[Federal Register: August 13, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 155)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 45151-45153]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13au07-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28940; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-131-AD;
Amendment 39-15158; AD 2007-16-19]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200B, 747-300, and
747-400 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 747-200B, 747-300, and 747-400 series airplanes.
This AD requires doing repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of
the aft tension tie channels from body station (BS) 1120 to BS 1220 and
from BS 880 to BS 1100, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD
results from cracks found in the aft tension tie channels at four
station locations, on a Model 747-200B series airplane that had been
modified to a special freighter. We are issuing this AD to detect and
correct cracking of the aft tension tie channels; failure of more than
one tension tie could result in rapid depressurization of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective August 28, 2007.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of August 28,
2007.
We must receive comments on this AD by October 12, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this 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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 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 service information identified in this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivan Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6437;
fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We have received a report indicating that cracks were found in the
aft tension tie channels at four station locations, on a Model 747-200B
series airplane that
[[Page 45152]]
had been modified to a special freighter. The cracks were found near
the body frames at a location where the flanges of the aft tension tie
channels are machined down to a flat plate in order to attach to the
body frames. The largest crack was approximately 0.5 inch in length.
The airplane had accumulated 4,856 flight cycles since modification to
special freighter. Tension ties are considered to be structurally
significant, in that they are critical to airplane structural
integrity. Failure of more than one tension tie, if not corrected,
could result in rapid depressurization of the airplane.
The upper deck tension ties on Model 747-300 and -400 series
airplanes that have been modified to a special freighter configuration
are similar to those on the affected Model 747-200B series airplanes
that have been modified to a special freighter configuration.
Therefore, all of these airplanes are subject to the same unsafe
condition.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2610, dated
May 10, 2007. The service bulletin describes procedures for doing
repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the aft tension tie
channels from body station (BS) 1120 to BS 1220 and from BS 880 to BS
1100, and doing corrective actions as applicable. The corrective
actions include repairing any crack found in a tension tie, and
contacting Boeing for repair instructions if any crack is found in a
bolt hole. The service bulletin specifies that, as an option to
accomplishing the repetitive detailed inspections, accomplishing the
repairs at all tension tie locations can be done as a preventive
modification.
The service bulletin specifies accomplishing the initial inspection
from BS 1120 to BS 1220 before the accumulation of 4,000 flight cycles
since modification to special freighter or converted freighter, or
within 1,000 flight cycles after the date on the service bulletin,
whichever occurs later. The service bulletin specifies accomplishing
the initial inspection from BS 880 to BS 1100 before the accumulation
of 8,000 flight cycles since modification to special freighter or
converted freighter, or within 1,000 flight cycles after the date on
the service bulletin, whichever occurs later. The service bulletin also
specifies repeating the inspections at intervals not to exceed 4,000
flight cycles. The service bulletin also specifies repairing any crack
before further flight.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other airplanes of the same type design that may be
registered in the U.S. at some time in the future. Therefore, we are
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the aft tension tie
channels; failure of more than one tension tie could result in rapid
depressurization of the airplane. This AD requires accomplishing the
actions specified in the service information described previously,
except as discussed under ``Difference Between the AD and Service
Bulletin.''
Difference Between the 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.
Costs of Compliance
If an affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register
in the future, the required inspections would take about 4 work hours
per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the estimated cost of the AD would be $320 per airplane,
per inspection cycle.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
No airplane affected by this AD is currently on the U.S. Register.
Therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment is
unnecessary before this AD is issued, and this AD may be made effective
in less than 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any relevant written
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an
address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-
2007-28940; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-131-AD'' at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD that
might suggest a need to modify it.
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 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 the 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 Operations office between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the
ground level of the West 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.
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.
[[Page 45153]]
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 the 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 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, 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2007-16-19 Boeing: Amendment 39-15158. Docket No. FAA-2007-28940;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-131-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective August 28, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-200B, 747-300, and 747-
400 series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2610, dated May 10, 2007.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from cracks found in the aft tension tie
channels at four station locations, on a Model 747-200B series
airplane that had been modified to a special freighter. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the aft tension
tie channels; failure of more than one tension tie could result in
rapid depressurization 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.
Repetitive Inspections
(f) At the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E. of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2610, dated May 10, 2007,
except as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD: Do repetitive
detailed inspections for cracking of the aft tension tie channels
from body station (BS) 1120 to BS 1220 and from BS 880 to BS 1100,
and do all applicable corrective actions, by accomplishing all of
the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2610, dated May 10, 2007,
except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD.
Exception to Compliance Times
(g) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2610, dated May
10, 2007, specifies counting the compliance time from ``* * * after
the date on this service bulletin,'' this AD requires counting the
compliance time from the effective date of this AD.
Exception for Bolt Hole Cracks
(h) If any crack is found in a bolt hole during any inspection
required by this AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2610,
dated May 10, 2007, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate
action: Before further flight, repair the crack using a method
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph
(j) of this AD.
Optional Terminating Action
(i) Except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD,
accomplishing the applicable repairs or modifications at all tension
tie locations, in accordance with Part 3 of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2610, dated May
10, 2007, terminates the repetitive inspections required by
paragraph (f) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(j)(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) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
(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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2610,
dated May 10, 2007, to perform the actions that are required by this
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal
Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207,
for a copy of this service information. You may review copies 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html
.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 2, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-15582 Filed 8-10-07; 8:45 am]
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