[Federal Register: March 11, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 47)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 12113-12115]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11mr05-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19470; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-268-AD;
Amendment 39-13997; AD 2005-05-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100B SUD, -300, -400,
and -400D Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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[[Page 12114]]
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 747-100B SUD, -300, -400, and -400D series
airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection for discrepancies of
the fuselage frame to tension tie joints at body stations (BS) 1120
through 1220 and to determine if steel splice plates are installed on
the fuselage frames, and related investigative and corrective actions.
This AD is prompted by reports indicating that severed tension ties
were found at the fuselage frame joints at BS 1120 and 1140. We are
issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the fuselage frame to
tension tie joints, which could result in severing of the tension ties
and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane fuselage.
DATES: This AD becomes effective April 15, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of April
15, 2005.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
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 U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401,
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2004-19470; the directorate
identifier for this docket is 2003-NM-268-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivan Li, Aerospace Engineer, 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with an AD for certain Boeing Model 747-100B SUD, -300, -400, and -400D
series airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on
October 29, 2004 (69 FR 63106), proposed to require a one-time
inspection for discrepancies of the fuselage frame to tension tie
joints at body stations (BS) 1120 through 1220 and to determine if
steel splice plates are installed on the fuselage frames, and related
investigative and corrective actions.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comment that has been
submitted on the proposed AD. The commenter supports the proposed AD.
Changes to Delegation Authority
Boeing has received a Delegation Option Authorization (DOA). We
have revised this final rule to delegate the authority to approve an
alternative method of compliance for any repair required by this AD to
the Authorized Representative for the Boeing DOA Organization rather
than the Designated Engineering Representative (DER).
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments that have been submitted, and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed, with the
change described previously.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 537 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This AD will affect about 67 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The inspection will take about 2 work hours per airplane, at
an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $8,710, or $130 per
airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
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):
2005-05-08 Boeing: Amendment 39-13997. Docket No. FAA-2004-19470;
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-268-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective April 15, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model 747-100B SUD, -300, -400, and -400D
series airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-53-2483, Revision 1,
dated August 28, 2003.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports indicating that severed
tension ties were found at the fuselage frame joints at body
stations (BS) 1120 and 1140. We are issuing this AD to prevent
fatigue cracking of the fuselage frame to tension tie joints, which
could result in severing of the tension ties
[[Page 12115]]
and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane fuselage.
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.
One-Time Inspection/Investigative and Corrective Actions
(f) Before the accumulation of 4,000 total flight cycles, or
within 1,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD,
whichever is later: Perform a detailed inspection for discrepancies
of the fuselage frame to tension tie joints at BS 1120 through BS
1220, and to determine if steel splice plates are installed on the
fuselage frames. Do the inspection in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 747-53-2483, Revision 1, dated August 28, 2003. Do any
applicable investigative and corrective actions before further
flight in accordance with the service bulletin, except as provided
by paragraph (h) of this AD.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is:
``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.''
Determining Number of Flight Cycles for Compliance Time
(g) For the purposes of calculating the compliance threshold for
the actions required by paragraph (f) of this AD, all pressurized
flight cycles, including the number of flight cycles in which cabin
differential pressure is at 2.0 pounds per square inch (psi) or
less, must be counted when determining the number of flight cycles
that have occurred on the airplane. Where the service bulletin and
this AD differ, the AD prevails.
Repair Requirements
(h) For any repairs outside the limits of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 747-53-2483, Revision 1, dated August 28,
2003, or if any aluminum splice plate is installed on the fuselage
frames: Before further flight, repair or replace, as applicable, in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or in accordance with data meeting
the certification basis of the airplane approved by an Authorized
Representative for the Boeing Delegation Option Authorization
Organization who has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to
make those findings. For a repair or replacement method to be
approved, as required by this paragraph, the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
Actions Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin
(i) Inspections and corrective actions accomplished before the
effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 747-53-2483, dated October 24, 2002, are
considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions
specified in this AD.
No Reporting Requirements
(j) Although the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 747-53-2483, Revision 1, dated August 28,
2003; describe procedures for submitting certain information to the
manufacturer, this AD does not require that action.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(k)(1) 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.
(2) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Delegation Option
Authorization Organization who has been authorized by the Manager,
Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair method to be
approved, the repair must meet the certification basis of the
airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(l) You must use Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-
53-2483, Revision 1, dated August 28, 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 February 28, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-4410 Filed 3-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P