[Federal Register: August 16, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 158)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 45954-45956]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16au07-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28924; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-051-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200C and -200F 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 747-200C and -200F series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require, among other actions, installing mounting
brackets, support angles, and moisture curtains in the main equipment
center. This proposed AD results from reports of water contamination in
the electrical/electronic units in the main equipment center. We are
proposing this AD to prevent water contamination of the electrical/
electronic units, which could cause the electrical/electronic units to
malfunction, and as a consequence, could adversely affect the
airplane's continued safe flight.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 1, 2007.
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: 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 the service information identified in this
proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcia Smith, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6484; 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-2007-
28924; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-051-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 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
[[Page 45955]]
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after the Docket Management System receives them.
Discussion
We have received reports of water contamination in the electrical/
electronic units in the main equipment center, on Boeing Model 747-200C
and -200F series airplanes. The water contamination resulted in
malfunctions and the replacement of multiple electrical/electronic
units in the main equipment center. In one case, these malfunctions
resulted in an air turn back, high pilot workload, and minimal cockpit
indication. Water contamination of the electrical/electronic units, if
not corrected, could cause the electrical/electronic units to
malfunction, and as a consequence, could adversely affect the
airplane's continued safe flight.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3430, dated
February 15, 2007. This service information describes procedures for
installing mounting brackets, support angles, and moisture curtains in
the main equipment center.
We also have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-38A2073,
Revision 3, dated May 22, 2003. This service information describes
procedures for installing drip shields (including a drip pan assembly,
drain tubing, and attaching hardware) over the forward, outboard halves
of the E1-1 and E3-1 shelves in the main equipment bay.
For certain airplanes, the actions specified in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-38A2073, Revision 3, dated May 22, 2003; Revision
2, dated April 26, 2001; Revision 1, dated June 21, 1990; or Original
Release, dated November 30, 1989; must be done prior to or concurrently
with the actions specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
25A3430. (AD 2001-24-30, amendment 39-12547 (66 FR 64104, December 12,
2001) requires installing drip shields in accordance with Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-38A2073, Revision 2, or in accordance with
Revision 1 or Original Release if done before the effective date of
that AD.)
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.
Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has
advised that it currently is developing another modification that will
address the unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this
modification is developed, approved, and available, the FAA might
consider additional rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 79 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.
Estimated Costs
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Number of
Average Cost per U.S.-
Action Work hours labor rate Parts airplane registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
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Installation...................... 3 $80 $8,960 $9,200 25 $230,000
Prior to or concurrent 32 80 4,497 7,057 25 176,425
requirements of AD 2001-24-30....
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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-2007-28924; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
051-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October
1, 2007.
[[Page 45956]]
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-200C and -200F series
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3430, dated February 15, 2007.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of water contamination in the
electrical/electronic units in the main equipment center. We are
issuing this AD to prevent water contamination of the electrical/
electronic units, which could cause the electrical/electronic units
to malfunction, and as a consequence, could adversely affect the
airplane's continued safe flight.
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.
Installations
(f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD,
install mounting brackets, support angles, and moisture curtains in
the main equipment center, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3430, dated
February 15, 2007.
Prior or Concurrent Requirements
(g) For airplanes identified as Group 1 and Group 3 airplanes in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3430, dated February 15, 2007:
Prior to or concurrently with the requirements of paragraph (f) of
this AD, install drip shields (including a drip pan assembly, drain
tubing, and attaching hardware) over the forward, outboard halves of
the E1-1 and E3-1 shelves in the main equipment bay, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-38A2073, Revision 3, dated May 22, 2003.
(h) Installation of drip shields before the effective date of
this AD in accordance with paragraph (a) and Note 2 of AD 2001-24-
30, amendment 39-12547, is acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding actions in paragraph (g) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 30, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-16117 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am]
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