[Federal Register: August 8, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 152)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 44933-44935]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08au06-17]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-22518; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-092-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100B SUD, 747-200B,
747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747SP Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Boeing Model 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-300, 747-400, 747-
400D, and 747SP series airplanes. This proposed AD would require
repetitive inspections for cracking of the crease beam and adjacent
intercostals, stringers, frames, and skin panels; and related
investigative and corrective actions if cracking is found. This
proposed AD results from a report indicating that an operator
discovered crease beam cracking on two Model 747 airplanes. We are
proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the crease beam and
adjacent structure, which could become large and result in in-flight
depressurization and inability of the airframe structure to sustain
flight loads.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 22,
2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this
proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Kusz, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
917-6432; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
22518; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-092-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD.
Using the search function of that Web site, anyone can find and
read the comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the
individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an
association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may 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. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System
receives them.
Discussion
We have received a report indicating that an operator discovered
crease beam cracking due to fatigue on two Model 747 airplanes during
inspections specified in the 747 Supplemental Structural Inspection
Document. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could cause
in-flight depressurization and inability of the structure to sustain
flight loads.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2591, dated
April 6, 2006. The service bulletin describes procedures for performing
repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the crease beam and
adjacent intercostals, stringers, frames, and skin panels; and related
investigative and corrective actions if cracking is found. Related
investigative actions include performing a surface high-frequency eddy
current (HFEC) inspection for cracking of the adjacent skin panel
fastener locations, including all skin fasteners common to the crease
beam in the areas between the next fuselage frame directly forward and
aft of the crack location. Corrective actions include repair of any
crack before further flight. If any crack is outside the limits
specified in the Boeing 747 Structural Repair Manual, the service
bulletin specifies to contact the manufacturer for repair data. The
service bulletin also:
Describes procedures for submitting a report if any skin
panel or more than two intercostal webs or skin panel fastener clips
are found to be cracked;
Specifies a compliance time of 14,000 total flight cycles
or 1,500 flight cycles after the date of the service bulletin,
whichever occurs later; and
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Specifies an interval of 6,000 flight cycles for
performing the repetitive inspections.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes
of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD,
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously, except as discussed under
``Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.''
Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin
The service bulletin specifies to contact the manufacturer for
instructions on how to repair certain conditions, but this proposed AD
would require repairing those conditions in one of the following ways:
Using a method that we approve; or
Using data that meet the certification basis of the
airplane, and that have been approved by an Authorized Representative
for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option Authorization
Organization whom we have authorized to make those findings.
Although the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin
describe procedures for submitting certain information to the
manufacturer, this proposed AD would not require those actions.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 615 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 65 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed detailed inspection would take about 8 work
hours per airplane, per inspection cycle, at an average labor rate of
$80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the
proposed AD for U.S. operators is $41,600, or $640 per airplane, per
inspection cycle.
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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2006-22518; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
092-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by September
22, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-
300, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747SP series airplanes, certificated in
any category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2591, dated April 6, 2006 (referred to after this paragraph as
``the service bulletin'').
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report indicating that an operator
discovered crease beam cracking on two Model 747 airplanes. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the crease beam
and adjacent structure, which could become large and result in in-
flight depressurization and inability of the airframe structure to
sustain flight loads.
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.
Repetitive Detailed Inspections and Related Investigative and
Corrective Actions
(f) Perform a detailed inspection for cracking of the crease
beam and adjacent intercostals, stringers, frames, and skin panels
at the applicable initial and repetitive compliance times specified
in Table 1 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of the service
bulletin; except, where the service bulletin specifies an initial
compliance time after the date on the service bulletin, this AD
requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the
effective date of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative
and corrective actions before further flight if any cracking is
found. Do all applicable actions in and in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin, except as
provided by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD.
(1) Where the service bulletin specifies to contact the
manufacturer for instructions on how to repair certain conditions,
before further flight, repair those conditions using a method
approved in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) Where the service bulletin specifies to report certain
information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that
requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
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(3) 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 Commercial Airplanes
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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 27, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-12835 Filed 8-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P