[Federal Register: June 11, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 111)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 27693-27695]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11jn09-7]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0612; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-059-AD;
Amendment 39-15931; AD 2009-12-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Boeing Model 747 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting for cracks in
the left- and right-side Stringer 11 longeron adjacent to the
horizontal stabilizer pivot bulkhead, and related investigative and
corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report of a
crack found in the right-side Stringer 11 longeron horizontal flange,
adjacent to the horizontal stabilizer pivot bulkhead, during a routine
maintenance inspection. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
fatigue cracking of the longeron, which can propagate and cause damage
to the adjacent horizontal stabilizer pivot bulkhead. This damage could
result in loss of structural integrity and consequent inability of the
bulkhead to carry flight loads, which could adversely affect
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 16, 2009.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of July 16,
2009.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail me.boecom@boeing.com;
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or
425-227-1152.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
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
The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all Boeing
Model 747 airplanes. That supplemental NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on February 20, 2009 (74 FR 7834). That supplemental
NPRM proposed to require inspecting for cracks in the left- and right-
side Stringer 11 longeron adjacent to the horizontal stabilizer pivot
bulkhead, and doing related investigative and corrective actions if
necessary.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comment received. The
commenter, Boeing, concurs with the supplemental NPRM.
Change to Supplemental NPRM
We have added new paragraph (j) to this final rule and re-
identified subsequent paragraphs to give credit for inspections
accomplished using the original issue of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-
53A2703, dated February 14, 2008.
[[Page 27694]]
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comment received, and determined that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously.
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 165 airplanes of U.S. registry. We
also estimate that it takes 3 work-hours per product to comply with
this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be
$39,600, or $240 per product.
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 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):
2009-12-08 Boeing: Amendment 39-15931. Docket No. FAA-2008-0612;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-059-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective July 16, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-
100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D,
747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, certificated in any
category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53:
Fuselage.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from a report of a crack found in the right-
side Stringer 11 longeron horizontal flange, adjacent to the
horizontal stabilizer pivot bulkhead, during a routine maintenance
inspection. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue
cracking of the longeron, which can propagate and cause damage to
the adjacent horizontal stabilizer pivot bulkhead. This damage could
result in loss of structural integrity and consequent inability of
the bulkhead to carry flight loads, which could adversely affect
controllability of the airplane.
Compliance
(f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
Inspection/Related Investigative and Corrective Actions
(g) Except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the
applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Service
Bulletin 747-53A2703, Revision 1, dated September 16, 2008, do a
surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection for cracks in
the left- and right-side Stringer 11 longeron exposed surfaces and
edges between Station 2598 and 2607 adjacent to the horizontal
stabilizer pivot bulkhead; and do all applicable related
investigative and corrective actions before further flight, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service
Bulletin 747-53A2703, Revision 1, dated September 16, 2008, except
as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD.
Exception to Compliance Times
(h) Where Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2703, Revision 1, dated
September 16, 2008, specifies counting the compliance time from `` *
* * the date on this service bulletin,'' this AD requires counting
the compliance time from the effective date of this AD.
Exception to Corrective Actions
(i) If any crack is found during any inspection required by this
AD, and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2703, Revision 1, dated
September 16, 2008, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate
action: Before further flight, repair using a method approved in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this
AD.
Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin
(j) Inspections, related investigative actions, and corrective
actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD according
to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2703, dated February 14,
2008, are considered acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(k)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, ATTN: Ivan Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S,
FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 917-6437; fax (425) 917-6590 has the authority
to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures
found in 14 CFR 39.19. Or, e-mail information to 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-
AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or
principal avionics inspector (PAI), or lacking a principal
inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. The AMOC
approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair
[[Page 27695]]
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
(l) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2703, Revision
1, dated September 16, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD,
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail
me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information that
is incorporated by reference 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 2, 2009.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-13406 Filed 6-10-09; 8:45 am]
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