[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 17, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16796-16799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07750]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0276; Product Identifier 2017-NM-079-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 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -
200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, 747SP, and 747SR, and 747-8 series 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports indicating that 
additional areas of Boeing Material Specification (BMS) 8-39 flexible 
urethane foam were found during an inspection required by a related AD. 
This proposed AD would require inspecting for BMS 8-39 flexible 
urethane foam insulation in the floor panel assemblies and the power 
drive unit (PDU) cover assemblies; doing applicable on-condition 
actions; modifying certain dripshields; and replacing BMS 8-39 foam 
strips on certain dripshields with BMS 8-371 foam strips. We are 
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 1, 2018.

[[Page 16797]]


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 NPRM, contact Boeing 
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 
2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; 
telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may 
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It 
is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0276.

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-2018-
0276; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: 
800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Craig, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3566; 
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-2018-0276; 
Product Identifier 2017-NM-079-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 have received reports indicating that additional areas of BMS 8-
39 flexible urethane foam were found during the accomplishment of AD 
2013-11-04, Amendment 39-17464 (78 FR 33193, June 4, 2013) (``AD 2013-
11-04''). AD 2013-11-04 was prompted by in-service reports of burned 
BMS 8-39 flexible urethane foam, and a report from the airplane 
manufacturer indicating that airplanes were assembled, throughout 
various areas of the airplane (including flight deck and cargo 
compartments), with seals made of BMS 8-39 flexible urethane foam, a 
material with fire-retardant properties that deteriorate with age. AD 
2013-11-04 requires replacing certain seals made of BMS 8-39 flexible 
urethane foam.
    BMS 8-39 flexible urethane foam fire retardants are mixed into, but 
are not chemically connected with, the remaining components of the 
foam. Over time, this condition will cause the fire-retardant 
properties to have decreased effectiveness. The concern is hidden areas 
where fire cannot easily be detected and suppressed. Aged BMS 8-39 
flexible urethane foam exposed to an ignition source provides an 
unacceptable fuel source for fire propagation. The degradation of the 
foam increases the potential for an uncontrolled fire below the 
passenger compartment floor and other locations outside the areas 
covered by smoke detection and fire protection systems. This condition, 
if not corrected, could cause an uncontrolled fire leading to loss of 
control of the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed the following Boeing service information.
     Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-53-2877, 
dated August 5, 2014, which describes procedures for performing a 
general visual inspection for BMS 8-39 flexible urethane foam 
insulation in the floor panel assemblies and the PDU cover assemblies, 
and applicable on-condition actions.
     Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3646, 
Revision 1, dated August 2, 2017, which describes procedures for 
replacing BMS 8-39 foam strips with BMS 8-371 foam strips on certain 
dripshields.
     Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3692, 
dated June 22, 2016, which describes procedures for modifying and 
replacing BMS 8-39 foam strips with BMS 8-371 foam strips on certain 
dripshields.
    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.

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 accomplishment of the actions 
identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the service information described previously, except as 
discussed under ``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service 
Information,'' and except for any differences identified as exceptions 
in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
    For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this 
service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0276.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Although Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3646, 
Revision 1, dated August 2, 2017, and Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-25-3692, dated June 22, 2016, specify a compliance time of 
60 months, this AD specifies a compliance time of 72 months for the 
actions specified in this service information. The 72-month compliance 
time is in-line with other ADs addressing the same unsafe condition due 
to the use of BMS 8-39 flexible urethane foam. We have reviewed the 
safety impact of the 72-month compliance time and found it acceptable. 
This compliance time has been coordinated with Boeing.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 87 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We

[[Page 16798]]

estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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               Action                          Labor cost                  Parts cost               Cost per product            Cost on U.S. operators
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Inspection and replacement..........  25 work-hours x $85 per hour  Up to $184,460.........  Up to $186,585................  Up to $6,157,305 (33
                                       = $2,125.                                                                              airplanes affected).
Modification and installation of the  10 work-hours x $85 per hour  Unavailable \1\........  $850..........................  $44,200 (52 airplanes
 dripshields.                          = $850.                                                                                affected).
Replacement of the foam on the        8 work-hours x $85 per hour   Unavailable \1\........  $680..........................  $4,760 (7 airplanes
 dripshields.                          = $680.                                                                                affected).
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\1\ We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide parts cost estimates as the parts and materials are to be supplied by the
  operator for the actions specified in this AD.

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
AD.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all available costs in our 
cost estimate.

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.
    This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated 
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as 
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, 
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the 
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable 
to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight 
Division.

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-2018-0276; Product Identifier 
2017-NM-079-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 1, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes, certificated in 
any category, as identified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) 
of this AD.
    (1) Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, 
-400, -400D, 747SP, and 747SR series airplanes, as identified in 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-53-2877, dated August 
5, 2014.
    (2) Model 747-400, -400D, and 747-8 series airplanes, as 
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3646, 
Revision 1, dated August 2, 2017.
    (3) Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -300, 747SP, and 
747SR series airplanes, as identified in Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 747-25-3692, dated June 22, 2016.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings; 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports indicating that additional areas 
of Boeing Material Specification (BMS) 8-39 flexible urethane foam 
were found during an inspection required by a related AD. The 
degradation of the foam increases the potential for an uncontrolled 
fire below the passenger compartment floor and other locations 
outside the areas covered by smoke detection and fire protection 
systems. We are issuing this AD to detect and replace BMS 8-39 
flexible urethane foam in certain areas, which, if exposed to an 
ignition source, could cause an uncontrolled fire leading to loss of 
control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, do all 
actions identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in, and in

[[Page 16799]]

accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable 
service information identified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and 
(g)(3) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD: 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-53-2877, dated August 
5, 2014.
    (2) For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD: 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3646, Revision 1, 
dated August 2, 2017.
    (3) For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(3) of this AD: 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3692, dated June 
22, 2016.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-25-3646, dated June 19, 2015.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (j)(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, modification, or alteration 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 Branch, to make those findings. To be approved, 
the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation 
must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval 
must specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs 
(i)(4)(i) and (i)(4)(ii) of this AD 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. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the 
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Scott Craig, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, 
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-
231-3566; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services 
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th 
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on March 29, 2018.
Chris Spangenberg,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-07750 Filed 4-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P