[Federal Register: April 29, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 82)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 22639-22641]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29ap03-28]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-341-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747 series
airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection of the
potable water and drain lines in the forward and aft cargo compartments
for indications of overheating of the heater tape, exposed foam
insulation, missing or damaged protective tape, or debris around the
potable water fill and drain lines; and corrective action, if
necessary. This action is necessary to prevent overheating of the
heater tape on potable water fill and drain lines, which may ignite
accumulated debris or contaminants on or near the potable water fill
and drain lines, resulting in a fire in the airplane. This action is
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by June 13, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-341-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-341-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald Eiford, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 917-6465; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
[sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
[[Page 22640]]
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
[sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2002-NM-341-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped
and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 2002-NM-341-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report of a fire in the aft cargo
compartment of a Boeing Model 767 series airplane. The fire was
detected and extinguished. Investigation by the operator of the
airplane indicated that heater tape on a water fill line overheated,
igniting debris accumulated on or near the heater tape. The operator
inspected several other airplanes and found heater tape that failed a
continuity test, evidence of heat damage on foam insulation or
protective tape, and accumulated debris on or near heater tape on
potable water fill and drain lines in both the forward and aft cargo
compartments. The combination of failed heater tape on the potable
water fill and drain lines and the accumulation of ignitable debris or
contamination on or near one of those lines may lead to a fire in the
airplane. Model 747 series airplanes have a similar configuration to
that of the Model 767 and, under similar conditions, are subject to the
same unsafe condition.
Related Rulemaking
On May 29, 2002, the FAA issued AD 2002-11-11, amendment 39-12772
(67 FR 39265, June 7, 2002), for certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300,
and -300F series airplanes to require a one-time inspection of the
potable water and drain lines in the forward and aft cargo compartments
for indications of overheating of the heater tape, exposed foam
insulation, missing or damaged protective tape, or debris around the
potable water fill and drain lines; and corrective action, if
necessary. As indicated in that AD, the FAA has been investigating the
extent to which the heater tape addressed in that AD is used on other
Boeing airplane models. Based on the results of that investigation, the
FAA has determined that additional rulemaking is necessary for certain
Model 747 series airplanes. The unsafe condition and required actions
of AD 2002-11-11 are identical to those specified in this proposed AD.
AD 2002-11-11 was issued as an immediately adopted rule. The FAA
has re-evaluated the urgency associated with the identified unsafe
condition and determined that it is practicable to provide notice and
the opportunity for public comment on this proposed rule for certain
Model 747 series airplanes.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-30A2079, dated December 12, 2002, which describes procedures for
the following actions:
[sbull] One-time inspection of visually accessible areas in the
forward and aft cargo compartments for accumulated debris and
contaminants on or near the potable water fill and drain lines, and
removal of any debris or contaminants found.
[sbull] One-time inspection of visually accessible portions of the
potable water fill and drain lines in the forward and aft cargo
compartments for indications of overheating of the heater tape, and
replacement of heater tape where such indications are found.
[sbull] One-time inspection of visually accessible portions of the
potable water fill and drain lines in the forward and aft cargo
compartments for missing or damaged protective tape or exposed foam
insulation, and replacement of any missing or damaged protective tape.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in
the service bulletin described previously.
Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action until final action is
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 1,129 airplanes (968 passenger and 161
freighter) of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA
estimates that 250 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this
proposed AD. The FAA provides the following cost estimates associated
with this proposed AD:
Cost Estimates
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Hourly Cost per Number of
Type of airplane Work hours labor rate Parts cost airplane airplanes Fleet cost
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Freighter......................... 10 $60 $0 $600 35 $21,000
Passenger......................... 20 60 0 1,200 215 258,000
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The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions
in the future if this proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD.
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time
necessitated by other administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal
[[Page 22641]]
would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Boeing: Docket 2002-NM-341-AD.
Applicability: Model 747 series airplanes, certificated in any
category, with lower cargo floors (floors in the lower cargo areas)
that are not fully enclosed. A fully enclosed cargo floor is a floor
with panels installed between all roller trays in the cargo
compartment. A cargo floor that is not fully enclosed is a floor
without panels installed between all roller trays in the cargo
compartment.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent overheating of the heater tape on potable water fill
and drain lines, which may ignite accumulated debris or contaminants
on or near the potable water fill and drain lines, resulting in a
fire in the airplane, accomplish the following:
Debris Removal
(a) At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and
(a)(2) of this AD: Perform a one-time general visual inspection for
foreign object debris (FOD) and contamination in visually accessible
areas on or near potable water and drain lines located below the
cargo floor in the forward and aft cargo compartments, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-30A2079, dated December 12, 2002. Remove any FOD or
contamination observed on or near the potable water or drain lines
before further flight in accordance with the service bulletin.
(1) Inspect within 18 months since the date of issuance of the
original Airworthiness Certificate or within 18 months since the
date of issuance of the Export Certificate of Airworthiness,
whichever occurs first; or
(2) Inspect within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
Note 2: The inspection of potable water and drain lines in
visually accessible areas does not require removal of floor panels.
Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure,
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting,
flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''
Inspection for Discrepant Heater Tape
(b) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (c) of this
AD: Perform a general visual inspection for discrepancies of
visually accessible areas of potable water and drain lines located
below the cargo floor in the forward and aft cargo compartments, as
specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-30A2079, dated December 12, 2002.
(1) Inspect potable water and drain lines for indications of
overheating of the heater tape, including localized darkening of
foam insulation or protective tape. If overheating is observed:
Prior to further flight, replace the defective heater tape in
accordance with the service bulletin, removing floor panels as
necessary to replace the defective heater tape.
(2) Inspect potable water and drain lines for exposed foam
insulation and missing or damaged protective tape. If exposed foam
insulation is observed: Prior to further flight, cover the foam
insulation with a continuous wrap of protective tape, in accordance
with the service bulletin. If protective tape is missing or damaged:
Prior to further flight, replace the protective tape in accessible
areas in accordance with the service bulletin. It is not necessary
to remove floor panels to replace the protective tape.
(c) Do the inspection required by paragraph (b) at the later of
the times specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Within 18 months since the date of issuance of the original
Airworthiness Certificate or the date of issuance of the Export
Certificate of Airworthiness, whichever occurs first.
(2) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add
comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.
Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Sec. Sec. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 23, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-10515 Filed 4-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P