Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200C and -200F Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 12, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64104-64105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30206]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-218-AD; Amendment 39-12547; AD 2001-24-30]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200C and -200F Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-200C and -200F series airplanes, 
that requires installation of drip shields over certain shelves in the 
main equipment bay. This action is necessary to prevent water from 
dripping through floor panels of the main deck cargo bay onto wire 
bundles and electronic components, which could lead to the loss of 
function of multiple electronic components and, consequently, could 
reduce the flight crew's ability to operate in adverse conditions. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective January 16, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 16, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Oshiro, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 227-2793; fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-200C and 
-200F series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 
23, 2001 (66 FR 38209). That action proposed to require installation of 
drip shields over certain shelves in the main equipment bay.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule, including the proposed 
18-month compliance time. The commenter states that this is the minimum 
compliance time that will allow sufficient time for the proposed 
installation to be accomplished on affected airplanes.

Explanation of Changes to Proposed Rule

    Note 2 of this final rule has been revised to correct an error in 
the reference to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-38-2073.
    Also, the statement of unsafe condition in the ``Summary'' section 
and preceding the requirements of this AD have been revised to clarify 
that this AD concerns floor panels of the main deck cargo bay.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 59 Model 747-200C and ``200F series 
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 21 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this 
AD, that it will take approximately 32 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $4,497 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $134,757, or $6,417 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has

[[Page 64105]]

been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location 
provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2001-24-30  Boeing: Amendment 39-12547. Docket 2001-NM-218-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747-200C and ``200F series airplanes, as 
listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-38A2073, Revision 2, 
dated April 26, 2001; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent water from dripping through certain floor panels of 
the main deck cargo bay onto wire bundles and electronic components, 
which could lead to the loss of function of multiple electronic 
components and, consequently, could reduce the flight crew's ability 
to operate in adverse conditions, accomplish the following:

Installation of Drip Shields

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install drip shields (including 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, according to Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-38A2073, Revision 2, dated April 26, 
2001.

    Note 2: Installation done prior to the effective date of this AD 
according to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-38-2073, dated November 30, 
1989, or Revision 1, dated June 21, 1990, is acceptable for 
compliance with corresponding actions in paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-38A2073, Revision 2, dated April 26, 2001. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, 
P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 16, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 28, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30206 Filed 12-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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