of hot 
air to the lower lobe cargo compartment, causing compartment 
temperatures to rise beyond 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees 
Fahrenheit). This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
overheating of the aft lower lobe cargo compartment, where, if 
temperature sensitive cargo is present, the release of flammable vapors 
could result in a fire or explosion if exposed to an ignition source.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletins 747-21-2544, 
Revision 1, dated September 30, 2013, and 747-21-2550, dated December 
6, 2013. For information on the procedures and compliance times, see 
this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
Docket No. FAA-2014-0342.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information identified previously, except as discussed 
under ``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service 
Information.''

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Although Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-21-2550, 
dated December 6, 2013, specifies Boeing Service Bulletin 747-21-2367 
as a concurrent service bulletin for certain airplanes, this proposed 
AD would not include that requirement. This difference has been 
coordinated with Boeing.
    Certain airplane variable numbers are not identified in Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletins 747-21-2544, Revision 1, dated 
September 30, 2013, and 747-21-2550, dated December 6, 2013. These 
variable numbers are affected by the identified unsafe condition, 
therefore, this proposed AD would require that the actions specified in 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, as applicable, be completed on these 
variable numbers. This difference has been coordinated with Boeing.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 130 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
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Install zone temperature sensor...  91 work-hours x $85 per            $7,545          $15,280       $1,986,400
                                     hour = $7,735.
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    We estimate the following costs to do the optional actions 
specified in this proposed AD.

                                                 Optional Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                  Action                                Labor cost                 Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install tape and markers..................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85..             $33             $118
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[[Page 35970]]

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),
    (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.

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

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):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2014-0342; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-007-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 11, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400D, 
747-400F, 747-8F, and 747-8 series airplanes; certificated in any 
category; as identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-21-2550, dated December 6, 2013.
    (2) Airplanes identified in paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 21, Air 
conditioning.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of very high temperatures, up to 
67 degrees Celsius (152 degrees Fahrenheit), near the floor in the 
aft lower lobe cargo compartment. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
overheating of the aft lower lobe cargo compartment, where, if 
temperature sensitive cargo is present, the release of flammable 
vapors could result in a fire or explosion if exposed to an ignition 
source.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Installation for Certain Airplanes (Interim Action)

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, remove the 
existing markers and install tape and new markers in the bulk cargo 
compartment, as specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, 
as applicable. Accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (h) 
of this AD within 12 months after the effective date of this AD 
terminates the requirements of this paragraph.
    (1) For airplanes identified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i), 
(g)(1)(ii), and (g)(1)(iii) of this AD, do the actions in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 747-21-2544, Revision 1, dated September 30, 2013.
    (i) Airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-21-2544, Revision 1, dated September 30, 2013.
    (ii) For airplanes having variable numbers RC508 through RC509; 
RC520 through RC522; RC524 through RC525; RC547; RC 553 through 
RC554; RC571 through RC572; RC581 through RC582; and RC604: Do the 
applicable actions for Model 747-8F airplanes identified as Group 1 
in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-21-2544, Revision 
1, dated September 30, 2013.
    (iii) For airplanes having variable numbers RC026 through RC030: 
Do the applicable actions for Model 747-8 airplanes identified as 
Group 2 in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-21-2544, 
Revision 1, dated September 30, 2013.
    (2) For airplanes having variable numbers identified in 
paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (g)(2)(ii) of this AD, do the actions using 
a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in 
paragraph (j) of this AD.
    (i) Model 747-8F airplanes, variable numbers RC501, RC507, and 
RC580.
    (ii) Model 747-8 airplanes, variable numbers RC001, RC007, and 
RC008.

(h) Installation for All Airplanes (Terminating Action)

    Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, install an 
additional zone temperature sensor in the aft cargo compartment, as 
specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, as applicable. 
Doing this action within 12 months after the effective date of this 
AD terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-21-2550, dated December 6, 2013: Do the actions in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 747-21-2550, dated December 6, 2013.
    (2) For airplanes having variable numbers RC021 and RC573: Do 
the actions using a method approved in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-
21-2544, dated January 15, 2013.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.
    (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 
(ODA) that 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.

[[Page 35971]]

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Susan Monroe, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, 
ANM-150S, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA; phone: 425-917-
6457; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 17, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-14813 Filed 6-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P