[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 224 (Friday, November 20, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72579-72581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-28897]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0932; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-205-AD; 
Amendment 39-18326; AD 2015-23-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 747-8 series airplanes. This AD was prompted 
by a report of improperly installed outboard stowage bin modules in the 
passenger compartment found during maintenance. Further investigation 
revealed that certain attachment bracket bushings were missing or had 
moved out of the holes. This AD requires installing a spacer on the end 
of each quick-release pin that attaches the outboard stowage bin module 
to the lateral support tie rods of the main deck passenger compartment. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent detachment of the quick-release pin, 
which could result in separation of the lateral support tie rod and 
subsequent detachment of the module and consequent injuries to 
passengers or flightcrew.

DATES: This AD is effective December 28, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 28, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0932.

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-2015-
0932; 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 Docket 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.

[[Page 72580]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stanley Chen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6585; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company 
Model 747-8 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
April 29, 2015 (80 FR 23739). The NPRM was prompted by a report of 
improperly installed outboard stowage bin modules in the passenger 
compartment found during maintenance. Further investigation revealed 
that certain attachment bracket bushings were missing or had moved out 
of the holes. The NPRM proposed to require installing a spacer on the 
end of each quick-release pin that attaches the outboard stowage bin 
module to the lateral support tie rods of the main deck passenger 
compartment. We are issuing this AD to prevent detachment of the quick-
release pin, which could result in separation of the lateral support 
tie rod and subsequent detachment of the module and consequent injuries 
to passengers or flightcrew.

Comment

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM (80 FR 
23739, April 29, 2015) and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Revise Costs of Compliance Section

    Boeing asked that we add the parts cost to the cost table in the 
NPRM (80 FR 23739, April 29, 2015). Boeing stated that the parts cost 
per spacer is $80, which increases the cost per product to $1,100, and 
the cost on U.S. operators to up to $2,200.
    We agree with the commenter for the reason provided. We have 
included the parts cost and changed the amount of the cost per product 
and the cost on U.S. operators specified in the ``Costs of Compliance'' 
section of this final rule.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (80 FR 23739, April 29, 2015) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 23739, April 29, 2015).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3649, 
dated July 24, 2014. The service information describes procedures for 
installing a spacer on the end of each quick-release pin that attaches 
the outboard stowage bin module to the lateral support tie rods of the 
main deck passenger compartment. This service information is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 2 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Cost per
            Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost         product       Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spacer installations.........  Up to 12 work-hours x  $80 per spacer..  Up to $1,100...  Up to $2,200
                                $85 per hour = Up to
                                $1,020.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    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):

2015-23-10 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18326; Docket No.

[[Page 72581]]

FAA-2015-0932; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-205-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 28, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-8 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3649, dated July 24, 2014.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of improperly installed 
outboard stowage bin modules in the passenger compartment found 
during maintenance. Further investigation revealed that certain 
attachment bracket bushings were missing or had moved out of the 
holes. We are issuing this AD to prevent detachment of the quick-
release pin, which could result in separation of the lateral support 
tie rod and subsequent detachment of the module and consequent 
injuries to passengers or flightcrew.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Installation

    Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: Install a 
spacer on the end of each quick-release pin that attaches the 
outboard stowage bin module to the lateral support tie rods of the 
main deck passenger compartment, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-25-3649, dated July 24, 2014.

(h) 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 Seattle ACO, send it to 
the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i) 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) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs 
(h)(3)(i) and (h)(3)(ii) apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, 
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Stanley Chen, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, 
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6585; fax: 425-
917-6590; email: [email protected].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3649, dated 
July 24, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may view this 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 4, 2015.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-28897 Filed 11-19-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P