[Federal Register: May 11, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 91)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 26012-26013]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11my04-10]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-93-AD; Amendment 39-13624; AD 2004-09-33]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D series
airplanes, that requires a detailed inspection of the fire
extinguishing system tube and clamp for correct installation or a
repetitive pressure test of the fire extinguishing system tube for
leakage, and corrective action, if necessary. This action is necessary
to prevent a chafed hole in the fire extinguishing system tube of the
aft cargo compartment, which could result in a lack of fire
extinguishing agent and consequent uncontained fire in the aft cargo
compartment. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe
condition.
DATES: Effective June 15, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 15, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Mudrovich, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety & Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6477; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400 and
747-400D series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
December 3, 2003 (68 FR 67616). That action proposed to require a
detailed inspection of the fire extinguishing system tube and clamp for
correct installation or a repetitive pressure test of the fire
extinguishing system tube for leakage, and corrective action, if
necessary.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
Request To Reference Latest Service Bulletin
One commenter requests that the notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) be revised to reference Boeing Service Bulletin 747-26A2270,
Revision 2, dated June 26, 2003. The commenter notes that the NPRM
refers to Revision 1 of that service bulletin as the appropriate source
of service information for the proposed actions.
The FAA agrees. Since the issuance of the NPRM, we have reviewed
and approved Revision 2 of the service bulletin. The inspection and
corrective actions if necessary are essentially identical to those in
Revision 1. Revision 2 revises the minimum tubing clearance in the
Accomplishment Instructions for ``Part 2--Tube removal and installation
instructions'' and Figure 3. No more work is necessary on airplanes
changed by Revision 1. Therefore, we have revised this final rule to
reference Revision 2 as the appropriate source of service information
and revised paragraph (e) of this final rule to provide credit for
accomplishing the required actions per Revision 1 before the effective
date of this AD.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 416 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 44 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work
hour per airplane to accomplish the required inspection or pressure
test, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $2,860, or $65 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this 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 adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is
[[Page 26013]]
contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the
Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2004-09-33 Boeing: Amendment 39-13624. Docket 2003-NM-93-AD.
Applicability: Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes, as
listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-26A2270, Revision 2, dated
June 26, 2003; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent a chafed hole in the fire extinguishing system tube
of the aft cargo compartment, which could result in a lack of fire
extinguishing agent and consequent uncontained fire in the aft cargo
compartment, accomplish the following:
Service Bulletin References
(a) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-26A2270,
Revision 2, dated June 26, 2003.
Inspection/Pressure Test
(b) Within 6,500 flight hours or 18 months after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform the detailed
inspection specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this AD or the pressure
test specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this AD.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage,
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror,
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate
access procedures may be required.''
(1) Perform a detailed inspection of the fire extinguishing
system tube and clamps for correct installation, either using an
inspection hole and boroscope or with the floor panel removed, per
the service bulletin.
(i) If the fire extinguishing system tube is installed
correctly, no further action is required by this AD.
(ii) If the fire extinguishing system tube is installed
incorrectly, prior to further flight, do the actions specified in
paragraph (c) of this AD.
(2) Perform a pressure test of the fire extinguishing system
tube to check for leakage of the fire extinguishing agent per the
service bulletin.
(i) If leakage is not found, repeat the pressure test thereafter
at intervals not to exceed 6,500 flight hours or 18 months,
whichever occurs first, until the actions specified in paragraph
(b)(1) or (c) of this AD have been done.
(ii) If any leakage is found, prior to further flight, do the
actions specified in paragraph (c) of this AD.
Removal and Installation/Repair/Replace
(c) Remove the fire extinguishing system tube and do the actions
in paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
(1) If, during the detailed inspection specified in paragraph
(b)(1) of this AD, the fire extinguishing system tube was found to
be installed incorrectly: Prior to further flight, perform a
detailed inspection of the fire extinguishing system tube for
chafing/damage per the service bulletin.
(i) If no chafing/damage is found, prior to further flight,
install the existing fire extinguishing system tube per Figure 3 of
the service bulletin.
(ii) If any chafing/damage is found, prior to further flight,
replace the fire extinguishing system tube with a new tube or repair
the fire extinguishing system tube, per the service bulletin, and
install the new or repaired tube per Figure 3 of the service
bulletin.
(2) If, during the pressure test required by paragraph (b)(2) of
this AD, leakage was found: Prior to further flight, replace the
fire extinguishing system tube with a new tube or repair the fire
extinguishing system tube, per the service bulletin, and install the
new or repaired tube per Figure 3 of the service bulletin.
Terminating Action
(d) Accomplishment of the actions specified in paragraph (b)(1)
or (c) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the
requirements of this AD.
Actions Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin
(e) Inspections, repetitive tests and corrective actions
accomplished before the effective date of this AD per Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-26A2270, dated May 8, 2002; or Revision 1,
dated January 16, 2003; are considered acceptable for compliance
with the corresponding action specified in this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(f) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(g) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be
done in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-26A2270,
Revision 2, dated June 26, 2003. This incorporation by reference was
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington
98124-2207. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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/ code--of--
federal-- regulations/ibr-- locations.html.
Effective Date
(h) This amendment becomes effective on June 15, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 23, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10251 Filed 5-10-04; 8:45 am]
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