[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 150 (Thursday, August 5, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47208-47210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-18619]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0045; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-085-AD;
Amendment 39-16382; AD 2010-16-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company 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
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Model 747 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting to verify the part
number of the low-pressure flex-hoses of the crew oxygen system
installed under the oxygen mask stowage boxes in the flight deck, and
replacing the flex-hose with a new non-conductive low-pressure flex-
hose if necessary. This AD results from reports of low-pressure flex-
hoses of the crew oxygen system that burned through due to inadvertent
electrical current from a short circuit in the audio select panel. We
are issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent electrical current, which
can cause the low-pressure flex-hoses of the crew oxygen system to melt
or burn, causing oxygen system leakage and smoke or fire.
DATES: This AD is effective September 9, 2010.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of September 9,
2010.
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 [email protected];
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
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: Susan L. Monroe, 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) 917-6457; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to
certain Model 747 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on January 22, 2010 (75 FR 3658). That NPRM proposed to
require inspecting to verify the part number of the low-pressure flex-
hoses of the crew oxygen system installed under the oxygen mask stowage
boxes in the flight deck, and replacing the flex-hose with a new non-
conductive low-pressure flex-hose if necessary.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We considered the comments received.
Support for the NPRM
Boeing concurs with the contents of the NPRM, and the Air Line
Pilots Association, International (ALPA) supports the intent of the
NPRM.
Request To Shorten Compliance Time
ALPA requests that the 36-month compliance time specified in the
NPRM be shortened given the potential consequence of an oxygen-fed fire
in the vicinity of the flightcrew station.
We do not agree. In developing an appropriate compliance time, we
considered the safety implications, parts availability, and normal
maintenance schedules for timely accomplishment of replacement of the
fasteners. Further, we arrived at the compliance time with manufacturer
concurrence. In consideration of all of these factors, we determined
that the compliance time, as proposed, represents an appropriate
interval in which the inspections can be done in a timely manner within
the fleet, while still maintaining an adequate level of safety.
Operators are always permitted to accomplish the requirements of an AD
at a time earlier than the specified compliance time; therefore, an
operator may choose to do
[[Page 47209]]
the inspection before 36 months in order to accomplish the requirements
of this AD. If additional data are presented that would justify a
shorter compliance time, we may consider further rulemaking on this
issue. We have not changed the AD in this regard.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
the AD as proposed.
Explanation of Change to Costs of Compliance
Since issuance of the NPRM, we have increased the labor rate used
in the Costs of Compliance from $80 per work-hour to $85 per work-hour.
The Costs of Compliance information, below, reflects this increase in
the specified hourly labor rate.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 211 airplanes of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it will take 1 work-hour per product to
comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based
on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD to the U.S.
operators to be $17,935, or $85 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
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.
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.
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2010-16-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16382. Docket No. FAA-
2010-0045; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-085-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 9,
2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company 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; line numbers 1 through 1229 inclusive.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35: Oxygen.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from reports of low-pressure flex-hoses of
the crew oxygen system that burned through due to inadvertent
electrical current from a short circuit in the audio select panel.
The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to prevent
inadvertent electrical current, which can cause the low-pressure
flex-hoses of the crew oxygen system to melt or burn, resulting in
oxygen system leakage and smoke or fire.
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.
Inspection
(g) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do an
inspection to determine whether any low-pressure flex-hose of the
crew oxygen system installed under the oxygen mask stowage box in
the flight deck has a part number identified in Table 1 of this AD.
A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of
this inspection if the part number of the low-pressure flex-hoses of
the crew oxygen system can be conclusively determined from that
review.
(1) For any hose having a part number identified in Table 1 of
this AD, before further flight, replace the hose with a new or
serviceable part, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions
of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-35A2101, Revision 1, dated May 15,
2003.
(2) For any hose not having a part number identified in Table 1
of this AD, no further action is required by this paragraph.
Table 1--Applicable Part Numbers
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Equivalent
Boeing specification part No. hydraflow part
No.
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60B50059-19............................................. 38001-19
60B50059-20............................................. 38001-20
60B50059-60............................................. 38001-60
60B50059-62............................................. 38001-62
60B50059-69............................................. 38001-69
60B50059-70............................................. 38001-70
60B50059-81............................................. 38001-81
60B50059-94............................................. 38001-94
60B50059-95............................................. 38001-95
60B50059-101............................................ 38001-101
60B50059-129............................................ 38001-129
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Parts Installation
(h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
on any airplane a crew oxygen hose with a part number identified in
Table 1 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
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to
Attn: Susan L. Monroe, 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) 917-6457; fax (425) 917-6590. Or, e-mail
information to [email protected].
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR
[[Page 47210]]
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.
Material Incorporated by Reference.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 747-35A2101, Revision
1, dated May 15, 2003 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
[email protected]; 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.
(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 July 16, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-18619 Filed 8-4-10; 8:45 am]
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