[Federal Register: July 13, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 133)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 41926-41928]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13jy04-7]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-82-AD; Amendment 39-13722; AD 2004-14-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, 747-200B, 747-
200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 747 SR 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-
[[Page 41927]]
100, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-
400F, and 747 SR series airplanes, that requires inspection of fire
extinguisher bottles in the engine and the auxiliary power unit (APU)
to determine the part number; and replacement of the fire extinguisher
bottles with new fire extinguisher bottles, if necessary. This action
is necessary to prevent fractured discharge heads, which could cause
the fire extinguishing agent to leak, which could result in an
uncontrolled engine fire that could spread to the strut and wing, or an
uncontrolled APU fire that could spread to the airplane structure. This
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective August 17, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 17, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207; or Kidde Aerospace, 4200 Airport Drive NW.,
Wilson, North Carolina 27896-8630; as applicable. 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: Sulmo Mariano, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4086; telephone
(425) 917-6501; 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 747-100, 747-
200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 747
SR series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December
8, 2003 (68 FR 68306). That action proposed to require inspection of
fire extinguisher bottles in the engine and the auxiliary power unit
(APU) to determine the part number; and replacement of the fire
extinguisher bottles with new fire extinguisher bottles, 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 comments received.
Proposed AD Not Applicable to Fleet
One commenter states that the proposed AD does not apply to its
fleet.
Request To Relax Compliance Time for Replacements
Two commenters requested that the FAA relax the requirement to
replace any affected fire extinguisher bottles prior to further flight
after inspecting to determine the bottles' part number. The commenters
state that it is more efficient to inspect first and replace the
components later. The commenters further state that many repair
stations are qualified to do the inspections, while few of them have
the required replacement fire extinguisher bottles on hand because
these parts are not widely stocked. The commenters state that the
replacements could be accomplished more quickly if any repair station
could inspect the fire extinguisher bottles for the part number, rather
than only those that have the required replacements. This would allow
an operator to know ahead of time how many bottles to procure, and
would preclude grounding airplanes and causing schedule disruptions
while the required replacement is obtained. This commenter does not
believe that safety would be compromised by removing the requirement to
replace the fire extinguisher bottles before further flight.
We do not agree with the request to relax the compliance time for
replacements. In developing the proposed compliance time of two years
for the inspections and any necessary replacements ``prior to further
flight,'' we considered the safety implications, the average
utilization of the affected fleet, the practical aspects of an orderly
inspection of the fleet during regular maintenance periods, and the
availability of required parts. Our intent in proposing two years for
the inspections was to allow operators to do the inspections and any
necessary replacements during a scheduled maintenance visit. This would
allow operators to plan ahead to have sufficient replacements on hand
or readily available without grounding the airplane or disrupting
schedules should the fire extinguisher bottle need to be replaced. In
addition, we do not allow airplanes with known deficient engine fire
extinguisher bottles to operate; the master minimum equipment list
(MMEL) does not allow airplanes to be dispatched with one engine fire
extinguisher bottle that is inoperative. We have not revised the
compliance time for the final rule.
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 as proposed.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 346 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 47 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 actions, 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 $3,055, 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 contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules
[[Page 41928]]
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:
2004-14-13 Boeing: Amendment 39-13722. Docket 2003-NM-82-AD.
Applicability: Model 747-100, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-
300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 747 SR series airplanes, as
listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-26A2272, dated January
16, 2003; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent fractured discharge heads, which could cause the fire
extinguishing agent to leak, which could result in an uncontrolled
engine fire that could spread to the strut and wing, or an
uncontrolled auxiliary power unit (APU) fire that could spread to
the airplane structure, accomplish the following:
Inspection and Replacement
(a) Within two years after the effective date of this AD:
Perform an inspection to determine the part number (P/N) of the fire
extinguisher bottles in the engine and the APU per the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
26A2272, dated January 16, 2003.
Note 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-26A2272 refers to
Kidde Aerospace Service Bulletin A820400-26-432, dated October 19,
2002; and Kidde Aerospace Service Bulletin A830800-26-433, dated
October 19, 2002; as additional sources of service information for
accomplishment of the inspection and replacement, if necessary, for
Model 747-100, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-
400D, 747-400F, and 747SR series airplanes; as applicable.
(1) If no ``Pre SB A820400-26-432'' P/N listed in Table 2 of
Kidde Aerospace Service Bulletin A820400-26-432, dated October 19,
2002, is found installed; and if no ``Pre SB A830800-26-433'' P/N
listed in Table 2 of Kidde Aerospace Service Bulletin A830800-26-
433, dated October 19, 2002, is found installed; no further action
is required by this paragraph.
(2) If any ``Pre SB A820400-26-432'' P/N listed in Table 2 of
Kidde Aerospace Service Bulletin A820400-26-432, dated October 19,
2002, is found installed; or if any ``Pre SB A830800-26-433'' P/N
listed in Table 2 of Kidde Aerospace Service Bulletin A830800-26-
433, dated October 19, 2002, is found installed; prior to further
flight, replace the fire extinguisher bottle with a new fire
extinguisher bottle having the ``Post SB'' P/N listed in Table 2 of
the applicable Kidde Aerospace service bulletin. Do the actions per
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-26A2272, dated January 16, 2003.
Parts Installation
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
on any airplane a Kidde Aerospace fire extinguisher bottle with any
``Pre SB A820400-26-432'' P/N listed in Table 2 of Kidde Aerospace
Service Bulletin A820400-26-432, dated October 19, 2002; or any
``Pre SB A830800-26-433'' P/N listed in Table 2 of Kidde Aerospace
Service Bulletin A830800-26-433, dated October 19, 2002.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-26A2272, dated January 16, 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
(e) This amendment becomes effective on August 17, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 30, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-15512 Filed 7-12-04; 8:45 am]
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