[Federal Register: April 1, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 61)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 14750-14751]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01ap09-16]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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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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[[Page 14750]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0293; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-221-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD,
-200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F, and 747SR Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes identified above. This proposed AD
would require replacing the inboard trailing edge (TE) flap
transmission carbon disk no-back brakes with skewed roller no-back
brakes at the TE flap transmission, positions 4 and 5. This proposed AD
results from reports of the inboard TE flaps blowing back due to the
failure of a transmission carbon disk no-back brake. The no-back brake
did not hold the TE flaps in the commanded position. We are proposing
this AD to prevent a decrease of the aerodynamic controllability of the
airplane, which could adversely affect the airplane's continued safe
flight and landing.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 18, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
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.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed 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 proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Tsuji, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 917-6487; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-0293;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-221-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We have received reports of the inboard trailing edge (TE) flaps
blowing back due to the failure of a transmission carbon disk no-back
brake. The no-back brake did not hold the TE flaps in the commanded
position. On approach, with landing flaps 25 or 30 selected, the
inboard TE flaps failed to hold the commanded position and blew back to
approximately flaps 10/15. This failure can cause an asymmetric flap
blow-back if a torque tube becomes disconnected in combination with a
failed no-back brake, or cause a symmetric flap blow-back if the
hydraulic motor torque is lost in combination with two failed no-back
brakes.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in a decrease of the
aerodynamic controllability of the airplane, which could adversely
affect the airplane's continued safe flight and landing.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-27-
2422, dated October 30, 2008. The service bulletin describes procedures
to replace the inboard TE flap transmission carbon disk no-back brakes
with skewed roller no-back brakes at the TE flap transmission,
positions 4 and 5.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type
designs. This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 249 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.
[[Page 14751]]
Table--Estimated costs
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Number of U.S.-
Action Work hours Average labor Parts Cost registered Fleet cost
rate per hour airplanes
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Replacement....................................... 25 $80 $60,670 $62,670 249 $15,604,830
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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 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 this 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.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2009-0293; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-
221-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by May 18, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -
200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F, and 747SR series
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-27-2422, dated October 30,
2008.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27: Flight
controls.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from reports of the inboard trailing edge
(TE) flaps blowing back due to the failure of a transmission carbon
disk no-back brake. The no-back brake did not hold the flaps in the
commanded position. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing
this AD to prevent a decrease of the aerodynamic controllability of
the airplane, which could adversely affect the airplane's continued
safe flight and landing.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Corrective Action
(g) Within 5 years after the effective date of this AD, replace
the trailing edge flap transmission no-back brakes with skewed
roller no-back brakes at the trailing edge flap transmission,
positions 4 and 5, in accordance with Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 747-27-2422, dated October 30, 2008.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to
ATTN: Douglas Tsuji, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment
Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
917-6487; fax (425) 917-6590.
(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), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 18, 2009.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-7273 Filed 3-31-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P