[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
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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]
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