[Federal Register: November 2, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 211)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 63443-63445]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02no04-4]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-18728; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-176-AD;
Amendment 39-13838; AD 2004-22-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 and -400F Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 747-400 and -400F series airplanes. This AD
requires a detailed inspection(s) for cracks and fractures of the side
guide support fittings in the lower lobe cargo compartments; and
applicable investigative/corrective actions and operational
limitations, if necessary. This AD also requires a terminating action
for the repetitive inspections. This AD is prompted by reports of
cracked/fractured side guide support fittings in the aft, lower lobe
cargo compartment. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracked/fractured
side guide support fittings in the lower lobe cargo compartments, which
could result in unrestrained cargo shifting in flight and damaging the
airplane structure or systems, and consequent reduced controllability
of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective December 7, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of
December 7, 2004.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207. You can examine this information 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
.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: Ivan Li,
[[Page 63444]]
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
917-6437; fax (425) 917-6590.
Plain language information: Marcia Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.
Examining the Docket
The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any final
disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with an AD for certain Boeing Model 747-400 and ``400F series
airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on August 6,
2004 (69 FR 47811), proposed to require a detailed inspection(s) for
cracks and fractures of the side guide support fittings in the lower
lobe cargo compartments; and applicable investigative/corrective
actions and operational limitations, if necessary. That action also
proposed to require a terminating action for the repetitive
inspections.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 22 airplanes of the affected design worldwide. The
following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to
comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of U.S.-
Action Work hours Average labor Parts Cost per airplane registered Fleet cost
rate per hour airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection, per inspection cycle... 5 $65 None................. $325, per inspection 3 $975, per inspection
cycle. cycle.
Assembly replacement............... 25 $65 $3,402............... $5,027............... 3 $15,081.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that 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); 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to
examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
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):
2004-22-10 Boeing: Amendment 39-13838. Docket No. FAA-2004-18728;
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-176-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective December 7, 2004.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-400 and ``400F series
airplanes, certificated in any category; as listed in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-25A3335, dated July 3, 2003.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of cracked/fractured side
guide support fittings in the aft, lower lobe cargo compartment. We
are issuing this AD to prevent cracked/fractured side guide support
fittings in the lower lobe cargo compartments, which could result in
unrestrained cargo shifting in flight and damaging the airplane
structure or systems, and consequent reduced controllability of the
airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Inspection, Investigative/Corrective Actions, and Operational
Limitations
(f) At the applicable time(s) specified in Table 1 of this AD,
do a detailed inspection(s) of the side guide support fittings in
the lower lobe cargo compartments for cracks and fractures, and
before further flight, do all applicable investigative/corrective
actions and operational limitations, if necessary, by accomplishing
all the actions specified in Work Package 1 and Work Package 2 of
the Work Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3335,
dated July 3, 2003; except as required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
Replacement of all outboard roller assemblies with new assemblies in
accordance with Work Package 2 of the service bulletin ends the
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD (Work
Package 1).
[[Page 63445]]
Table 1.--Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial compliance Repetitive interval--
For-- time--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Work Package 1.......... Within 180 days At intervals not to
after the effective exceed 180 days,
date of this AD. until all outboard
roller assemblies
have been replaced
per Work Package 2
of the service
bulletin.
(2) Work Package 2.......... Within 18 months None.
after the effective
date of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is
``an intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as
mirrors magnifying lenses, etc. may be necessary. Surface cleaning
and elaborate procedures may be required.''
Note 2: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3335 refers to
Goodrich Alert Service Bulletin 65B60176-25-A01, dated March 3,
2003, as an additional source of service information for replacing
the outboard roller assemblies.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, Seattle ACO, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in
14 CFR 39.19.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(h) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3335,
dated July 3, 2003, to perform the actions that are required by this
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal
Register approves the incorporation by reference of this document in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For copies of the
service information, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box
3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. For information on the
availability of this material at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
You may view the AD docket at the Docket
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh
Street SW, room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 21, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24227 Filed 11-1-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P