[Federal Register: November 4, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 213)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64253-64255]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04no04-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-217-AD; Amendment 39-13843; AD 2004-22-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 and -400D Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes, that
currently requires installation of strap assemblies on the ceiling
panels and rails that support the video monitors. For certain
airplanes, this amendment requires replacement of certain plate
assemblies within the ceiling panel strap assemblies with new, improved
plate assemblies. This amendment also revises the applicability by
adding airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to
prevent ceiling panels from falling into the passenger cabin area in
the event of failure of
[[Page 64254]]
certain latch assemblies on the ceiling panels, which could result in
consequent injury to the flightcrew and passengers. This action is
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective December 9, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 9, 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: Patrick Gillespie, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office; telephone (425) 917-6429; fax (425) 917-
6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 99-18-07,
amendment 39-11273 (64 FR 47372, August 31, 1999), which is applicable
to certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes, was published in the
Federal Register on June 23, 2004 (69 FR 34969). That action proposed
to continue to require installation of strap assemblies on the ceiling
panels and rails that support the video monitors. For certain
airplanes, that action also proposed to require replacement of certain
plate assemblies within the ceiling panel strap assemblies with new,
improved plate assemblies. That action also proposed to revise the
applicability by adding airplanes.
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.
Change to This Final Rule
The Summary section of the proposed AD inadvertantly stated that
the existing AD that is being superseded, AD 99-18-07, amendment 39-
11273 (64 FR 47372, August 31, 1999), is applicable to certain Boeing
Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes. The existing AD is
applicable only to certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes. The
Summary section of this final rule has been changed to correctly state
that the existing AD is applicabe to certain Boeing Model 747-400
series airplanes.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the
change described previously. We have determined that this change will
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the
scope of the AD.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 346 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 43 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD.
The actions that are currently required by AD 99-18-07, and
retained in this AD, take approximately 9 work hours per ceiling panel,
and between 18 and 126 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts cost between
$1,366 and $9,575 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact
of the previously required actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be
between $2,536 and $17,765 per airplane.
The installation of new plates that is required by this new AD will
take approximately 7 work hours per ceiling panel, and between 18 and
126 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work
hour. Required parts will cost between $1,700 and $12,200 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the new requirements of this
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $2,870 and $20,390 per
airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 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 removing amendment 39-11273 (64 FR
47372, August 31, 1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39-13843, to read as follows:
2004-22-15 Boeing: Amendment 39-13843. Docket 2003-NM-217-AD.
Supersedes AD 99-18-07, Amendment 39-11273.
Applicability: Model 747-400 and -400D series airplanes, as
listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3142, Revision 3,
dated August 14, 2003; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent ceiling panels from falling into the passenger cabin
area in the event of failure of certain latch assemblies on the
ceiling panels, which could result in
[[Page 64255]]
consequent injury to the flightcrew and passengers, accomplish the
following:
Replacement of Plate Assemblies in the Ceiling Panel Strap Assemblies
(a) For airplanes on which ceiling panel strap assemblies were
installed in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
25A3142, dated October 16, 1997; or Revision 1, dated August 6,
1998; or had plate assembly 411U5513-123 installed in production as
of the effective date of this AD: Within 24 months after the
effective date of this AD, replace any plate assembly having part
number (P/N) 411U5513-123, with a new, improved plate assembly
having P/N 411U5513-131, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3142, Revision
3, dated August 14, 2003.
Installation of Ceiling Panel Strap Assemblies
(b) For airplanes on which ceiling panel strap assemblies were
not installed in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
25A3142, dated October 16, 1997; or Revision 1, dated August 6,
1998: Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, install
strap assemblies on the ceiling panels and rails that support the
video monitors in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3142, Revision 3, dated August
14, 2003.
Actions Done per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin
(c) Accomplishment of the specified actions before the effective
date of this AD per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3142,
Revision 2, dated March 20, 2003, is considered acceptable for
compliance with the applicable requirements of paragraphs (a) and
(b) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d)(1) 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.
(2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in
accordance with AD 99-18-07, amendment 39-11273, are approved as
alternative methods of compliance with the applicable actions of
this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be
done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3142,
Revision 3, dated August 14, 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
(f) This amendment becomes effective on December 9, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 21, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24521 Filed 11-3-04; 8:45 am]
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